18X allows you to enlist in the Army with a chance to go straight to Special Forces. You enlist, go to Fort Benning for Infantry Training, go to Airborne School once that is complete, then go to the Special Operations Preparation Course (SOPC). Once that is complete you got to Special Forces Assessment and Selection, and if you make it you go on to Q Course. Here is more info: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/enlistedjobs/a/18x.htm

The 18X program is a great way for the best enlistees to get a jumpstart in Special Operations. That said, I have known many who wash out of SOPC or later courses. They either get injured or find they are not mentally ready. Those that do not make it go to Infantry units. I have known at least three who have gone back to SFAS and become Special Forces a couple of years later. It requires a sharp learning curve to go from civilian to SF. Taking a more roundabout route and learning something about weapons, navigation and fieldcraft usually results in a better chance of making it through training.


One last thing about the military in general. I can talk about how good it is, fired chicken can talk about the downsides of it despite him still serving and nine castles can talk about how much it sucks. You never know until you've tried it. I've known hardcore Soldiers who found it wasn't for them, and people you would never think of being Infantry who stayed in and did great things. It takes all sorts. Many people look at the Army as a last resort. They end up having to take that last resort and find they are not morally, physically or otherwise qualified. Despite what many think, it is much harder to enlist than to get nearly any other job off the street.