Information and advice on 18X vs Guard SF option?

Sgt Marc De Crescenzo — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 15:41:00 -0500

Debating between 18X active duty or trying for Guard SF. I'm a Marine veteran who recently graduated college and am weighing some options. I want a shot at SF one way or the other. I've heard that the 18X option is a trap and drops go needs of the army, is that true? Also, for Guard SF, are soldiers selected gone for 18 or more months straight during the Q or do they return to their home states in between schools? A little about myself is, I'm 28, I'm in excellent shape, no kids, 8 have a fiance, I'm motivated and excited for a shot. I am trying to make the wisest choice of the two options. I have been offered a position with the US Marshals and that could give me the opportunity to have a double pension if I went Guard. I know the 18X option has some benefits though such as SOPC. Any advice or opinions welcome. Thanks.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2019 4:12 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 16:12:37 -0500

Guard has the Rep-63. Basically the 18x version of the guard, unfortunately that’s not available for prior service (18X is though). You would enlist in the guard, then attempt a SFRE drill. The drill is a pre selection. They want to see if it’s even worth sending you to SFAS. If your selected. You’ll do maybe 2 more training drills with the SF group. You’ll go to selection, and if selected you’ll get a Q course date. It’s not always right away. I know some guys who went back to their original units for a month or 2. The Q course may have small layovers between phases. At that time you’ll be on leave. Airborne school will be done at the units convenience. 18X is not intended as a trap. Prior service helps you actually, most of the 18X who DOR at SFAS aren’t mature enough for the pressure and stress.

My honest recommendation would be if your really want a active duty career, go to OCS. Maybe 11A or 350F. Then tryout for 18A ways away. Get the pay you deserve.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Mar 1 at 2019 6:27 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 18:27:20 -0500

My dos centavos, and this is coming from a former 18 series soldier that started in the NG SF. Concentrate on your civilian career with the US Marshals Service. From my experience, it was difficult to balance between a civilian job and the demands of being in a SF Guard unit.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2019 9:30 PM

Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 21:30:26 -0500

Talking to a few SF recruiter lately this is info given to me! Rep 63 contract with NG gives you guarantee airborne in my case for infantry and a “shot” at SFAS after you go to SFPC to prepare for the pipeline, other option is NG is to go into a support role for SF get airborne guaranteed and train until your ready for SFAS! 18xray from what I’ve learned from a good friend who just retired for SF does have a high failure rate and in return you are at the needs of the army, in a lot of cases I’ve learned 82nd airborne is home to a lot of 18x guys but I’ve not researched much in the AD side of things bc I was going NG! If you go NG SF route I can give a number to WV recruiter who is very high speed and on top of his shit kinda guy, he can give you tons of info and have paper work in motion the same day! Hope this helps

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2019 12:45 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Mar 2019 00:45:28 -0500

18X is a good way to end up as a cook. Guard SF is a good way to spend several years waiting for your slot at SFAS. If you do go to the Guard SF you will be on active duty the whole time you are in the Q course. Most of the Guard SF are people who joined SF on AD and then later transitioned to the Guard.
The best choice would be to join Active Duty as infantry with Airborne. You will most likely get stationed at Bragg. You can go straight to selection without any necessity for waiting a year on station since SWC is already on Bragg. Bonus, you can go to Ranger School prior to going to SFAS while you are at the 82nd.

Response by SPC Paul Byler made Mar 6 at 2019 3:26 PM

SPC Paul Byler — Wed, 06 Mar 2019 15:26:58 -0500

I have been having a similar debate mine being between 18X and straight active infantry then applying for SFAS. We're the same age and I'm a Marine Vet too, I had pretty much decided to do the regular infantry first because the regular recruiter warned me I could be needs of the army if I failed or got hurt. However a contractor buddy of mine in Afghanistan works with several former SF guys, one of which was also a marine vet and when he joined the regular army first his command yanked him around for over a year before he was able to get to selection. So the long and short of it is everyone has a different experience apparently, personally I'm rolling the dice and just going 18X because I have a hard time believing the army will send me back through all of basic, Infantry training, airborne school, plus Pre-selection only to send a former Marine infantryman to be a cook. Of course the greenwenie could always lube up, strike and I might be flipping burgers this time next year who knows.