Approximate time it takes to go from Army basic training to becoming a Special Forces soldier?

Cpl Anthony Pearson — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 17:28:06 -0400

Met a guy last night who claims to have been a Green Beret. Said he spent a total of three years in the Army. During that three years he said he travelled the world and was basically an assassin. After three years, he stated that he was wrecked and unable to assimilate back into society.

I'm a Marine and know next to nothing about the Army, but my bullshit radar was going off big time.

Thoughts?

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Sep 6 at 2015 5:34 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 17:34:05 -0400

Yes, the 18X program can get you your Green Beret in around 2 years, but the enlistment contract is longer than 3 years. He does sound phony.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Sep 6 at 2015 5:34 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 17:34:47 -0400

Many of these types will try to name drop a couple guys that I might have heard someone else talk about....I say trust your nose and the bullshit radar....had he entered as an 18X and went through Infantry OSUT and Airborne School, followed by Assessment as well as the Qualification course.....he'd have been close to two years...the Army typically enlists you for a 4 year (or longer) initial stint + training time for specialized training.....follow your nose brother, you spot a bragging fool.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 6 at 2015 5:35 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 17:35:45 -0400

Sounds like a wannabe or BS artist Cpl Anthony Pearson
Basic training and AIT take a few months, jump school is about 4 weeks including in and out processing. The Q course is for NCOs and takes about a year or more depending on the specific training required. Even if everything lined up and he was recommended for Special Forces he would need to go through the background checks, etc. It would be impossible for him to go through all this in 3 years.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Sep 6 at 2015 5:39 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 17:39:33 -0400

Yes, this sounds like a complete fraud. As others have said, through the 18X program you could be done with Special Forces training within 2 years of enlisting, although it's a 5 year contract. This would have given him 1 year on a team, at which time he most certainly would NOT have been traveling the world "basically as an assassin." First, that's not what Special Forces do. Second, as a first year Special Forces Soldier, he would have been doing similar things to what a lot of first year Army NCOs do. Based on what you said, the guy is a complete fraud, though he could have served in some other MOS and be making up stuff about Special Forces.

Response by SFC(P) Jonathan P. made Sep 6 at 2015 5:43 PM

SFC(P) Jonathan P. — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 17:43:49 -0400

Based on my knowledge to what I know, being in the army to be 18x witch is special forces candidate.

You just go through 15-17 weeks of one stop unit training and become 11b qualified.

After graduation you must be able to go to and graduate airborne school. Roughly 3 weeks.

Right after that you must be able to pas SFAS. Special forces assessment and selection and be picked to go to special forces school.

Now that being said any job skill and or training in the SOF, can go from 40-72 weeks long. After the initial training.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2015 7:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 19:10:54 -0400

Lol yeah he was full of it!!!.

Response by CSM Carl Cunningham made Sep 6 at 2015 7:17 PM

CSM Carl Cunningham — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 19:17:09 -0400

He does not sound like the quiet professionals that I know.

Response by Cpl Anthony Pearson made Sep 6 at 2015 8:09 PM

Cpl Anthony Pearson — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 20:09:35 -0400

He is in his 60s, I think. So I'm not sure if things were different for him at that time. Either way, for a special forces guy, he seemed to talk too much and it all sounded like bullshit.

So... I'm going to just conclude that he is a wannabe. Pathetic.

I actually got up and walked away as he was spinning more of his story.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Sep 6 at 2015 9:10 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 21:10:43 -0400

Little doubt in my mind that he is embellishing a whole lot......Just like the guy who told me he was an Airborne Ranger but he'd never been to Ft Benning.

Response by SFC Joseph James made Sep 6 at 2015 10:06 PM

SFC Joseph James — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 22:06:22 -0400

Most Special Operations guys I know/met do not talk about their experiences to just any random person. Only family/ friends, maybe. If he opened up with that to me....BS! I would call him out. Show me the DD-214/ ERB or GTFO!

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 6 at 2015 11:28 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 23:28:53 -0400

I smell a turd burglar.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2015 2:30 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 02:30:05 -0400

From Basic Training till they show up on an SFOD-A...3 years. That is just to show up day 1 with no deployments.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2015 1:13 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 13:13:14 -0400

Your BS radar is very fine tuned.

Response by SSG Mathew Ada made Sep 8 at 2015 3:25 PM

SSG Mathew Ada — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 15:25:29 -0400

You're correct. If he's in his 60's then that would put him in Vietnam. Though the standards of training were different, he still would not have served "only" three years while in Special Forces. You can ask him what group he was in and what ODA, because they are very well documented. You can also contact the Special Forces Organization and they'll tell you if he's ever been a "green beret". Chances are he never was.

Response by SFC Maury Gonzalez made Sep 11 at 2015 9:46 PM

SFC Maury Gonzalez — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 21:46:35 -0400

You should know by now that the number one BS statement by those "Green Berets and SEALs " is all my missions and my units were top secret.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2015 9:54 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Sep 2015 21:54:52 -0400

I'm not sure either, but I AM sure your radar is on point! Maybe this dude wanted to be a Green Beret, but his lack of intelligence and motivation got in the way! LOL!

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Sep 22 at 2015 4:01 PM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 16:01:01 -0400

Depends on if he is "flash" qualified or a candy striper. Candy striper basically, BCT and AIT, 8 wks plus however long AIT is depending on MOS. Flash qualified much longer about 2 years. Candy stripers fill admin, supply, intell positions in B and C teams. That is how it used to be anyway. Would not have been an assassin but a supply guy, clerk, intell guy, cook, etc.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Sep 24 at 2015 10:24 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:24:09 -0400

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Sep 24 at 2015 10:37 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 10:37:50 -0400

8 weeks Basic
10 weeks AIT
3 weeks Jump School
4 weeks Phase 1 (get "no flash" beret)
52 weeks Advanced
4 weeks Phase 2 (?)
6 weeks Ranger
---------
about 1.7 year .. assumes no "zero-weeks" and instantaneous transport.
That was back in '68
He could have done it in a 3 year enlistment, but there would have been a HUGE re-up push before he would have been sent to Phase 2

Response by MSgt Jeff S. made Sep 24 at 2015 11:56 AM

MSgt Jeff S. — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 11:56:20 -0400

Holy Crap - I thought "The Duke" died!

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Sep 24 at 2015 4:26 PM

1LT William Clardy — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 16:26:20 -0400

Were you still able to find the door, or did you need a bigger shovel, Cpl Anthony Pearson?

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Sep 24 at 2015 4:40 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 16:40:33 -0400

Sounds like lies.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 24 at 2015 6:50 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 18:50:53 -0400

This guy is full of crap!

Response by CPL Michael Czarnecki made Feb 23 at 2016 6:17 PM

CPL Michael Czarnecki — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 18:17:17 -0500

In joined the army November 1977 and got my beret with flash September 1978. It can be done.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2016 4:17 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 16:17:07 -0400

It's ridiculous how many veteran's I run into that claim they were special forces. It is true that our green berets are highly trained but they are more like international trainers than assassins. I love the Army but when I retire no one will know that I was in much less what my "job" is/was. There are a lot of great veterans out there, but people like this are about as useless as stains on a mattress.

Response by CPO Ernest Johnson made Oct 18 at 2016 4:41 PM

CPO Ernest Johnson — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 16:41:33 -0400

Sounds a whole lot like Bullshit to me, Roll up your pant legs!

Response by SFC Bagley Daniel made Oct 18 at 2016 4:50 PM

SFC Bagley Daniel — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 16:50:04 -0400

1st you have to be an E5, usually a ranger, airborne background. it is not possible to go into the army to be special forces. His story is bull shit.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2016 5:00 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 17:00:45 -0400

That's okay, I had a guy who worked at Papa Johns tell me he had not one, but three Navy Crosses, 7 Purple Hearts and a slew of other awards. Damn shame he's been reduced to delivering 3rd class pizza.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2016 5:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 17:13:31 -0400

I only know two, one MARSOC, the other Army...I have heard the most outlandish tales of being a fueler, supply sergeant, flag holder, special attache for a senators dog...etc, most of the time spec op types will not talk about it unless you are a proven friend.

Response by PO1 Robert Chalmers made Oct 18 at 2016 6:16 PM

PO1 Robert Chalmers — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 18:16:19 -0400

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2016 6:57 PM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 18:57:25 -0400

How old was the guy? If he's old, is it possible he was a draftee (shorter service obligation) and just volunteered for an at that time very different selection and training process?

Not taking this unknown guy's side just exploring possibilities

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2016 8:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 20:40:10 -0400

Rrrrraaaaannnngggggeeeeesrrrrrrrific

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Oct 18 at 2016 8:44 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 20:44:38 -0400

My guess would be anyone who actually did that wouldn't talk about it. The SF guys I knew were the most humble quiet guys I knew, they flew well under the radar. The BS factor was probably right on, who would tell that to a complete stranger? How does a three year stint end up the guy being SF assassin? Ridiculous IMO.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2016 10:03 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 22:03:49 -0400

It takes about 3 years to make a Navy SEAL.

8 weeks of bootcamp.
8 weeks of NWS Prep.
8 weeks Phase I. - Conditioning.
8 weeks Phase II. - Diving.
9 weeks Phase III. - Land Warfare.
26 weeks - SQT.
18 months - SEAL TEAM workup prior to first deployment.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2016 10:05 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 22:05:45 -0400

I had a chance to be an UH-1 pilot, but I would wreck for sure... Cpl Anthony Pearson

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2016 9:55 AM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 09:55:35 -0400

Y'all are forgetting though that if you go the SEAL-to-Ranger route, with a stop-off in Marine Force Recon Sniper School, you can become a Green SEAL Ranger Beret Recon Scout SF Sniper in only 6 months, giving this badass 2.5 years to travel the world and be basically an assassin.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Oct 19 at 2016 11:58 AM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 11:58:10 -0400

Totally legit. I think I know him. J/K. I don't

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Oct 19 at 2016 12:05 PM

CSM Thomas McGarry — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 12:05:51 -0400

Yes your bullshit radar is probably correct though there was a time that you had to have one enlistment under you belt to be considered for SF, I think that changed several years ago because of a shortage is Special OPS.

Response by SSG Will Phillips made Oct 19 at 2016 1:50 PM

SSG Will Phillips — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 13:50:46 -0400

Shit ... He might be considered for SF phase training after 3 years if he was an outstanding infantry soldier.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2016 8:58 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 20:58:27 -0400

I'm a year late but you definitely should've gotten his autograph!

Response by PO2 Seth Carron made Oct 19 at 2016 10:28 PM

PO2 Seth Carron — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 22:28:29 -0400

Yea, total bullshit, I don't know much more about the army than you do, but a bullshit story is always gonna have something along those lines in it, I had a guy I worked with a couple years ago, claimed he was a marine and served in desert Storm back in the late 90s, (first flag) and the guy wasn't a day over 30. He also claimed the government wiped his memory because everything he did in the 90s was classified

Response by SFC John Durham made Oct 21 at 2016 1:55 PM

SFC John Durham — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 13:55:41 -0400

Nothing wrong with your bullshit radar!

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made May 30 at 2018 8:14 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Wed, 30 May 2018 08:14:03 -0400

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 30 at 2018 12:47 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 30 May 2018 12:47:34 -0400

Sounds like someone that's seeking self glory.

Response by SP5 Phil Woodard made Jun 2 at 2018 12:42 PM

SP5 Phil Woodard — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 12:42:12 -0400

yep complete bs

Response by SGT Jim Humphrey made Jun 2 at 2018 4:06 PM

SGT Jim Humphrey — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 16:06:55 -0400

Probably find he left after basic, if he made it that far. Check out "Military Phonies " on the net for an eye opening view on these guys.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2018 5:09 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 17:09:42 -0400

The story seems to have a distinctive odor about it.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 2 at 2018 8:14 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 20:14:44 -0400

Good radar Marine. Thank you for your service.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jun 2 at 2018 9:26 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 21:26:21 -0400

takes 4-5 years to be beleiveable

Response by SGT Jake Miller made Jun 4 at 2018 3:37 PM

SGT Jake Miller — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 15:37:03 -0400

I was in the VA, and there was a guy who claimed to be a member of seal team one. The guy wasn't even old enough to be a member of that seal team. And he was also,really open about it.. I ended up getting in touch with friend of mine in the Navy to have his name ran, to find out he was a cook

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2018 1:55 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 01:55:15 -0400

Who precisely did he claim to have killed? When? Where? Unit? Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2018 2:17 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 02:17:26 -0400

It's taken me over 20 years, and I still haven't completed the journey from basic to green beret. But I'm a slow learner

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2018 11:19 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 11:19:19 -0400

Response by SFC William Turner made Sep 24 at 2018 9:01 AM

SFC William Turner — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 09:01:10 -0400

My experience was 2 1/2 years from enlistment through Training Group. I went to Group in a B Detachment green as a gourd, took another 6 or so months to be able to assimilate into the unit and hold up my end of the duty. The time it takes also depends on what you specialize in. Medics take the longest. This guy is a total fraud. We don't have "Assassins". It is not what we do.

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Sep 24 at 2018 1:46 PM

SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 13:46:25 -0400

Hahahahaha...wow! No. I was assigned to one of the groups from 2005 til 2007. I ran into many guys who went into the X-ray program, and they say it took about 2 years, give or take. That's two years before you even hit your first duty assignment. No way this individual was in the Army for three years to include Green Berets, no way.

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Oct 4 at 2018 7:02 AM

SGT Mark Halmrast — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 07:02:14 -0400

Your radar is functioning just fine.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Oct 4 at 2018 10:58 AM

SGT Philip Roncari — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 10:58:22 -0400

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck it must be a goddamn duck,your bullshit radar is spot on.

Response by SrA John Monette made Oct 4 at 2018 6:49 PM

SrA John Monette — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 18:49:21 -0400

klaxons all around!!!! I have never known anyone in Special Ops that would tell every swinging dick about their exploits.

Response by FN Charlie Spivey made Dec 15 at 2018 5:16 PM

FN Charlie Spivey — Sat, 15 Dec 2018 17:16:57 -0500

Had two Uncles that retired from the Army. I am a Coastie. You have Army Basic, and then AIT ( Advanced Infantry Training ). Some will go to schools for their MOS such as Cooking Aviation or whatever and some straight into the field. I Think AIT may be required if you are going Special Ops and that may require an extension of your enlistment at the very least. When he said he was basically and Assassin, that screamed BS. The U.S. Government does not engage in that activity under law.