What is some advice for preparing for an 18X contract?

Roger Smith — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 18:07:45 -0500

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2020 6:33 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 18:33:29 -0500

Don't. Pick a different MOS. You don't need an 18X contract to try out for Special Forces, you can try out anytime in the army. There is a very strong chance you will not make it through the course, and when you fail the Army will choose a new MOS for you. However, if you join in an MOS you want, you can go to selection at any time and take as long as you need to prepare and even choose when you go. If you get selected you can choose when to go to the course. If you don't get selected you return to your old MOS and you can always try again later.18X is just a marketing ploy for recruiting.

Response by SFC Grant Ross made Dec 17 at 2020 6:33 PM

SFC Grant Ross — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 18:33:43 -0500

Don’t quit

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2020 7:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 19:51:49 -0500

1. Don’t take advice from someone who hasn’t done it.
2. Have one goal and accomplish that goal never except failure
3. Ruck and run a ton and when you sign the dotted line I’ll send you a SFAS workout plan .

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Dec 17 at 2020 8:30 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 20:30:23 -0500

If you fail the course or selection- you will be sent God knows where in whatever MOS the Army needs at that moment. You can always request to attend SFAS from your unit.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Dec 17 at 2020 8:46 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 20:46:55 -0500

If you want to be cool and do cool stuff, don't join as an 18X. Join as an 11B and then go try out for SF later. Because when you fail (and you statistically most likely will fail) you can always go back to being in the Infantry and still do cool shit.

Response by MSG Glen Miller made Dec 17 at 2020 9:40 PM

MSG Glen Miller — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 21:40:15 -0500

Besides being in the best possible physical shape have a tough mental attitude. The word “quit” should not be in your vocabulary. Do the best you can. When put into a leadership position lead and when not follow.
Hope this helps and good luck.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Dec 18 at 2020 12:26 AM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 00:26:46 -0500

Not impossible, but putting all of your eggs in one basket?
Before I retired, all 18X contracts trained as 11 Series. If not selected, then they’d be needs of the Army.

How about going on with a MOS of your choice, then later on give SFAS a shot? More control of your career.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2020 12:07 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 00:07:02 -0500

Best way to prepare for it is to become a basic soldier in another MOS and get a few years under your belt, then go to SFAS. You'll be better prepared for it by then. If you're not willing to get some experience and try in a few years when you would be better suited, you're probably wanting 18X for the wrong reasons anyways. Something of that magnitude should be done with proper prep. Simply going through 11X OSUT is not at all proper prep work.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2021 9:20 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jan 2021 21:20:15 -0500

Roger Smith If you really feel that you are mentally and physically tough enough to make it and you have a never quit attitude, then I say go for it. I’ve met plenty who never made it bc they weren’t informed on what they were signing up for. I’ve also met some of the best SF guys that were 18x. If you want it go for it. If you have questions feel free to ask directly.

Response by SSG Michael Theodosis made May 3 at 2022 6:01 PM

SSG Michael Theodosis — Tue, 03 May 2022 18:01:50 -0400

I know this is an old thread but coming as an 18X who became an senior 18D on a MFF team, you’re only getting one side of the story. 18X was the only option for me bc I wasn’t about to have some pimple faced 20 yr old E-4 telling me what to do. All the things these non selects are talking about to scare you are the exact things I used as motivation. This doesn’t just go for the OP, this goes for anyone else with the same question. You’ll make it a lot further in life if you stop listening to the negative opinions of people who don’t matter. If you want to do it, do it. And do it to the best of your ability. And then when you make it, you can turn around and give everyone else the finger.