I have a friend who wants to join the military. He currently wants to be a Special Forces medic. What information or advice can I give him?

1LT Nick Kidwell — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 13:27:32 -0400

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Mar 30 at 2016 1:30 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 13:30:13 -0400

Have him go see an Army recruiter and tell him he wants to become an 18D through the 18X program. That will get him started and to see if he qualifies.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Mar 30 at 2016 7:44 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Wed, 30 Mar 2016 19:44:16 -0400

Get a high ASVAB score, go 18X. Nearly all the 18Ds that I met at one particular clinic near Fort Bragg had scores of 99 on the ASVAB.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2016 2:44 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 02:44:27 -0400

Do research first to see what interests him as well as talk with a SF recruiter.

Response by Cpl Jon Westbrook made Mar 31 at 2016 3:38 PM

Cpl Jon Westbrook — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 15:38:29 -0400

He needs to read everything he can get his hands on that concerns SOF. And not just American Sniper and Marc Owen's book either. Another good idea, is to get on shadowspear.com or sofrep.com and start talking to people. Between those two he should get a decent idea of whether he actually wants in, and will be better prepared if he does decide to stick with it. As long as he's respectful, and understands that until he passes selection he's just another number, he should have a good chance of getting some good advice on those sites. Just whatever you do, don't let him try to G2 it and ask for tips on passing. They hate that, and your reputation is everything on there.

Army SFAS is well documented by now, and there are even books out there designed to prepare you for the course. But the best advice is for him to network. He needs to find a SOF mentor that can help him prepare for what's in store. My advice is to contact a local SF recruiter directly(Normal recruiters like to give you the run around when it comes to SF), or contact the nearest National Guard SF unit and talk to the Accessions Sgt. This is usually a longtab SFC who is in charge of getting all of the new national guard SF candidates ready for selection. SF guys are the best, and they are always willing to help you if you show that your not there to waste their time.

In the mean time he needs to prepare physically. Tell him to check out SofLete.com and SofWods.com. Those are both sites that help you prepare physically for selection. Get him eating healthy, and help him understand that you basically have to have the mindset of a professional athlete, and that will go a long way. Run, Swim, Ruck, and never freakin quit.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made May 27 at 2016 9:41 AM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Fri, 27 May 2016 09:41:57 -0400

18X program is the way to go, but it's a very hard road. Not impossible, but very challenging none the less. tell him to get in the best shape of his life, it will come in handy.