A lot of people come on WSO having served a few years in the military looking to transition into finance or get their MBA. I have a FT BB IBD offer in hand, but have been reconsidering going into finance lately.
There's a lot of talk on here about mindlessly following "the track" and I think I'm certainly guilty of this. I don't want to end up crossing 40 with a gut, cynical, feeling unfulfilled, and neglecting my kids and family. I place a lot of value on physical health and well being, but still want to challenge myself to achieve something worthwhile, otherwise, I'll still be cynical and unfulfilled.
Which brings me to my main point: I know the Army is allowing civilians to try out for SFAS. I'm curious to hear from current or ex-military guys about a couple things:
- Is there resentment / bias from guys already in the Army (instructors or recruits) against civilians who are going through SFAS and/or q-course?
- What is the strain on your personal relationships and family life? I imagine that being deployed would be just as bad as putting in long hours as an IBD analyst.
- Can you discuss what the culture of SF is like? I hear it's rather different from infantry for example because SF guys are generally more educated, intelligent, etc.
- IF you do not end up making it through SFAS and q-course as a civilian, are you stuck with some other shitty MO? Or is it no obligation to remain with the Army thereafter?
Based on conversations I've had with ex-Rangers and non spec ops Army folks (including my dad), it seems like the life experience and knowledge that this would bring would be difficult to find elsewhere. Any other words of wisdom would be much appreciated. TIA
Is this because of the Man Week?
Take the offer and try it out. You need work experience.
Man Week only agreed with what I felt already. I just don't think on a day to day basis that I would particularly enjoy or take pride in sitting behind a desk for 2 years, then going to PE, etc. Just don't want to completely hate life is all.
well you would be a glorified secretary in IB.... just as you'll be a glorified budged deficit in the army...
Anyone with military experience mind chiming in?
Ricky take my advice for what it’s worth.
-There will not be resentment if you perform well
-SF stays in the field constantly and you are guaranteed to be deployed generally for 12 months at a time- so the strain on relationships, I would imagine, equate to that of IBD.
-I can’t speak for the Army, but the culture in the Marine Corps shifts in relation to where you are at in training and what rank you are. Also, the culture varies (Recon/MARSOC/FAST) from unit to unit. To answer your question- in a lot of ways it can be similar to infantry, but that’s not a bad thing.
-I don’t know about what happens in the Army if you fail SFAS/q-course, but I would assume you would just be classified as infantry and go from there- again, my assumption.
I’m sure you have worked hard to get where your at. So like the others have said, take the offer and see how you like it. Just remember, you can always go military from IBD, but not IBD from military (at least until you EAS) if you don't like it. The military will be there, your IBD offer will not.
Dude, can you post some links? I'm looking at straigh OCS now and didn't even know about this? How long is the enlistment contract for?
Thanks oldcleancole, that was helpful.
UFO: http://www.goarmy.com/special-forces/training.html
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If you make it to SF and you are in a serious relationship......no that does not equal the same strain as IBD hours, are you serious? I do not recall anybody's wife or girlfriend being a nervous wreck whenever the phone rang if they were in banking. Banking hours are long, but I doubt that you go 12months without seeing your spouse at all.
You need to realize that the average SF guy has ~8 years in the army and most of them have a masters or similar level education.
If you want to be a 22 year old, fresh in the military and in a specops role, go SEALs or Rangers.
Mbarre, thanks for those highlights.
SEALS and Rangers seem geared more toward high school grads. And I know some SF guys have masters degrees but don't see why that's relevant if they're allowing civilians to join without those criteria.
The point is they have ~8 years of experience but go ahead, give it a shot dude. No skin off my teeth.
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