What is a route to join special forces with a degree in computer engineering?

Zachary Taylor — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 15:48:39 -0400

I'm currently one year away from finishing my Computer Engineering degree. I realized through my time here that a desk job is not a job that I would like to pursue. However, I would like to use my degree in the field. I want to join special forces as a combat engineer specializing in electronics/demolition with my degree. Is there a way I can become a warrant officer in special forces with this degree? I originally was going to go through OCS and become a commissioned officer but I ultimately don't want to be stuck behind a desk in my career and would prefer to stay in the special forces team on the field. I was personally thinking MARSOC or Rangers. Does anyone have advice on the route I should take to get to special forces with a Computer Engineering degree?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2018 3:50 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 15:50:47 -0400

To actually be a member on a team no and yes. To be a support personnel yes.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2018 3:51 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 15:51:47 -0400

I feel like becoming an 11A then put in packet to go to SFAS(Assuming you pass) then maybe get to pick 18C, maybe 18E. Not sure since it’s communications but worth a try. Best of luck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2018 3:53 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 15:53:50 -0400

To be an officer on a special forces oda you need to reach the rank of CPT and then apply. You can’t come into the Army as a captain. Now if you want to come in as an 18X and hope they assign you as a 18C you can do that but your degree has no bearing on whether or not you get it.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2018 3:58 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 15:58:58 -0400

Unless you are planning on flying, there is no way to come off the street and come in as a Warrant Officer. Look at the Warrant Officer Recruiting page for more info.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2018 4:16 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 16:16:29 -0400

I would recommend you join ROTC in college. Get your commission in the active duty or in the National Guard. Become a combat engineer or regular engineer, complete your platoon leaders time and or executive officer of a company or do a staff position. One alternative you may want to do is to join civil Affairs or psychological operations. Both of them are sister units of Special Forces and they work alongside Special Forces. They even work in the same school house. Normally you get into those as a functional area a secondary job )you will have to shift over to the Army Reserve to do that. You could join special forces in the National Guard but if you want to join psychological operations are civil Affairs after being turned down I'm from your special forces application, then switch over to the Army Reserve. Some civil Affairs & psychological operations units are airborne. This way, you can have your cake and eat it too and maintain a civilian job all while pursuing your dream.

United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command https://g.co/kgs/AKgphT

United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command - Google Search

Response by SSG Harry Outcalt made Oct 22 at 2018 5:18 PM

SSG Harry Outcalt — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 17:18:07 -0400

First, Marsoc and or the Rangers are not the Same as a Green Beret by virtue of the missions they are trained for... So with that being said while getting your commission before entry as well as the OCS , route sounds good on paper and in theory. The reality is none of that will matter if you can't be one of the 3 to earn the Green Beret..... So your options are as an engineer is 3 choice's , enlisted SF engineer or Warrant, last is Commissioned with any back ground in a leadership role.. First choice is the quickest route and best option once in you can always get to Warrant or earn a commission but first you need to earn the Green Beret , without it , nothing else you want matters, that means lot's of PT .... LoL , prep for the Q course...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2018 7:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 19:14:58 -0400

I think you should do a bit more research. Special Forces is an Army organization, MARSOC and Rangers doesn't offer what you want.
You want to research 75th Rangers, Special Forces, SEALS, MARSOC, Combat Air Controllers and Para rescue. Special forces will allow you to become a warrant later in your career. Your computer engineering degree doesn't really apply, but it will help if you go to 18E SF commo SGT. There is no guarantee that's the MOS you'll get if you pass Selection.
Have a backup plan. Statistically, you probably won't make it.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2018 9:48 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 21:48:08 -0400

Enlist on an 18X contract. Ideally you would end up 18E with your background.
Then you can spend at least three years on an ODA and apply for the warrant program, or go to OCS, spend your 2LT and 1LT time somewhere else, then apply for SF again.
Or you can just apply straight to OCS, and apply for SF when you are an eligible 1LT(P).

Response by CPT Nicholas D. made Oct 23 at 2018 6:39 AM

CPT Nicholas D. — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 06:39:28 -0400

The most expeditious route is the Active Component’s 18X program or the Army National Guard does the REP 63 enlistments. At the initial stages of your training, your degree will only entitle you to an advanced promotion to E4. You’ll attend Infantry OSUT (Basic Training and AIT together), Airborne School, and then you report to Bragg. There is a Special Operations Prep Course SOPC in there and you’ll get your moment in Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS).

If you are selected, you will continue on to the Special Forces Qualification Course pipeline. You will get a wish list, but your assigned job will be needs of the Army. (I have noticed the ARNG a little easier to get what you want.) If you are not selected, you will start your Enlisted service as an Infantryman.

I am sure you didn’t know any better, but you mentioned 5 or 6 different jobs. MARSOC and Rangers are not Special Forces. They are Special Operations. I know, it sounds hokie to make the correction, but there is only 1 Special Forces. MARSOC is not part of the Army either, so you’d have to discuss their pipeline with a Marine. If Computer Engineering is your forte, then I recommend pursuing 18E Special Forces Communications Sergeant. After a MINIMUM of 3 years on an ODA, you would be eligible to apply for the 180A Special Forces Warrant Officer program. 180’s aren’t electronic/demolitions specialists, but your previous time as an 18E would make you a good mentor as you serve as an Asst Commander or even as a Det Commander.

There are Special Mission Units that focus on Signal Intelligence, Cyber, etc. As an 18E, you’d be a strong candidate for some of those programs. Of course, they don’t provide brochures for RallyPoint, but once you are in and successful in your training, the full menu becomes available.

Good Luck!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2018 11:36 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 11:36:46 -0400

1. Join signal as an officer (2LT to start)
2. Train, get acclimated, do shit.
3. Put in for SFAS when 1LTP, get selected.
4. Q-course, 25A -> 18A.
5. Finish Q, be CPT/18A, which will have next to nothing to do with CE, but you will have a cool resume.
6. Done.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2018 5:03 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 17:03:57 -0400

It sounds like you have done a little bit of research, but not enough to really know what you want or are getting into. I highly recommend you read the book Chosen Soldier by Dick Couch.

https://www.amazon.com/Chosen-Soldier-Making-Special-Warrior/dp/ [login to see]

That will give you enough background into what SF is to determine if that's the route you want to go.

It seems like you want a combination of things that can't happen. If you are an SF 18C (engineering sergeant), then you will have a lot of knowledge of demolitions, but little focus on electronics/computer engineering. If you are an 18E (communications sergeant), you will primarily deal more with electronics/computer engineering (but not to the extent that your degree will have prepared you for), but will have less of a focus on demolitions. However, a team cross-trains and everyone on the ODA will know some about and work with both electronics and demolitions.

After a number of years as an SF NCO, you might have the opportunity to become a 180A, but then your focus will be on being the assistant detachment commander - you will be second in command on an ODA and will no longer focus on either communications or demolition but rather on mission planning and leading.

It all depends on what you want to do. If you have any specific questions about being in SF or what the process is after reading the book I recommended, feel free to reach out and I'll answer as best I can.

Amazon.com: Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior (9780307339393): Dick Couch:...

Amazon.com: Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior (9780307339393): Dick Couch: Books

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2018 7:10 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 19:10:23 -0400

If you are determined - take the 18X route.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2018 9:24 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 21:24:56 -0400

Just a thought, but why don’t you take those computer skills to the Agency, DIA, or the Bureau? There are more ways to serve the Nation operationally than just special ops...