I'm looking to attend SFAS. Any advice on preparing and what the community is looking for?

SPC Logan Daniels — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 19:27:11 -0500

I want to attend SFAS this spring/summer And I’m looking For advice or someone who can give me some pointers on what the community is looking for in candidates and what I can do to make my self a better candidate? I’m interested in the 18E pathway. Any advice / mentorship is greatly appreciated.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2019 8:36 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 20:36:24 -0500

https://youtu.be/Q1eLYRDBJk8

What's Harder - Ranger School or the Special Forces Qualification Course?

What’s Harder… Ranger School or the Special Forces Qualification Course? And what’s the Difference? Having a Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab, I get ask...

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Feb 2 at 2019 8:43 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 20:43:56 -0500

1. Talk to a Special Forces recruiter for face-to-face and accurate info
2. Check for SFAS videos on YouTube for examples from previous cycles
3. Prepare for intense PT and related tasks (look for specific prep plans online)
4. Mentally prepare for severe food and sleep limitations

Response by MSG Louis Alexander made Feb 2 at 2019 9:33 PM

MSG Louis Alexander — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 21:33:49 -0500

If you’re physically fit, dedicated and have finished Airborne and Ranger School, that’s the time to go to SFAS. You’d be well prepared for the course and won’t have to struggle as much. While loathing around, learn a second language and learn the differences between Me, You and Us. Other than that, don’t over think, and push yourself beyond the limits.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2019 11:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 23:06:57 -0500

It's helpful to be in good shape, though not really necessary. You'd be surprised the amount of people who make it through and are less fit than your average paratrooper. But being fit certainly makes selection a bit more bearable.
Physically, just be capable of carrying lots of weight at a consistent pace.
The best advice that someone gave me was, "Be the last to sit down, and the first to get up. Double check and retie the knots. Be an asset to the team." It worked for me.

I would make sure you're pursuing it for the right purpose and that you have a realistic idea of what an SF NCO does. It's not shooting people in the face, and it's not being a Network Ninja as an 18E. When I was a Career Counselor in SF Group, the most common reason guys told me they were leaving the Army was that SF was not what they were led to believe it was. As opposed to shooting bad guys in the face, they were doing training exercises with foreign allies most of the time. You will not become an expert in all things signal as an 18E; SF Command has a large detachment of signal support MOSs at each battalion, group, and an entire battalion of special operations signal personnel with numerous detachments across the world.
Finally, you might not be offered 18E. Whether it's your scores or their need, you may be offered something else. I was already a medic when I was selected. I attended with the express intent of becoming an 18D. All of my scores were very high, but I was given 18E instead. You are at the need of the Regiment. The name may say Special, but there are 24,000 special forces CMF18 in the Army and they will fill your slot with someone else who wants it of you don't accept what they offer.

My advice would be research the lifestyle first because that will determine whether or not you enjoy it. Better yet, go to Airborne School and reenlist for an assignment at a group so you can see first hand. Trust me, it will benefit you to have some regular army NCO time under your belt prior to switching.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2019 2:20 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 02:20:32 -0500

PFC Logan, last time I checked you had to be an E-5 (ABN qualified) with at least 3 years left on your contract to qualify for any standard FA-18 MOS. Have you spoken with an SF Branch Recruiter yet? Before you bring it up, you cannot qualify for 18X except when you first enlisted.

https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/combat/special-forces-candidate.html

It is possible for you to qualify for the Ranger Regiment if you were a real hard charger in basic or AIT and you can get a recommendation from a former RGR RGT NCO or officer assigned to any of your training units. Your best bet would be to try for a slot in Ranger School and go from there to the RGT, the 82nd, or the 173rd. Even though SF training has become longer, you should already be fully versed in infantry combat before you arrive. Going through RGR School and doing a stint in one of the three units I already mentioned will normally give you the seasoning and maturity required to successfully complete SFQC.

PS: Pick an "in demand" foreign language and learn as much as you can. All Asian languages are more difficult than Farsi or Arabic, unless you are especially gifted.

Special Forces Candidate Jobs (18X)

As a Special Forces Candidate (18X), find out if you have what it takes to become a Special Forces Officer, one of the world’s most highly skilled combat forces.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2019 2:02 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 02:02:34 -0500

I can see the community from my desk, but I would guess the community is looking candidates who meet the qualifications, put in packets, and don't quit. If you really want to stick out, read the plethera of websites and/or the tons of books that have answered this question ad nauseam.

Bonus advice: I have met guys who have gone to SFAS and I have met guys who have passed SFAS. I would guess if you're not intent on doing the latter, the previous is ill advised.

Response by MSG James Devereaux made Mar 2 at 2019 1:30 PM

MSG James Devereaux — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 13:30:08 -0500

Carry a 60lb ruck everywhere you go. Practice carrying heavy shit with your hands for long distances. Do all the other crap people suggest but pay attention to my advice.

Response by SFC Steve Bakke made May 8 at 2019 8:23 AM

SFC Steve Bakke — Wed, 08 May 2019 08:23:28 -0400

All I can say is thank God that I was in before the SFAS! I don't know if I could have done it! My best advice is to be in the best shape you can be in! You need to condition yourself by lots of long distance running and you will need to condition yourself to "rucking". Use the same type of rucksack that you will be using and begin to build yourself up. Start with 25 pounds and begin working yourself up to about 75 pounds. Begin working on your distance and speed. Try to stay at under a 12 minute mile. Work on your rucking technique, use your hips to increase your stride. But most of all, be a useful member of a TEAM! Help those who are struggling. It's not about you, it's about them! You will mostly need to keep up a positive mental attitude, you CAN work through the pain! Lots of others have been through this and passed, and YOU can too!

Response by SFC Martin Thompson made May 9 at 2019 12:50 AM

SFC Martin Thompson — Thu, 09 May 2019 00:50:56 -0400

It's helpful to be in good shape, but the main thing is the have physical and mental endurance. Get in the habit of working as a team, and never quit or give up.

Response by SSG Frank Jones made May 9 at 2019 8:46 AM

SSG Frank Jones — Thu, 09 May 2019 08:46:58 -0400

Train, train train! Ruck your ass off. Be confident with your land Navigation. Above all, be a team player, be ready to lead, but also be ready to follow.

Response by SFC Hector Michaud III made Dec 18 at 2019 8:47 AM

SFC Hector Michaud III — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 08:47:16 -0500

Not sure if you went or not, be a team player, and never quit.

Response by SFC Michial (Mike) Bergen made Jan 22 at 2020 9:51 PM

SFC Michial (Mike) Bergen — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 21:51:58 -0500

Get under a ruck and start walking at 15 min/mile pace and keep that pace for 26.3 miles. Work your way up to it. Study the map of the US so you can draw it with all states and know the capitals of each. Learn your map reading and everything about a map. Be a team player and work with others. Be fair, firm and consistent! Do not be a buddy F*r. Work on your running. Knock a full PT test 3x per week. Find mountainous terrain to ruck in. Find sandy soil to ruck in and walk as fast as you can. Practice carrying heavy objects in you hands. If you can get your body used to intermittent fasting. Do mot be a spotlight ranger. That will get you gone quicker than you can shake a stick. Remember SFAS stands for Sore Feet And Shoulders. Good luck