Road_Less_Taken
New Member
Hello,
I'm hoping to get some advice on the following matter:
I'm giving serious consideration to pursuing a military career at this time. One of the options that particularly interests me is the Army SF (I have spoken with the local recruiter to make sure I meet the basic qualifications). The most direct route of entry from civilian life is the 18X program, though this only allows entry as an enlisted man.
I have just recently completed an advanced academic degree and have full or partial fluency in several foreign languages (as well as other skills which may, or may not be, relevant). I have spoken with everyone I know who was in the military, and they all tell me the same thing - if at all possible, I should enter as an officer.
One such acquaintance, a former Vietnam-era Green Beret, suggested I look into the possibility of going directly to OCS or even a direct commission. Since SF is so different from other military occupations, he suggested I could fill in many of the gaps in my training during the SFQC (after boot camp and airborne training).
Finally, entering as an officer would give me more options in case I didn't make the cut in the SFQC (anyone know what the failure rate is, by any chance?). The downside to this approach, so far as I can tell, is that it does not guarantee a slot in the Q course.
So, I was hoping that some of you gentlemen might be able to advise me how best to go about this: how could I enter as an officer, without screwing with my chances of getting a slot in the SFQC, that would otherwise be guaranteed (by going 18X)?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I'm hoping to get some advice on the following matter:
I'm giving serious consideration to pursuing a military career at this time. One of the options that particularly interests me is the Army SF (I have spoken with the local recruiter to make sure I meet the basic qualifications). The most direct route of entry from civilian life is the 18X program, though this only allows entry as an enlisted man.
I have just recently completed an advanced academic degree and have full or partial fluency in several foreign languages (as well as other skills which may, or may not be, relevant). I have spoken with everyone I know who was in the military, and they all tell me the same thing - if at all possible, I should enter as an officer.
One such acquaintance, a former Vietnam-era Green Beret, suggested I look into the possibility of going directly to OCS or even a direct commission. Since SF is so different from other military occupations, he suggested I could fill in many of the gaps in my training during the SFQC (after boot camp and airborne training).
Finally, entering as an officer would give me more options in case I didn't make the cut in the SFQC (anyone know what the failure rate is, by any chance?). The downside to this approach, so far as I can tell, is that it does not guarantee a slot in the Q course.
So, I was hoping that some of you gentlemen might be able to advise me how best to go about this: how could I enter as an officer, without screwing with my chances of getting a slot in the SFQC, that would otherwise be guaranteed (by going 18X)?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.