Sorry if I made the 82nd out as some remedial prize for quitters. The 82nd is one of the best divisions in the Army and has a long and distingished history.
On the other hand, it can feel that way at first for those who wash out of tough courses like RIP and SFAS. But that is because of their disappointment in themselves, not because of their assignment to the 82nd.
I have heard that the 82nd is not quite what it was 10 or 20 years ago. The division seems to lack the same authority to kick out dirtbags it once had. Also, their mission is a little outdated these days since a division level air drop is a bit over kill and the Rangers often get the smaller size airfield seizures. Be that as it may, I am sure the 82nd still knows how to KATM.
Regarding SF, I know that when SF was starting out they did some recruiting of civilians. After Vietnam, SF were seen as having a smaller mission and therefore the Army stopped civilian recruiting. Due to the increased Op Tempo of the SF, the Army has been looking at recruiting "off the street," the GWOT simply moved up the timeframe for the 18X program.
--511
They require you to be trained as 11B Airborne before going to SOPC and SFAS. If you get the 18X in your contract, you go through training while in DEP enabling you to enlist as E-3. After getting your wings, I think you get E-4. Upon completion of the Q-course, you are awarded E-5. So the promotion is accelerated for those who make it.
How much do you know about Robin Sage? I have heard the Infil is a real haul. I suppose you got to witness a lot of it first hand since you were stationed there with the 82nd.
On the other hand, it can feel that way at first for those who wash out of tough courses like RIP and SFAS. But that is because of their disappointment in themselves, not because of their assignment to the 82nd.
I have heard that the 82nd is not quite what it was 10 or 20 years ago. The division seems to lack the same authority to kick out dirtbags it once had. Also, their mission is a little outdated these days since a division level air drop is a bit over kill and the Rangers often get the smaller size airfield seizures. Be that as it may, I am sure the 82nd still knows how to KATM.
Regarding SF, I know that when SF was starting out they did some recruiting of civilians. After Vietnam, SF were seen as having a smaller mission and therefore the Army stopped civilian recruiting. Due to the increased Op Tempo of the SF, the Army has been looking at recruiting "off the street," the GWOT simply moved up the timeframe for the 18X program.
--511
They require you to be trained as 11B Airborne before going to SOPC and SFAS. If you get the 18X in your contract, you go through training while in DEP enabling you to enlist as E-3. After getting your wings, I think you get E-4. Upon completion of the Q-course, you are awarded E-5. So the promotion is accelerated for those who make it.
How much do you know about Robin Sage? I have heard the Infil is a real haul. I suppose you got to witness a lot of it first hand since you were stationed there with the 82nd.