Anyone familiar with Army 18x mos?

[Trip]

The 18x thing is just a recruiting tool. Tell some new jack off the street he can sign up to be a "Green Beret" and they're all over it. It sounds way better than "grunt." Kudos for wanting to serve either way. It's more than 95% of the turds inhabiting our country these days are willing to do.

LOL, Army diver....you do love calling a spade a spade....

[retdetsgt]

When I was a team leader I had a new jack who had the audacity to say to one of my senior joes that "You're no different than me, we both went to the same schools. You're nothing special, I don't have to listen to you." This, coming from a never before deployed E-3 to my senior E-4 who had just returned from his second deployment. I let the SPC smoke him... it was entertaining.

God love the FNG.

I was in during the draft and probably about a third of the people in my platoon were draftees. That's a guess, I really didn't want to know at the time. But it pisses me off to hear people badmouth those guys, some of the best people I had were there because they had to be, but still did a damn good job. Later, after the press kept hammering the public on how we were losing the war, all that changed, I guess. I was lucky to be there before Tet and Cronkite decided for us that we had lost. Most trusted man in America, my aching @ss.

And I learned pretty quickly that until push came to shove, I had no idea who would actually fight and who would freeze or just fire their weapon into the air. Sometimes I was quite surprised.

[Cat_Doc]

And I learned pretty quickly that until push came to shove, I had no idea who would actually fight and who would freeze or just fire their weapon into the air. Sometimes I was quite surprised.

No different that the streets, isn't it? I learned a long time ago the ****talkers were more likely to have a puckerstring malfunction than the quiet ones when they found themselves in the mix. We had one guy that we all knew was a coward. We nicknamed him Code-4 ***** because he never showed up at a scene until he heard a code-4 go out. He carried a nickel .45 cal and bragged about how he grew up on the mean streets of Detroit. The guy was a p****.

We finally got him after another officer rolling to a reported gang fight saw him blacked out near the scene, waiting on a side street for the real Roller Boys to handle it before he showed up.

I also have met my fair share of SF guys out here in central Arizona where they have a training facility… and to the man they were each quiet unassuming warriors who walked with quite confidence; the complete opposite of juvenile bravado and wanting to know what knife to buy ‘cause they were going to be a superman.

[retdetsgt]

I also have met my fair share of SF guys out here in central Arizona where they have a training facility… and to the man they were each quiet unassuming warriors who walked with quite confidence; the complete opposite of juvenile bravado and wanting to know what knife to buy ‘cause they were going to be a superman.

Yep, ex partner of mine was SF on an A team in Vietnam. Not a real big guy, unassuming and a poet. Ended up quitting and teaching writing and poetry at Boise State.

We had a retired SEAL (Team 6) on our department. Retired as a Master Chief. Real nice guy, no bravado at all. Didn't need it. Unfortunately, he got enough time to retire from here, went to Iraq working for someone and died. No one really knows how.

[armydiver]

Yep, ex partner of mine was SF on an A team in Vietnam. Not a real big guy, unassuming and a poet. Ended up quitting and teaching writing and poetry at Boise State.

We had a retired SEAL (Team 6) on our department. Retired as a Master Chief. Real nice guy, no bravado at all. Didn't need it. Unfortunately, he got enough time to retire from here, went to Iraq working for someone and died. No one really knows how.

The quiet professionals. Most of the gung ho guys are trying to prove their toughness to themselves more than anyone else. The best kind are the ones with the been there, done that, got the t-shirt types. Very unassuming and calm but would rock your world in a heartbeat. Some of the least obvious badasses I ever had the pleasure of working with were the ODD guys. I thought their team leader was a civilian analyst for the longest time until I ran into him outside the wire on a mission. There's something to be said about humility coming from someone in that line of work. Just makes you respect them that much more.

Cat_Doc is totally right. Some of the biggest smack talkers "Man I can't wait to get over there! I'm gonna blah blah blah." Those were the ones running for bunkers whenever someone slammed a door. They could be found taking any sham job that would keep them off patrol or faking illness to stay off the OP. Whatever, I'd rather have someone worth a damn with me anyway. That is just proof of why people should not be able to join as 18x. You need at least one solid deployment under you before you start calling yourself special anything... well except maybe special ed.

[Trip]

That is just proof of why people should not be able to join as 18x. You need at least one solid deployment under you before you start calling yourself special anything... well except maybe special ed.

Roger that, Armydiver.

[Question321]

I by no means have it in my head that "what socks I wear" are big things. To me it's the totality of understanding things both big and small and being as prepared as I can.

Honestly I've been told 1000x to go 11x, but I don't have that desire. I want the challenge, I realize to you I've proved nothing and haven't done anything, but I have my own goals regardless of what someone who doesn't know me might think.

While I realize you have a chip on your shoulder armydiver about peoples misconceptions of SF, I didn't just wake up the other day and say "oh hey i might as well go join the army and go 18x" and no I don't plan to be Jack Bauer or Chuck Norris... just Rambo. (sarcasm)

I've spent hours researching, reading SF forums, books and more. I know I have much more to learn and by no means consider myself an expert. My questions here were simple because they haven't been touched on in all my readings.

In fact I'd argue the opposite that if I came here asking the big questions (stuff that matters), I'd be an idiot because it's available all over the internet.

[armydiver]

I by no means have it in my head that "what socks I wear" are big things. To me it's the totality of understanding things both big and small and being as prepared as I can.

Honestly I've been told 1000x to go 11x, but I don't have that desire. I want the challenge, I realize to you I've proved nothing and haven't done anything, but I have my own goals regardless of what someone who doesn't know me might think.

While I realize you have a chip on your shoulder armydiver about peoples misconceptions of SF, I didn't just wake up the other day and say "oh hey i might as well go join the army and go 18x" and no I don't plan to be Jack Bauer or Chuck Norris... just Rambo. (sarcasm)

I've spent hours researching, reading SF forums, books and more. I know I have much more to learn and by no means consider myself an expert. My questions here were simple because they haven't been touched on in all my readings.

In fact I'd argue the opposite that if I came here asking the big questions (stuff that matters), I'd be an idiot because it's available all over the internet.

I applaud your desire to be prepared. It's a good starting point. I simply want you to understand that you will have plenty of time to worry about those types of things and the stuff you need to worry about is more on the physical/mental side.

I don't understand your desire to NOT go 11x. I'm also curious as to who the other 999 people were that told you to go 11x. If you're continuously getting this suggestion from those who have actually served, I'd think it would hold a little more weight. If 18x makes you happy, by all means go for it. I think you'd be better served to do the 11x but I'm not you, your choice will not effect me, it was mearly a suggestion based on my experience.

I wouldn't really say I have a chip on my shoulder. It's just frustrating to see and hear the constant misconceptions that abound about the SF community. You've done your homework and spent some time thinking it through. I applaud and respect your decision. But... Rambo was an officer... you don't wanna be one of those! (Sarcasm... sort of)

Everything that you read in those preparation books is very important. I may have jumped on you a bit hard because you seemed to have focused on the trivial things. If you understand the importance of mastering your Land Nav skills and are already well on your way to rucking 20 miles with a smile on your face, I can see how clothes pins might be something to worry about. Every little bit of preparedness helps and having that little extra thing to remove even a bit of the suck is always nice.

While I RARELY ever tell someone to watch television for information, there's an interesting show that's close to my heart. It's called "The Best of the Best" and will be airing on the Discovery channel. It should be worth watching. It'll be a good heads up of what to expect and, if you're at all like me, you may find it motivational as hell. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors. You seem to have a solid head on your shoulders and you're determined. Those will be helpful on your journey. If you do make it, you should join the dive team... just sayin.

[Question321]

I've had a commander suggest going 11x and I understand the mentality. I figure I'll get the same experience in the same amount of time should I go straight to SF. (Though I understand I'd have a wealth of knowledge more at day 1 Selection or SFQC)

edit: Besides my own conceptions of infantry, people I knew that deployed had negative things to say about it. One has 2 destroyed knees, which would worry me about ever then being able to go to Selection/SFQC

I talked with an SF recruiter who followed that exact path. He was an 11b and went to selection and succeeded. He however stated that out of the guys selected the best odds were with the SOPC guys.

Just to be clear, I'm not laying awake every night worrying about clothe pins. It was more related to the suggestion on having boots ready with a recommended brand in-soles and recommended a certain sole on each type of boot etc. (Pair of ripple sole since McKall is so sandy) Didn't know if I would have time to handle that in advance.

As for a diver... I think Men of Honor said it best "If he's lucky, he will die young, 200 feet beneath the waves, for that is the closest he'll ever get to being a hero. "

[armydiver]

I understand the fear of gettin broke before you go to selection. While that is a possibility with any unit, I can certainly agree that it does happen. I was 11B also and had my fair share of clicks and cracks. There is still the option of doing RIP. It would certainly help your chances in SFQC/Selection.

You'll get plenty of time to get into good shape and hurt yourself but you'll also get the knowledge and skills you need to excel in SOPC. Plus you'll get to knock out WLC/PLDC. Definitely the fast track.

Definitely get yourself a good pair of boots or two. Insoles can be great as well as the padded bottom socks. Toughen your feet up as much as you can and do any kind of exercise you can to minimize shin splints and stress fractures.

As far as diving goes, I'd look more into CDQC and that type of diving. Not Navy salvage. Plus, race issues have progressed past that point in today's military. Good luck to ya! Have fun!

Just out of curiosity, how old are you?

[Trip]

Just out of curiosity, how old are you?

Ok, now this thread is really gettin' good....

[Question321]

I'm 22.

One thing I have heard though is getting into 18x after having already joined is VERY difficult (most saying you can't do it), so I feel if I really wanted it SF in general, I'd have to hope to be allowed to go just go straight to selection.

You caught me trying to use a navy quote, but I'm not a big fan of water. I've done water sports, but don't think I want a career that forces me to remain in it permanently. Have the feeling that with SCUBA I'll be claustrophobic, though that's entirely a guess and I'm sure with time I'd grow a pair and get over it.

edit: To give you an idea where I'm at training wise. I'm using P90x which seems to be a pretty intense way to get a workout and one hell of a cardio. Also going to work some rope climbing technique to practice that a few times before I go. My friend (recent SEAL grad) coming up to work rucking/land nav with me ahead of time to help get some practice.

So any other spots you think I'd need to hit would be appreciated. Main impression I got from everything I've read it seemed as though Selection was just ruck, ruck and ruck some more.

[Safety Steve]

I'm 22.

One thing I have heard though is getting into 18x after having already joined is VERY difficult (most saying you can't do it), so I feel if I really wanted it SF in general, I'd have to hope to be allowed to go just go straight to selection.

You caught me trying to use a navy quote, but I'm not a big fan of water. I've done water sports, but don't think I want a career that forces me to remain in it permanently. Have the feeling that with SCUBA I'll be claustrophobic, though that's entirely a guess and I'm sure with time I'd grow a pair and get over it.

edit: To give you an idea where I'm at training wise. I'm using P90x which seems to be a pretty intense way to get a workout and one hell of a cardio. Also going to work some rope climbing technique to practice that a few times before I go. My friend (recent SEAL grad) coming up to work rucking/land nav with me ahead of time to help get some practice.

So any other spots you think I'd need to hit would be appreciated. Main impression I got from everything I've read it seemed as though Selection was just ruck, ruck and ruck some more.

Running will also help you!


Be Safe.