View Full Version : 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
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
Ephialtes, from thigh to neck. They can't use you... :D ...joking.
Team Sergeant
04-27-2007, 06:23
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.
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
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.:D
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! :lifter
Phil
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."
:munchin
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
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...
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
:munchin
It's the size of your heart that determines who you are. If you really want it, you can do most anything. When I was in Vietnam, the biggest guy on our team was the team sergeant...M/Sgt Charles Hogaland. At 190 pounds, we called him "Heavy Drop". He out-weighed the rest of us by a good 30+ pounds!
God whispers in your soul and speaks to your mind.
Sometimes when you don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at you.
It's your choice: Listen to the whisper, or wait for the brick.
Now thats funny....true but funny!
Monsoon65
04-29-2007, 20:18
We had a short guy at TACP school. High School wrestler. Great guy and tough.
There was a curve in the road when we were doing our run that always filled with water. The instructors would chant, "Scuba, scuba" and we'd be doing pushups in it.
Well, the short guy, while in the front leaning rest, would have to turn his head really far to be able to breath. At the down command, I think he practically floated away.
x SF med
05-01-2007, 07:13
jjames-
Listen to my brother QPs, A great number of us went through the course below 6' (and stayed there) and were not even eligible to fight lightweight - more like flyweight - and look, we did it. Self doubt is what's gonna stop you, period.
Being short does have its advantages.
Less Slaps in SERE school :D
blue02hd
05-01-2007, 08:15
7624U,
Perfect post, I even flinched after reading it.
Also, short skinny guys can hide behind the ranks to the front, unless of course your in the front rank.
"Post more quicklier,,,,"
Lol, I love this thread,,,
bosljeff
05-05-2007, 20:21
I agree with what everyone has said, but here is my perspective from the other extreme of the physical stature spectrum: I am 6'6" and go between 255 and 260 and I'm not a fat guy either.
Yeah, rucking with a pack that weighs half as much as me is more appealing than a ruck that weighs as much as me, but when it comes to running, I hate every second of it.
I think there is a perfect medium. I have learned it is all about endurance and strength to weight ratio not so much the appearance.
Be happy, you can blend because sometimes being the grey man is hard when you are a foot taller than everyone else.
And in regards to SERE, I am constantly told by graduates, TACs and cadre that they will love me.
Other than that, just bust your ass and don't quit. Think too much and you'll lose your mind. Focus on the things you can control, change what you can and drive on.
Good luck.
I agree with what everyone has said, but here is my perspective from the other extreme of the physical stature spectrum: I am 6'6" and go between 255 and 260 and I'm not a fat guy either.
Yeah, rucking with a pack that weighs half as much as me is more appealing than a ruck that weighs as much as me, but when it comes to running, I hate every second of it.
I think there is a perfect medium. I have learned it is all about endurance and strength to weight ratio not so much the appearance.
Be happy, you can blend because sometimes being the grey man is hard when you are a foot taller than everyone else.
And in regards to SERE, I am constantly told by graduates, TACs and cadre that they will love me.
Other than that, just bust your ass and don't quit. Think too much and you'll lose your mind. Focus on the things you can control, change what you can and drive on.
Good luck.
When I was in Ranger school, us less tall guys loved you less short guys....you're right, it's hard to hide when you're a foot taller than the rest of us.....the RI's never saw us standing there behind you!
:D
bosljeff
05-05-2007, 21:04
I actually have several butt-head friends that can always be found behind me in formation. Never fails too-it is always on a day details are being handed out.
Team Sergeant
05-06-2007, 08:18
We had a 6'9" or 6'10" Norwegian on my team, SR Weapons Sgt then became our team sergeant. (I'm sure some of you SF'ers know him.)
We always told him that if we were ever in combat and he was wounded we would leave him all our grenades, spare mag's and put him in for a nice valor medal, cause we were not going to carry him out!
TS
jjames83
05-06-2007, 08:32
I appreciate all of your input (seriously). Being lambasted helped me to realize I was looking at this the wrong way. Sometimes we need a slap in the face to get ourselves straight. I'm motivated and dedicated, yet I understand that isn't enough. You have to be confident (without being cocky) and capable to function in the SF environment.
My head is back where it needs to be, I promise you won't get any more comments like this from me.
Thanks to everyone for all comments be they critical, advisory or indifferent.
Monsoon65
05-24-2007, 20:13
We had a 6'9" or 6'10" Norwegian on my team, SR Weapons Sgt then became our team sergeant. (I'm sure some of you SF'ers know him.)
We always told him that if we were ever in combat and he was wounded we would leave him all our grenades, spare mag's and put him in for a nice valor medal, cause we were not going to carry him out!
TS
Now that's tall.
We have a few guys in my section that are either tall, muscular, or both. I said that if we get shot down, I hope I'm not the guy that's going to have to carry them to the helicopter, because I'll probably get a hernia.
The Reaper
05-24-2007, 20:15
We had a 6'9" or 6'10" Norwegian on my team, SR Weapons Sgt then became our team sergeant. (I'm sure some of you SF'ers know him.)
We always told him that if we were ever in combat and he was wounded we would leave him all our grenades, spare mag's and put him in for a nice valor medal, cause we were not going to carry him out!
TS
He was at the ceremony today.
Looked well, said hello.
TR
Being short does have its advantages.
Less Slaps in SERE school :D
If memory serves me, I do believe W-M might disagree with you. :)
Surgicalcric
05-27-2007, 15:43
If memory serves me, I do believe W-M might disagree with you. :)
I will disagree as well. I am pretty sure my short ass was next in line after the SRO/SRE combo... ;) I was told I just have one of those "hit me" faces...
Crip
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.
I didn't know Shrek was in Vietnam;)
Sir, have you ever thought of starting a thread with your favorite pics? My dad finally sent me all of his personal WWII photos. When I get back I want to scan them for preservation. Ill post some on here. The personal ones that never make it into books, are usually the best.