For members of any ARSOF Branch, what were some of the discernment questions you asked yourself before applying?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 06:53:04 -0400

I'm an FY15 Lieutenant and I'm trying decide between an Infantry VTIP, my original Signal Detail, or an ARSOF packet stuck between SF and CA. Anything helps. My main struggle is feeling selfish leaving the conventional Army. I truly believe every soldier is entitled to outstanding leadership and not everyone needs to go to Special Operations however, if not me then who?

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Sep 23 at 2017 7:14 AM

SSG Robert Webster — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 07:14:36 -0400

My question back to you would be - What do YOU want to do?
Once you answer that question, that will be the top of the list choice and then order the rest of them from there, using the same question.

Response by LTC Bill Koski made Sep 23 at 2017 8:04 AM

LTC Bill Koski — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 08:04:25 -0400

Do it! Best career move in my life after OCS.
SF or CA is your choice, both are needed by the Army. SF is supposed to be training foreign forces for fighting our wars. These days it is a lot of direct action, due to optempo. Someone may correct me if I am way off base on this.
CA will set you up for working with SF that are actually working SF missions, but you'd be working with the population not in the militant sense. CA can set you up for a State Department gig later on in life.
When I went to CAQC in 2007, Active Duty and Reserves went together. Many of the Active Duty Soldiers had tried SF but didn't pass selection and CA was their second choice. I wouldn't read into the fact they weren't selected, that can happen for many reasons, a lot of these guys were injured during selection, etc.
I loved CA, variety of training, missions, opportunity, advancement namely 2 majors in a company, rather than battalion in combat arms.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2017 9:39 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 09:39:52 -0400

Go with what you are most interested in. Don't worry about the conventional forces collapsing due to the absence of your personal leadership--they will manage somehow.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Sep 23 at 2017 12:55 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 12:55:41 -0400

I say go for it. I entered SOF late in my career. I wish I would have done it much sooner.

Good luck with your decision.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2017 6:46 PM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 18:46:46 -0400

Everyone is replaceable and SOF needs good leaders as much as the conventional Army does. Your decision will likely impact the Army a lot less than it will affect you.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2017 8:25 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 20:25:57 -0400

Thank you gentlemen, I appreciate your incite.

Response by PV2 Duane Schlender made Sep 28 at 2017 1:23 PM

PV2 Duane Schlender — Thu, 28 Sep 2017 13:23:08 -0400

I never made SOF. I was regular army, active. I was an abrams mechanic, and only E2 when I left active service.

For me, I was raised by my grandfather who was WWII navy. When I joined the military, I joined out of a sense of duty to innocent persons (de oppresso liber).

My thinking processes were more in tune wirh SOF than regular army (even if my body wasnt).

I wanted to join SOF to be with highly intelligent forward thinkers, go on black ops to affect change regular army wasnt allowed. I wanted be part of a TIGHT knit team of family who stuck together even through death.

My advice is this :
If you believe in SF, if you wear a uniform, do what your heart tells you needs done. Being SOF abandons nobody. You show your strength, support, duty, and excellent soldierly conduct by going where your destined and being part of the military where your heart is.
Not following your heart will demoralize you, and leave you asking yourself for years "what if". It will hold you back.

So join SOF, succeed, do your part, give your 115%, and never look back. As a soldier, carry on. Your duty is to serve the best you are able, and not hold yourself back. Period.

Response by MAJ Arnold Schnobrich made Oct 6 at 2017 10:36 PM

MAJ Arnold Schnobrich — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 22:36:19 -0400

I really enjoyed my time as a CA Team Leader. You get to work with an incredible array of experienced soldiers with conventional and non-conventional backgrounds. The missions you get to participate in are life changing. It was a functional area when I was in and unless you request a branch change you can obtain this experience and take it with you to your next unit of assignment.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 3 at 2017 2:11 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Nov 2017 14:11:03 -0400

Forgive me for stepping into the ARSOF side of the house, but I felt the need to chime in. Take the "feeling selfish leaving the conventional Army" aspect out of the equation. You have to realize that for manning, you're essentially getting released from your branch to pursue the 18A route which will leave commanders from your previous branch without you as a leader in their forces. This happens all the time. This decision point is about what YOU want for YOUR career; don't let others decide for you.
If this is more about leading Soldiers of any degree, then you don't have to pursue that option, as there are several Officer applicants waiting for their seat to SFAS/QC. If the 18A path speaks to you with regards to the mission focus on top of everything you'd be responsible for, then go for it.