| Author | Message | ||
     Cataract2 |
Well, I decided to drop a packet to go to SFAS. For those that don't know SFAS stands for Special Forces Assessment and Selection. I decided that it was time for a change. Before I PCSed to my new station I was entertaining the idea of going Rangers or Officer. Well, the Officer part fell through and I missed out on the Rangers opportunity. This one came up once I got here and I decided that I wouldn't let it pass me by. I don't suppose there's any old timers on here that have gone through this? | ||
| Brumbear |
Not me bro I was in the rear with the gear!!! Good luck though!!! | ||
| Xb9er |
I hope you like land nav | ||
| Geforce |
Good luck brother. I have a lot of good friends on that side of the fence and they love it! Just remember during SFAS to NEVER EVER quit, even if you can't do something, continue to try until the cadre pries you off of it. I think the star course has been moved to the Q course so you shouldn't have to make it all the way through only to wash out on the land nav portion. Just make sure you keep a good attitude and give it all you got! I'm trying to get my green to gold packet put together for this next board in April... if all goes as planned I'll commission in two years and retire in another 10.  What group/language are you going to push for? Taken the DLAB yet? | ||
| Sayitaintso |
My platoon sgt (E-7) was former green beret, or so he said (and I never saw a reason to doubt him). He always said making it was more a mind over body thing than actual physical toughness.....as long as you didn't get some type of a injury. He also said that the human body is able to do amazing endurance things if the mind is tough enough. There was also another guy in 3rd platoon (E-5) try to get in. He washed out on the third or fourth day, and was back in less than two weeks. He was in better shape than anyone else in my battery and maybe better than anyone I've ever seen. I swear that guy could pump out pushups like a jackhammer and when we did our 30 mile marches he'd run most of the way with two full 5 gallon water cans in his pack. It seemed like the thing that slowed him down doing pushups and situps on the PT tests was that gravity didn't pull him back down fast enough. In general though, he was an easy going guy, and my guess is that is what did him in. I've never been pushed or pushed myself that hard or far so I dont have any personal knowledge or advice, just third hand stuff from the late 80's. Good luck and be tough. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Besides being physically fit (least I think so) I'm also very pig headed and never give up when I want something bad enough. I always remember, it's in the head and in the heart. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Geforce, I really busted my rear for GTG. The only reason I'm not there now is my last commander wouldn't give me a recommendation letter and used my promotion as the reason why he wouldn't give me it. | ||
| Geforce |
That's some BS. Fortunately, I'm in the R&D world so I have access and offers for several field grade LORs. I'm crossing my fingers, if this or E7 doesn't happen... I'm going to look for private sector employment after I finish my degree. I have an interview this morning with the college I'm applying too... I am going to pick three colleges though so that my chances of the non scholarship active duty option increase. If you have any advice, feel free to pass it this way. I hope you make it brother, just remember that everyone else is hurting also. Pain is temporary, pride and honor are forever. | ||
| Sayitaintso |
my last commander wouldn't give me a recommendation letter and used my promotion as the reason why he wouldn't give me it. I saw similar stuff happen, use recent promotions as justification for saying no about stuff rather than just giving the real reason for their decisions (not that they need to explain anything they do/decide) I was really into NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) and had learned (taught myself) more than just about anyone else in my battalion, except maybe the NBC officer in HQ. Anyway, there was an advanced NBC course at Ft. McClellen that I wanted to go to, but there was also PLDC (platoon leader development course) that I had a slot for. The Captain gave me a choice PLDC or NBC school but wasn't going to let me do both. I took the NBC class and then got passed over for every PLDC slot that came up over the next year. I guess he looked at it like I wasn't serious about promotion to E-5 and cared more about my own interests. If I'd know it was a one time shot at PLDC there wouldn't have been a moments hesitation on my part.... from my point of view though, PLDC slots came up all the time and getting into the NBC course was a rare opportunity. The whole thing really pissed me off at the time and probably was a big if not the main reason why I didn't re-up. Looking back I guess I understand, but dont agree with, why he did what he did. To this day I hate the way they played stupid games like that. Later, I heard from one of my buddies that the Captain got RIF'd (reduction in forces) just a couple months after I got out. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Did SERE for the Navy for Aircrew qualifications, not another 45 days I would want to repeat, forever glad I did it. that and the 72 days out at Q-Town with the USMC Life changing events. Enjoy the ride. Are you broke or beaten? NEITHER Master Chief! Then move your fat old azz | ||
| Budgolf |
Tell Nasty Nick I said hello. Good luck. | ||
| Seanp |
Cataract - you're saying that your last commander wouldn't write you a GTG LOR because you'd just been promoted? Sounds like he doesn't have your or the Army's best interests in mind. Were you deployed or getting ready to deploy? | ||
| Sayitaintso |
Q-Town with the USMC Holy crap its a small world. I spent 3 years growing up in Chamberlain Village, right outside Q-town while by dad was supply sgt for the Corps shooting team. I played BabeRuth baseball in Q-Town and got my first bit of something special down by the marina with a girl that lived in Q-Town. To top it off I was married in the main chapel on Quantico years later while in the Army. That base will always have a special place in my memories. Unless you're talking about some other Q-Town. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Sean, no. The unit I'm in is non deployable, so we are in garrison. No, he just had me jump through a bunch of hoops, get my 1SG and PLT SGT on my side and then fight to get time for a meeting with him where I had my squad leader and 1SG there to fight for me. It was a mess. (Message edited by cataract2 on December 17, 2010) |
