New opportunity available for junior soldiers

Pvt. Brian Trapp
Bayonet staff

The Army's elite fighting force is opening the doors of adventure to junior enlisted soldiers. Special Forces is accepting applications from infantry basic training soldiers to attend a Special Forces class that begins Jan. 7.

"Special Forces is looking for someone who is dedicated and both mentally and physically strong," said Sgt. 1st Class Ian F. Geredes, a Special Forces recruiter with the Special Operations Recruiting Company.

One of the reasons behind the change allowing junior enlisted to go Special Forces is that more soldiers are retiring and leaving the Army than people graduating from the Special Forces qualification course, said Sgt. 1st Class Thomas T. Nichols a Special Forces recruiter. This has been happening for nearly a decade. "We're recruiting from places we never were before, like airborne school and infantry basic training," said Nichols.

The new program is only open to infantry soldiers in the 11B and 11C Military Occupational Specialty fields with a GT score of 110 or higher, compared to the normal requirement of 100. "This is a fantastic opportunity for people just joining the Army because they will get a lot of advanced training typically not offered to younger soldiers," Nichols said.

"I think this is an excellent opportunity for people who have spent years dreaming of being a Special Forces soldier," said Pvt. Ryan Underwood, an infantry basic training soldier with the 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment. "Now, they will have the chance to achieve this without having to wait for years just to start obtaining their goal."

There are some different requirements for initial entry soldiers entering the course in comparison to the normal requirements. The difference in the GT scores is because lower ranking infantry soldiers with a GT of at least 110 have a better chance for success in the program, Nichols said. "We're anticipating levels of success will match the levels from our normal recruiting pool," Nichols said. "I'm excited to see how this program works out."

The new program for junior enlisted soldiers has been augmented with additional courses to help them reach the same skill levels as their more senior Special Forces counterparts. The goal is for 100 soldiers to attend a two-week Special Operations pre-course between January and March. All junior enlisted will attend a two-week Special Operations preparation course. When they finish the Special Forces qualification course, the soldiers will be Primary Leadership Development Course qualified.

"The Special Forces community feels they are up to the challenge," Nichols said. "If we can train foreign soldiers in foreign languages in any environment, then we can train our own soldiers in the environment of our choice." "I get to see all these brand new soldiers come out of AIT and airborne school, and they are motivated and excited," Nichols said. "It's contagious, and it motivates me. I know in a couple of years, I'll see these guys out in the Army wearing a green beret."

For more information about the program, call 545-3079.

A CLOSER LOOK

To qualify for Special Forces, you must meet the following criteria:

* U.S. citizen
* Airborne qualified
* Score a 229 on the physical fitness test in the 17-21 age group
* Have a GT score of 110 or higher for E-1 to E-3 and a GT score of 100 for E-4 to E-6
* Pass the Special Forces physical
* Qualify for a secret security clearance
* E-1 through E-3 can only have 11C or 11B as a military occupational speciality.