I have a question about the ARMY.?

Question

I want to enlist and an 18X which is basically an 11b with airborne and a try out for special forces. I've been doing some reading and most say most special forces guys are older and have seen combat, but my recruiter some of the things and missions they do, and I dunno it appealed to me. I was already gonna be a 11B but though I'd tryout for this.


I guess what I'm asking is this, Do you think its stupid of me as an 18 year old to try out for this or should I wait? And what can I do to prepare?

Answer 1

It's late at night, and I don't feel like writing an awful lot, so I'll link to this previous answer for the same question:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aq1fSquD6BAyNFtFyFJ7USPty6IX?qid=20060924190407AAS79Cl&show=7#profile-info-c93dc99acae2997a61079bbed89e2eb3aa

Everything still applies. Shoot me an email if you have questions.

Oh and bottom line: If you get bullseyed as an 18X, you're either going to EOD School (if you're lucky) or becoming an 11B. EOD School is no joke either (your chances of getting kicked from THAT school as an AIT private is like 90%+) so you'll end up an 11B anyways, with that millstone round your neck saying you got kicked from SFAS or the Q-Course. You don't need that.

Oh and not getting kicked out of RIP is like ... yeah right. RIP contracts are used as bait. Recruiters know most kids fail and forfeit their bonus. Don't put that gun to your head. Just go light infantry (preferably 82nd and get Airborne Wings or 101st and Air Assault Wings), get some deployment time under your belt so people know you've paid your dues and you know how the Army works, and then goto Ranger School and drop a Selection Packet. You're 18. Unless you are like one outstanding physical specimen (like Olympic class biathlete) don't put yourself under that hammer of being either 18X or in a RIP contract.

Trying out is nice until you get kicked and your career comes crashing onto your head. Do what you can first. Trust me: When you get to Benning and get your first scuffing at Sand Hill, all your hopes will seem very, very far away and dreams will seem very, very small. Don't put yourself under the gun on your first enlistment. You'll get plenty of chances to move on. Get the shortest contract possible for 11-series at a good duty station and test up. You'll see why this makes sense when you reach muscle failure on the ground someday.

And then you get over it and move on. Finis.

Answer 2

I don't think you should do this, just my opinion, here's why.

They say that the Army uses this to trick recruits into signing up as one of the most dangerous (and needed) jobs in the military, 11b. The wash out rate for recruits that try to make Special Forces right off the street is extremely high and if you fail you are recycled as a 11b (infantry). Since you say that you want to be 11b anyway you should try for the Ranger contract or at least look at it (also read on, more about that). Rangers are bad-a** highly trained light infantry soldiers. They're already apart of Special Operation Command and would help give you a FEEL (emphasized) of spec ops.

The reason why eveywhere you look (informational videos, or from Army personnel) people are telling you most Special Forces are older more experienced soldiers it is b/c they make the best Special Forces soldiers. They have experience which allows them to deal with sh*thole situations, most have served time in the conventional Army and know the ins and outs of what there occupation is (medic, weapons, communications).

The mission of the Special Forces soldier (although they do a myriad of other spec ops missions), what they did in Afghanistan, is to teach farmers how to fight the terrorists themselves. This means that you have to have good leadership abilities and teaching abilities. What Afghan or Iraqi farmer is going to listen to an 18 year-old. I'm not saying it's impossible I'm just saying it's improbable.

Finally, even if you were to get in and pass and be a member of the Special Forces you will be looked at differently than most of the other members (mostly in a bad way but a little good). The reason why is b/c they call most of those Special Forces members X-rays (b/c of how they became Special Forces 18x). This is partly good b/c you showed that at even such a young age you were able to pass, in my opinion, the hardest training the military has to offer (that includes BUD/s). The other side is that they look at you as unexperienced and less likely to complete a mission, not as capable.

A lot of Special Forces soldiers are career soldiers or men that stay in the Army for a while (8+ years). If that is your plan then a better proposition would be to take the Ranger contract (don't wash out) go to the 75th Ranger Regiment do your time there and then if you think you want to become Special Forces (and if you have what it takes) apply for it.

Damn I said a lot, anyway whatever you do good luck.

Answer 3

jysn_kay,
I was in the Navy, but my brother went into the Army back during Viet Nam at about your age. He only had a two year hitch, but he made it into Special Forces, so I think it can be done (no you're not stupid).
He was very athletic, but only had a high school diploma. I think you need to be in very good shape physically and seriously believe that you are invincible. If you have those qualities then go for it. Just remember you'll have to be better than 97% of the other guys that are in good shape and think they're invincible. Lots of people will be eliminated before they select the few that get in.

Answer 4

As with most military specialties, they need people to fill all of the ranks so they need younger soldiers also.

The physical preparation goes without saying, aim for maximum (and beyond) APFT . That demonstrates one facet of discipline.

Be prepared to be on the learning curve, be respectful, and be ready to learn.

Answer 5

Go for it, set your sights high but prepared to jump through a lot of hoops to get there. You won't get Special Forces right away, you need to be patient about it.

Answer 6

My nephew is Special Forces - never know where he is.
He saw action in Bosnia first. He went through his training and was stationed then when it came time for troops to go he volunteered to take the place of another man whose wife had just given birth. That way he got his combat in.
Hope that helps.
Either way, bless you and thanks for your choice.

Answer 7

my buddy you cant of been very sturdy at your activity thats why the royal engineers have been given rid of you. royal engineers all of us know the story and on the seventh day god made guy then on the eighth day he made the royal engineer and the devil stood rigidly to interest. the biggest maximum effective corp interior the british military why purely ask lieutenant richard merriett chard V.C.

Answer 8

since you're only 18, you aren't eligible for it. You have to be 20 now. Tell your recruiter to read the USAREC messages.

Answer 9

Go for it..... or you will regret not at least trying. It is a GREAT personal challenge.

I'm a former 11B4X

Answer 10

my brother enlisted when he was 19 and hated it i honestly think you should wait and make sure it is what you really want because it is a lot of work