Anyone familiar with Army 18x mos?

[Question321]

I had a few questions and I've already went to the places you'd expect to get answers (recruiters), but I think I'd get better answers/have better luck if I was able to communicate with Helen Keller. I've read some books and SpecOps forums, but most of them are old timers who were in it/out before the program ever existed. I've been able to get some great information on the special forces program in general, but not as it relates to 18x.

If anyone would be able to answer some questions I'd appreciate it greatly. Thanks!

[Trip]

I don't know if I can help much but I'm used to working around/for these knuckleheads (term of endearment). It used to be that you couldn't try out for Army spec ops until you'd been in the Army for a minimum amount of years, but this is designed to let people try out for spec ops as soon as they enlist instead of having to wait like they used to. Of course it doesn't guarantee you'll be accepted, just given the chance to kinda test yourself. That's really all I know. Keep calling recruiters. It doesn't make sense they can't go look it up for you. Hope this helps and good luck.

[Question321]

My questions were more pertaining to things like

When can I buy my supplies for Selection? There are a lot of resources on a prep guide, what to bring etc. but most are for what appears to be active duty (aka coming right to selection) where as I'll be going basic>SOPC> Selection, no clue if I'll have any free time, if I should ship things like foot powder, moleskin, utility knives to name a few.

Also if I'll have time to ruck/extra PT at basic. I've heard if the drill instructors know you're going 18x they'll bust your *** the whole time and that the SOPC does a good job prepping, but wondering if that truly is sufficient and if not, will I have the time?

It seems since the SOPC program is so new not many people who have gone through it successfully really appear on forums and what not.

[retdetsgt]

Try this:

18X - Special Forces Enlistment Option

And it takes a lot more than just being in good physical shape (although that's mandatory) to make it.

And you don't need to buy anything. The Army will gladly provide everything you need. Any knives you bring, you will have to destroy or ship home.

If the DI's bust your butt, they're doing you a favor, believe me.

[retdetsgt]

And no, you will do the same basic as everyone else. You will not have to do anything extra. I doubt your DI's will care a bit what you've signed up for really.

[Question321]

Bringing those items I meant for SOPC/Selection not basic. I know only the few things allowed are listed, but what is allowed at Selection is a much more extensive list. Such as upgrading the in-soles of the boots. Not that it by any means makes things easy, but a little bit more helpful along the way.

Looking at the list provided by "Get Selected" written by 2 people involved in the process.

25 clothe pins
Large Safety Pins
Bungee Cords
Boot Laces (extra)
Lighters
Pen Lights

to name a few

edit: and everyone's allowed 1 knife with under 3 inch blade, so they recommend getting a nice utility knife

[retdetsgt]

I would suspect you will be told what you need when you need to know it. You haven't done basic yet, much less jump school.

And I also strongly suspect any items you need to buy will be available at the PX.

You realize that this is a police forum, not a military? A lot of us served, but I would imagine there are military forums with people who have current information.

[Question321]

No disrespect, but if you read my first post I've already been there and received no answers. I realize this isn't the best place to get military answers, but figured it would be worth a try since I knew a lot of people were ex-military, never know who might just so happen to be lurking in these parts.

[Trip]

I realize this isn't the best place to get military answers, but figured it would be worth a try since I knew a lot of people were ex-military, never know who might just so happen to be lurking in these parts.

I agree with ya, 321, this is such an exceptionally managed forum that all kinds of us non law enforcement types are drawn to it to get info on both cop and non-cop issues There may still be someone in this community who can answer but this kind of thread gets buried unless you post on it every now and then to bump it up into the "higher" traffic area. Good luck and good for you for doing your homework. Someone who thinks ahead? Imagine that.

[armydiver]

18x is a generic MOS indicator for those who have not been selected yet wish to join under the guise of going into the program. Just like when you join for standard infantry, you are given the 11x MOS instead of 11B, 11C.

As far as your questions and worry about buying things for selection...
You will not be going straight to selection. You need to be at least an E-4. You go to standard infantry OSUT, then jump school. You pass those and get sent to a holding/training unit. Once you reach E-4, you can then go to SFAS. You'll have plenty of time to hit the PX to get anything you'll "need" for selection.

IMHO the 18x route is overrated and unnecessary. Go 11B. Get OSUT and Jump school out of the way then serve in a line unit until you get your E-4. Do a deployment and get a taste for the Army. The deployment will give you much needed experience in real world combat situations as well as make you appreciate the "big boy Army" if you do indeed get sent to that side of the house. You'll have anywhere from 18 months to two years till you can go to SFAS. Stay squared away, practice your land nav and ruck yourself silly. I spent my time in the SOCOM world and enjoyed every bit of it compared to the regular line units. You still don't know if you will even like the military. Join first, get a taste of it, then decide if you want to go SF.

[retdetsgt]

Rep sent Armydiver.... Everybody wants to start out as bad *** when they don't even know if they'll qualify as a grunt.

[armydiver]

Just an additional heads up from someone who's been there, you do realize that SF isn't what you most likely think it is right? You're not a gung ho, hi speed, ultra awesome, Jack Bauer, Chuck Norris, fighting machine. You're a teacher. You're a high speed drill sergeant. Only instead of them coming to you, you go to them. If your interest is to be the cool guy who goes out and hunts down the bad guys and gets to be Mr. Hero, I'm afraid that SF isn't what you're looking for.

While the SF mission is incredibly worthwhile and prestigious, it's more about helping than hurting. You will teach, train, observe, and guide soldiers (if you can call them that) of other nations. Most of your operations will be co-oped with the host country or a faction of guerrilla style soldiers in less than hospitable lands with little or no assistance.

Read the link that RetDetSgt posted. It is a pretty accurate portrayal of the trip you'll be taking should you enlist as an 18x. Just know, the training and everything listed is not back to back. You are not guaranteed a slot in SFQC just because you enlist as an 18x. All 18x really is, is your chance to go to selection. With the increase in special operations units (They are in the process of adding an additional battalion and ODA to each group) the Army is sending everyone who wants to go.

Again, my suggestion would be to truly evaluate your desires and your motivation for Special Operations. It is a lifestyle, not only a job. The books you read about getting ready, although helpful and filled with good information, will mean nothing when you've walked off the bottom of your feet in your high speed special socks they recommended, you have multiple stress fractures, and your walking down a road with a 95 lb ruck on 40 minutes of sleep with no idea of where you're going or how long it will take to get there. You simply walk, as fast as you can, until you see a man standing next to an orange cone that says "Stop" or "pick up this heading, keep going".

If you want a no BS, solid way to get yourself into the Spec Ops world, Enlist as an 11B and get yourself a RIP contract. IF you make it through OSUT and Jump School (even though they pretty much push everyone through these days) You can go to RIP. Make it through rip, do a deployment or two with 75th, evaluate your current feelings on the military and the lifestyle you're living, have a chat with the fellows you'll inevitably be working with and then sign up at any of the SF recruiters offices on every major military base in the the country. Your orders for SFAS are cut and now you KNOW what you want.

Seriously, when to buy your clothes pins, bungee chords, and pen lights are the least of your worries.

[Trip]

Outstanding post, Armydiver. It couldn't have been said better. We should copy this and send it to recruiters to pass out, LOL.

[retdetsgt]

Seriously, when to buy your clothes pins, bungee chords, and pen lights are the least of your worries.

If he really wants to find out how tough he is, he should get his paratrooper wings tattoo BEFORE he goes to jump school.

(I know a guy that did that..... He got through the school, but you can bet he was in better shape than anyone else at the end)

[armydiver]

Wow... That's ballsy. 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.

I certainly didn't miss the standard line company crap when I left. Although there was less of that kind of crap, there was more of other kinds. I'm a firm believer in putting in your dues and proving your worth before you get given the chance for advanced and distinguished positions. I want you to know your *** from a hole in the ground before you come on my team.

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.