Security force specialist/SERE Specialist

Warhead

Warhead

Member
Joined
May 12, 2018
Messages
51
So some people know on here that I was looking at the army by doing ROTC. Now I’ve actually decided to go the exact opposite direction because of my medical issues. I’m looking at Air Force security forces specialist and/or SERE Specialist after college and going enlisted. I was wonder if I could get a degree in either nursing or criminal justice and I could still get either of those careers. My plan was to enlist as a security force specialist and then maybe later become a SERE Specialist. Thank you for your time.
 
Have you done research into what AF Security Forces do on a daily basis?

Same question for SERE. I don't know your medical situation, but SERE might be tough. Those guys handle a lot of outdoors and tough living conditions during training.
 
Why would these careers be any more accommodating to your medical issues?
 
Seems to me if you get a degree in nursing they're going to really want you to go to OCS and be a nurse
 
CitadelN88 said:
Seems to me if you get a degree in nursing they're going to really want you to go to OCS and be a nurse
Click to expand...
The AF is lowering the number of nurses, so I am not sure that is true.
However, I would question why on earth you would put yourself through that curriculum and clinicals to become a nurse and go enlisted for SP?
~ Have you actually looked at how hard it is to become an RN?

I also do not follow your thought process regarding going enlisted after graduating from college instead of OCS. Do yourself a favor. Look up DFAS pay scales. In essence, you could be the top of the for enlisted members, but at the end of the day they make less with 20 yrs than a senior O4. It makes even less sense if you have to pay for your college education via loans.

I agree with Raimius, you need to look at those career fields, and the needs of those career fields. Many bases now contract for SPs (gate guards), just like many base hospitals contract for nurses on base.

Good luck
 
Warhead said:
So some people know on here that I was looking at the army by doing ROTC. Now I’ve actually decided to go the exact opposite direction because of my medical issues. I’m looking at Air Force security forces specialist and/or SERE Specialist after college and going enlisted. I was wonder if I could get a degree in either nursing or criminal justice and I could still get either of those careers. My plan was to enlist as a security force specialist and then maybe later become a SERE Specialist. Thank you for your time.
Click to expand...
Go check out r/airforce on Reddit they are much more able to answer you questions because there are quite a few recruiters on the site.
 
The veterans I know personally and my uncle who is active duty all have told me go enlisted. Forget about medical problems right now. I want to go enlisted because I like those jobs I can’t be a SERE Specialist as an officer so if I wanted to do after security forces I would have to be enlisted. Also I don’t want to do OCS because I might not get the career I want.
 
My medical issues allow me to not join right now that’s why I can’t do ROTC. If my issues go away then I can join that’s why I’m looking at these careers, they interest me. I’m still going to college first though no matter what.
 
Warhead said:
My medical issues allow me to not join right now that’s why I can’t do ROTC.
Click to expand...
Just to clarify: Medical issues (meaning not passing DoDMERB) don't necessarily prevent you from participating in ROTC. They may prevent you from contracting or receiving a scholarship.

If you participate in ROTC for two years, excel, and then pass DoDMERB before your junior year, you can still earn a contract and commission as an officer.

But it sounds like that does not interest you as you prefer to listen to your uncle.
 
Wow harsh. But yeah I’m actually going to listen to someone who I actually know than some online piece of crap. Thank you all for your help happy new year.
 
Warhead said:
My medical issues allow me to not join right now that’s why I can’t do ROTC. If my issues go away then I can join that’s why I’m looking at these careers, they interest me. I’m still going to college first though no matter what.
Click to expand...

That makes little sense to me. Especially if you get serious degree like a BSN and pass the RN exam. It might make sense with a easier degree like law enforcement.

Just a thought - how are you going to pay for this degree - I think student loans on enlisted pay is going to make things pretty tight for a while.

There's nothing wrong at all with enlisting - if it's a job you love you won't work a day in your life.
 
The "piece of crap" you reference is taking time out of THEIR day to answer a question that YOU asked. Presumably you wanted answers if you asked the question. Cool down, take a breath, and consider what people are telling you. If you like what they say, neat, time to do some more research. If not, neat, now you have a broader perspective and perhaps a stronger conviction that you're on the right path.
 
Just make sure you know what you are getting into. A lot of people going into security forces get very hyped up on the "like light infantry for the AF" claims, then get very cynical when their first assignment is checking IDs at the gate or watching a secure fence line for 12hrs a day.
 
Haven't been in the military but spent 29+ years in LE & in LE being a supervisor, I found, is a lot better then an officer (of which I was one for 10 years)...Back in the 80's... when it was hard.
 
Last edited:
Warhead said:
Wow harsh. But yeah I’m actually going to listen to someone who I actually know than some online piece of crap. Thank you all for your help happy new year.
Click to expand...

Your response in my opinion was harsh and uncalled for. We are here to assist and help. I took it that I am one of those some online piece of crap. You offended me and many posters. Happy New Year to you too.
 
Ok I apologize for that then it was uncalled for, but I was only speaking about AROTC dad. I apologize to anyone I offended thank you all for your time and help. Happy new year.
 
Warhead said:
but I was only speaking about AROTC dad.
Click to expand...
I am frankly puzzled.

If you examine what I posted, I only did two things. First I pointed out that DoDMERB would not be a factor in participating in ROTC during your first two years. Second, I made an observation that it sounded like you were taking your Uncle's advice and pursuing an enlisted career. (inferring that my information was not likely to be useful to you).

No insult was ever intended.

However if you do enlist, you had better get a tad thicker skin.
 
Ok again I’m sorry for that. I personally read it as an insult and acted irrationally. Thank you again for your help and time. Again I’m sorry for those of you I offended.
 
Warhead said:
The veterans I know personally and my uncle who is active duty all have told me go enlisted. Forget about medical problems right now. I want to go enlisted because I like those jobs I can’t be a SERE Specialist as an officer so if I wanted to do after security forces I would have to be enlisted. Also I don’t want to do OCS because I might not get the career I want.
Click to expand...

You want to go enlisted, and that is a career to be proud of, but notice the heading for this forum. USAFA. That path is totally different than enlistment. I would suggest if this is your true desire to find a forum that is dedicated to the enlistment route. Do not read into that comment, all I am saying is the forum you need to bounce these questions off of are forums that have enlisted personnel to answer your questions. This forum is more about commissioning as an officer and career paths as an officer.

I agree with AROTC-dad. He gave you invaluable advice. I may be old, but I know how to use the search on this site, and if you were my child, I would be working on the DoDMERB aspect whether you enlist or commission as an officer.
~ Be angry with me, that is fine. I have no bone in this fight, only you do. You need to address that issue now if you want to join any military branch in any fashion.

PS. I hope you have looked at DFAS and pay scales. 18 and no debt is one thing as an enlisted member. 24 with college debt, in love and getting married is different for an E5 compared to an O2 when it comes to pay.
 
Warhead said:
The veterans I know personally and my uncle who is active duty all have told me go enlisted.
Click to expand...
How many of the advisers that you're referring to here were or are officers? Lots of enlisted folks have a we/they attitude toward officers. As others have said,
if those are your very specific career goals, enlisted is probably the best path as officers tend to not get such a specific hands-on focus.

On the other hand, lots of young people find that their wants and desires change as they gain experience and/or realize what is achievable.

FWIW, my father was enlisted and already had over 30 years enlisted when I started working toward officer programs and he was
thrilled at the potential of me going into an officer program as were his (enlisted) peers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top