WASHINGTON \u2014 The Army\u2019s special operations forces could soon be coming to a high school near you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s what Lt. Gen. Jon Braga, the top general in Army Special Operations Command, said during an exclusive interview at the annual Association of the U.S. Army conference on Oct. 11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The command derives a significant number of its Special Forces soldiers from the 18X program, which allows prospective soldiers to enlist with a guaranteed opportunity to attend Airborne School and Special Forces Assessment and Selection. In recent years, it also quietly launched a similar program, 37X, for psychological operations roles. Another contract option also offers applicants a shot at joining the 75th Ranger Regiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Braga wants the 37X program to appeal to young Americans and tap into the rich vein of talent that the direct entry pathway for Green Berets found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re making up about 50% of our force off the 18X program for direct recruits off the street \u2014 and these are highly talented people…[like] journalists, stockbrokers, lawyers\u201d and others with STEM degrees, Braga explained. \u201cIt\u2019s been the lifeblood of our [recruiting] efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s also the potential that overproduction on such contracts could help fill the ranks elsewhere in the force, which is grappling with a historically-bad recruiting crisis<\/a>. Direct entry programs for special operations allow recruits who don\u2019t pass to be reassigned according to the Army\u2019s needs \u2014 an oft-repeated joke among recruiters holds that the 18X program is the 82nd Airborne Division\u2019s top source of recruits.<\/p>\n\n\n\t