NG SF Rep 63 Program

[LeCarre]

Okay, this is the option that I'd heard about, but thought didn't exist. The Rep 63 Program is where a person practically off the street can enter the NG, go to BCT, AIT, Airborne, PLDC, and then on to the SFAS and, theoretically, the Q Course. When they come back, they're in a NG SF unit.

My recruiter didn't tell me about it and when I confronted him about it, he told me that, "There's just no way a person with no prior service could ever hope to get through the SFAS." My questions are these:
1. Does anyone out there know about this program?
2. Has anyone out there been through the SFAS with someone in this program and how did he do?
3. How can a person get through the SFAS without prior military service? If one's mature, in great shape, highly-motivated, etc., is BCT, AIT, Airborne, and PLDC enough to get them up to speed?

Thanks.

[muleskinner]

http://216.79.119.5/320sfga/index.htm

and more specifically

http://216.79.119.5/320sfga/pre_sfas.htm

From my understanding of the program. Yes you can go through all of you above mentioned steps and become an SF qualified Guard member, if you have SF Guard near by. They take you under their wing and give you pre SFAS training so that you will in many cases be slightly more prepared then some of the other soldiers at SFAS cause youve already been training with the guys who have been there dont that. I was in contact with a guy awhile back who was getting into the program and a comment he made that caught my attention was the fact that the NG SF canidates have a much higher sucess rate at SFAS and the Q (around 80% i was told) because, of A. the pre training and B. they want to send their best, most prepared troops for a variety of reasons. So in conculsion yes it can be and is done, it takes time and dedication. So you need a job you can walk away from with all the schools and training you have to attend.

Mule

Oh and as for your prior service issue, another thing i have picked up on is that after all that training its still fresh in your head and you shouldnt have to many bad habits that need fixed so thats also a plus.

[muleskinner]

I think you have to have NG SF in your state or somewhere close enough by that you can get to them as needed. The guy I knew that was going for it , lived out west and he was going for the NG SF Unit he had nearby. 19 region of focus is Africa Middle east Asia and far east. 20th's region of focus is latin american Caribeann (drug country action). to the best of my knowledge all you need to have is a detachment of either the 19th or 20th National Guard SF unit in your area and you can go for it, assuming they can use you. off hand i cant tell you were all these units are you could probably try the florida SF recruiter and he could tell you or I think I might be able to dig it up online. Down the road if i decide to get my paramedic cert, and maybe get some rescue or police swat paramedic training under my belt I might give them a call and see if they could use me, but thats alot of if's for right now. Anyway if you have anymore questions I'll do my best to answer. oh in closing I have heard some reliable rumors that SF may be coming up as an active duty enlistment option assuming you have the right creds they will garunteee the training, which makes the hard part making it through the training.

Mule

[LeCarre]

Thanks for the reply Muleskinner. A lot of what you say makes sense. I can see how some NG guys might actually have an advantage for the the following reasons:
1. Maturity
2. Like you said, recentcy of training.
3. Focus--many like me are entering the program for the express purpose of going SF. I'm also 33 and know that I won't have any other chances later on. This is it!
4. The variety of life and career experiences and the inherent ability to "think outside the box."

Thanks for the post.

[CA_ARNG_LT]

Lecarre I have seen many of your post's and understand you are in good shape, but I havent heard of anyone your age being allowed to join special ops and or make it through the training. I had a 28 yr old buddy that went to sfas from my unit on AD. We were a special ops NATO unit and he was a stud max PT like no other and road marched like a champ. He said his body quit on him around day 12 of SFAS. Good luck man

I am not sure about the above program but, I know if the NG SF wants people then they will search and submit anyone anyhow into their programs they want. I know extra languages help on selection along with a specialty ie, demolition, medic, diving, weapons master, etc..

I always say never quit. Your goals are your life, just be prepared to serve out your time in the guard if you dont make it. You will still owe the years pass or fail SFAS or selection.

[LeCarre]

CA, thanks for the words of caution. According to the NG SF recruiter, they've run a number of guys through the program who've been in their 30's and even a guy last year who was 42! The unit conducts pre SFAS training before you ship and then you attend a formal pre-SFAS with the active duty component before shipping off to SFAS.

Yep, if something doesn't go well and one has to drop from the program, they can go IRR. That's very little risk in my book.

[brassf]

To all hard chargers!

Having spent almost 2 yrs on a SF "training team" (i.e. - gluttons for punishment), I feel I can speak intelligently on this subject.

First of all, if you are focused on this get yourself in olympic physical condition NOW. Second, don't listen to recruiters. Go straight to the unit and speak with the full time staff as they are usually SF themselves. They will give you the lowdown on how to join and get in their training team. I had to join an MP unit and then get "attached" to the SF team. I spent only 2 drills with the MPs and then I never saw them again. Third, and most importantly, make sure that you will have the time to commit to this goal as it can be very draining on your family (high divorce rate) and your job/school. I left for family.

While this may be the NG, ALL SFers must go through active duty SF schools which can total up to 2 - 2.5 yrs. WARNING - this is a major life commitment! However, if you don't have or don't mind having the problems mentioned above, this can be a highly rewarding experience. The men on these teams are HIGHLY professional and the training is top notch. I was with the 20th Group in Chicago and their training budget was excellent. Many of my friends have gone through HALO, mountain warfare, SCUBA, and other high speed courses. If you decide to go for it, God bless you and stay motivated.

[zz25]

Just got off active duty SF last year. The rep 63 program is a recruiting tool to get you to commit to the NG. Most guys do not make it. I agree that the guys who do get to selection (SFAS) do fine, b/c they went to NG pre-selection and that is all they train for, but few guys who do the program wind up going. Another thing, no offense to any REP63s who made it through (my roomate in the Q course was one), but the guys have no military experience to draw from and are not an asset to a team (generalization). Most guys who go SF have already been in other units and have great experience. If I didn't do a couple of years in a Ranger Bn, I would have had a tough time with the training, and my prior experience definitely helped when I got to my team. If you really want to go SF, do yourself a favor and go active duty. Get a guaranteed Ranger contract (you'll go to infantry school, airborne, ranger indoctrination program), spend a year or two in a Ranger BN, go to Ranger School, and then apply for SF. That's what I did, and many friends who were successful in SF. Now I admit I'm biased and there are definitely other ways to do it, however this is the quickest way to get really good experience. Hope this helps. If you want to go the the NG, do it when you get off SF active duty. You can pretty much write your own ticket.