[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Cityslicker update (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 9/8/2007 3:49:23 PM EDT
|
For those who are interested. Talked to him today. Finished AIT and just finished ground week at jump school. two weeks and then off to Bragg for SOPC. I keep trying to convince him to 18E, but you can't talk to 18 year olds.  Anybody got poop on SOPC so I know what the hell he has coming? Thanks |
|
SOPC=Special Operations Personnel Candidate. SFAS (Special Forces Assessment and Selection) and the SFQC (Special Forces Qualification Course) are where he should be looking. I had a chat with CitySlicker over the Labor Day weekend. It was good to hear from him and he seemed to be doing well. I have warned him about 18D as a first MOS in the past, and I would not recommend 18E, but to each his own. He's the kind of guy who will do just fine wherever he goes. |
I know what it is, but what is the POI? How long is it? How much classroom? How much field time? How much humping? |
| I had a team leader who whent through that and then later got tasked as cadre there. From the stories he told me, from both sides of the fence he will defianetly be sucking. He told me that SOPC makes SFAS seem easy. The good news is people who tough out SOPC have a very high acceptance rate at SFAS. |
I gave him a holler on Sunday to get his take on things before jump week, but I guess the young stud doesn't have much time to talk to old guys on the phone.  I look forward to hearing his thoughts on jump school. Earlier, we had a brief conversation on the SOPC program. No such animal a dozen years ago, just a bad ass PT program and lots of picking up cigarette butts and sweeping gutters. There was some kind of "pre-selection" course nobody ever went to, as I recall. I sure wish him well. |
|
New update. He is now, officially, Airborne! (not sure about all the way, though  )While I really liked jumping, the first 4 seconds he wasn't so fond of. He will be in Bragg tonight and rolls right into SOPC. He sounds good, a little nervous. Says he isn't going to quit, ever. He keeps that attitutde up, he'll be OK. boy done good so far. The funny thing is, a New York Jew hanging out with airborne infantry SF types. He says he is always outnumbered, but he isn't backing down! |
|
New Update. He is ass deep into SOPC. Left a message, boy sounds smoked, but also on top of the situation. He only has a two week suck, as opposed to three. They rolled him into the previous class. One less week of suck. Hope he gets the prep he needs. Don't know when he starts sore feet and shoulders (SFAS). I would guess a week from next monday. Let you know when I hear stuff. |
Awesome. You'll be fine and it will go by so quickly you will wonder if you were ever actually there. You will have some of the best weather one can have when going through SFAS. Well, as long as it doesn't rain much, that is. I got your message last night...I'm working odd hours. I have to travel this weekend, so I'll try to give you a call before you head out Rowe. OK, I'm going to be on pins and needles for the next ~26 days, so don't waste any time updating us when you get off the cattle car in mid-November. Stay healthy, brother. |
|
New Update. Lad failed his PT test. Like a hard charger, he wanted to do his best on the run and he blew himself up. Not having enough experience with PT tests, he doesn't know how to pace himself yet. The standard is 15:06 and he has run much faster than that in the past. So he is going back in a little while, but his dingle dangle is dangleing in the dirt a bit. Better news next time, I hope. 
|
|
New Update. Lad failed his PT test. Like a hard charger, he wanted to do his best on the run and he blew himself up. Not having enough experience with PT tests, he doesn't know how to pace himself yet. The standard is 15:06 and he has run much faster than that in the past. So he is going back in a little while, but his dingle dangle is dangleing in the dirt a bit. Better news next time, I hope.
|
How long is the run? Mike |
2 miles. It comes after push-ups and sit-ups and is the standard PT test run. Man, I was so upset when I heard his voice on the phone. My first thought was that I shouldn't be hearing from him for another couple weeks. Oh, well. He'll get it next cycle. |
|
A lot of joes wearing wings, tabs and other badges have had to go through those courses more than once. You might be surprised to learn there are Best Ranger competition winners who were once recycled. Do you think all of the Green Berets who've won medals for combat valor made it through the course on their first shot? He'll be alright. |
Exactly. |
Big +1. He called and I was figuring it was way too early. What kills me is I was afraid he would do that. Don't be last, meet the standard. LEsson learned. He'll get it later. But ole' boy is gonna be cold this time around. |
Yes, there is much truth in 82nd's words.
|
|
I called him on Sunday to make sure he was still going, but he didn't answer. He should have been asleep, anyway. I generally call him when I'm on the road and bored, so I tend to be a bit long winded. He wouldn't have had the time on a good day. Man, I hope it goes well for him. |
|
OK Here is the total pipeline Basic DONE Infantry AIT DONE Airborne DONE SOPC I (special operations prepatory course?) DONE SFAS (where it will be decided whether he goes on to be come special forces or goes to an infantry unit, the big one) SOPC II (prep for Q course) PLDC/WLC.BNCOC all rolled into one Q course (with its own series of stuff three phases(combat course, MOS Specific, Robin Sage) Finishing schools ODA And knowing his background, quickly to OGA |
Thanks! Is SFAS the hardest one? Mike |
Its the biggest suck in the shortest time. Different kinds of suck. Level 3 SERE (I believe a requirement for SF) can suck big bone, and Phase I Q suck quite a bit as I have been told. SFAS gets you through the gate. Its the most important one. Most make it through the pipeline if they get through SFAS |