Can your unit/leadership prevent you from volunteering for SF?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 10:59:01 -0500

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2020 11:00 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 11:00:40 -0500

Nope

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2020 11:06 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 11:06:27 -0500

Not at all

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2020 11:09 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 11:09:11 -0500

Paperwork is often lost, intentional or otherwise.

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Jan 13 at 2020 1:00 PM

SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 13:00:33 -0500

Nope!

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jan 13 at 2020 1:04 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 13:04:33 -0500

Short answer: No!

Long answer: No, but can delay you due to operational requirements.

If you are serious about attending SFAS, perhaps a nice chat with a SF a recruiter is in place.

Response by SFC Thomas Nichols made Jan 13 at 2020 1:37 PM

SFC Thomas Nichols — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 13:37:04 -0500

If you are having trouble with this, talk to your SF recruiter. A conversation by your recruiter with your leadership could help, since he isn't in your chain of command. This may have changed, but there wasn't any paperwork that the unit had to see or sign for a Soldier to volunteer for SFAS, so nothing for them to lose, misplace, or fail to sign. Good luck, and remember that everything you do to get to an ODA is part of the test, including getting your packet approved for SFAS.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2020 3:08 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 15:08:14 -0500

No they cannot

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Jan 13 at 2020 4:44 PM

LCDR Joshua Gillespie — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 16:44:28 -0500

Some things in the Military are reasonably consistent...even among conventional branches like the Navy. It took me too long to figure out that what the member wants / needs isn't usually the priority...it's what the unit / command /service needs. That said, I also discovered that there is always a way if you keep looking for it. As I understand it, SF is looking for "thinking soldiers"...people who solve problems, regardless of the obstacles in their way. I also have heard that special operations is looking at critical shortfalls in manning; you're an Infantryman...and the Army needs more infantry. Either way, I think you have the leverage here-leverage I certainly didn't have when trying to save my career. I can only guess, but I imagine being the best solider you can be, right now, will do nothing but inspire your current chain of command to do the "right thing" by you...eventually. Your boss has a boss, and his boss has a boss, etc, etc. People at certain levels talk. I'm also guessing that there are things you could be working on in the interim, at your current MOS, that would only serve to strengthen your application/resume when you finally get that shot.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2020 5:14 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 17:14:19 -0500

There’s nothing your CoC has to approve for an SFAS packet. It’s all you.

Response by SPC Kenneth Koerperich made Jan 13 at 2020 5:15 PM

SPC Kenneth Koerperich — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 17:15:04 -0500

Yes, lost paperwork.
Yes, PT Scores misplaced.
Yes, Deployed so much you miss the window.

Many other ways, but you get the idea.

But, if you suck the right schlong, you're GOLDEN!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 13 at 2020 6:47 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 18:47:46 -0500

IMO the only thing they can do to hinder you is not writing letters of recommendation if you need them.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Jan 13 at 2020 11:21 PM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Mon, 13 Jan 2020 23:21:29 -0500

My 1SG tried by threatening to fire me if I didn’t get selected. It just motivates me more. He also tries to prevent me from going to the Q-course once I returned. I called my recruiter and he got me out of there as quickly as he could.