This question is for all SF Joe's, I have been in the reserve and guard for ten years. I finally got the wife to agree to let me join the Special Forces. The SF recruiter at Ft. Riley said I would have to join Actice duty and then put in a packet for selection. The only reason I want to go active is to complete SF training. Is there any advice on SF packets and also anybody know any safe sound advice on passing selection? Thanks,

Was the SF Recruiter for the 19th or 20th SFG? They're the ARNG SF units. It's been a couple years since I talked to the ARNG SF Recruiter, but at the time he said they arrainge to SUTA a drill with the nearest ARNG SF det, and that if accepted, a soldier could transfer to that unit, prep for selection, and then go active for training to try selection and beyond.

Sounds like you talked with an active duty recruiter. Might want to check with the ARNG SF units. Globalsecurity.org is a good place to track down which unit is nearest you.

I would say contact one of the NG Groups directly and find out what you need to do to become one of their REP63's.

For what it is worth I have a guy who works for me in a training unit I am in. He was in the 82nd, etsed and came to us about 1 1/2 years ago. He has decided to go SF NG. I thought it best that he try or get slection before he transfer from the Reserve to the NG.

I have convinced my BN CSM to let him do this, so she is trying to convince the Brigade CSM to let him go before he transfer to the NG.My thought process to them was that if he goes and fails he stays with us, if he transfers to the NG and goes to SFAS we loose him period. Now I know he will make it as he is ready now and and is stud. But you might want to try to see if your command will let you go to SFAS while in your current unit. This way when you transfer you are all set to get a Q-course date and will not have to put up with the NQP platoon stuff and your interview to be accepted to the NG SF unit of your choice will be a little easier as you are qualified to attend the Q-course.

Just a thought, keep in mind this guy is the only guy in my unit I would do this for as I am 90% sure he can make it. Remember there are all kinds of ways to get what you want, how you want it in the Army.

Thanks for the info. I have no problem going active, if I'm going to be active I'd like to be in a group. Thanks again

""The only reason I want to go active is to complete SF training. Is there any advice on SF packets and also anybody know any safe sound advice on passing selection?""

Want to pass, don't suck at it and don't quit. That pretty much goes for anything you try.

SGT US.ARMY, Infantry Sniper, Iraq Combat Veteran

Why do you want to do SF training?

Do you want to be an SF trooper and go to Afghanistan and other exotic places and do exotic things?

Or do you want to train and then go back to your part time duty and brag about it?

SF is in significant need of "real deal" troopers at this time.

SF is not a casual application.

quote:

Originally posted by snykypyt:
...Or do you want to train and then go back to your part time duty and brag about it?...

I hope I am simply misreading the above comment and that was not meant as a dig on the NGSF Groups and your referencing their service as second rate to that of their AD counterpart.

Thor

quote:

I hope I am simply misreading the above comment

I think it wasn't meant to be insulting, just that the orig poster seemed to only want to do the "training" and then go back to being a regular reservist and not do the job of an 18.

Shardik:

You are probably right... I was reading before I had my morning coffee...

Anyway, in today's Army the only dif between AD SF and NG SF is the NG guys have to look for a new job, apartmetn and spouse every other year between deployments.

Since you have an amount of qualification to ask, I will respond.

I enlisted Abn Inf in 1966.
I did 4 years, with 16 months in a border A Camp.

During that period of time, NG and reserves was basically a safe harbour for draft dodgers and yellow bellies.
This included the SF NGs that showed up at training group who even were excused from cleanup details. I remember ONE guy who activated and went to RVN. Most all of the rest went home to momma. They used to joke about us "cannon fodder."
There were SF NGs with prior service. Good on them.
Later there were lots of problems
with "recreationl" SF types. Paper flashes and their ilk.
Some did OK, many did not.
A good deal of this changed with the deployments for the current snot-throw.
One cannot denegrate any of those folks, SF or others who have stood this test.
There's a bunch of legs near here with 3 deployments and a number of casualties.

I have always felt that one is not really a soldier without a few years active duty.
You can disagree-your opinion.

The poster did not mention he desired to be an asset to our current involvement.
This would prompt some folks to question his motivation seeing as we need people.

You could do better asking direct questions.

quote:

Originally posted by snykypyt:
During that period of time, NG and reserves was basically a safe harbour for draft dodgers and yellow bellies.

Under the old system, yes. I'm sure even the Reserve SF was a "safe place" to hide out from deployment OCONUS. Under today's system, not so much.

Things changed in 1991. When 20th SFG(A) mobilized during Desert Storm it was monumental. Today the NG groups deploy just as much as the AD groups. The drawback for them is they are "Christmas Help" and between deployments have to (briefly) recreate a civilian life.

I totally agree about the prior-service part. I'd go so far as to make it a requirement for officers too (e.g. prior enlisted).

snykypyt brings up a bunch of good points. I joined the reserve (11th Group) after I left active duty and everyone there was either prior service RGR BN, SF Airorne or Infantry. The experience level was very strong. Then shortly after I get to 11th Group they get deactivated, so CA and 20th Grp comes a calling to recruit us many of us went to 20th group. Most of us all went over to 20th Group and it was like night and day. For example:

1. I had never heard of a "paper tab" and all of the leadership was basically "paper tabbers". However with the inclux of 11th group guys and others coming from active duty that was changed out within a few years.

2. The NG was all about politics, those of us that came from 11th group came ready to train and it we were looked like we were crazy.

3. There was a serious ethical problem in 3/20, fraud was investigated and there were alot of other issues.

4. The active guard thing was abused in a big way, guys put on orders who basically did nothing. For example we had a 18E that was the comsec custodian. The guy did nothing as at the time we never got satcom time and when we used HF it was done by just picking freq's and making our own comsec.

Now you fast forward to today and I know that I and most in my company have more tours than anyone of my friends on active duty; except for those in 5th and 3rd group. The guard and reserve has gone through a massive overhaul for the better. The only thing that they really need to do now is get the TAG's out of SF business as our TAG comes around once a year or so and tries to steal all our cool guy stuff, we end up having to call USASFC or USASOC and put him in his place. Of course the TAG is always some buddy of the governor and would never be the rank he is without being some political animal.

@ snykypyt

You bring up good points about the NG and Reserve SF of the 60-80's. However this is 2008 and as Ranger1stBatt pointed out things have changed and changed dramatically.

As Ranger1stBatt pointed out most NGSF soldiers have more tours in the box than many of our AD counterparts, not to include our volunteering to pick up JCET's, etc so some of the AD counterparts can have a few months of extra time CONUS with their families.

We are more than pulling our share of the OPTEMPO. Just a suggestion but you may want to consider that in the future when comparing NG and AD...

Thor

ranger1stbatt:

Send me a PM when you have time...

Thor

Had you actually read my post you would know I made a fairly clear distinction between the old days and today.

I still have a personal opinion of anyone who only joined up with the intention of being a part timer.
I enlisted in '66 with the intention of seeing the elephant.

Anyone who has deployed gets all the respect I can muster as I am too old to help out.

I feel some of the NGs are in fact being overused.

quote:

Originally posted by ranger1stbat:
1. I had never heard of a "paper tab" and all of the leadership was basically "paper tabbers". However with the inclux of 11th group guys and others coming from active duty that was changed out within a few years.

Yeah, "Paper Tabs" were an abomination that thankfully died by the end of the '80's.

quote:

The NG was all about politics, those of us that came from 11th group came ready to train and it we were looked like we were crazy.

Yeah, being state level, the NG is a smaller and even more inbred military than "Big Army".

quote:

There was a serious ethical problem in 3/20, fraud was investigated and there were alot of other issues.

Really?! I left C/3/20th in 1995. Please PM me with the dirty details.

snykypyt:

I see this is going nowhere.

We are at an impasse; you aren't gonna change my mind about my commitment, dedication, and skills being equal to that of the AD counterpart and it appears I will not change your mind that we are only "part-time" help.

With that and in that we will have to agree to disagree.

Thank you for your service to our country.

Thor

This message has been edited. Last edited by: thorocentesis,

Thor,

Honestly dude I think he agrees with you. His only criticism seems to have been for NG folks 40 years ago.