r/specialforces

I’ve been in the reserve for about 2.5 years and I’m wanting to transition to active and eventually SF. Is it possible to get into the 18X program from the reserves after getting my conditional release signed? I’m getting pretty mixed answers but my recruiter is saying no and I would like some clarification.

Hey everyone,
I’m finishing my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and will be around 24 when I graduate. I’m seriously considering enlisting afterward with an 18X contract and attempting to become a Green Beret.
I’m about 5’7.5”, 140 pounds, and lean. I know I have plenty of work to do, especially with running, rucking, endurance, and functional strength, but I’m willing to train seriously before shipping.
I’m drawn to the challenge, purpose, and opportunity to push myself. At the same time, I’d be leaving a comfortable life, my family, and possible career opportunities related to my degree. I also understand that if I don’t make it through the pipeline, I could end up serving elsewhere in the Army.
For those with experience, is pursuing 18X worth that risk? What should I know before committing, and what should I focus on during the next year to give myself the best chance?

I need to be done with my life.

I am 25(M), and none of the things I care about in life have gone anywhere, and have ended in complete failure. I finished college with an econ degree, but my GPA sucks, so I'll never get into a good grad school (I've never exactly been the sharpest knife in the drawer), and all I have to show for it is a dead-end finance job thats salaried at 45k per year.

My athletic career (WT taekwondo) has gone nowhere. The best I have ever been able to manage is a series of state championship titles; its been almost ten years since I medaled at a national event, and that was when I was 17, and in Juniors (ages 15-17).

I've only had three girlfriends, all of whom I wanted to marry at one point or another, and two of them were cheating on me the entire time. Before anyone asks, no, I wasnt sleeping around, or going to the club to "get girls," or "bag a baddie." I dont drink, smoke, do drugs, or go to the club, and neither did they. All three seemed to have the same traditional and religious values that I did, and were/are very hardworking and family-oriented. None of that stopped the last two from lifting their skirts once they found someone "better." At this point, I look in the mirror and realize that its not realistic that any woman will ever be inclined to give me genuine loyalty, because I have nothing material to give her. I don't have money and I'm not willing to go into any debt, I'm short and unattractive even though I have the physique of an elite athlete (I go to the gym five days a week and run spirits and 10ks regularly), and I'm socially awkward. Me realizing this has led me the conclusion that I don't really even want them to, because all women seem to be gold diggers on some level. True loyalty seems lile its beyond them. I'm not making this post because I'm coming off of a breakup, I've moved on, I just wanted to establish that I don't see my love life as a reason to stay alive.

That said, I don't intend to commit suicide. For one, my Christian faith doesnt permit that, and my mother would also be devastated beyond repair if I threw my life away. That said, there's no injunction in Christianity that prevents me from going to war and being killed while I'm there. And since I would be serving to fight and defend people while I'm there, it wouldn't be throwing my life away either. Me going to fight in Ukraine, for example, would mean that someone else doesnt have to. Thats a noble use of my life, even if it results in my death.

To that end, I need the surest way to get deployed to an active war zone. If I were trained by the Army or Marine Corps, could I then volunteer to fight in Ukraine? Or fight on behalf of some PMC, whose mission happens to align with protecting people to some exent? I get that most, if not all, PMCs are run by pieces of garbage, but if I get to fight Russians, or the IRGC, or Hezbollah, and so forth, then I would still be helping to prevent those organizations from doing more harm.

I could meaningfully while opting out of the life I no longer want. That sounds like a good value proposition to me.

Recently got into expeditionary warfare and I don’t like the rifle sling I was issued. What are some good recommendations for a the best skiing out there?

Im trying to get an idea of how long it will be before I reach ranger battalion. Im currently in AIT and start prerasp mid-Nov. obviously if im cut for it and make it through I’d was guessing that id be done around Feb/Mar. 2-4 weeks prerasp> 8 weeks rasp > 3 weeks airborne. Not sure how it works since id be there for thanksgiving/Christmas/new years.

What was your timeline from prerasp to ranger battalion? How long was it for you?

I know this is the SF sub, but the Ranger sub is dead. Anyways I’m currently 18m 6,3 215 pounds. My stats are lame but I’m working on it lol 😂

50 push ups

6 pull ups

62 sit ups

5 mile run: around 37:50

I am just a large guy and I want to get to a good 205 pounds but my thighs are so large because I’ve played sports all my life. But, it’s mostly muscle so I’m not sure if it’s even beneficial to get rid of it. Should I try to lower my weight or should I just embrace it?

I never grew up doing chores or hard labor or playing sports. I am 24 now, so what do I do? People here like to say you don't need to play sports or have a tough childhood to get into special operations, but 90% of people in special operations played sports through high school and had tough childhoods.

I’m curious about how the selection process works for units like GIGN, GIS, GSG 9 and FBI HRT.

As far as I understand, you generally don’t join these units straight away. You first have to spend some time as a regular police officer, gendarme or FBI Special Agent before you can apply for the unit.

So how difficult is it to prepare for and pass the selection while also doing your regular job?

For example, if you’re working full-time as a police officer or agent, how do you find the time and energy to prepare physically and mentally for what is already a very demanding selection? Is it actually harder to prepare because you’re already working shifts, dealing with operational duties, etc., or does your regular job help prepare you in some ways?

I’d also be interested to hear from anyone familiar with these kinds of units about how candidates usually prepare before applying and how much experience they typically have at that point.

As of now im split between 11b and 35m. I’m not into signit but I heard humint guys can’t be apart of SOT-A so idk. I figured I could maybe end up in support regardless of if I was in intel but im kinda fucked for a airborne physical (same reason I can't go psyops)
What would you guys say?

In your opinion, what role in “special forces” sets you up best for life outside of the military other than a pilot, what has also the best quality of life?