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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/18x contract
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Question
I am interested in theis contract very much i am currently deployed overseas with my MA Guard unit. I am a SGT. I was wondering what I need to do and what it is all about I can not get a clear answer anywhere.
Hi Justin,
The 18X (Special Forces) Contract is a special program for non-prior service enlistees. I'm afraid, as a member of the National Guard, you would not be eligible for this program (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjobs/a/18x.htm).
Anyone in the Army can apply for Special Forces, but -- as a member of the National Guard, you'll only be able to apply if there is a National Guard Special Forces unit in your particular state (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/jointservices/a/specialops.htm).
Now, you *can* finish your Army National Guard commitment, then separate, then join the active duty Army as a "prior service enlistee," (see http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/priorservice.htm), or (because you are deployed) you can volunteer to join the active duty Army (ie, a "transfer") before you return (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/guardandreserve/a/ardeptransfer.htm).
After going onto active duty, you could then apply for Army Special Forces. However, if you failed any part of the selection process or training, you would have to fullfill the remainder of your active duty enlistment in your original MOS.
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Answers by Expert:
Rod Powers
Expertise
Rod Powers is considered one of the premire experts about U.S. Military career information on the planet. He has more than 30,000 articles about U.S. Military career information on the About.com U.S. Military Careers Information website at: http://usmilitary.about.com. Additionally, he is the author of "ASVAB for Dummies," "ASVAB AFQT for Dummies," (available in Dec 2009), and "Veteran Benefits for Dummies," all published by Wiley Publishing. He is also the author of "Barrons' Guide to Officer Candidate School Tests," published by Barron's Educational Series.
Experience
Rod Powers is a retired Air Force first sergeant, with 23 years of active duty service, 11 of those years as an Air Force First Sergeant. He has helped thousands of military members, recruits, and military applicants since he took over the About.com U.S Military Careers Information site in 1999. He has a reputation for "telling it like it is," so questions may not be answered based on "what you want to hear," but will be answered based of the bast available information, concerning the service/situation.
Education/Credentials
Rod is a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Noncommissioned Officers Academy, the Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and the Air Force First Sergeant Academy. He also holds an Associates Degree in Personnel Administration from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).
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