Posted on Apr 18, 2017
What are the major lifestyle and maturity level differences between Ranger Batt and SF?
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I am deciding between dropping a RASP packet or a SF packet. I'm 25 years old with a wife and 4 kids and want to serve in as professional and efficient a unit as I can. I've been advised by the guys in my unit to go SF because my maturity level, stage of life, and because my personality will fit better. What advice do you have to have to offer?
Special Forces
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 22
I am surprised that you want to join a group that may spend so much time away. I am guessing you will be 200+ days/year away from home. As a young man with a new family, that seems like an incredible choice.
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MSG Dan Castaneda
I concur with CW4 Surles. I started my SF career 9 years into my Army career. My wife was not on board initially as she was under the same assumption, and I already had my oldest son. Now there are 4 of them, and while I have missed many birthdays and holidays, I wouldn't change it for the world. My wife completely supports and loves me coming home a happy man everyday. My worst day in SF is far better than my best day in the regular Army.
MSG Dan Castaneda
CW4 David Surles - What's up Chief. Haven't seen you in a while.
CW4 David Surles
Hey there, just hanging out at SWCS reviewing some doctrine that I have neglected for the last 27 plus years.
MSG Dan Castaneda
CW4 David Surles - That sucks. they get us sooner or later. Im working up at SF Command as the Maritime Operations Program Manager. Life is good.
My advice is, if you sign up for any of the things you are thinking about signing up for, you need to look yourself in the mirror with extreme prejudice. Give yourself a serious gut check about what you want from the military, and the life you want for your family. Whether you end up in RASP/75th or the Q, your life will be permanently changed. Not necessarily in a bad way, the mission and OPTEMPO are just so, so different.
You are in some what of a Pickle there...
you have chosen 2 of 3 organizations with the Highest Divorce percentage in the US Army... the 3rd are the Drill Sgt.'s...
The Deployment Schedules for Rangers and SF are be 200 to 280 days per Calendar year... If Not More...
the Advancements and Promotions are going to be faster in The SF units and your choices of assignments are going to be restricted or limited in either SF or Ranger Units...
And across the Board Straight Leg infantry is going to Get you No where...
SF Units are going to be Ft Lewis, Campbell, Carson, Bragg... and Overseas to Okinawa or Germany and If they are still in Panama...
Rangers are at Ft Lewis Wa... Hunter Army Airfield Ga and Ft Benning Ga
This is a Decision that you and your Wife, and with serious consideration for you family, have to make...
you are going to go thru a selection or Prep course either way Ranger ot SF...
in the Ranger courses you will be in training for 4-5 Months and depending on the slots available 4 to 6 weeks for other advanced qualification courses...
and the SF Selection and Qualification and Languages Courses will have you out of the Loop for at least a year... and the halo and Scuba schools will come depending on what team you are assigned to...
you have chosen 2 of 3 organizations with the Highest Divorce percentage in the US Army... the 3rd are the Drill Sgt.'s...
The Deployment Schedules for Rangers and SF are be 200 to 280 days per Calendar year... If Not More...
the Advancements and Promotions are going to be faster in The SF units and your choices of assignments are going to be restricted or limited in either SF or Ranger Units...
And across the Board Straight Leg infantry is going to Get you No where...
SF Units are going to be Ft Lewis, Campbell, Carson, Bragg... and Overseas to Okinawa or Germany and If they are still in Panama...
Rangers are at Ft Lewis Wa... Hunter Army Airfield Ga and Ft Benning Ga
This is a Decision that you and your Wife, and with serious consideration for you family, have to make...
you are going to go thru a selection or Prep course either way Ranger ot SF...
in the Ranger courses you will be in training for 4-5 Months and depending on the slots available 4 to 6 weeks for other advanced qualification courses...
and the SF Selection and Qualification and Languages Courses will have you out of the Loop for at least a year... and the halo and Scuba schools will come depending on what team you are assigned to...
CPT Lawrence Cable
Don't most active duty Infantry units promote faster than most MOS's? They did in my day, especially in any of the designated Light Units like the 25th, 6th or 10th Mountain. Unless the going nowhere comment was to where most Infantry post are located, then I would have to generally agree.
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