What does it take to become a Green Beret? : Civilian to SF Pipeline Explained
2024 ж. 7 Мам.
258 901 Рет қаралды
In this video Kevin (Spiritus Systems) and "MJ" (Special Forces 18E and JTAC) have a discussion on the requirements and challenges to becoming a Green Beret and a step-by-step breakdown of the process from being a civilian who wants to try out, all the way to getting on a Team.
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Who here is thinking about becoming SF? What are some of your biggest questions about the process? If you are good enough, there is a way to go from Civilian straight to special forces.
Definitely me
Never sign up for the Military. Imagine all the SF guys who died in Afghanistan. Sad!
I’m currently active duty Air Force, I’m gonna be going for PJ
what’s the best way to prepare mentally as well as physically? are there any good programs for either?
@@theaverageanarchist2335look up socom athlete
If youre thinking about an 18x youre better off signing an option 4 for airborne and picking up an 18x while going through basic. If you dont get selected you lose your sign on bonus entirely. With an option 4 as long as you go through airborne you keep your bonus. You can always drop a packet for selection at any point during your career as well.
That’s only if you want to go active duty
Or even better, go 18x in a Guard unit in a state that has a 19th or 20th SFG unit
@@Tom.88234 also a good option. If you don’t get selected you just go to your guard unit and stay home anyways.
Option 4? Or do you mean Option 40?.
@@ejmolloy2954 option 40 is a rasp contract. Option 4 is airborne. Theres also option 19 to choose your first duty station and if you choose an airborne unit they will send you to airborne school.
I'm an elite member of MEAL Team 6. There is no way in hell any pantywaist Green Beret can outeat me. I have 75 lbs of solid table muscle and I eat donuts by the truckload.
Retired Green Beignet here, have a couple of friends who are active duty Gravy Seals. Watching this with much fondness
YES!! BEST COMMENT AWARD. LMAO...
Thank you for your service to the American fast food industry
Thinking about when Homer Simpson said Semper Fudge now lol….
Bros scared of green buffets
Was with another 120-150 18XRays in OSUT. The average ACFT was in the 520s minimum, average age was between 24-27, and everyone qualified on M4’s on the first try, with 73 experts (including me). The work ethic and attitude of SF types is insane.
Lol 30 of those will get selected. Tops
Did you get selected
@@williamelander2710 Didn’t go to Selection
I’m 260lbs 5’9 scoring expert in shooting and my average acft score is 540-560
would you tell someone with a college degree to peruse their dream and take a 18x, or go in as an officer
My pops was SF Green Beret Used to have PTSD for years telling me stories about fighting in Nam with sticks , he drank a lot in his early retirement.. finally getting back to himself lately over the past 10 years
Thank you for his service
You both are full of poop.
People don't realize how hard it is to run 13 min 2 miles.
Bruh 13 min for 2 miles is uncomfortable that’s a 6:30 per mile pace 5 min miles are hard 4:30 and so on are Olympic level runners
I ran 3 6min miles (18min 3mi) during my PFT's in the Marine Corps. 2 miles is a breeze
Come on, that is before the Q course, SF is a lot more than 2 miles LMAO...
@@user-bx9ke5cx6o4:30 isn’t Olympic level you dolt. A good HS Runner is sub 9 for 2 miles. Get a clue.
I ran a 2 mile run in 15 mins
My grandfather was an officer in the green berets during Vietnam up until he retired around the Invasion of Panama, these guys are badass
..ok and? NOTHING at the end of your day.
@@jt.8144Let the dude be lol, he’s just sharing his own thoughts on Green Berets
@@jt.8144you’re a bum
The fuck @@jt.8144
@@jt.8144 dog wtf?!
What a helpful interview dude, breaks it down perfectly to outline what seems like a pretty long career shift
Fascinating information. Thanks Kevin and MJ. Nate
Incredibly professional and informative presentation
Dude this video rules. thanks for making this guys
Thank you. This was the information I needed to hear
lol my buddy always tries to get me to go SF, (he's one) so I found it funny I seen this video! TBH one of the best videos i've seen on the topic! very clear cut and informal. Maybe one day, you never know with life!
++1, on the self-select problem. I saw a bunch of people who were great on the athletic field, have a meltdown when they didn't know what was going on or were not in total control of everything.
Having never been SF but got to be around quite a few during my enlisted time, I always noticed that most of the guys were well rounded. Like Bob. Bob is fast, strong, intelligent, a real problem solver , and a cool dude. I never met one that was a douche. I’m sure in ODAs you can tell who’s a dick and who’s not. But my conventional interaction with them, they all were nice dudes.
@@boystainey because they select team players. Team players tend to be cool guys.
Definitely look forward to trying out for sf at some point when I join the army
I would like to see you guys interview with a SF Combat Medic. 🔥🔥🔥
Great Video for knowledge and insight for anyone interested in becoming a Green Beret. It would be great if you can manage to make a video like this for every Special Warfare teams. For me personally I would love a video like this for the Airforce PJ’s (Pararescue).
I became a green beret 1982 12 weeks training at Fort Bragg NC … happy to be part of the us army
When I was a Marine reservist, we had a couple of guys from my unit that joined the NG 20th SFG down the road after they completed their initial commitment in the USMCR.
LOL.. thanks ..now you can go back to your seat.
POG
@@jt.8144 calm down
@g3ulttra how long was the commitment?
@josephsilvestre2174 I don't know. The regular reserve commitment is 6 years. Last I heard, one of those guys stayed, went through the Q-course, and was in for several more years. The other ended up getting out before he ever attended the Q-course; but this is 2nd hand info from one of the Marines that knew them better than me...and it was like 26 years ago.
I really wish this information was put out before i went in in the mid 90's. I like many others got hoodwinked by recruiters
It's so hard to get enlisted now with a criminal record. Tried enlisting for 10yrs straight and finally close that chapter in my life. Much respect for these guys though
Wow that's neat stuff! Also De Oppresso Liber! :D
Thanks for the like bro
I didn’t realize SF had a designated armorer I’m going into the Army as a 91F small arms repair that would be a great position to work towards
Yeah I’m a 91F in the guard. Definitely looking into 18B which fits our jobs well.
24yro e5 6yrs in SC NG as an Abrams crewman . I love tanks but conventional army is whack and I am looking forward to putting a packet in
The color green became favored because it was reminiscent of the World War II British Commando-type beret. The 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) deployed to Bad Tölz, Germany in September 1953. The remaining cadre at Fort Bragg formed the 77th Special Forces Group. Members of the 77th SFG began searching through their collections of berets and settled on the Rifle Green colour of the British Rifle Regiments (as opposed to the Lovat Green of the Commandos) from Captain Mike de la Pena's collection. Captain Frank Dallas had the new beret designed and produced in small numbers for the members of the Special Forces.
The color green is ironic for SF because of the jealousy SF has for the other SOF Forces in the DOD.
@@Dirk-my2zf The green comes from the British Commandos or British Infantry green.
@@Hew.Jarsol yeah, NO.
@@Dirk-my2zf No what?
Another banger. Good job guys.
lol these DC dudes bought so many subscriptions lmfaooo
@@officecomputer8887 lol whatever you say pal
Do the best you can with what you’ve got.
It is like trying to join a fraternity. They all have to agree to like you otherwise forget about it no matter how good you think you are.
I’d be curious to know since the 18x pipeline is so long, how much physical fitness and running did he lose due to the lack of individual training until sopc. Like what was he numbers during basic and how much did it change until sopc
Thank you😺
Wow, the basic minimum requirement to apply was 70% on the PT scale (and everyone did the youngest age group) in the 90s, which was 52 push-ups, 62 sit-ups, and 14:54 2-mile. Then to gate you had to have a minimum 90%. This does not mean it was harder then or easier now. Just noting. The UBRR and the ACFT is a smoker if done correctly. And you needed HS diploma and 110 GT score. I retired in 2019 with 32-years. RLTW/DOL!
also... very good video.
I'm holding off on my 18X for now. Too many unknowns with which PFT they're going to use. Thanks to the shell game the big wigs are playing with the official PFT, I want to know exactly what to train on.
woah what deployments did you do
@@josiahtitus If you are asking me. Not in any order, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan (x13), Iraq (x3), Syria (x2), Lybia, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, generally all over Africa. I retired after (1987-2019) 32 years. Cheers!
@@taldozer Holy shit dude. Salute.
You should do this for other units
Thank you for explaining the acronyms
Great Video! I miss my time with 7th Group! CSM Chapa
Signed a option 40 contract Any advice for a future ranger? 21, I’m driven and I refuse to not get into the ranger regiment, I will make it I will become a ranger, rangers lead the way Any and all advice is appreciated and will be applied
Zach Hughes had a whole 6 hour explanation of this from the recruiter all the way up tp graduation. ask him to put it back up. please
In addition to being an active 18E JTAC, "MJ" is also doing some recruiting work, so he's definitely a great source for how things work right now. The process is constantly changing, so it's always good to find recent info.
@@SpiritusSystemsagreed. My son went through RFF last year and things had changed a lot since Zack Hughes’ series, while good, is outdated. The PFA changed for my son between selection and SUT (class334). Selection has changed for prior service in a pilot program they did one iteration (02-24 I think) and possibly two more this spring. Be adaptable.
@@Fooshis01 Your comment makes my brain hurt. Did you, someone who just made a Google KZhead account less than 24 hours ago, just ask, in a completely unrelated comment thread, if the guy in the video, whose face is blurred out, who doesn't release his name, and who has to protect sensitive personal information in fear of being targeted by all manner of nefarious international state and non-state actors, if he has an Instantgram account?
@@Johnny_Cash_Flow yeah did you like your own comment
@@Fooshis01 No. People respond positively to others who aren't completely artarded.
1) Be looked upon with great fondness from your command, then from the instructors. Showing up and doing what is required is absolutely not enough.
Fellas, I’ve been waiting on this mutant pouch for a while to finish my belt kit so I can train, any Lead times? I’m signed up for the emails lol killing me
Is it still a requirement to have AA GT-110+? As an 18E is IMC still being a requirement? I was an 18E, in 1968 it was 05B. My GT was 126 and I spent 12 months in what then was called Special Forces Training Group.
Kinda wild, minimum standard for a 6 mile ruck is 1 hour. So you have to ruck 50lbs sub 10 minute miles, 70% of the US population can’t even run a 10 minute mile let a lone ruck it. These guys are pure studs
Quick question. If you go through SFRE as a civilian, would you have to go into 19th/20th group? Or could you still enlist in an active duty group?
I'd love to see a 18C kit shakedown.
20th, a lot of the footage looked like Camp Blanding. I hate blanding lol
I've been trying to get an 18X contract for about 6 months now. I'm very fit, physically and mentally, I'm bilingual, and scored a 99 ASVAB (for whatever that's worth). But I had abdominal surgery when I was 3 years old and they still haven't approved my medical waiver.
Lol don’t, for fucks sake dont.
Take it from someone who was you, it ain’t worth it chief. If you’re gonna go, at least enlist 11b option 4 and pickup 18x in osut, that way you get your bonus no matter what. And choose the shortest contract you possibly can. Because if you don’t make it you will hate your life in the regular army. You’re too intelligent
But will I definitely be able to pickup 18x in osut? I don't want to join with 11b option 4 and then when I get to osut they don't let me pickup 18x. Thanks for the insight
Bro sounds like you’re in way better shape mentally and physically to go to training than I currently am, I leave in less than a month. If they approved my asthma BS you’re definitely getting in no doubt keep your head up you’ll get in. 64 on my asvab which is alright and I signed as a 13B.
How long did it take them to approve your asthma waiver? I'm wondering if my waiver is taking so long because I asked for 18x versus a non-SOF contract.
IRR/preparatory training programs to get to standard fitness.
Pretty sure I know MJ from my time in Bragg. Can't put a name on it. But that freaking voice. I recognized it as soon as I heard it. lol SFAS-03-19 - around that time frame?
“Overthrowing tyranny” needs to be assessed after retired U.S. four-star general Wesley Clark said after 9/11, the U.S. planned to take out seven countries in five years, "starting with Iraq, and then Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and, finishing off, Iran." America First! 🇺🇸
Conveniently all of those countries are all totalitarian state.
And then … there is tyranny that is happening within the US. The current administration is moving at incredible speed to implement a totalitarian government here.
'overthrowing tyranny' means being israels lap dog. what these guys do in general is bad ass, but they are the bad guys. they are on the wrong side.
Ok what are you doing to overthrow tyranny then
@@kevinhumphrey1259sometimes all it takes is to be outspoken, and enlighten people.
What's the difference if there is any between the 19th and 20th groups vs the others? Other than those 2 being National Guard is there a difference?
Green Berets take care of business since the Vietnam conflict, a force multipliers. Go Army!
Do you still have to take the ASVAB if you go through SFRE as a civilian ?
No. Only if you get offered a contract then you would have to take the ASVAB.
Is NG SF the same as Active SF? Id be willing to doubt it. Great information regardless.
it is, actually
I’m an 18c with 19th SFG, my year of training and deployments/JCETs is busier than my active duty buddies. NG is flexible and we have the opportunity to flex to different teams to hop on orders. It’s the best kept secret of SOF
@@KC-ss4ez If it’s the same then why is it a NG asset and not an active unit?
The SF Q course is for both National Guard and active duty. Same training. Same pipeline.
Not sure how it is now, but NG SF guys in the past were able to hop on a deployment, JCET, or school pretty easily and nearly stay active as often as they wanted (given you have a good reputation & technically/tactically proficient, especially if 18D…teams always need medics for trips) Certain schools were pretty limited, competitive, and hard to get in active groups (despite companies order of merit lists, right place right time gets you the slot more often than not) NG guys I went to schools with seemed like they were able to grab up slots much easier due to most guys having civilian job conflicting schedules.
Where do I begin with studying to prepare myself for this? I have been going over the ranger handbook, but I would like to know the things you need to priortize.
You dont need to study. Just work out. Once you’re past selection you can study
@@sh4902what about ASVAB scores? What’s the minimum required to qualify?
@@achimpanzee9210 110 GT score. The GT score being a mix of basic subjects you learned in high school.
@@sh4902 what scores do I look at to add them up? Certain things I’ve looked up say arithmetic knowledge and some other things
Can you do this, but with the 75th Ranger Regiment?
75th does not have a reserve component.
It takes a lot! Be in great shape before you go into training for the Green Beret!!!
I would highly recommend anyone doing 18x to do yoga. U will be amazed at how much sweat u will break without lifting weighs. That and train ruck marching. Know when to change out your socks. If you can land nav and ruck that’s practically half the battle.
Well, if you’re coming out of Ranger battalion all you need is a DUI or get hurt, and put on profile
So the time for the run is 13 minutes, but the ruck is 6 miles in an hour? That's a 10 minute mile with a ruck on. Did he misspeak somewhere?
Just remember men, just because you’re an 18x doesn’t mean you’re going to be a GB. In my SFAS class we started with like 120 X-rays and had about 30 left by the end of team week.
I went to pre-selection nine years ago (Jan 2015) as an 18X.
Crazy 2015 was 9 years ago
@@DylanAce6 right? what the heck!
@@DylanAce6 almost like we're in a time warp
is that 2mile run time for being fully geared-out? Or, is it for shirt, shorts, and running shoes?
pts, so like shirts and shorts
is there any test other than physical. like written test.
Well that just killed my motivation for SF I'm already 35.
They can do a waiver
Why?
HIGHLY recommend going Airborne Ranger 1st for a couple years until your fundamentals, are basic instincts.
What app was used to blur the headshots for him
Airborne!
What’s an ASVAB score that you need to qualify?
I think anyone who wants to be a green beret should become an infantryman first and serve for a couple years to see if you even like this lifestyle and so u can see what the army is like before you dive head first into the deep end
I'm in an infantry BN and spent some time in a support role for and SF BN. they're not the same thing. At all. But, if you're in the infantry and thinking you want something more, than SF is probably where you belong
My Mother was in 1944 Army Air Force on B-17 / And My Dad was in the Army Infanty 1944 in Germany and Korea when I was 23 years I tried to go to the Navy but I scorce a 33 and my recruiter never told that the Amry would take me and If I could get in the Army I would of buying a Medic and in 1985 to 2015 20 years
Where is MEPS in this whole SFRE to SF process?
Would love to do this but too old. 36 is over the max, I imagine waivers for this are pretty hard to get.
You don’t want to put your body through Selection, the Q Course, and basic ODA OPTEMPO starting at age 36 (unless you’re Lauri Törni).
They can do a waiver, but you must be committed, be physically capable, and they have to think you’re right for the life. If you are really interested, I would suggest talking to them about going to an SFRE.
I had a 43 year old go through selection and q course with me.
Age waiver is easy if you meet all the other requirements
@@Sniper18B How's his body holding up?
Does this only apply to the National Guard or are there active duty opportunities available like this? Thanks for the vid, great stuff as always
18X is open to everybody, not just National guard
@@Sniper18B18x is not open to army in service active duty enlisted. Civilian, prior service and NG.
i take my asvab Tuesday the 16th, Ive studied my ass off i need that 110 i want to pursue my dream so bad
How’d you do bro?
@xxnottaxzysxx641 missed it by one point. I got 109, and I'm heartbroken. I'm just going to have to take it on the chin and weigh my options for sure joining just a different way now
What did you use to study?
@@JovasJpg the army will give you something and asvab for dummies, youtube videos for like math stuff like ling division and all that jazz
@@LukeW123is there a specific score you have to hit in asvab to join special forces or delta force?
I want to join SF through an 18x but I can’t imagine running 2 miles in under 13 min (6:30 per mile), my all out sprint pace is about 6:00/mi and my 2 mile pace is about 8:30/mi (17 min).
that’s the bear minimum. Thats just the pt standard, not even the mental battle. And if u can’t simply put in the work to get faster, to make a easy pt time, don’t even think about going in, you’ll own waste valuable time in your life.
How is your 2 mile that slow, I can hit 12 min. But I know faster guys, just put time on the treadmill and on the track
run more miles. research running plans to reach PR
@@highlevelproductions maybe I am improving more than I thought I would. I have been running almost every day, on average 3-5 miles per day. Recently I ran 4 miles in 36 minutes, though on most days I try to keep my runs “easy” (zone 2)
@@sfdclay yes the more miles u run the better. but everyday is not good cause u risk injury, and that will set you back.
"yeah"
I’m thinking about doing a few years usmc infantry then switch to army sf maybe it’s a possibility
You can do USMC infantry but you will likely have to do an entire enlistment. You would have to join the Army after your enlistment, or work out a transition process into the Army towards the end of your enlistment. There is no guarantee you would make it past the selection process in Army SF, so there is no direct transfer to a SF unit. If you do not pass selection, you would become regular Army.
Do I gotta go through MEPs to do a SFRE?
No
I trained with a Retired Master Sargeant and 18D Green Beret a year or two back. The dude was so knowledgeable, respectful, and soft spoken, but hands down the most capable dude I've ever had the pleasure of meeting or training under. Showed me quite a bit, and ran the 'Stop the Bleed' section of the class. Also put me in a mean choke hold during a force on force exercise in the mud and rain. I remember he told me "I like being scared. When I think I'm close to death, that's when I fight my best; that's when I fight hardest".
I though sits ups were removed from the CRA
"Here we have MJ-" My dumbass: " MiChAeL jAcKsOn?"
Striking lack of discussion about the DEI requirements
LOL
When did they change the age because I came in as 18x at 17 years old. This was also 2002 so maybe things changed.
Can one pick up a 18 x-ray contract with a prior DUI on their record?
Usually no
Talley target open options operations
Where is an SFRE with a HALO unit?
Go in as national guard !!!!
Can you go from Guard to Active Duty?
No not till your guard contract is done then you have to reprocess I believe
Well this is what they let you see
My father is Pedro B Estrada
I'm 60 yrs old and can max out any of the military PT tests, can I still get back in?
(Fair warning: I'm pretty new to this kind of information) can an 18b eventually become a sere specialist? And would an 18b only be an active duty mos?
18B are in the guard and active, sere specialist is airforce mos
18B is a way better career than sere specialist imo. If you go Air Force sere you will most likely never deploy, and most importantly you will not be a real shooter. That will piss some af guys off, but it’s the truth. You will also not do any of the cool sh*t that special forces get to do. Choose wisely.
I never hear guys speak about the 18F MOS. Why is that?
Because a Fox spot isn't an entry level MOS for SF
Are 18F not around anymore?
They don’t about it because you have to put in about a year in 18 series and if you have the aptitude test score for it they might give you the option but it’s something they will make you work for. This is coming from the last time I spoke with a recruiter and from watching Buck Rogers with FNG Academy on KZhead.
Go option 40 and accually get DA missions lmao, only dudes in SF doing DA are CTAC/ CIF.
5 mile run under 40 minutes? Is that a mistake? I do that with a 20 kg Backpack and running shoes.
In your opinion, could a 48 year old man be accepted into the Green Beret program?
"Only 3 in the Green Beret." 🎶
FINALLY SOMEONE MENTION OUR GROUP (MARSOC)
I was in before 18x ever existed, and I swept the course nonstop. I was the standard bearer. I kicked ass but nobody I know will ever know me so it is a lonely life. Don't be a merc after you get out. It is an awful life. You need to have a side option be ready to get out, and take it seriously.
Wow. Good thing I’m trans, vaxxed, and boosted. Perfect for today’s military.
Im retired and no one should really want to serve for the officer and SNCOs that either spinelessly knuckled under or worse, bullied over the unlawful jab mandate. That was a massive purge of principled dissident thinkers which ARE NEEDED IN EVERY ESTABLISHMENT/INSTITUTION.