smaller guys

jjames83 · 04-26-2007, 23:32

Is it possible for a smaller guy to make it through sfas. I can pull my own weight (ie. i'm good on pushups and pull ups), but i'm just concerned I might be passed over because I can't lift as much as someone whose 6'' 200lbs. I don't need to know specific events, I'm just wondering if I would have a fighting chance. I can ruck with 50lbs on my back all day but I can't deny i'd have a harder time rucking 100lbs seeing as how i weight 130.

Prester John · 04-26-2007, 23:38

I went through all of Phase I at 145 pounds, and I'm pretty positive I lost weight during SUT. When I walked out of Phase II I was a stunning 132 pounds. I now weigh 180 and my joints are giving me problems, go figure.

From what I've seen, small guys have an easier time in a lot of ways. The job isn't ALL rucking. Always remember it's not the size of the dog that counts...

**Eagle5US** · 04-27-2007, 00:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjames83

Is it possible for a smaller guy to make it through sfas. I can pull my own weight (ie. i'm good on pushups and pull ups), but i'm just concerned I might be passed over because I can't lift as much as someone whose 6'' 200lbs. I don't need to know specific events, I'm just wondering if I would have a fighting chance. I can ruck with 50lbs on my back all day but I can't deny i'd have a harder time rucking 100lbs seeing as how i weight 130.

You're probably right. SF routinely discriminates against soldiers due to their size and completely neglects their ability and demonstrated potential during SFAS and the Q-course.
Since your performance obviously won't be an issue, go ahead and quit now. No sense in putting yourself through the pain of training and the subsequent embarrassment on day 2 of SFAS when they line everyone up by height and kick all the short people out. Even if you survived THAT cut, day three they place everyone in line by weight and kick everyone out who weighs less than 150 so you are already done either way.

SF is for self starters and self motivators. People who can get the job done if they are the only one left. If you want nudges, attaboys, and assurances regarding something you haven't even started yet, then you are already finished.

There is a lot of mentoring for future SF soldiers that goes on within these threads...but there is very little handholding.

Eagle

JGarcia · 04-27-2007, 02:47

Ephialtes, from thigh to neck. They can't use you...

...joking.

**Team Sergeant** · 04-27-2007, 06:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle5US

If you want nudges, attaboys, and assurances regarding something you haven't even started yet, then you are already finished.

There is a lot of mentoring for future SF soldiers that goes on within these threads...but there is very little handholding.

Eagle

Well said.

I was 145 when I went through and I was not the smallest guy.

If you are looking for excuses not to try, you're doing fine.

SF training is not for the weak of heart or the weak minded.

Team Sergeant

**Jack Moroney (RIP)** · 04-27-2007, 08:34

Now how much do you think these little guys weighed? They not only carried more than their weight, they did so under a whole lot more duress than you are going to go through in SFAS. Change you mind set from being a small troop to one that is just wound up tight.

bluebb · 04-27-2007, 09:35

I once had a Viet Nam era Special Forces soldier tell me he wouldn't want someone my size (5' 11" 3/4 and 220 lbs.) on his team as I was to damn big to carry if I got shot

I guess it really only depands on the size of your heart.

Blue

**The Reaper** · 04-27-2007, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Moroney

Now how much do you think these little guys weighed? They not only carried more than their weight, they did so under a whole lot more duress than you are going to go through in SFAS. Change you mind set from being a small troop to one that is just wound up tight.

Bear in mind that the gringo in back with no neck is not exactly tall.

We had a Captain go through SFAS a few years back. He was barely 5'2" and probably weighed 130 lbs., soaking wet.

He was brilliant, had a heart about ten times larger than normal, spoke seven languages as he grew up in a refugee camp in Thailand, made good decisions, and his peers loved him. He did not understand the workd "quit" though. His teammates helped him when they could (like log drills, where he could barely reach it) because they wanted him on a team with them. That Captain could always find a way.

The smallest man in my infantry platoon was a little Saipanese guy. He was the only one in the platoon who humped a ruck heavier than mine. He went on to become an outstanding SF NCO and moved on to a special mission unit. The TS may know him.

One of the toughest guys on my ODA was an 18C who was 5'9" or so and maybe 135 lbs. That man was as hard as woodpecker lips. He would hump a ruck as heavy as anyone else on the team, and would fight at the drop of a hat. NDD knows exactly who I am talking about.

Yes, it is harder for a small guy to hump a heavy load. It is not impossible, and those who are lean, mean, and dedicated to the cause can make it. Those who doubt themselves will not.

TR

TitratetoEffect · 04-27-2007, 13:28

TR, I know the Captian that you are referring to and happens to be a good friend of mine. He is one awesome individual and pound for pound one of the strongest guys I know. On our infil into Sage his ruck was 90lbs. On a 130 +/- lb guy that is some serious strength!

Phil

Daver · 04-29-2007, 04:23

I don't know....aren't all SF guys 6'0" tall and weigh 190? If you have that much self doubt that you would ask that question here, maybe you should re-evaluate.

BMT (RIP) · 04-29-2007, 05:54

I think Fred Zabitosky best described an SF man. "Sir, I have confidence in myself, my men and my training."

After the awards ceremony Nixon took Zab into a small room for a chat.
Nixon said "you are not 7' tall or weigh 200 lbs, you are no different from anyone else in the other room."

BMT

blue02hd · 04-29-2007, 08:18

jjames,,,

Since you asked "I'm just wondering if I would have a fighting chance."

Doesn't look good man, I wouldn't try it. You could get hurt. They may even make fun of you. It really isn't all that it's cracked up to be. Be safe, and don't risk it.

jjames83 · 04-29-2007, 09:53

thank you for your responses

lksteve · 04-29-2007, 10:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daver

I don't know....aren't all SF guys 6'0" tall and weigh 190?

apparently, i didn't get the memo...i made it through training group at 5'7" and 135lbs...it kinda sucked, but it the big guys didn't seem to be having that much fun, either...

later, in Alpini School, (having grown to an adult height of 5'8") i noticed our big guys had a little more difficulty at 11,000-15,781 feet MSL....

of course, if you don't think you can make it, you are right...if you don't worry about how big you are and just tend to you knitting, you probably will...

Daver · 04-29-2007, 11:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjames83

thank you for your responses

Look, get some thick skin. Every QP here has seen it, done it, and/or is still doing it. If you're not confident enough in your own abilities, than maybe SF isn't for you. When I came into SF 20 years ago, I was the shortest guy in the SFQC at the time.....in fact, I've always been the shortest SF guy I know. Anyone here who knows me can back that up. My answer is "Big Deal"...no pun intended, but who cares how tall or short you are? We care about heart, guts, intelligence, and a guy who will always give 100%, 100% of the time to his team. Trust me, being short is no excuse...you'll get no slack here!
Good luck