Going SFAS as Officer???

[Grant]

I have heard that Lt's can go to SFAS/Q Course. Can a 2Lt go, or must you be a 1Lt? Is it possible for someone straight out of ROTC to go to SFAS? In order for an officer to be in an ODA, I have heard that they must be a Cpt. What would a Lt do after graduating SFAS/Q Course if they have not reached Capt yet??? Thanks in advance for info.

[csd96]

Currently, if you are on Active Duty, you must be a 1LT(P) (selected for promotion to captain) before you can attend SFAS. Some attend as 1LT(P)'s, before they attend the Infantry or Armor Officer Advanced Course (Actually now called the Infantry Captain Career Course, or ICCC) for about five months then attend a three month Command and Staff Service School (CAS^3). They then go on to the Q. They will have been promoted to Captain prior to attending the Q (no earlier or later than other officers in their year group). Some go to SFAS as Captains AFTER the ICCC and then go on to the Q.
From what I understand, the two NG SF Units are authorized 2LT/1LT's, and send them to SFAS and the Q. Some NG guys or SF branch reps can give you more info on that issue.

Sean

[Whammer]

csd,

Please elaborate if possible (or anyone else on the board) about the 2LT/1LT route through NG SF. This should probably go under the NG board, but oh well...

thanks
di

[csd96]

I couldn't give you a solid answer on that one bud, especially as much as things change in the Army. I would try to get hold of 19th or 20th SFG(A) and check with them. You should be able to track down a number to one of them (talk to their personnel folks) over the net. Anyone else have info?

Sean

[Grant]

I plan on doing ROTC in college, and then what? Is it possible after earning a commission (2LT) to go to a conventional infantry unit, then when eligible after promotion to 1LT go to 75th Ranger Rgt. And then later when eligible as Cpt., apply for SF? Is this a feasable trail? Or is it too much moving around in such a short time? With SF as the primary goal, would it be better to stay in the same unit from 2LT all the way till it is time to apply for SF?

Sorry this was so long. I know I am getting ahead of myself to be thinking of this, but I just want to have a good idea as to what my options are before I go off to college. Thanks in advance.

Grant

[dk57]

Whammer,

There are some assistant team leader slots for 2LT in SF, but they are very hard to come by. I have spoken with the CO's of various 19th and 20th SF companies, and they have all told me that the best way for a guy with no prior service to enter SF as an officer is to serve 1 - 1.5 years as a platoon leader in an infantry unit, and then try out with the SF company on promotion to 1LT. Another way they suggest is to go REP-63 and then go through OCS later on, but that takes up a lot of time.
The best thing to do is to go to OCS and then try to get assigned to an LRS detachment as a platoon leader. You'll get a shot at airborne and ranger schools, and those guys usually cross-train with SF.

[This message has been edited by dk57 (edited 06-22-2000).]

[Whammer]

dk57,

Thanks for the input. I've spoken with some folks at the 19th in CA. Currenlty I'm in a RECON plt with an infantry unit...

Would you suggest going the OCS route or the quicker State funded direct commissioning (I think it is a 2 month deal at Ft. Lewis) after 1.5 yrs with my current unit?

Also, the REP-63 program is only for new enlistees? Or can you be prior service?-just curious...

di

[SAPPER317]

We currently have two LTs in DET2 in Maryland. One had completed SFAS. How they will be assigned, should they go all the way? I am not sure. They are not 100% sure.

With all of the changes, both rumored and substantiated, about NG SF and SFAS, SFQ, we are all taking it one training day at a time.

We'll believe all of it when we see it.

SAPPER317

[Whammer]

Sapper,

Are the 2 you speak of 2LT or 1LTs? Do you know their previous experience? I'd be interested to know...

There is a 1LT(P) I deal with out here with the 19th, but I'm assuming he has had his fair share of assignments before. He is all tabbed out and tasked with getting numbers up etc.

di

[dk57]

Whammer,

As far as OCS goes, I managed to get a spot with the Active Army OCS at Ft. Benning. From what I understand, this is pretty rare for the NG and I am looking forward to it. However, all states have the 14 month State OCS program and some have an accelerated program (I assume that's what your talking about with the 2 months at Ft Lewis). With me, time was a factor and I wanted to get my commission and training over with as soon as possible. My advice is to do the 2 month program if you can get the time off. I have to assume that the level and intensity of training must be higher than the one-weekend-a-month deal and you will have your commission sooner, so you can get on with the rest of the training.
As far as the REP-63 program goes, it is only for new enlistees. However, since you're already with an infantry unit, i'm sure it wouldn't be hard to tranfer to SF, as long as your an E-4 or above.

[Whammer]

dk,

I looked into the State Military Academy (14 month deal) and that just seemed like a waste, when I could be getting some schools/training with my unit over that time period. 6 hour drive per weekend also kind of ruff.

The 2 month direct commissioning is something new CALGuard just came up with and I think they run it once every summer. I missed this year's cutoff, so I'll wait til next summer. Knock that out and IOBC asap thereafter, then good to go...

What kind of situation are you in currently (ie unit, experience etc.)?

di

[SAPPER317]

WHAMMER,

Both of them are 1LTs. One was active duty, and I believe the other was also. Both are pretty high speed and come to the unit with decent backgrounds. Neither cane from combat arms, but both are up to speed.

SAPPER317

[dk57]

Whammer,

My situation is that I graduated from college two years ago, and then decided that I wanted to join the Army. I was accepted to the Active Army OCS last year, but circumstances prevented me from going. I heard about NG SF, and decided to check it out. Now I have set up a deal with the Guard here that will send me to Basic, OCS at Ft. Benning, IOBC, and then Ranger school - all in one active duty period. Looks like I'll be leaving in September.

What's the training/deployment schedule like for your infantry unit? Are you guys doing anything interesting? Are the soldiers in your unit squared away, in general? I will be going into a light infantry unit and don't really know what it's all about in the Guard. Any info would help.