What does the SFAB recruiting process look like?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 08:41:40 -0500

I'm considering putting in an Active Duty packet, but knowing what the process looks like after speaking with a recruiter, I'd want a little bit more control over what happens. Now I understand that during an initial enlistment or a reenlistment, the Army wants to incentivize by offering things like bonuses, duty stations, MOS choice, etc. because they need leverage, whereas changing components, they already own you. So my thought was to attempt to get into an SFAB. What would this process look like? In the Ranger Regiment, you can contact a specific battalion and join through them, is the same thing possible with SFAB (especially if the unit is standing up)?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2019 9:59 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 09:59:25 -0500

HOW TO JOIN

- ENLISTED

Soldiers must submit their completed and signed DA Form 4187 and SF 600 via electronic mail to the Security Force Assistance Command (SFAC) Recruiting Assessment Team at: [login to see] .

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2019 10:12 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 10:12:48 -0500

They have non-selected people, it's not guaranteed to get in because you applied. Their bonuses are next to nothing. $5000? minus how much for tax, leaves you with like $4000-ish.
There are other career choices that provide way better incentives. SFAB is just the "flavor of the month" and their incentives are not that great, at all.
Especially coming USAR to active that throws a wrench in the gears, and I'm told converting to active can take over a year just to get your 368.
4 SFAB is already filling, with 5th beginning after that, so the initial rush is almost over, then it will be sustainment recruiting rather than manning recruiting.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 25 at 2019 11:07 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 23:07:38 -0500

1, You have to go thru SF selection and make it. 2. Real hard for USAR, because of the amount of time you would have to be on active orders. Most folks go from Active SOCOM to 20th SF.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2019 12:25 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 00:25:27 -0500

Definitely making quite a wrong assumptions there. First, you can't contact a specific Ranger battalion and join through them. You have to reenlist needs of the Army and take whatever battalion you're given.
Second, you probably won't be qualified to go to SFAB for a little while. Even with their current shortage, there is only so much time on station they can waive and they usually want you to have a certain amount of experience with your rank, depending on your job and position. Third, you have to be in service already to join, you can't join an active duty SFAB from the Reserve component.

Once you do submit your application there is a selection process and you're allowed to put your top three choices. Realistically, they'll slot you to whichever one they're filling at that time, unless there's some valid reason to put you in a different one. Since they are filling them one at a time, if you don't take the one you're offered, you may be waiting for months or a year to leave.