SFAS (Special Forces Assessment and Selection)

Andromeda

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I know that you can do SFAS during the summer (isn't it after Plebe year?), and I know that they heavily screen competitors for the slots. However, I don't know if the Academy adequately prepares you for it. Does the Academy adequately prepare cadets to attend and pass the SFAS course?
 
Don't go to USMA if you want to kick in doors in the Special Forces. Enlist or do more research on life as officer outside of West Point...from my understanding, very few go into SF, and those who do are not kicking in doors (at least for very long before getting pulled to a staff position).
 
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I disagree line, special forces is selective for both enlisted and officer. You don't have to be a "door kicker" to do so. Plenty of people want to go into the Special forces, Rangers, and special operations while others just want to be transportation or quartermaster. Every job in the army needs good officers.
 
I disagree line, special forces is selective for both enlisted and officer. You don't have to be a "door kicker" to do so. Plenty of people want to go into the Special forces, Rangers, and special operations while others just want to be transportation or quartermaster. Every job in the army needs good officers.
Yep! My grad completed the SF Combat Dive School while at USMA and is currently in Ranger School. Go Army!
 
Ranger school and CDQC are both very impressive schools, but neither are SFAS.

If you want to be prepared there is a SF recruiter on every army installation, and there is normally a group of guys prepping for SFAS that you could do some PT with and get some overall tips.

As an officer you must be at least 1LT(P), which means a promotable 1st lieutenant, or a captain. Another thing to think about - there are five or six enlisted MOSs compared to the one officer MOS.

The enlisted option (18X) will take you through basic training, 11B (infantryman) training, and airborne prior to SFAS.
 
^^ Since this sounds like a branch selection you won't be making until well AFTER you graduate from WP, it is far too early in the process as a h.s. student to be focused on just one area. WP will provide adequate training/information about all sorts of service options you may never have previously heard about once you are there.
 
I realize that I won't be a door-kicker or at least the first guy in a stack, and I know all of the requirements to volunteer, I just want to know if the Academy prepares its cadets physically for the SFAS course.

The 18X program (the enlistment option) is just a way for the Army to get its 11Bs and the occasional outstanding candidate. I would not suggest doing that unless you knew why. There is a reason why all (most) of the enlisted guys are much older than the officers.

I just feel like the Special Forces, as an 18A, is where I can serve. If I didn't make it, what would I do? For me, there are two noble professions. Soldiery is one of them. How can I live knowing that my countrymen are dying? I simply must live the rough life, and do whatever is tough, whatever others can't do, or won't do, that is so vital to their own vitality. The Special Forces is the profession that I must pursue.
 
Bro, chill out. First of all what Mike said is this, 1. you have to be an officer to be 18A. Whether that be through OCS, ROTC, or West Point. That usually take atleast 4 years (obtain a Bachelors Degree). Then you need to have been chosen for an Active Duty Infantry Position in the US Army. You would then complete IBOLC, Ranger School, and any additional training until you are First Lt. promotable, Just like Mike said. No the Academy probably does not prepare you specifically for SFAS, because that is not their goal. Their goal is to prepare the next generation of officers for service in the United States Army. They might have a club for cadets that want to go SF. Just be a stud take a deep breath and don't go full hooah on a forum.
 
The way I see it, service academies structure their programs the way they do in order to allow cadets/midshipmen to explore all of the various career fields that the Armed Forces have to offer. Who knows, your interests might change, or at the very least, i'm sure you can find other cadets at WP who want to eventually be an 18A. A family friend of ours went to USAFA 6 years ago dead set on the idea of flying F-22's. 6 years later, he is not even a pilot. Instead, he is having a heck of a time as a Combat Rescue Officer, leading a team of PJ's. I'm sure similar things happen in the Army...
 
Thanks for the info. I just wanted to state my reasons for wanting to pursue the Beret. I would love to do any military job, especially combat arms/spec ops, its just that I feel as if I can best serve as an 18A.
 
This coming from a kid younger than most of those aspiring 18X:

18X program (the enlistment option) is just a way for the Army to get its 11Bs and the occasional outstanding candidate. I would not suggest doing that unless you knew why. There is a reason why all (most) of the enlisted guys are much older than the officers

And yet feels that is where he can best serve. Priceless.
 
Everyone wants to be a ranger until it's time to do ranger things

Best quote in this thread.

Besides the "don't go full hooah"

My thoughts exactly.
I've met many Ranger/SFAS hopefuls through my short enlisted time, and civics quote sums it up best.

Finish basic/AIT/ whatever officer specialty or academy you decide on - then make your decision.
 
This coming from a kid younger than most of those aspiring 18X:



And yet feels that is where he can best serve. Priceless.

I just meant that the 18X candidates don't have the experience of a former soldier, especially of combat arms.
 
I know that you can do SFAS during the summer (isn't it after Plebe year?), and I know that they heavily screen competitors for the slots. However, I don't know if the Academy adequately prepares you for it. Does the Academy adequately prepare cadets to attend and pass the SFAS course?

As others have mentioned, SFAS and Ranger School are no longer MIAD options for USMA cadets, and have not been for some time.

But to your core question about USMA preparing cadets for the hard schools. It's really the other way around for competitive MIADs... The cadet has to be very prepared already to be selected during the tryouts. Once selected they will make sure you meet the standards and may even suggest further prep.

Similar is true for early Ranger via USMA, which is probably the closest in terms of prep.

But reading your comments, it sure sounds like further research into the role of mainstream SF vs Delta vs Ranger Regiment and officer vs enlisted roles would be useful. I work for an ex SF-baby (pre 18x, but same general deal) and have friends and acquaintances who entered the SF world as officers. Two entirely different paths and experiences.

If being "in the stack" is important to you I'd suggest a visit to ArmyRanger.com and start thinking about option 40 contracts. Much more likely to see that type of action there than as an 18x as I understand it.
 
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