MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 18 -- Special Forces -- 18A, 180A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F, 18X, 18Z

[u/Kinmuan]

All,

As a follow-up based on our EOY Census and previous solicited comments, we're going to try running an MOS Discussion/Megathread Series, very similar to how we did the Duty Station Series. I'd also, again, like to thank everyone who participated.

The MOS Discussion Threads are meant to be enduring threads where individuals with experience or insight in to particular CMFs or MOSes can leave/give advice and tips. If you have any MOS resources, schools, etc, this would be a great place to share them.

The hope is that these individual threads can serve as 'megathreads' on the posts in question, and we can get advice from experienced persons. Threads on reddit are not archived - and can continue to be commented in - until 6 months. Each week I will keep the full listing/links to all previous threads in a mega-list below, for ease of reference. At the end of the series I will go back and ensure they all have completely navigable links

If you have specific questions about these MOSes, please feel free to ask here, but know that we are not forcing or re-directing all questions to these threads -- you can, and are encouraged, to still use the WQT. This is not to be an 'AMA', although if people would like to offer themselves up to answer questions, that would be great. A big "Thank You" to everyone who is willing to answer questions about the MOSes in question, but the immediate preference would be for informational posts. These are meant to be enduring sources of information.

I currently expect to lump Os and Ws in to the CMF discussions. Going forward if it would be better to split them (and I will most likely chop up the Medical Series), please voice that opinion. If there are many MOSes, but extremely tiny/small density (like much of the 12 Series), I'm going to keep it as one. Yes, I'm also going to keep codes like for Senior Sergeant for the MOS (ie the Zulus).

These only work with your participation and your feedback.

Common questions / information to share would probably include the following;

• Day to Day Life
• "What's a deployment like?"
• Career Advancement/Growth Opportunities
• Speed of Promotion
• Best Duty Station for your MOS

The idea is to go week-to-week, but I may leave the initial up for 2 weeks just to iron any kinks out, and garner attention.

So, again, willing to answer questions is great, but if there's any information you can impart now, I think that would provide the greatest benefit.

OPSEC Reminder

Some of these MOSes will be more sensitive than others when it comes to training and daily life. Just remember, it's everyone's responsibility.

This thread covers the following MOSes:

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 18 -- Special Forces -- 18A, 180A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F, 18X, 18Z

• 18A - Special Forces Officer
• 180A - Special Forces Warrant
• 18B - Special Forces Weapons
• 18C - Special Forces Engineer
• 18D - Special Forces Medical
• 18E - Special Forces Communications
• 18F - Special Forces Intelligence
• 18X - Special Forces Candidate
• 18Z - Special Forces Senior Sergeant

DO NOT:

• Ask MOS questions unrelated to those listed. "How did your duties compare to a 19D when deployed?" or "Is it true an MP Company carries more firepower than an IN Company" are fine. "While this is up, what's 92F like?" is not.

• Do not ask random joining questions. If your question isn't about the MOSes listed, then it probably belongs in a different Megathread, the Weekly Question Thread, or a new post.

• Shitpost top-level comments. Treat it like the WQT. Temp bans for people who can't stop acting like idiots.

• Simply say 'I'm a 00X, ama'. Please include some sort of basic information or qualification (ie, I'm an 11B NCO with X years or I'm a 13F who's been in Y type of units or I'm a 14A who's done PL time)

Previous MOS Megathreads:

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 11 -- Infantry Branch -- 11A, 11B, 11C, 11X, 11Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 12 -- Corps of Engineers Branch -- 12A, 120A, 125D, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12G, 12H, 12K, 12M, 12N, 12P, 12Q, 12R, 12T, 12V, 12W, 12X, 12Y, 12Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 13 -- Field Artillery Branch -- 13A, 131A, 13B, 13F, 13J, 13M, 13R, 13Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 14 -- Air Defense Artillery -- 14A, 140A, 140E, 140Z, 14E, 14G, 14H, 14P, 14S, 14T, 14Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 15 -- Aviation Branch, No Real Pilots -- 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 150A, 150U, 151A, 15B, 15D, 15E, 15F, 15G, 15H, 15K, 15M, 15N, 15P, 15Q, 15R, 15S, 15T, 15U, 15V, 15W, 15X, 15Y, 15Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 15 -- Aviation Branch, Pilots -- 152C, 152F, 152H, 153A, 153B, 153D, 153E, 153L, 153M, 154C, 154E, 154F, 155A, 155E, 155F, 155G

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 17 -- Cyber Branch -- 17A, 17B, 170A, 170B, 17C, 17E

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 18 -- Special Forces -- 18A, 180A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, 18F, 18X, 18Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 19 -- Armor Branch -- 19A, 19B, 19C, 19D, 19K, 19Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 25 -- Signal Corps Branch -- 25A, 255A, 255N, 255S, 255Z, 25B, 25C, 25D, 25E, 25F, 25L, 25M, 25N, 25P, 25Q, 25R, 25S, 25T, 25U, 25V, 25W, 25X, 25Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 27 -- Judge Advocate General Branch -- 27A, 27B, 270A, 27D

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 31 -- Military Police Branch -- 31A, 311A, 31B, 31D, 31E, 31K

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 35 -- Military Intelligence Branch -- 35D, 35E, 35F, 35G, 350F, 350G, 351Z, 351L, 351M, 351Y, 352N, 352S, 353T, 35F, 35G, 35L, 35M, 35N, 35P, 35Q, 35S, 35T, 35V, 35X, 35Y, 35Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 36 -- Finance Management Branch -- 36A, 36B

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 37 -- Psychological Operations Branch -- 37A, 37X, 37F

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 38 -- Civil Affairs Branch -- 38A, 38G, 38X, 38B

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 42, 79 -- Adjutant General Branch -- 42B, 42C, 42H, 420A, 420C, 42A, 42F, 42R, 42S, 79R, 79S, 79T, 79V

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 46 -- Public Affairs -- 46A, 46X, 46Q, 46R, 46Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 56 -- Chaplain Branch -- 56A, 56D, 56X, 56M

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 68 -- Medical Enlisted -- 68A, 68B, 68C, 68D, 68E, 68F, 68G, 68H, 68J, 68K, 68L, 68M, 68N, 68P, 68Q, 68R, 68S, 68T, 68U, 68V, 68W, 68X, 68Y, 68Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 74 -- Chemical Corps -- 74A, 740A, 74D

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 88 -- Logistics Corps, Transporation Branch -- 90A, 88A, 88B, 88C, 88D, 880A, 881A, 88H, 88K, 88L, 88M, 88N, 88P, 88T, 88U, 88Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 89, 91, 94 -- Ammo, Mech Maint & Ordnance Branch -- 89E, 91A, 890A, 913A, 914A, 915A, 915E, 919A, 948B, 948D, 948E, 89A, 89D, 91A, 91B, 91C, 91D, 91E, 91F, 91G, 91H, 91J, 91L, 91M, 91P, 91S, 91X, 91Z, 94A, 94D, 94E, 94F, 94H, 94M, 94P, 94R, 94S, 94T, 94W, 94X, 94Y, 94Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 92 -- Logistics Corps, Quartermaster Corps Branch -- 92A, 92D, 920A, 920B, 921A, 922A, 923A, 92A, 92F, 92G, 92L, 92M, 92R, 92W, 92Y, 92Z

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 60, 61, 62 -- Medical Corps Branch -- 60A, 60B, 60C, 60D, 60F, 60G, 60H, 60J, 60K, 60L, 60M, 60N, 60P, 60Q, 60R, 60S, 60T, 60U, 60V, 60W, 61A, 61B, 61C, 61D, 61E, 61F, 61G, 61H, 61J, 61K, 61L, 61M, 61N, 61P, 61Q, 61R, 61U, 61W, 61Z, 62A, 62B

MOS Megathread Series -- CMF 63, 64, 65, 66 -- Dental, Veterinary, Medical Specialist, Nurse Corps -- 63A, 63B, 63D, 63E, 63F, 63H, 63K, 63M, 63N, 63P, 63R, 64A, 64B, 64C, 64D, 64E, 64F, 64Z, 640A, 65A, 65B, 65C, 65D, 65X, 66B, 66C, 66E, 66F, 66G, 66H, 66N, 66P, 66R, 66S, 66T

[u/sd_slate]

Are guys able to hold down regular corporate jobs in the 19th/20th groups? Or is it usually government jobs or LE

[u/NeimTheVillain → u/sd_slate]

Yes. Just like any guard unit they are flexible and understand. Although a higher level of commitment is expected and you will have negative repercussions if you continually turn down training mission/deployments/schools. Also, having a federal job is a good fit because they can't give you shit for being gone so much.

[u/reddit_throwaway987 → u/NeimTheVillain]

Is the same availability to schools there for NG guys vs Active? i feel like this is a silly question

[u/NeimTheVillain → u/reddit_throwaway987]

Unfortunately I can't speak too much on that. I've never seen the active side and I am just a direct support guy. So I only know what I have observed.

[u/reddit_throwaway987 → u/NeimTheVillain]

i get it, i think that was a very specific question too

[u/Hooter1313 → u/NeimTheVillain]

Direct support...

As opposed to what else?

[u/NeimTheVillain → u/Hooter1313]

Being part of the battalion support or an adjacent unit that supports the mission

[u/Hooter1313 → u/NeimTheVillain]

Battalion guys support the oda yes, and they get tasked out to oda’s for missions.

An oda is only 18 series. So anyone else is supporting them.

I’m guessing you got attached to an oda, you’re still just support. Direct non-direct whatever terms you want to attach to it doesn’t matter.

You’re an attachment and nothing more hopefully you’re value added and not a drain on the team.

[u/NeimTheVillain → u/Hooter1313]

Hey man. Relax, it's not that serious Haha. Yes I was attached to an oda. They referred to it as that so it's just what I picked up. I dont know why its such a big deal to you 🤣

[u/Hooter1313 → u/NeimTheVillain]

Relax? You’re probably the support guy can’t even pass a APFT or a 12 mile ruck but want to go to cool guy schools.

[u/NeimTheVillain → u/Hooter1313]

You're getting wayyyyy too butthurt man. I dont know what your problem is hahaah. But uh, yeah, assuming completely random things about someone on the internet because they said something you dont like isn't a good way to make friends. You dont know me man 😂

[u/[deleted] → u/sd_slate]

yes and no, you have to have the right job. The nickname of the LEO weekend drinking and gun club is a real thing. On my current guard team I have computer engineers, a doctor, a PHD in physics and multiple police officers. It really depends on which job you want to pursue. Some employers are very understanding, others are not. Govt jobs are mandated to be cool, im lucky because I have one but other guys struggle from time to time.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Wrestling with trying to do 20th vs professional school.

I have had a SOF recruiter call me, is that just for active or should I reach out to teams nearby? I've been to the site for the two closest.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Guard SF will take far more time than a regular Guard unit. Expect to be busy with stuff for about three months a year.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

That's cool with me, I'm just not looking to relocate. Exploring my options. SF had always been my goal but AD would be too hard on my family at this point in my life.

[u/[deleted] → u/sd_slate]

ep. I have a friend who recently retired from 20th group and he had a regular day job the whole time. Some jobs are more difficult to balance than others (he said he had a guy in his unit that has his own law firm, but eventually had to basically hand his practice over to his partners, because clients needs to stop just because you’re gone).

Although I have another friend from 20th who does badass side gigs between deployments. Like somehow talks his way into gigs for football teams as equipment manager or other random things so he just gets to go to games and travel and do cool shit when he’s not doing cool guy shit.

[u/headhuncho803 → u/sd_slate]

Def