Trying out twice

Eli · 02-05-2009, 07:30

Gentlemen,

I went to the December class, and wasn't nearly as prepared as I thought I was. The bottom line is that I wasn't competiting well enough, and my mind got to me. I started to think that there was no way I was going to be selected if I was already in pain, and gowing slower on day six. With my mind thoroughly wrapped around that idea I VW'd.

My intent was to do a longer, harder training cycle this time around, and try again, but my paperwork says NTR. The SF recruiter told me that I can try again if I put in for a waiver.

I'm all about trying again. My question is should I go to Ranger school, or something like that to show my improvement, and dedication, or will just showing up again and giving it 100% be proof enough?

Thank you for your input.

SF_BHT · 02-05-2009, 07:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eli

Gentlemen,

I went to the December class, and wasn't nearly as prepared as I thought I was. The bottom line is that I wasn't competiting well enough, and my mind got to me. I started to think that there was no way I was going to be selected if I was already in pain, and gowing slower on day six. With my mind thoroughly wrapped around that idea I VW'd.

My intent was to do a longer, harder training cycle this time around, and try again, but my paperwork says NTR. The SF recruiter told me that I can try again if I put in for a waiver.

I'm all about trying again. My question is should I go to Ranger school, or something like that to show my improvement, and dedication, or will just showing up again and giving it 100% be proof enough?

Thank you for your input.

There is no Magic answer to this. You have two factors that hurt you. 1. Bring hurt and 2. Your mind set.

Doing the proper PT prep is all you can do prior to going again. Getting hurt is something you can not stop you can only prepare your body and if it is 200% shape you lessen the chance of injury.

Your mind is another thing. You have to condition your self and have the mind set that you can work through anything. Your mind is a thing that only you can condition. Your outlook and positive mind set can get you through the pain and I can attest through an injury.

RANGER School is not a must but it may be a good test for you to see how far you can go before you go back through selection. It is good training and it may give you some good experiences to help you with your mind set.

Just my 2 cents....
They can not Kill you and They can not Eat you at least I think so...

**Pete** · 02-05-2009, 07:57

You are not going anywhere unless your mind takes you.

A strong mind will carry a weak body farther that a strong body will carry a weak mind.

Read everything here.

**The Reaper** · 02-05-2009, 09:02

Quitting gets easier every time you do it. I have seen guys start the course with blisters covering nearly the entire soles of their feet, gut it out, give it their best, and get selected anyway. There have been guys with broken bones before Team Week who made it through. There have been guys who had their boots fall apart with a week or more to go who just 100mph taped them up, and drove on through the end. I am sure that everyone in your class was hurting, some probably a lot more than you. I would wager that quite a few of them stuck it out and were selected. If you want to be selected, you just have to set your mind to completion, and keep your head in the game.

Did you not get the message about not self-selecting, and letting the cadre do that for you?

I would not attempt SFAS again until I had complete confidence that I could do it, and resolved myself to being selected or being carried out on a stretcher.

Anything less is a waste of your time, and the cadre's.

Best of luck.

TR

**Team Sergeant** · 02-05-2009, 09:36

I would never allow anyone to return if they quit, but that's just me.
Is your SF recruiter "SF"?

If you''re looking for a pep talk from us you're better off visiting oprah.com or dr. phil.com.

On this board you will find "sympathy" right between "shit" and "syphilis".

Team Sergeant

koz · 02-05-2009, 10:08

Here's a good thread to start your reading.
Quitting is not taken lightly. You can be the most fit guy in SFAS but if your mind isn't there, you'll quit again.

http://professionalsoldiers.com/foru...ad.php?t=19966

Blitzzz (RIP) · 02-05-2009, 11:31

There is no second chance in combat. I, as a team Sgt would be very cautious if I found a person coming to me that was a first time quitter. No matter the pain the mission comes first and they should have had to dragged you out kicking and screaming. Pain and injury are part of the life style.
Don't go back to "try again" go back to win. Blitzzz

perdurabo · 02-05-2009, 12:13

I'm not a QP and never will be, but my two cents:

From what I've read about SF qual, it's not a picnic for anyone. I believe good ol' Team Sergeant posted a lengthy diary of someone going through the course. It's a great read and covers the young man's struggles poignantly.

My point is that with the right motivation and heart, you can grow from your experiences, and the experiences of others like you.

Never quit. In moments like these, your mind is your own worst enemy, remember that. It will lie, cheat, and steal from you if you don't keep it focused and busy.

EDIT: In fact, it was The Reaper and Basenshukai who made the posts I spoke of. They apparently cover Basenshukai's experiences. GREAT writing:

http://professionalsoldiers.com/foru...read.php?t=153
http://professionalsoldiers.com/foru...read.php?t=857

**Pete** · 02-05-2009, 13:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by perdurabo

I'm not a QP and never will be, but my two cents..

Your two cents don't belong in this thread.

Mack · 02-05-2009, 13:30

"I started to think that there was no way I was going to be selected..."

If you've put in the work to get yourself ready for selection, then you should be able to gut through the pain. Everybody's hurting during selection. Clearing the O course or carrying your weight in addition to moving "contraptions" isn't supposed to feel good. Hopefully, you've grown from your last experience, and IF, you're able to re-attend you won't quit on yourself. However, based on your SFAS history so far...

Good Luck

**The Reaper** · 02-05-2009, 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mack

"I started to think that there was no way I was going to be selected..."

If you've put in the work to get yourself ready for selection, then you should be able to gut through the pain. Everybody's hurting during selection. Clearing the O course or carrying your weight in addition to moving "contraptions" isn't supposed to feel good. Hopefully, you've grown from your last experience, and IF, you're able to re-attend you won't quit on yourself. However, based on your SFAS history so far...

Good Luck

Mack:

Sound advice, but before you jump in on these threads, you should probably follow the instructions to get vetted here.

TR

albeham · 02-06-2009, 09:31

Your mind set is weak.. its not in your heart. Then its not in your soul.

I have seen rangers quit , I have seen strong men quit on long long rainy dark nights with a 50 lbs ruck on there back cause of a weak mind .

You need to look into your soul to see if you really have it before you even think about heading back.

In the real world you can't quit , for not only that you quitting yourself, you are quitting the team, when that happens men can die.

**The Reaper** · 02-06-2009, 09:42

I have serious question here that may be of benefit.

How many QPs here VWed SFAS at least once?

There must be some, and they may have been good soldiers who had problems then.

What did you do to fix it for your next (successful) attempt?

Anyone care to share their personal story?

TR

Richard · 02-06-2009, 10:53

In 23 years I never knew anyone who VWed any phase of SFTG and returned. Injured, recycled, dropped...yes; VW...no. However, as TR stated, there must be a few who VWed for something like personal/family reasons and were granted a waiver to return.

Richard's $.02

koz · 02-06-2009, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

In 23 years I never knew anyone who VWed any phase of SFTG and returned. Injured, recycled, dropped...yes; VW...no. However, as TR stated, there must be a few who VWed for something like personal/family reasons and were granted a waiver to return.

Richard's $.02

I had a guy on my Phase 1 team that decided to leave when his grandmother died. Apparently she was more like his mother. We were all pretty surprised (and pissed) that he didn't even bother to tell us that he was leaving. He went back finished Phase 1 the next class.

I also had a Phase 3 teammate that had a wife that had an emergency surgery during the training before Robin Sage. He left for a day or two but came back. He's in 3rd GP now.