Is it possible to enter ARNG as 18X and then put in OCS packet at station? Or better to enter as OCS candidate aiming for Infantry?

Sgt Ben Brewer — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 00:22:38 -0500

Hi everyone, I’m Prior service Air Force and about to finish my bachelors degree, and considering a couple possible routes to National Guard SF. I’m wondering if it would be possible to enlist as 18X and then put in OCS packet once on station, and then when I reach 1LT(P) reapply back into SF as an 18A? Or would the best route be to enter ARNG as OCS candidate and try to branch Infantry/Armor and apply for SF when I reach 1LT(P)?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2021 12:24 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 00:24:42 -0500

18X is an Active Duty recruitment program. If you're looking to be in the NG as an 18A, go to OCS and then try out for SFAS with your local SF unit as a LT

Response by Cpl Johnny Willis made Mar 9 at 2021 4:40 AM

Cpl Johnny Willis — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 04:40:20 -0500

I think it would depend on what you want to do - I mean what you want to get out of it.
So for example, if you want to be an officer, I would say go the OCS route because being prior service you know that once you are enlisted it's can be pretty tough to get that OCS spot and/or it will take quite a long while. In my opinion, it would be a whole lot easier to go OCS first, and then from there you would pick you MOS or get your MOS depending on how well you do in OCS. And then when you get a chance - which I'm sure they will ask everyone, if anyone wants to try out for SFAS.

I say all of this because at the very least, if you don't make it. I mean think if you signed for 18X, and you didn't make it - not saying you wont, I'm sure you will (just dont quit) but there is always the IF. It could be no fault of your desire, or you could get injured - so I just say, don't sign for 18X and then get stuck with crappy options later. At the very least, you go OCS, perhaps land a good MOS. Gain that experience and then try out for SFAS and get that, and you'll have double the experience on multiple MOS -- your AF MOS experience, your OCS MOS experience and then your new venture of SFAS experience.

But in all honest, I would say to contact a SFAS recruiter and ask them directly and they will be able to tell you the true answer, but I just wanted to make that comment to give you something else to think about if you haven't considered that or thought of it already. You will do well, and good luck!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2021 9:44 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 21:44:51 -0500

Get it directly "from the horse's mouth." Here's some links to the NG SF groups-19th and 20th groups recruiting. Hopefully this helps. I was ARNG 11b almost 9 years, sometimes they have open tryouts you can attend too (have to be in the ARNG and be an 11 series I think)

https://nationalguardspecialforces.com/recruiting-by-state.html

http://specialforcesrecruiter.com

https://www.govserv.org/US/Glen-Arm/ [login to see] 08597/20th-Special-Forces-Group---Maryland-Army-National-Guard-Recruiting

National Guard Special Forces | Recruiting

Contac information for recruiters for National Guard Special Forces units.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2021 1:29 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Mar 2021 13:29:59 -0400

Only way to do this properly is to join the Army as an 09S and do OCS at whatever State you are joining’s OCS. Make sure you pick at State that has a 19th or 20th Group BN or Company. After you Branch you can do an SFAS as an 1LT and you don’t have to be INF. You can try to get there right out of OCS as a 2LT as the Chem Officer then so SFAS when you are there.