Troy Trek-Who Does It?

[alfromcolorado]

Originally Posted by Chairborne64

The Trek went out around 97-98. COL M is correct that there was an incredible push for numbers coming out of the Q-course at the time. BG(R) Butler tried to institute a new standard where each O was evaluated on the effort he gave. It soon became obvious to the O's that you didn't have to do much and you would still get a go. That was pretty much the end of the Trek. Several years later their were efforts to bring it back but they never made much traction.

Roger, thanks...

It is amazing that I don't remember hearing about it until 10 years after I retired. Of course, what Os had to do to graduate never really came up in team conversations... It was usually something like "Hey sir, isn't it your turn to buy the beer?"

[kgoerz]

Originally Posted by Chairborne64

The Trek went out around 97-98. COL M is correct that there was an incredible push for numbers coming out of the Q-course at the time. BG(R) Butler tried to institute a new standard where each O was evaluated on the effort he gave. It soon became obvious to the O's that you didn't have to do much and you would still get a go. That was pretty much the end of the Trek. Several years later their were efforts to bring it back but they never made much traction.

Just he mention of that name explains a lot. I had a friend who was assigned to SFAS during his tenor. Every student he recommended for drop in SFAS. Was reinstated and given the ok to attend the Q-Course. They eventually started to pass just about everyone.
Like said above. The Q-Course is where you are given the Beret/Tab. You eventually have to earn the right to wear it forever. There is no perfect selection course out there. It's what the people who serve in the unit selection is for. That make it unique.

[7624U]

Originally Posted by Chairborne64

The Trek went out around 97-98. COL M is correct that there was an incredible push for numbers coming out of the Q-course at the time. BG(R) Butler tried to institute a new standard where each O was evaluated on the effort he gave. It soon became obvious to the O's that you didn't have to do much and you would still get a go. That was pretty much the end of the Trek. Several years later their were efforts to bring it back but they never made much traction.

It was in SFAS after that also for a few classes in 2000-2001 time frame, my class did not have a full team week, we had a split class, day or 2 of team events and then a 72hr Trek total movement was around 70-80k it was like a huge star event no roads could not be used and points between 10-25k apart.

[abc_123]

Originally Posted by Chairborne64

The Trek went out around 97-98. COL M is correct that there was an incredible push for numbers coming out of the Q-course at the time. BG(R) Butler tried to institute a new standard where each O was evaluated on the effort he gave. It soon became obvious to the O's that you didn't have to do much and you would still get a go. That was pretty much the end of the Trek. Several years later their were efforts to bring it back but they never made much traction.

for sure in '96 it was still in, although in modified form from the "officer stakes" days. Distance and format sound about the same although no tasks to complete at the points.

We did ours at Ft. AP Hill at the end of PH II. It was supposed to be some tricky-dick thing where we all were supposed to think we were done with phase II and going back to Bragg only we really were going to do another event. That deception plan lasted about 2 min after we cornered our AST and asked him why in the hell did it matter to him what our ruck packing list was if we were simply moving back to bragg and getting some days off?? His story sucked and he finally got tired of trying... so he told us to STFU and pack what he told us because we werent' done yet.

FWIW, I thought it was a great event. One of the more memorable of my training. Lots of time to think about what you are doing and why when you're alone in the woods under a ruck.

[MD2colo]

Originally Posted by abc_123

Lots of time to think about what you are doing and why when you're alone in the woods under a ruck.

that sounds like fun. hope I don't have to do that lol

[abc_123]

Originally Posted by MD2colo

that sounds like fun. hope I don't have to do that lol

Why not? Are you afraid of the conclusion that you'd come to? Or is it the 'being alone in the woods for several days under a ruck' part that you don't like?

[_S2_]

Originally Posted by MD2colo

that sounds like fun. hope I don't have to do that lol

That probably isn't a smart thing to say around here.

[SF_BHT]

Originally Posted by _S2_

That probably isn't a smart thing to say around here.

Yahhhh Think

What was his roster number?

[abc_123]

Originally Posted by SF_BHT

Yahhhh Think

What was his roster number?

Don't confuse things with more questions. I am still wondering why someone getting ready to go to the Q course and then ultimately into combat in Iraq or Afghanistan (well, if he makes it, that is...) would be aprehensive about a little walk in the woods by himself.

[SF_BHT]

Originally Posted by abc_123

Don't confuse things with more questions. I am still wondering why someone getting ready to go to the Q course and then ultimately into combat in Iraq or Afghanistan (well, if he makes it, that is...) would be aprehensive about a little walk in the woods by himself.

I just wanted to get him a referral to the hospital because he must be afraid of his shadow and being alone in the woods.

MD2colo - Special forces work in small units and groups. Sometimes the small group is 1 SF guy in the woods/mountains or any where else. If you do not like working alone you need to Rethink your line of work.

Just my 2 cents

[Onuma]

That type of event sounds like a true mental and physical challenge, if planned & executed properly. It's the kind of thing I like to try, just to see if I can hack it -- sounds like "fun"

And surely if you're not willing to spend some time alone in the woods & in the dark, I hope you consider a different line of work. It's one thing to have someone lighting a fire under you for the necessary level of motivation, it's entirely different to have to motivate yourself to get things done.

[abc_123]

Originally Posted by Onuma

That type of event sounds like a true mental and physical challenge, if planned & executed properly. It's the kind of thing I like to try, just to see if I can hack it -- sounds like "fun" .

And surely if you're not willing to spend some time alone in the woods & in the dark, I hope you consider a different line of work. It's one thing to have someone lighting a fire under you for the necessary level of motivation, it's entirely different to have to motivate yourself to get things done.

Thanks for resurrecting this thread (that originally started as a bunch of QPs talking about Troy Trek) and sharing that bit of advice. I guess SF_BHT (a QP talking from experience) who posed the same thing 9 days before you just wouldn't have gotten the point across.

Hopefully you can find another thread where a candidate/potential candidtate is getting a little mentoring from a QP and jump right in! Don't be shy!