Am I making the right choices towards MARSOC here?

[IntWarrior]

Hello Marines! After weeks of my brain hurting from research and trying to separate fact from fiction- I'm hoping I can get some help with my road map here. It's gonna be a kind of broad question so any part answered will help. So basically I have a passion for outdoors, survival and combat- Those have always been what I enjoy doing and do well (ie doing MMA and backpacking). I'm not a video game player or a tough guy wanabe- I am a mellow, determined individual. I have military family and did years of ROTC, leadership academy and mini bootcamp (so I am familiar with military process and can take orders and be yelled at). I am 26. To make a long story short- I chose the military in hopes of Special Ops. I chose the Marine Corps because I love what it stands for and the foundation it builds.

I have been busting my ass working out and training to be special ops prepared (i am 6'4" about 180- can do 20+ pull ups, 120+ sittups in 2mins, run 1.5miles around 8:20, am at 30+ meters in my underwater swims and constantly working on my swimming.) My ASVAB scores are qualifying also. There are no Recon contracts available or Infantry at this time.

So my choices are pick from the jobs available and try to get promoted do well and go for MARSOC or try out for Recon and lead into MARSOC. Or go for Navy Seals (as a Recon Marine recommended on this forum page) -age cut off is 28 for tryouts. Things I am taking into consideration are- am I going to be completely bored, what education can I get, and how will it help me towards Special Ops.

Jobs I am considering= Program HE- (METOC or MAGTF)= I would enjoy the science, or MAGTF would probably be useful towards MARSOC. Cryptological lingust, aviation electrician/mechanic, Program CM (could possibly lead to combat engineer or could be a variety of other Engineer jobs), Communications, I think there may be a security forces available too.

So Question 1. My SSGT said that I should go with Com because I will have more freedom to try out for Recon (because its a bigger field with more people) and also am more likely to get sniper school as well. Will this go for any of the other jobs I mentioned above also?

2. One of the recruiters was looking through MARSOC with me and on their web page it says you have to be a SGT and been in for 3 years- so he said I should choose a field that I can promote in and continue to train on my own- sound right?

3. Which of the above available jobs do you think would suit my plan and interests best? Will I have the freedom to continue preparing physically for MARSOC/RECON?

4. Any other advice?

Thank you so much for your help- sorry for the lengthy question- I don't know how to explain it in shorter terms to see what I am considering. Unfortunately being 26 I don't have the same luxury of an 18 year old, I have to think ahead to get me where I should have been.

[SNusbaumer]

IntWarrior, Don't overlook the Special Operations Capabilities Specialists -- an interesting group with jobs that are sort of a hybrid. If you have access to Leatherneck print or online, check out the article in August issue, 2011.