05-16-2011, 19:13
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#1
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Asset
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 10
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Essential reading for those interested in SF
I am unsure whether to post this in this section or in the Library area. The Library doesn't have a lot of threads in there, so since I feel like this area gets more traffic I decided it might be a better idea to post this in here.
What are some good things to read for someone who is interested in Special Forces? I have read a number of books on the SF community already, however I was wondering what books you guys (specifically QPs, but anyone else who knows good books) recommend for guys like me who want to earn our way into the community.
If I posted this is the wrong area, I apologize in advance.
Thanks!
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THE_Onus is offline
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05-16-2011, 19:24
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#2
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
Posts: 24,780
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More searching young Jedi.
Multiple threads on this topic already.
TR
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"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910
De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2025
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The Reaper is offline
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05-16-2011, 19:30
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#3
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NorCal
Posts: 15,370
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Might wanna work your way through the "What are you reading now?" thread in the Library forum...but that's just a hunch. 
Richard 
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“Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whisky bottle in the hand of (another)… There are just some kind of men who – who’re so busy worrying about the next world they’ve never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.” - To Kill A Mockingbird (Atticus Finch)
“Almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.” - Robert Heinlein
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Richard is offline
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05-16-2011, 19:32
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#4
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Asset
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 10
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I'll get right on that. Looks like I have to work on the SA a little more.
Thanks for the help!
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THE_Onus is offline
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05-16-2011, 22:58
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#5
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Illinois
Posts: 194
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There was nuthun' to read about SF in 1966.
I was offered the opportunity to go to group in 1967 and jumped at it.
It was understood that it would be a ride like no other-noexplanation given or asked for.
Just "Hell yes!"
WTF is it with all the youngsters wanting hand-holding, mentoring, a virtual tour, and a coloring book.
I would not want to be on a team made of such non self motivating dependent characters.
Automatic disqualification for even thinking such crapola when I'm King.
__________________
Mike
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Mike is offline
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05-16-2011, 23:34
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#6
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Asset
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 10
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It's not so much that we want our hands to be held. I think today in this "life is a video game first person shooter" generation, it's hard to get an uncensored view of what life in the groups is like. Many of my friends couldn't even comprehend what life in SF is like. They think it's all like the UBL raid. Every night is a helicopter raid into some random country that's harboring the most wanted man in the world.. I know, or at least I think I understand, that life in SF isn't always glamourous.
I don't want my hand to be held. I'm just a student of history. It has been said that history is doomed to repeat itself. I don't want to be the guy in charge of the next Op. Red Wings. One day, I want everyone entrusted in my command to come back alive. I know it's out of my control, but I want to know/do everything I can.
Please don't take this as disrespectful in any way, shape, or form. I just hate being categorized as:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike
youngsters wanting hand-holding, mentoring, a virtual tour, and a coloring book.
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or
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike
non self motivating dependent characters.
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I am not one of them. I'm just ashamed I made a fool out of myself by coming across as unmotivated and naive.
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THE_Onus is offline
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05-17-2011, 00:07
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#7
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Georgetown, SC
Posts: 4,204
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike
There was nuthun' to read about SF in 1966.
I was offered the opportunity to go to group in 1967 and jumped at it.
It was understood that it would
be a ride like no other-noexplanation given or asked for.
Just "Hell yes!"
WTF is it with all the youngsters wanting hand-holding, mentoring, a virtual tour, and a coloring book.
I would not want to be on a team made of such non self motivating dependent characters.
Automatic disqualification for even thinking such crapola when I'm King.
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My oft-stated sentiments exactly! I vote for Mike as King!!
I didn't know much about SF when the offer was made to me. I'd read the book, seen the movie, learned from two SF officers at the UofM's Army ROTC, as well as some SF troops from 11th and 20th, but I had NO real idea of what it took, or how you got there. All I knew is that I wanted it.
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"I took a different route from most and came into Special Forces..." - Col. Nick Rowe
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ZonieDiver is offline
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05-17-2011, 00:12
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#8
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Pacific North West
Posts: 89
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Quote:
Originally Posted by THE_Onus
I am not one of them. I'm just ashamed I made a fool out of myself by coming across as unmotivated and naive.
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No, you did not come across as unmotivated. You just revealed your lack of research techniques. There’s nothing wrong with finding out what you are about to get into. I sure as hell would not want a guy on my team who has not realized what he signed up for. But you have to do your part and research... Use the tools you have at your finger tips.
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BRAVO-SMASH is offline
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05-17-2011, 06:11
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#9
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NorCal
Posts: 15,370
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike
There was nuthun' to read about SF in 1966.
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Robin Moore's The Green Berets was printed in 1965 and actually gives a pretty good idea of what SF life was like then.
There were also several National Geographic articles in 1965 and 1966 on life in SF at A-Camps among the Montagnards.
Life magazine also had an article in 1966 on A-726's 1965 defense of Nam Dong in I Corps and CPT Roger Donlon's subsequent receiving of the MOH for his actions there - the first awarded in RVN and the first awarded to an SF soldier.
But I agree, even if there were books and articles giving readers a pretty good view of what SF life was like, there certainly weren't any 'how to' books on SF back then.
Richard
__________________
“Sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whisky bottle in the hand of (another)… There are just some kind of men who – who’re so busy worrying about the next world they’ve never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.” - To Kill A Mockingbird (Atticus Finch)
“Almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so.” - Robert Heinlein
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Richard is offline
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05-17-2011, 06:51
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#10
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: 18 yrs upstate NY, 30 yrs South Florida, 20 yrs Conch Republic, now chasing G-Kids in NOVA & UK
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard
There were also several National Geographic articles in 1965 and 1966 on life in SF at A-Camps among the Montagnards.
Richard |
It was a time of confusion, for some..
It was a lot work for others..
 
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Go raibh tú leathuair ar Neamh sula mbeadh a fhios ag an diabhal go bhfuil tú marbh
"May you be a half hour in heaven before the devil knows you’re dead"
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JJ_BPK is offline
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05-17-2011, 06:59
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#11
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RIP Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: The Ozarks
Posts: 10,072
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"The Five Fingers" by Gayle Rivers
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"There you go, again." Ronald Reagan
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Dusty is offline
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05-17-2011, 07:39
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#12
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Asset
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BRAVO-SMASH
But you have to do your part and research... Use the tools you have at your finger tips.
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Roger that, Bravo. I'll dig around a little longer next time.
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THE_Onus is offline
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05-17-2011, 08:03
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#13
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Quiet Professional (RIP)
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Carriere,Ms.
Posts: 6,922
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Like most of the old timers here I had nothing to help me regarding SF...... I strongly suggest you get your hands on "Get Selected for Special Forces" by Major Joe Martin..... Wish I would have read it before going SF,it would have helped a lot......
Big Teddy
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I believe that SF is a 'calling' - not too different from the calling missionaries I know received. I knew instantly that it was for me, and that I would do all I could to achieve it. Most others I know in SF experienced something similar. If, as you say, you HAVE searched and read, and you do not KNOW if this is the path for you --- it is not....
Zonie Diver
SF is a calling and it requires commitment and dedication that the uninitiated will never understand......
Jack Moroney
SFA M-2527, Chapter XXXVII
Last edited by greenberetTFS; 05-17-2011 at 08:18.
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greenberetTFS is offline
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05-17-2011, 08:07
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#14
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RIP Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: The Ozarks
Posts: 10,072
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"Earn Your 18B Certificate Online in 3 Days!" by J. Bryant is a time-saver.
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"There you go, again." Ronald Reagan
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Dusty is offline
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05-17-2011, 08:53
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#15
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Asset
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by greenberetTFS
Like most of the old timers here I had nothing to help me regarding SF...... I strongly suggest you get your hands on "Get Selected for Special Forces" by Major Joe Martin..... Wish I would have read it before going SF,it would have helped a lot......
Big Teddy |
I found that one on the forum! It's on my list of books to get along with: Chosen Soldier by Dick Couch and The Five Fingers by Gayle Rivers
Last edited by THE_Onus; 05-17-2011 at 09:54.
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THE_Onus is offline
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