Debating Active Duty!

**jcobb27** · 12-20-2008 05:54 PM

I am 22 years old and a member of the Tennessee Army National Guard with a 21B MOS (Combat Engineer). My initial contract obligation is over September 2010. I am an E-4 and from the looks of things in my overstaffed unit im not going to be seeing E-5 before my time is up. My plans right now are to go active and Special Forces. I do understand that Special Forces only accepts E-5 and above. Is it possible that I could talk to a recruiter and get a guranteed 5 and a slot for Special Forces Selection?

**Armyforums** · 12-20-2008 05:54 PM

**Master Tanker** · 12-21-2008 04:03 AM

I believe that eager and outgoing men with a good fitness and attitude can always make it in the Army no matter what. Perhaps there is a chance for a waiver. But why worry? The other branches of the Army (yes also combat engineers) have excellent opportunities. But hurry, I have the gut feeling that Obama is going to reduce things....

**infantry_soldier11** · 12-21-2008 04:13 AM

you dont have to be an E5 to go to SFAS....you only need to be an E4.

**jcobb27** · 12-22-2008 10:09 AM

Thanks for the info infantry. and master tanker I feel the same way and my last pt test a couple months ago was a 273 and i have improved since then.

winter · 01-01-2009 05:04 PM

hello chaps, what is e-4 ? is it a rank or qualification of some sort? im a brit and not heard of any of this stuff before. fill me in fellas! appreciate it.

**Master Tanker** · 01-18-2009 06:57 AM

Winter, in Britain an E4 is a Lance Corporal? Anyway, E stands for Enlisted. O for Officer. It is a pay grade not a rank. So, an E4 is a soldier with the 4th pay grade up. Like a SP4 (Specialist, the Army used to have many Specialists, now there is only one, the SP4). A SP4 is the same pay grade as a Corporal (two stripes). In other words both are E4. An O3 is a Captain (3 ranks up from 2ndLT which is an O1). An O5 is a Colonel and an E7 a Platoon Sergeant or Sergeant first Class (SFC). OK?

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