Info on 18x program

[ComnGitMe]

I have been a member of the forum and SOCNET since June and I have been reading post trying to compile info but, now I have questions for some of the vets here. In your honest opinion would going option 40 in my contract (ranger) and after serving for awhile trying for SF increase my chances of success compared to just using the 18x program? Most of the people on socnet say the only people who succeed are the ones who know it before they get there that they aren't going to quit but, I wanted to ask this question here before I ask it over there.

[Uncle Sam]

You need to talk to 11F5S He's Former SF and all knowing guru !

[FallenAngel]

I have been a member of the forum and SOCNET since June and I have been reading post trying to compile info but, now I have questions for some of the vets here. In your honest opinion would going option 40 in my contract (ranger) and after serving for awhile trying for SF increase my chances of success compared to just using the 18x program? Most of the people on socnet say the only people who succeed are the ones who know it before they get there that they aren't going to quit but, I wanted to ask this question here before I ask it over there.

Statistically speaking....if you go 18X, you're just as likely to finish as someone who's been in a while AFAIK.

[Seraphim]

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3115&highlight=18x

[11F5S]

Statistics don't mean diddly......the only thing that counts is you...You either have it or you don't...if you can't hack the 18x pipeline odds are you aren't going to cut it in SF by taking the other route either. If you want to go SF go 18X. If you want to be a Ranger go Ranger Option. That is MHO.

[Cael]

I'm in the 18x program actually. My younger brother is going in with a Ranger contract, the reason being is that he is younger. He's only 18, and in his opinion as it was mine it would rather be a better idea to go and be a Ranger for now. I think it's a good opportunity and experience to be a Ranger, it's just one that I don't think i'm looking for.
It's also what you want. And like 11F5S said, it's all on you. I just met up with some guys from the 7th SFG and some of them had different routes. Although a majority were previous Rangers, still it all relied on them.

Good luck man, maybe you should also ask this on SOCNET also.

[ComnGitMe]

thanks for the great info and 11 I definately agree with you about the attitude as far as attitude goes I haven't quit anything in my life and I wont quit my dream so I am not concerned as far as attitude goes but it does take more than attitude (although seeing as your the vet I will definately agree with you) I went to my recruiter today and the way he put it to me was that the bonuses of taking someone of the street is that they don't have bad habits yet as someone who is enlisted does have bad habits but he also said that if i plan on doing this for awhile then ranger first would be a better way because he said that you'll get plenty offers to go to sniper school, special forces, and other units once your in and performing well but i am gonna stop talking and take in more info from you guys



again thanks for responding and keep the responses coming

[11F5S]

thanks for the great info and 11 I definately agree with you about the attitude as far as attitude goes I haven't quit anything in my life and I wont quit my dream so I am not concerned as far as attitude goes but it does take more than attitude (although seeing as your the vet I will definately agree with you) I went to my recruiter today and the way he put it to me was that the bonuses of taking someone of the street is that they don't have bad habits yet as someone who is enlisted does have bad habits but he also said that if i plan on doing this for awhile then ranger first would be a better way because he said that you'll get plenty offers to go to sniper school, special forces, and other units once your in and performing well but i am gonna stop talking and take in more info from you guys again thanks for responding and keep the responses coming

It sounds to me that the recruiter is trying to sell you a Ranger Contract. Typical recruiter smoke. You will have the oppportunity to get more schools in SF than you will have in any other unit in the Army. Go the 18X route (and succeed) and you will be an NCO on ODA and the guys in who went Ranger will still pushing up the ground at Battalion. :P

If you have the desire, drive , determination, self-motivation and learn to listen carefully to what you are told....then the 18x program is the way to go SF.

I went into SF straight out of BCT/AIT (11B) and BAC (Airborne), 18x type enlistments didn't exist at the time (at least not to my knowlege.)
My mentors were vets of WWII and Korea...They were the best teachers a young soldier could ever have hoped to have.

[Cael]

I agree with 11F5S. What happens is that you need to be at a Sgt. level to succeed. That's why there's no one under a Sgt. who graduates. It's pretty damn nice since you go to PLDC after SFAS, that's a pretty damn fast promotion. The guys were telling me that you go through the basic stuff that Rangers go through during SUT etc. He called em mini-Ranger schools.

Plus, you can't beat getting language pay added on to what you already get. :D

11F5S probably knows a couple, I swear some of those guys know how to speak my native languag better than I.

[11F5S]

I agree with 11F5S. What happens is that you need to be at a Sgt. level to succeed. That's why there's no one under a Sgt. who graduates.

That is simply not true...I was an E-4 when I served on my first ODA and ....in the past the junior positions on an ODA were E-5 slots...today they are E-6 slots...they don't need to be SGT's... they are SGT's because they meet the requirements for that rank .... Today, entry level SF MOS courses are all 30 level (SSG) courses and it's likely that the soldier will attain that rank in the minmum time frame in most cases. It isn't beyond the realm of possibility today, that an individual could reach his first ODA as an E-4.

[11F5S]

I agree with 11F5S. What happens is that you need to be at a Sgt. level to succeed. That's why there's no one under a Sgt. who graduates.

That is simply not true...I along with countless others were E-4's when we served on our first ODA's ....in the past the junior positions on an ODA were E-5 slots...today they are E-6 slots...they don't need to be SGT's... they are SGT's because they meet the requirements for that rank .... Today, entry level SF MOS courses are all 30 level (SSG) courses and the soldier will attain that rank in the minmum time frame in most cases. I don't believe that it's beyond the realm of possibility today, that an individual could reach his first ODA as an E-4.

[SABER 2-3]

You can be a E-4 with a assignment to a ODA, but normally a soldier must attend PLDC prior to SFAS and most assured prior to SFQC. This ensures that upon graduation (and MOS designation) from the Q course, the soldier in most situations will be promoted as soon as time in grade requirement are met (or waivered).

[Cael]

Oh ok. The way they made it sound like was by the time you finished the pipeline you would be E-5 since you go through PLDC before Q course. From what they said (I guess now) is that no one graduates under E-5. But then again it could have been mis-stated, or I plainly didn't fully understand since I did have a fever that day.

Edited: re-worded.

[Argyll]

:D

Cael,I've been reading the reports on this program at SOCNET in the forums,and guess what.......they say you never have time to do anything these days......let alone spend time surfin' the net!!.........your Instructors are gonna be pissed at ya man!
What phase you on?

[Cael]

I'm not out there yet, I haven't left yet. I'm sure I won't have time to surf the net once I leave, most of the time it's locked down anyways. This is the only time I get to actually surf the net since i'm still sick as a dog.

Which is stupid since I was getting better and the first time I did get better I thought I'd go for a nice little ruck. 6 miles later I thought I was gonna pass out. A nice cell phone is always handy when your car is 6 miles away.

I'm leaving in about 2 weeks, i'll keep you posted when I finish SFAS. Other than that i'm gonna keep my head focused into it.

[Argyll]

ah that clears that up then!

Ok Good Luck and keep us posted!

[ComnGitMe]

Cael god bless you man and I will pray for your success I was speaking to my recruiter today just found out he was a ranger, special forces, and was even selected to try for CAG but decided against it. He has just inspired me with his just dont quit attitude and the invaluable information I have obtained here I just got back my asvab score got an 81 and I leave for MEPS either thursday or next week thanks for helping me make a tough decision because in doing this I may have just lost my fiance whom means the world to me but it time i did something that made me happy (sorry for filling the board with sentimental crap) and made something important of myselfand give back to my family and country thanks alot and keep giving me info and the such


Thanks alot

One greatful recruit...