Selection and training

[Mike]

I was talking with a friend who spend time in South America. He noticed that in South American armies (Brazil, Argentina, etc), those who volunteered for Special Forces were required to be from an airborne unit or Ranger unit. Same thing for some Asian countries. Unlike most European countries and the U.S, we do differently.
Will a system like that work in the U.S.? For example, candidates for Special Forces must come from the 82nd Airborne Division or 75th Ranger Regiment. Or is the current system where anyone can try out still good? (BTW, I think E-5 and above should try out for SF, not E3-E4).

[This message has been edited by Mike (edited 05-23-2000).]

[OldSFer]

Mike,

The selection process for SF has worked well
as it is. It has evolved and changed to meet the needs of SF at the time. What factors do you base your opinion
that the soldier be E5 to try out on? Are you
currently involved in the selection process
or have you gone through it in the past?

In my opinion rank should not be a factor in
selection process. Personally I would open CMF18 to new enlistees but require the following. 1. Minimum age 21. 2.
Higher minimum test scores (I would not have lowered the bar as they did recently). 3. Minimum of 60 hours of college credits. 4. Longer enlistments that would require the soldier to serve in group a mimimum of four years of AD after completion of the Q.

My opinions are based on having served in SF. De Oppresso Liber.

[This message has been edited by OldSFer (edited 05-23-2000).]

[Mike]

to OldSFer, welcome back.
I was just curious on the changes done in 1986 when E-4 and below were allowed to try out for SF. Before then, re-enlistment was required in order to join or stay in SF and the time-frame would be an E-5 was eligible. Thus the question of whether rank should be a factor as I brought it up.

[roberthish]

I just graduated from class 006-00. Im an E-4, my MOS is 95B. I think the system is perfect the way it is. We had a few E-3's go through with us and i think 2 of them made it. Also, there were a lot of "soft skill" mos's that made it through. The majority of my team during team week was soft skill. MP's, X-ray Tech's, Mechanics, you name. SFAS had nothin to do with infantry skill or tactics.
Just my opinion after recently graduating SFAS Class 006-00 and being selected to be an 18D !

[SpecOps_Guy]

robertthish:

Did you know a SSG Anderson from 20th Group in VA? He was in my Indoc program in the VA ARNG. I'm Trying to go in Nov.

[Whammer]

Spec Ops,

Are you dialed in for an SFAS date in November or is it still yet to be determined? I am shooting for Nov also. Going through an evaluation next weekend for the 19th and the earliest (most realistic) available class dates are Nov.

di

[cecil18]

Gentlemen,

Be advised if you have not yet heard, SFAS format will be changing. The format will be concentrating on Land Nav. and SUT. Know thy Ranger Handbook (Op Orders) and the 7-8.

Roberthish, congrats on completing and being selected, drive on canidate!

-Cecil

[SpecOps_Guy]

Whammer:

It is still yet to be determined. I have to go back to the next INDOC in September and be assessed by the cadre. When I do well at that time, I should be going in November. Maybe I'll see you there.

[Whammer]

Spec,

Yeah, please let me know how it develops. Per Cecil's post, I want to get as much intel as possible re: STAR land nav and the SMUT criteria at SFAS. I understand though, the duration will not be changed; it will still be the 3.5 weeks...Please keep in touch.

If anyone else out there has any more re: changes to SFAS, please post as 00-01 classes will be changed. Us guinea pigs need all the help.

thanks
di

[hm8404]

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[roberthish]

Thanx for the congrats!
I dont have a school date for the Q yet. My security Clearance held me up for some reason but that should be straight this week. Then i should get a School date for the Q.
About SFAS changing thats true. We heard thru word of mouth while at selection and from some of the cadre that they are trying to add the star course and some SUT (small unit tactics) type stuff to the course. There is lots of down time in the first week that could be filled with some stuff i guess.

About SSG Anderson, the name doesnt ring a bell but then again most of the guys i knew were only known to me by first name or roster number. Unless its one of your buddies and you get to them better.

gotta go

Hish
R#128

[SAPPER317]

Word from 20th SFG HQ is that SFAS is now five weeks, with the STAR and much SUT added in. SUT was identified as being the greatest source of failures. Also, if you are currently SFAS "selected", you have until JAN 2001 to be going through SF Qualification. The current SFAS has an expiration date. BORN ON DATE?!?!?

As far as allowing E4s into SF back in the 1980's, I feel it was a right decision. I was a 12B (Combat Engineer) and an E4P, which meant I was "Promotable". I had been through the promotion baord and been selected for promotion. However, with so many E5s waiting for E6, and E6s waiting for E7, and so on, the system was saturated. Promotion cut off was at 998 points. Too many grunts, not enough slots. If SF maintained E5 only and up, many soldiers would have left after their original enlistment.

The current idea of shaving the standards to allow potential candidates in is alarming. Not because less qualified people are being allowed to try out for SF, but that more qualified people are getting OUT. The candidate still has to pass the same requirements when going through selection and qualification. What is happening during the Q course, I can not answer.

[Whammer]

Sapper,

Can you confirm you info on the 5 week SFAS? I've been hearing from cadre from the 19th out west that it won't be lengthened any...

Is your info straight poop?
thanks
di

[SAPPER317]

Whammer,

The info was given to us by the TNG NCO, from the SGM. The Group's brass met the weekend of 19-21 May 2000 in Alabama, with men from JFK/Ft. Bragg.

I have not seen anything on DA letterhead, though. Will/can this change...of course. This is the first time that this was given out as "Official Information". I have not been able to substantiate any of it, through "official" channels.

Maybe soemone that works down in Group HQ of JFK can give more info/validate this. This has been rumor for some time, but this is the fist "official" notice any of us hads heard.

SAPPER

[Whammer]

HM8404,

Check you email address. I am getting messages bumped back from both your hotmail and your usmc.mil accounts...

Please advise.
di

[Whammer]

Sapper,

Keep up on the local buzz and I will do the same.

thanks
di

[hm8404]

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