The Chosen Soldier-

blustr18b · 03-10-2007, 19:27

This new book-Chosen Soldier-The Making of a Special Forces Warrior by Dick Couch is just out. My son gave me a call last night and suggested I might like it. Mr. Couch was around alot during his time in the course. Great cover shot and it looks like a good read-sofar, I've only gotten to the pictures-LOL
Looking forward to the PS critique.

blustr18b

Cincinnatus · 03-10-2007, 21:03

I read it and enjoyed it. Couch follows a class through selection and the various Phases of the Q course. He tells their stories in an engaging and often inspiring manner.

He also seems to "get" the value of SF in COIN operations and states rather emphatically that the SF soldier is our "most essential."

I'll be interested in hearing the opinions of some of the QPs on this book.

**The Reaper** · 03-10-2007, 21:28

I know Dick Couch and was involved in a small way in his book.

Have not seen the book yet, but look forward to doing so.

He seemed to me like a decent and honorable guy.

TR

Warrior-Mentor · 03-10-2007, 21:33

He scored a copy of Get Selected as a reference while he was at Bragg - the Group Commander gave it to him.
Personally, I'm curious to see what he took from it.

dennisw · 03-21-2007, 22:01

I picked the latest book by Dick Couch and read most of it this week. The book documents SF canidates as the go through the Q course. I wish this book was available a while back to serve as a roadmap when my kids were in the course.

I thought it was a really good read. Mr. Couch was very complementary to the Army and Special Forces. I imagine as an ex seal, the introduction was a little tough to write , but I believe he was very objective in his analysis. In discussing the current war against the insurgents he writes:

This insurgent war must be won in Iraq and Afghanistan. Right now, our single most effective tool in this war is American Special Forces. I know my Seal brothers may be surprised at this assertion, but Special Forces are the most valuable asset on this battlefield. The Special Forces soldier is the most important man in uniform-our most essential warrior.

Say what you want about Mr. Couch, but he must be a man of incredible integrity to publicly make the above assessment.

Ammodawg · 03-22-2007, 04:33

I am bout 200 pages into the bok myself and find it extremely informative and unbiased from a prior SEAL. I highly recommend this one be put on your must-read list.

JMI · 03-22-2007, 05:12

I read the last two books by Mr. Couch. Interested in this one as well. He has written a lot of books lately.

This one came out pretty fast, so I wonder how much new information it has. A lot of new books overlap with information as I have found out.

**The Reaper** · 03-22-2007, 08:03

Dick is a good guy.

He lived at Camp MacKall and followed classes through the Q Course while writing the book. That was back in 2004, IIRC.

He was very attentive and involved in everything the students (and cadre) did.

I look forward to reading the book.

TR

moobob · 03-22-2007, 08:04

I ordered Chosen Soldier today. Looks to be a good read.

rubberneck · 03-22-2007, 08:10

I read it on a business trip last week and I thought it was very good from a lay person's perspective.

jatx · 03-22-2007, 08:12

I just finished this one. My feelings are mixed.

On the one hand, Couch spends about 50 pages telling us over and over what the book is going to be about, which is beyond annoying. His writing also lacks polish, and veers unpredictably between a sloppy vernacular and a more formal style.

On the other hand, he goes into a lot more depth about each of the 18-series MOSs than any other writer I've encountered, especially the 18A. His coverage of Phase III alone is worth the price of the book.

In summation, not a real page-turner, but an excellent source of info on the varied roles within a team.

dennisw · 03-22-2007, 08:20

Quote:

On the other hand, he goes into a lot more depth about each of the 18-series MOSs than any other writer I've encountered, especially the 18A. His coverage of Phase III alone is worth the price of the book.

He also seems to be extremely fascinated with the 18x's. I guess it's the "what were you doing before you decided to join the army" questions. I was also a little surprised he did not spend more time on SERE training. He talks about his decision not to discuss it, but it seems he could have spent some time on the non-classified portion.

**Team Sergeant** · 03-22-2007, 08:51

My cousin is a good friend of Dick Couch and he called me to let me know he'd written another book. I have his first one that he signed for me....

I'll see if I can get him to sign on to ProfessionalSoldiers.com.

TS

82ndtrooper · 03-22-2007, 09:16

I've read "Warrior Elite" and "Down Range" both great reads if your interested in the NSW/SEAL side of the fight and training.

This will be next on my list.

azmg · 03-22-2007, 12:02

Since this book centered around my brothers Q class he insisted that I own it! Prior to it coming in I took the time to read "Warrior Elite" and "The Finishing School". I found both books to be informative and since they were written from the viewpoint of someone who had been through the ordeal, although much earlier, they had a certain level of sincerity and not an overplayed sense of awe that is found in many books of this genre.

In short I thought the book was informative and allowed the reader to be a part of something that they would normally not have access to. It compared very well with accounts I've heard first hand and included details often forgotten by those whose goal is graduation!