Question about college then enlist to SFAS...

[WhoDaresWins]

Hello
My goal is to go to a civilian college after I finish highschool, and get my undergraduate degree. This will take 3-4 years (i will be exempt from alot as i have taken alot of APs). After college I want to enlist and try for SFAS as soon as possible.
Ive talked to many people and thought about this alot, and understand the magnitude of my decisions. I also understand that its a hell of alot harder to make SF than just saying it, im just trying to think ahead, so please no flames. One recruiter suggested the following...
Go to college, get in ROTC, and spend as much time doing that as possible before they ask for committments to being an officer.
After college enlist with the ranger contract(airborne), then join the rangers as an E-4. Spend the time it takes to reach E-4 promotable/E-5 in the Rangers getting some experience, etc. then go for SFAS.
Someone else also reccomended delayed enlistment when i was 17, then get the army to pay for college while i was in, but im not sure if this guy is a credible source or not.
to preempt any questions...
- YES I want to go enlisted, even though i wouldve gone to college.
-YES I want to go to college and graduate.

Here are my questions
1) Can I do this?
2) Any alternative routes?
3) How would I get into the rangers after college?
4) How long would it be after college until i could go for SFAS?
5) what about reserves during college then enlist???

Thanks alot

[Overland]

WhoDares,

Hey man, hi-speed plan and good luck. But one question- when are you going to learn how to be a soldier when you are spending so much time in schools?

My advice would be take it one step at a time. Youth is a wonderful thing and you shouldn't be in such a rush to get past it. While it isn't SF, time in a line company can be beneficial and in a lot of cases, fun. Learn your skills and see if SF would really be for you- would you really want to be halfway through the Q-course and realize that SF isn't for you?

Overland

[WhoDaresWins]

Good point...
I have thought about this before, and this is why I want to go to college. This is so that if it doesnt work out, and I dont want SF, then Ive got something to fall back on. Also, ROTC will give me a good taste of military life, and that is why i mentioned the reserves.
Thanks

[WhoDaresWins]

and i was planning to spend 2-3 years (the time it takes to get from E-4 to E-4 promotable/E-5) in the rangers, which would give me some good experience.
Thanks

[Senior D]

WDW:
If you go to college you will have 4 years to make that decision. Alot can happen in 4 years and by the time you are ready to graduate you might want to do something different. As a senior in college currently, all i can say is if you put too much relevance into what the future holds then you might be missing opportunities that are present right now. Just one other thing, you said that college would take you 3-4 years. You better be motivated when you hit college because there are a lot of distractions here. You have to balance courses with getting into the best shape of your life, not to mention additional responsibilities such as getting a job and having a girlfriend. Graduate high school, and when you're ready to graduate from college start worrying about what you are going to do.
Everything comes with time.

L1

[WhoDaresWins]

Thank you...
I understand this. The reason that I am asking is that I want to know if Ill have to do anything during college to keep my options open(such as doing ROTC for a couple of years), and if i went til i graduate then itll be too late
Thanks

[Curtis Newkirk]

You can finish school and still go enlisted. I know the Army is promotes higher education, but current events could slow your pursuit of a degree.

[Jeff Rambo]

Preface: Non-BTDT.

No, ROTC is not a prerequesite for selection.

Secondly, You can only spend 2yrs in ROTC before you're obligated. If you think it's going to prepare you for the military in the extent I believe you're referring to, you're wrong.

If you goto college on an ROTC Scholarship, then forget about spending just a couple of years... get ready to go in as an O or if you refuse the commission, prepare to pay your debt in the enlisted ranks at the wants and needs of your uncle, not at yours.

Next on... from what has been said around here from those who are in the know, SF is looking at taking SF Babies (entry-level soldiers into SFG) once again. From what I've heard from a few of my 'RL' types that I speak to here and there, this is going to be a public offering in the recruiting shops come 2002. I'd look at getting some info on that when available. Talk to Doc42 about it.

The Regiment is pretty much the best place to serve at in the Combat Arms as others have pointed out here and elsewhere. It is also one of the premier SOF in the world. BUT... While it's been stated here in the past that serving in the Reigment is a good start for those with greater aspirations such as SF, don't make the mistake of regarding it as just a "brushing up" stop or anything inferior to the Special Forces Groups. Who knows, you may join the Regiment and fall in love with it and never want to leave. Maybe you will hate the Regiment and truly hate the SOF world all together.

While the difference between the Regiment and SFG is clearly written in black & white to those who understand the writing, lots of people in your position go wrong by thinking the Regiment is going to be a place to punch your time card for a year or two then head up the ladder to SF. Not true.

Try setting one goal first and acheiving that one. From the looks of it, that should be graduating high school and then college.

Lastly:

As TackDaBoat and a few others have stated, it isn't going to be fun right off the bat going into the Regiment as a non-tabbed E-4. Prepare yourself to get smoked when the time comes.

If you make it into the Regiment in the first place (by way of overcoming RIP), at least stay in the Regiment until you make Squad Leader then move on.

Personally, I'd forget about ROTC. Graduate HS, get into college and settle in. Then join the ARNG. It'll help you develop a sense of military life to a small extent and then some, as well as help you pay for college. If you want to move on to the Active Army into the world of SOF then the door will be there for you to walk in to, not knock on. If not... you've did your time and can move on to doing something else.

Just my $.02, once again: a non-btdt.

[This message has been edited by Jeff Rambo (edited 11-08-2001).]

[Harry56]

I'd like to throw .02 more in. Your education is the most important thing in your life. When and if you decide to enlist you may find that you love it and make a career out of it like many of us here did.
And when you fall in love with it you get in real deep, you become a professional soldier, living, breathing, eating and sleeping it. You never seem to find the time to go to school off duty and finish a degree. Then you end up after twenty years at the age of 38 or 40 something looking for a great paying job that doesn't have you on shift work, or sleeping on the ground BUT everybody with the jobs you want, wants a degree. So you use your bennies and get the degree only now after you've finished it they're looking for some one that's 2 years younger than you.
I loved my career and, to this day still have regrets about retiring, I should've made them force me to retire but hind sights 20/20. If I had it to do all over again I would've got the degree first then gone ahead and did 35. GO FOR THE DEGREE FIRST , and scope out some NG units in your spare time there are some real great NG/AR units out there that can give you some good insight on what to expect.

[whisky8]

Jeff is right. It's no BS or rumor. SF babies are back, they'll be showing up for training at Bragg early 2002. Sorry, I have no idea how you get into the program...

[Dark Helmet]

First, let me say that you have no idea how much your perspective will change over the next four years. I like the fact that you are focused; I am the same way and can appreciate the "need to have a plan". I can only tell you that if there is a point in your life where you will change with what you want, it will be in the 18-24 year old range.

That being said, I have an idea you may have already considered: Finish high school, join the nasty guard or the reserves, and knock out a degree. By the time you are 22 you will:

1. Have four years service.
2. Have a good idea about the Army in general.
3. Have a college degree.
4. Be student loan free (let the NG pick up the college tab)
5. Be able to enlist active duty with paygrade, experience, etc
6. Not miss out on college pussy at an age where you will appreciate it most.

Many NG units will pay your tuition & books 100% AND pay you a monthly drill pay for your paygrade. Not a bad deal.

[Whammer]

Look into a Simultaneous Membership Program while in school or as cadet. Drill with a unit and still get your edjumacation. Preferably infantry or another combat arms job as you will be able to get the basics down.

I felt the same as you at your stage. Don't try and narrow your focus too much now, just keep your eye on the determination to do something high speed when the time comes. You got plenty of time to check things out. Your determination will lead you in the right direction eventually. Get the BA/BS first though as everyone is telling you.

di

[Raphaelo]

I am sorry to butt in but I've been reading this thread and everyone is saying that SF babies are back. Are you all saying that the SF selection "wheels" will be against me at 28 yrs old with no prior military and a 4-year degree who wants to be an 18D. I am going active Jan 15, 2002, 11X then to the 82nd Airborne. Thanks,

[para325air]

No stud, "babies" does not refer to actual age, it refers to Time In Service. SF for a decade plus, has held an NCO entrance requirement for enlisted. SF is now being opened to intial enlistment entry sometime in the beginning of 2002 from what I am hearing. Meaning, that SF enlistment contracts will be available like an 11X Airborne Ranger contract. One has to hope that the standards will not be dropped any more then they have been over the last decade to fill these new positions.

Stay on course. Go become an Infantryman, pass Airborne school, go to Bragg, shoot for pre-Ranger after about 6 months at unit (hopefully the good boys at 325 AIR), get your Ranger Tab, then go for SFAS. That should more then keep your hands full.

------------------
Worldwide Service Provider, No Mission too Tough, No Sky too High, You Call, We'll Fall, 18 Hours or Less.

[Raphaelo]

Thanks for the clarification Para325, and yes I intend to be quite busy. Here goes nothin...

[Pawn]

Will they still require captain rank for officers or is that changing too?

Do you guys think this is a good idea? There must be other ways to deal with a manpower shortage.

[Doc]

Raphaelo,

Just so you know, some of the folks down on Ardennes (82nd) Street will take a dim view of your goals of going SF. Meaning, I wouldn't come to that unit and tell everyone right away that I was wanting to go to the SFQC.

I've seen where they tried to keep guys there for 2 years after they graduated Ranger school. Good people leaving units gets a lot of attention from the higher ups.

Pawn,

No changes heard of on the Officer side. They still have to be 0-3's.

The course is tough and not everyone can pass it. Keep in mind that the instructors at the SFQC will serve "no wine before it's time".

As far as the SF "baby" program goes, I see it as another opportunity to get some 18 Series qualified people on board. Several friends of mine were SF babies and they have done well.

Just my thoughts....