Posted on Aug 3, 2018
Is the 82nd a good place to start if my future goal is to work among SOF?
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Recently I applied for a position in a SOF unit. However I was turned down due to personnel management timelines not matching up between said unit and myself. That being said I am still on projections to the 82nd Airborne Division.
I understand that various Soldiers who ended up serving as operators within the SOF community started their careers within the 82D and were successful. However I am not too familiar if this is also the case for Combat Support MOS's. Thus I was wondering if my future goal is to serve within the SOF realm, that whether or not spending the rest of my lieutenant years with 82D will be good preparation or looked upon favorably as a stepping stone into working for/with Special Operations?
I understand that various Soldiers who ended up serving as operators within the SOF community started their careers within the 82D and were successful. However I am not too familiar if this is also the case for Combat Support MOS's. Thus I was wondering if my future goal is to serve within the SOF realm, that whether or not spending the rest of my lieutenant years with 82D will be good preparation or looked upon favorably as a stepping stone into working for/with Special Operations?
25A: Signal Officer
Signal Corps
Special Operations
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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It's weird how often I hear people say that. I always tell them, SOF support is not an MOS. It's a position you pass through. Enablers who spend too long in SOF are disadvantaged in their skill set.
There is a perception that SOF does things differently or that there is a special skill set needed, but it's actually the opposite. Enablers need those Big Army skills and experience in order to really be an asset to SOF units. Sure, there are internal protocols that are SOF specific - but one of the 5 SOF truths is "Most SOF operations require NON-SOF support".
The second major issue is that you will never develop your leadership skills in SOF. You have a small group of people there and it is very NCO heavy. Group babies who start there and leave as NCOs struggle when they make it to a regular Army unit because they've never been in a position where they are in charge of a dozen, or dozens, of soldiers all at once.
Starting at the 82nd is an excellent way to develop your skill set and especially your leadership abilities. Once you do move to a SOF unit you will quickly be able to tell who grew up as a Group baby and who did not.
There is a perception that SOF does things differently or that there is a special skill set needed, but it's actually the opposite. Enablers need those Big Army skills and experience in order to really be an asset to SOF units. Sure, there are internal protocols that are SOF specific - but one of the 5 SOF truths is "Most SOF operations require NON-SOF support".
The second major issue is that you will never develop your leadership skills in SOF. You have a small group of people there and it is very NCO heavy. Group babies who start there and leave as NCOs struggle when they make it to a regular Army unit because they've never been in a position where they are in charge of a dozen, or dozens, of soldiers all at once.
Starting at the 82nd is an excellent way to develop your skill set and especially your leadership abilities. Once you do move to a SOF unit you will quickly be able to tell who grew up as a Group baby and who did not.
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1LT (Join to see)
Thank you SFC Boyd, I whole heartedly agree with you. My first platoon sergeant spent a good percentage of his career among three letter agencies and non big Army units. In conversations with my previous 1SG it was apparent that my platoon sergeant lacked practical leadership skills as he had spent considerable time away from line units.
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SFC (Join to see)
That's basically what I'm pointing out. While guys who spend their time in these places manage to develop an excellent individual skill set - individual skill sets are what we expect from E4s and E5s, not Senior NCOs. Even the legendary SOF commanders like Stanley McChrystal earn their place in conventional units like the 82nd. 2/504 has a hallway filled with pictures of famous generals who were commanders in the White Devils - including General McChrystal.
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Fort Bragg is the home of the Airborne and Special Operations. There are lots of different opportunities here if you're interested in exploring SOF.
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1LT (Join to see)
I will definitely try to sir. Other than selection, are most opportunities primarily through networking?
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LTC Steve Mannell
Yes. That's the advantage of being here - more exposure to the units and people you seem to want to work with.
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I didn't start in the 82nd but in the 101st. I spent 6+ years in the 82nd before going to selection. 82nd does produce some good Soldiers. If anything, the 82nd is a great unit to serve with.
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