What’s it like working in the SF support community?

2020-04-23T06:15:18-04:00

I’m a 91B currently deployed to Afghanistan. I’m working with a retired SF guy and he told me I should look into requesting a spot working at the motor pool with 7th SFG. I’m hoping to gain some insight from someone currently working with 7th SFG or any support role with SF. Thank you.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2020 8:18 AM

2020-04-23T08:18:46-04:00

The environment is total different from “The Army” or conventional. As far as 7th goes you’ll be in Florida not bad. You’ll get more training opportunities and possible schools. Now with GSB (Group Support Battlion) in the mix, they’re almost changing as far as the enablers culture of SOF kind of making it big army but you’ll still be better off.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2020 1:32 PM

2020-04-23T13:32:25-04:00

The support gets to do their job. Especially the motorpool. SOF doesn't use the HMMWVs and trailers as much, as we have non standard vehicles and it's smarter to use the 15 PAX van to go to the range instead of 5 M1152s, so you don't typically have massive amounts of repairs and can take the time to get the vehicles done right, rather than circle x-ing and having too few mechanics for too many vehicles.
In talking with your branch manager, don't just limit yourself to the 5 SF Groups at 7 locations, there's 2 PSYOP Groups, 1 CA Brigade, and the 528th Support BDE that all fall under 1st Special Forces Command.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2020 2:03 PM

2020-04-23T14:03:47-04:00

It's interesting. It's an experience worth having at least once but I would advise against staying too long to avoid getting the "SOF Support" mentality. As a Career Counselor in an SF group, I can't tell you how many many of my conversations started out with, "There is no such thing as the MOS of SOF Support. You are a XXX first, serving in a SOF unit for a little while."
If you are not currently promotable you can contact your branch manager for an assignment there. Unless you're Airborne and up for reenlistment that's probably not happening. Not a lot of slots for E6 91B and most of them are getting filled by promoting from within.
Once you are promotable you are eligible to request through the USASOC senior enlisted slating selection board that is usually announced in September.
People will try to tell you that they know someone over there, or that they can get you an interview with someone who can pull you over. That is completely untrue. Only your branch manager can move you and place you on assignment. No one in SF group has the power to make a call and have you pulled from your assignment.

Response by SGT Allen Treviranus made May 8 at 2020 5:48 PM

2020-05-08T17:48:14-04:00

I was a 91B with 1SFG for 8 years. I then finished my career at a regular Army motor pool in Korea. There really weren't many differences with group, except I got to wear civilian PT clothes some mornings, and got a lot more training it felt like. There was a ton of range time in group compared to the regular Army. Random trips to the field for 7 days just to shoot up tens of thousands of rounds of ammo that haven't been spent yet.

Your experience also depends on if you are assigned to a line unit or the support battalion, which I had experience in both. I was constantly supporting the ODAs in the line unit, and pulled details to stay busy in the support battalion.

You are also asking about 7SFG, and being in Florida probably has more perks than I received at Fort Lewis.