Posted on Aug 6, 2020
Travis Leutbecher
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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Here's the truth: you're not high speed. It will take time to prove that you are and separate yourself from everyone else who feels they are. If you aren't a Collegiate level athlete then you probably won't pass any "high speed" selection process. If you aren't a high school athlete then you almost definitely won't pass a selection.

If you fancy yourself tough and "high speed" join the Infantry with an Airborne contract and volunteer for the 75th Ranger Regiment while in Airborne school. All Special Operations require Airborne so it's a good start.

Around 90% of people who join the Army on an Option 40 Ranger or 18X Special Forces contract will fail to complete the training. You will most likely fail to meet the training. Start by aiming smaller. Aim small, miss small.
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
MAJ Ronnie Reams
5 y
10% select is better than 3% back in RVN days. I believe that the figure the late SSG Sadler had is the ballad.
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SPC John Tacetta
SPC John Tacetta
5 y
SGT Robert Pryor - Spoken like a true man of honor. You humble me.
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SPC John Tacetta
SPC John Tacetta
5 y
SFC Jason Muncy - SFC Jason Muncy, you talk as if the Rangers were made up of Field Grade Officers and Senior NCOs with no junior enlisted whatsoever. You are correct, at least, in saying that you need the proper frame of mind rather than strict brawn to make it through. All the more reason to disagree with SFC (Join to see) in this regard. Of course the selection process is rigorous and of course the rejection rate is high, but that just goes with the territory and I'm sure that anyone entering the program is fully aware of that fact. However, it's no reason not to try, and some do indeed pass through. The worst that can happen is that you end up in a "regular" line unit. Who knows, Travis Leutbecher may be well on his way by now.

I've certainly gotten a bit of resistance from my stance in this thread, but I've also seen many of the comments supporting my position. Have no doubt, I think SFC (Join to see) is an outstanding service member whose broad and deep knowledge is an asset to this community, his unit and the Army: he always manages to impress me. However, this seems to be a rare instance in which I think he has missed the mark and there's no shame in missing so from time to time.
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CPL Douglas Chrysler
CPL Douglas Chrysler
5 y
Other than having a physical accident that puts you out, with enough desire and heart you will succeed.
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CSM Darieus ZaGara
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The Army is High Speed. What you should do in the Army will be based on your scores and what is available, that simple. Once you enter the Army you will need to work hard in all areas to prove that you have what it takes for one of the more challenging units. So, if you want to serve, serve for Duty, Hojor, Country. Work hard, study your craft and be a Team player, then at some point you will know what it is you want to do. If you are worthy the Army will see your potential and allow you to compete. The Army is High Speed.
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SGM Operations Sergeant Major
SGM (Join to see)
5 y
Amazing comment, CSM! With the way the U.S. is today, it is an honor to work at any branch or any MOS. You serve your country and serve it proudly. On the other hand, I think the basis of your question was missed in some comments. If you want to get out there on your feet and do high-speed missions, yes, infantry is the way to go. (comes with air assault, airborne, sniper, sapper, pathfinder exc....) But there is no MOS like 19D. If you do get on your feet, its only for a distance to your OP, which is at the most ½ distance of your crew serve weapon system. (that was my attempt to be funny) I have been a scout for 22 years now, and nothing but rewards has come from it. Bottom line you make your MOS high speed no matter what the MOS is. The rest of the soldiers will follow your lead, or you will see that promote above your peers commit more often.
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CSM Darieus ZaGara
CSM Darieus ZaGara
5 y
I believe we have a similar philosophy. I attacked everything I did in the Army with the same vigor and coached my Soldiers to do the same. It is a life that I believe to be unmatched in society. The reason is because it is a way of life and not a job. Keep up that energy and desire. Hoooah!SGM (Join to see)
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CSM Frank Supinski
CSM Frank Supinski
5 y
Spot on comment CSM Za Gara. Every Job in the US Army needs to be performed with the same zeel and vigor no matter what. As some wise NCO taught me long ago, "amateurs talk about tactics, professionals talk logistics."
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CSM Jim Corrin
CSM Jim Corrin
5 y
HOOAH, CSM ZaGara !!!!! I encouraged my soldiers to do each task as if it was the only thing they had to do that day, whether it was a facing movement or some more complex task. If they can do this they will be high speed...
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LTC Jason Mackay
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Edited >1 y ago
There are a number of supporting MOSs in elite formations such as the Ranger Regiment, SF Groups (like the GSB), 160th SOAR (the Regiment has sustainers), Airborne Units have conventional logistics support with jump status BSBs. They just did away with Division Pathfinder Comoanies. They were pretty high speed.

SFABs candidates go through a selection process.

The Asymmetric Warfare Group also have a selection process.

Technical Escort - Mix of EOD and CBRNE troops

LRSCLRSD unfortunately no longer around.

Not a formal thing, more of how Commander's approach the mission: many BSBs task organize a standing security Platoon. Ours took soldiers from all comoanies and trained them on convoy defense, fighting mounted, communications, every weapon in the element and anything in the BN. Hell, I saw one that was able to cross train a 60mm mortar crew to hipshoot when they got in contact. The security Platoon was four elements with four MRAPs, one PLS with trailer, and a M984E1 wrecker that was task organized to be the patrol leadership (combat logistics patrol - CLP). Armed to the teeth. Had dedicated medics. Mix of M2s and Mk19s. they had live AT4s, frags, etc The convoy was formed around one or two of these elements based on size. They could call for fire. They could and did call in CAS. They often had to clear their own routes as route clearance was unavailable. They worked with Afghan police and other Afghan security forces to secure key terrain that overwatched routes. Not your Daddy's convoy. Everything ran as the combat operation that it was. We coordinated ISR coverage, fire support, attack aviation, and battlespace deconfliction.

Units often put together a Personal Security Detachment PSD to move the Command Group around the battlefield. The CSM usually hand picks people to perform this mission and they part of the HHC.

Perhaps, don't be concerned with the pedigree of the formation or the High speed MOSs and be the highest speed <insert MOS here> and be proficient in your warrior tasks and drills. Another key is to be reliable.
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SPC John Tacetta
SPC John Tacetta
5 y
SSG Jeremy Howard - Always did want to wiggle those sticks.
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SPC William Szkromiuk
SPC William Szkromiuk
5 y
US Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps fighter pilot prayer: “God, please give me the eyes of a hawk, the wings of an eagle, the agility of the cheetah, and the balls of an Army helicopter pilot!”

Ask any grunt from Vietnam. He knows.

God Bless you all.
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LCDR Michael Pumilia
LCDR Michael Pumilia
5 y
There is no limit when flying high. You're there to defend the grunt on the ground. Always! Because if sh*t happens, you grunts become our best friends when you've saved our sorry asses from the shroud lines after our pile of tin is no longer flying correctly, with AA holes everywhere. High speed to me is how proficient you become in your current task, what ever that might be. By '74 I was back on a carrier but back in the good old USA. Then onto a naval weapons station where we had a large Marine detachment, Army helos, and Coast Guard boats - all to defend everything that went BOOM !!! How's that for high specialty and high speed ! Oh yes, we had a lot of EOD types around from each service.
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CPL Richard Hughes
CPL Richard Hughes
5 y
Sadly the Asymmetric Warfare Group is being de-commissioned. It’s assets being re-dispersed throughout the service to be force multipliers and trainers.
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Other than Special Forces and Rangers, what are some other “high speed” and high specialty jobs in the Army?
MSG Inspector General
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An MOS does not make you high speed, I have two Soldiers who won the Eropean Soldier of the year competition, my BN has the title two years in row, that's high speed! High speed is not determined by a tab or title, but by demonstrated performance.
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SPC John Tacetta
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Special Operations is the cherry on top of the Sunday: it looks pretty and tastes good, but it isn't the main attraction and alone it's just a cherry. Any infantry unit in the first order of battle will do. You will be high speed then.

Of course, you've framed your question around a physical characteristic and that is really just begging the question. Just keep in mind that the meanest hombre of the meanest unit is nothing without support. We didn't win WWII through brute force alone: the "Miracle at Midway" occurred because we had good intelligence and crack repair crews that brought the Yorktown back into the fray. "High Speed" is a frame of mind, my friend, whether you're Caspar Milquetoast or John Wayne: just be the best at what you do and you'll be "High Speed"!
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SFC Cavalry Scout
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There are plenty of comments about the high speed jobs. I will say from experience, one other avenue to consider, and it may be difficult, but think of what you'll want to do once your contract is up. Whether its after 3, 10, or 20. You never know what can happen. The army will always keep moving forward, but you need to set yourself and family if you have one up for a good future. You can't run and gun your whole life despite your heart wanting to. Just an alternate perspective.
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Travis Leutbecher
Travis Leutbecher
>1 y
Very true, do you think 89D would be a good mix between engaging and challenging and also granting skills applicable to the civilian job market?
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SFC Cavalry Scout
SFC (Join to see)
>1 y
Travis Leutbecher Definitely if that is a field you want to pursue. And i forgot to add that if for some reason you don't like the job, you can always pursue education using TA and credentials. Don't focus too much on the future you ignore the present. Just be mindful when choosing a job what it will give you in the long term. Either way, the military will be beneficial by giving you leadership training and life experience.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
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Edited >1 y ago
Best advice? Avoid possible homelessness and just go POG.
There's three things you can find in every homeless shelter across the country. Dirty clothes, depression and blue cords.
Body stacking briefs well, but a blue cord and $5.00 will get you a venti white chocolate mocha at Starbucks.
You're not going to find logisticians or topographical analysts at the homeless shelters going "if only I had stacked bodies I could have avoided this!".
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SFC Michael Hasbun
SFC Michael Hasbun
>1 y
SPC John Tacetta - There are countless veterans and service members with PTSD that didn't/don't use it as an excuse to misbehave and throw away their careers.
I'm not going to justify "shitbag'ism" with "well PTSD...". We are all responsible for the decisions we make.
If your decisions place you on the streets, that's on you. If your decisions place you in the Fortune 500, that's also on you. To loosely quote T2, "there is no fate but what we make".
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SPC John Tacetta
SPC John Tacetta
>1 y
SFC Michael Hasbun - Nobody ever "decided" to be traumatized. Some handle it, others don't. We react to what we've seen in so many ways, some constructive, some destructive. I'm not a believer, but don't be so quick to cast stones without looking first into your own heart.
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SGT Medic
SGT (Join to see)
>1 y
Holy shit lol love it.
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2LT Civil Affairs Officer
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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I would think that a high speed/high specialty job is the job you pick that gives you: 1) A sense of pride; 2) Good/great promotions; 3) A skill set to provide a high paying career outside of the military.

These jobs could be in the Intel community, Communications community and the Medical community.

That being said, every job gives a Soldier exactly what they put into it. For example, I am a Preventive Medicine NCO. As a SFC in this field, there are not a lot of SFC 68S (Preventive Medicine). It is a low density MOS. Which means that there are not a lot of options for us, per say. Rank progression can be slow (hence why there aren't a lot of Senior NCOs in the 68S world). I went from an E-4 to E-7 in just over 11 years. I've known Medics and Combat Engineers that retired after 20 years as an E-6. That being said, there are opportunities to do great things. There are 68S slots in the SF community (in their support elements). But even then, in a support roll in the SF community, you better damn well bring your A-Game.
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SGT Carl Blas
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The definition of your "High Speed" will point the way.
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COL Deputy G2
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The difference between brawn and brain. Counterintelligence or HUMINT within the intelligence field could be somewhat high speed. But just like high school. You want to be a jock or a nerd? Or you can be a geek and do cyber. It’s really all fun no matter what you do. The Army is a blast but you get what you put into it. Good luck!
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