SA for Spec Ops

[US2021]

Since SA offer a career choice of spec ops after graduation (although small), what are the main differences among the jobs as an Officer? Which academy/branch will offer a higher chance of spec ops? What is your general outlook on both of these? And what is your outlook on spec ops after usafa?

Just started lookin into these careers, so sorry for the newb questions, but I appreciate your outlooks and/or experiences

 

[jl123]

Since SA offer a career choice of spec ops after graduation (although small), what are the main differences among the jobs as an Officer? Which academy/branch will offer a higher chance of spec ops? What is your general outlook on both of these? And what is your outlook on spec ops after usafa?

Just started lookin into these careers, so sorry for the newb questions, but I appreciate your outlooks and/or experiences

USMA does not offer special ops choices for graduating Cadets. The Army recruits junior officers for special ops sometime during/after their first tour. The outlook can change at any moment. In the 80's special ops was considered exciting, but had somewhat limited career potential for officers. The focus was on Mechanized Infantry and Armor - the Soviet Union was the most significant potential enemy. After 9/11 that changed quickly, but could change back just as fast, depending on future threats.

USNA has a small number of special ops assignments for graduating Midshipmen. For 2020: 30 SEAL's and 16 EOD out of a class of 1,021.

I'll defer to those with more knowledge of special ops opportunities for details.

 

[1-75toGold]

I hate telling people to google something but you are asking a HUGE question. Special Operation Forces (SOF) include everything from the guy leading a fire team into a room, to combat weathermen (looking at you AFSOC) and cooks that feed everyone. Officers have an equally wide variety. What mission sets interest you? What’re are you trying to do? If you’re planning on being the #1 Man in the stack going into the room as an officers it’s probably not going to happen.

The army has the largest SOF selection and I would argue the best opportunities as an Officer. But it’s a difficult debate, as VERY few people have been SOF in multiple branches, and even fewer as an officer. That being said to the best of my knowledge no army SOF element takes newly commissioned officers. SF minimum is 1LT(P) to attend Q course. Ranger Regiment requires officers to have held a corresponding duty position in conventional forces and then attend RASP II. I think SEALs might take fresh officers into BUDs but I wouldn’t know first hand.

If getting into SOF as quickly as possibly is your primary goal you are setting yourself up for failure. The only person who knows what you’ll want out of the military is you. The internet is full of first hand experiences and dozens of books on each respective unit and their pipelines. If SOF is the place for you, you’ll get there. It is not the impossible task people make it out to be. If you have any specific questions feel free to PM me

 

[cptenca]

@1-75toGold I have watched your posts and they are professional as I would expect. Your experience will be invaluable for not only your peers but other classes as well. That said, you will be immediately recognizable to your classmates, cadre and many parents, some of whom have been known to lurk on this forum. Enjoy your time between now and R Day and good luck!

 

[cb7893]

That being said to the best of my knowledge no army SOF element takes newly commissioned officers. SF minimum is 1LT(P) to attend Q course.

Correct about 1LT(P) minimum for SF (Army), but you forgot about SFAS (Special Forces Assessment and Selection) before SFQC (Special Forces Qualification Course).

 

[Casey]

There was a similar question posed in this thread: link. You might want to check it out to see some other folks' perspectives as well.

Good luck; its good to have a goal to reach for. Don't miss out on the journey between then and now. I would look at what kind of jobs interest you and then see what branch lines up with that if you're having trouble with deciding where to focus your energy. Are you interested in kicking down doors, intel, aviation, or something else? Once you have that narrowed down, you can start to look at who does those jobs. Also realize that for most of the jobs that are known to the general public in the SOF world, there are plenty of others you probably won't ever hear about unless you end up working with/for them. Best piece of advice is figure out what you're most interested in and go do awesome in that job. It'll open up these opportunities as a senior LT/junior CPT that you're interested in.

 

[1-75toGold]

Correct about 1LT(P) minimum for SF (Army), but you forgot about SFAS (Special Forces Assessment and Selection) before SFQC (Special Forces Qualification Course).

I left that out because the minimum for that has changed a few times and supposedly it has changed recently. I don’t want to pass on rumors or incorrect information. Especially because at the end of the day they won’t be sf until after Q.

 

[greentrees]

AF special ops stuff

Air Force Special Tactics Training

The Air Force's Special Tactics teams consist of airmen who are combat controllers, pararescuemen and Special Operations weathermen.

www.military.com

Christcorp's son is a STO --
look at this thread

Combat Rescue Officer

Is anyone familiar with the CRO/PJ career field and have any input on getting a slot from USAFA? I hope to either enlist and become a pj or take the commissioned route to become a CRO. Any thoughts?

www.serviceacademyforums.com