Photo By Roger RyDell Daniels | Pictured here, Staff Sgt. Roger RyDell Daniels.... read more read more
FORT STEWART, Ga. - It may be widely known that the army is looking to shrink its force. At the same time, one component of the Army wants to grow to accommodate a need to cover more areas of the world.
The component is U.S. Army Special Operations, which include Special Forces, Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations, Special Operation Aviation Regiment, Explosive Ordinance Disposal and Warrant Officer School.
“We are growing, and it’s a bigger mission to support than it ever has been,” said Sgt. 1st Class Justin Kitchin, the noncommissioned officer in charge for the Special Operations Recruiting Battalion, located in building 160.
Sergeant First Class Kitchin said his office of 11 recruiters usually holds two or more recruiting briefings a week at Fort Stewart and other military bases throughout the southeast with the goal of increasing the number of soldiers going into the special operations command.
He said they’re looking to add men and women who are looking to advance their careers in a highly trained, small unit atmosphere.
“We’re looking for people who are looking for the next challenge,” he said. “We’re looking for someone who is determined to be part of the quiet professionals, someone who is willing to be part of that lifestyle, someone who is looking to be part of a small mission unit; someone who is tactically trained to be the best of the best.”
The training lengths differ in each of the special operations areas, with Special Forces being the most popular and one of the longest.
It takes about one-and-a-half years to complete the entire process and become a member of a Special Forces unit. It takes about 10 months to complete EOD training.
For those interested in Special Forces, the process begins with completing the necessary paperwork and a local physical fitness training program before advancing to a 19-day selection course, where instructors will select applicants to advance to the qualification course.
The selection course for Civil Affairs is 10 days, while the SOAR course is 30 days.
Sergeant First Class Kitchin said there is a misconception that they’re looking to recruit only the top soldiers in a unit.
“We’re not looking for the 300 PT stud; you’re judged by your overall character,” he said. “You can go the whole 19 days [selection course] and not get selected, character plays a big role.”
Sergeant First Class Kitchin said they’re also recruiting female Soldiers to become part of the Civil Affair’s Cultural Support Team.
As a member of this team, female Soldiers will help build the relationship with women in the Islamic and Afghan cultures.
What are the requirements to get into SF?
1. You must be a U.S. citizen.
2. Have a high school diploma or GED.
3. Have a GT score of 107 or higher.
4. Be eligible for a SECRET security clearance.
5. Enlisted soldiers must be in the pay grade E-3 through junior
E-7.
6. Officers must be in year group 10 and 11.
7. You must be regular Army on active duty and assigned to your
permanent duty station.
8. Volunteer! By volunteering for SF, you also volunteer for airborne training and Airborne Assignments.
9. Pass the Army APFT with a minimum score of 240 in your age group wearing ACU’s and running shoes.
10. Pass an SF physical.
For more information, contact Sgt. 1st Class Justin Kitchin at 912-767-8077 or visit the website at www.sorbrecruiting.com or www.soc.mil.
| Date Taken: | 01.17.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 01.17.2013 12:52 |
| Story ID: | 100650 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 889 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, US Army Special Ops wants you, by Roger RyDell Daniels, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
