So i want to join the SOF community but I'm torn between SF and PSYOP.Anyone have any personal experiences they can share I’d appreciate it?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 16:16:33 -0500

Also, any advice on what to work on before i go to selection would be awesome?

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Feb 6 at 2021 4:18 PM

SPC Nancy Greene — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 16:18:57 -0500

The best sources of information I know of are MSG Felipe De Leon Brown and SGT Robert Pryor! Good luck in your future endeavors!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2021 4:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 16:27:02 -0500

Neither.

Pick an MOS you could see yourself doing for three or four years. Get to your first duty station and volunteer for one of them. The attrition rate is very high for initial entry Soldiers coming to an ARSOF pipeline. If you fail, you go th whatever MOS the Army needs, and serve the rest of your 5-6 year contract in that job. If you come is as something else you can try out for the one you choose at your first duty station. If you pass, you reenlist for longer. If you fail, you go back to your old job and plan your next move

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2021 4:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 16:37:20 -0500

Sorry, I didn't see your already a 68W lol. We get that question a lot from recruits.

Psyops are mostly stationed at Bragg. They have a tactical battalion as well with 37Fs who attach to other SOF units. That doesn't mean you're a Psyoper kicking in doors and going on patrols with an ODA, you're usually a force multiplier asset at the BN level or Group level. The easiest way to explain Psyops to someone who doesn't know what it is, is that they influence opinions and manipulate information. Spreading rumors and misinformation, or correcting it, all with the intent of furthering our interests.
SF is more like the Swiss Army knife of special operations. You can find an SF team or TF devoted to anything from Maritime ops, mobility, Intel and Recon, developing weapons and tactics, and advising foreign forces on everything from embassy level affairs to training their soldiers to shoot. SF is huge. There are 24,000 Green Berets in the Army.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2021 7:01 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 19:01:39 -0500

Counter offer- 75th.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2021 8:00 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 20:00:34 -0500

Go talk to your local SORB. Goarmysof.com

Response by MSG Felipe De Leon Brown made Feb 7 at 2021 12:27 AM

MSG Felipe De Leon Brown — Sun, 07 Feb 2021 00:27:17 -0500

The most current requirements to become a Special Forces operator can be found on line. Doing your own personal research will tell you more about what you want than anyone else could. SPC Nancy Greene mentioned that SGT Robert Pryor and I are good sources of info and to a certain point, we are. However, we graduated from the Q-Course in August, 1968 and went on to see duty in Viet Nam. This next part is important.
The training that we went through has significantly evolved so as to lower the attrition rate of those candidates who are accepted. A candidate now has to successfully complete the SF Assessment Program. If you choose to acquire a CMF18, you'll have to have to have more than just physical and academic abilities, you'll also have to have an exceptional level of desire. Are you afraid of heights, enclosed places? How well can you swim in fatigues and boots? How good are your land navigation skills? How skilled are you as a marksman? Are you parachute qualified? How high is your language aptitude? SGT Pryor and I were candidates who refused to quit in spite of the challenges we faced. SF is not for everyone. The most valuable tool one can bring to the fight is determination. Many who were more athletic than SGT Pryor and I didn't make the cut.
I also had some experience in running a successful psyops operation for a major exercise. Are you capable of convincing a target audience to go along with a scenario that you create in support of your unit's mission? Can you create the tools to do so?
Regardless of the CMF within the US Army Special Operations Command, the satisfaction of being a member depends on one's dedication to one's oath to support and defend the Constitution.
Buena suerte.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 7 at 2021 12:29 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 07 Feb 2021 12:29:09 -0500

I spent a short time in USSOCOM when it was standing up back in the dark ages. The Army Component was originally composed of Special Forces and Rangers. The PSYOP units were added a little later. Based on my limited exposure to Army SOF, I would say go for Special Operations. The selection process is difficult, but if you have physical strength and mental toughness you have a chance to get through. SFC Private RallyPoint Member has great advice.

If you get through all the training, you will be one of the most respected Soldiers in the US Army. Will you actually "make a difference.?" That's up to you. The Special Operations missions give you that opportunity.

BTW, I'm not putting down PSYOP. I only know a little about USAF PSYOP missions. Mostly flying around in holding patterns in specially designed C-130s. Probably not a good perspective to advise you in that mission area.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Feb 7 at 2021 2:20 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Sun, 07 Feb 2021 14:20:14 -0500

My question to you - Do you want to be a practitioner or an administrative educator/teacher?
Practitioner, then by all means go SF; if administrative educator, then go the PSYOP route.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2021 6:07 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 06:07:06 -0500

Best thing to do is talk to a PSYOP Recruiter. Sometimes the information given about PSYOP (NOT PSYOPS) is totally wrong. SORB has a station in a lot of the main posts. If one is not located near you, I’m pretty sure a station is in charge of it.

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Feb 8 at 2021 4:12 PM

LTC Jeff Shearer — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 16:12:39 -0500

Justin I will start by saying I have not worked a day in PSYOP or Civil Affairs, however, routinely conduct operations where they play a role. However, I spent the majority of my 20+ in SF and without knowing you at all give SFAS a shot. Its not for everyone but its great.