Professional Soldiers ® - View Single Post - What are you currently doing to prep for SFAS or SFRE

lab · 03-24-2013, 10:22

I would like to start out by saying that I greatly value and appreciate the information posted by the various QPs, SF Candidates, and some of the Assets on this online forum. Thank you all for taking the time and effort for helping future soldiers, like myself, gain insight and knowledge to assist us in our journey to become U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers.

A little background on myself: I am a 26 year old Medical Laboratory Technician, I am married to my high school sweetheart, we have been together over ten years in total, 7.5 of those married. I am also the proud father of my 14 month old daughter. I chose to join the U.S. Army in order to help protect and defend my country, and to be a part of something much larger and more important than myself. I specifically requested an 18X contract due to the nature of the Special Forces duties. I enjoy teaching, and I enjoy working with, through, and by others to help them achieve lasting greatness and security.

I will be the first to admit, I am no PT Stud. I am not the smartest, fastest, strongest, or the biggest man out there. I have never even been involved in a physical altercation, have always just been able to talk or joke my way out of them on the very rare occasion that it has become an issue.

But I am "out here", giving my 125% every single day.

Personal/Financial Preparation:

Checked all 3 Credit Reporting Bureaus for accuracy and fixed any errors.

Studied for, and practiced my ASVAB test. (Scored a 94, with no line scores under 130)

We traded in both personal vehicles for one newer model for the wife to drive while I’m away.

Had an attorney create a Durable Power of Attorney and Will for myself.

Wife and daughter will be living with my in-laws while I’m away, which makes it safer for them, and easier on me since I can focus on my 25m target and not have to worry about them.

I have postponed my cellular contract, and bought a “Pay-as-you-go” type deal to take to BCT/OSUT.

I deleted my Facebook account, and any other online profiles.

I have been able to say my goodbyes to my close friends, colleagues, and relations. As it may be a long time before I can reconnect with them personally.

Established my wife as my “Point of Contact” for anyone to get in touch with me, and she can disseminate all news or information to anyone relevant for me.

Mental Preparation:

I have bought, read, and re-read on a monthly basis: “Get Selected”, “Chosen Soldier”, “Masters of Chaos”, “A Letter for Garcia”, ”Monkey Management”, “Sun Tzu’s: The Art of War”, “Ranger Handbook”, “Slow Burn”, and “The Reaper’s Thread: Tips for the SF Student”.

I have taken advantage of all the U.S. Army online training available to me.

I have attended all the Future Soldier Training sessions at the local station that my schedule allows.

I have had the pleasure of being able to converse with a few current QPs, and some selected SF Candidates about what I can do now, and what to expect later on. Many thanks to those of you who have helped me out there!

Adopted the “Cast or Tab!” mentality.

It was strongly suggested to me to be "THE MAN" at everything I do, whether it be scrubbing latrines, setting up claymores, or taking a whiz. Be "THE MAN" at whatever task is assigned to you, even if you think it is stupid or menial, accomplish the task like your career depended on it.

Since I have worked two full time jobs for the last 3.5 years, I have had to deal with 60+ hours without meaningful sleep every now and then, and have learned to deal with rude and/or obnoxious people, or co-workers, while maintaining good interpersonal skills and focus. I have heard this will be useful, especially during “Team Week.”

Physical Preperation:

Upon enlistment, I abandoned all dietary supplements (With the one exception being Whey Protein for muscle recovery)

Utilized the diet outlined in “Slow Burn”, with some minor modifications.

I used a LICENSED physical trainer to show me how to properly weight lift with good form. A hard learned lesson from me: At first, I thought I could just watch YouTube videos, MTNathlete instructional videos, and workout with my friends to show me on how to lift, but after I caused a nerve impingement in my left shoulder due to doing things the way I thought, I had about a two-month setback in my training results, and it still bothers me every now and then.

I have used the “USAJFKSWCS Thor” programs with decent success, I have had to substitute certain days for others due to weather or work scheduling conflicts, but overall I have followed the program as written.

I have been using “Tuf-Foot” solution on my feet and hands. It does work well for me.

I have had the advantage of regular, strict APFTs from my Future Soldier leaders to give me an idea of where I am, and what I can do better.

I do apologize for the long post. These are the main points that I have been doing to help myself achieve my goal of become a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier. There are many caveats, and “nitty-gritty” details of what else I am doing on a daily basis. Please PM me if you have any questions or concerns about my preparation regimen.

Again, I would like to thank every one on this forum who has assisted me in bettering myself, and helping to shape me into a decent 18X candidate.

All said and done, I have had every advantage in my journey to become a Green Beret. If I were to fail, it would be no one’s fault but my own. I know this, and I will not let my family, my fellow soldiers, and myself down.

Eyes on that 25m target. I will not fail.

Less posting, more PT.

03-24-2013, 10:22	#297
lab SF Candidate Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Midwest, USA Posts: 5	OSUT, BAC, SOPC, and SFAS Prep. I would like to start out by saying that I greatly value and appreciate the information posted by the various QPs, SF Candidates, and some of the Assets on this online forum. Thank you all for taking the time and effort for helping future soldiers, like myself, gain insight and knowledge to assist us in our journey to become U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers. A little background on myself: I am a 26 year old Medical Laboratory Technician, I am married to my high school sweetheart, we have been together over ten years in total, 7.5 of those married. I am also the proud father of my 14 month old daughter. I chose to join the U.S. Army in order to help protect and defend my country, and to be a part of something much larger and more important than myself. I specifically requested an 18X contract due to the nature of the Special Forces duties. I enjoy teaching, and I enjoy working with, through, and by others to help them achieve lasting greatness and security. I will be the first to admit, I am no PT Stud. I am not the smartest, fastest, strongest, or the biggest man out there. I have never even been involved in a physical altercation, have always just been able to talk or joke my way out of them on the very rare occasion that it has become an issue. But I am "out here", giving my 125% every single day. Personal/Financial Preparation: Checked all 3 Credit Reporting Bureaus for accuracy and fixed any errors. Studied for, and practiced my ASVAB test. (Scored a 94, with no line scores under 130) We traded in both personal vehicles for one newer model for the wife to drive while I’m away. Had an attorney create a Durable Power of Attorney and Will for myself. Wife and daughter will be living with my in-laws while I’m away, which makes it safer for them, and easier on me since I can focus on my 25m target and not have to worry about them. I have postponed my cellular contract, and bought a “Pay-as-you-go” type deal to take to BCT/OSUT. I deleted my Facebook account, and any other online profiles. I have been able to say my goodbyes to my close friends, colleagues, and relations. As it may be a long time before I can reconnect with them personally. Established my wife as my “Point of Contact” for anyone to get in touch with me, and she can disseminate all news or information to anyone relevant for me. Mental Preparation: I have bought, read, and re-read on a monthly basis: “Get Selected”, “Chosen Soldier”, “Masters of Chaos”, “A Letter for Garcia”, ”Monkey Management”, “Sun Tzu’s: The Art of War”, “Ranger Handbook”, “Slow Burn”, and “The Reaper’s Thread: Tips for the SF Student”. I have taken advantage of all the U.S. Army online training available to me. I have attended all the Future Soldier Training sessions at the local station that my schedule allows. I have had the pleasure of being able to converse with a few current QPs, and some selected SF Candidates about what I can do now, and what to expect later on. Many thanks to those of you who have helped me out there! Adopted the “Cast or Tab!” mentality. It was strongly suggested to me to be "THE MAN" at everything I do, whether it be scrubbing latrines, setting up claymores, or taking a whiz. Be "THE MAN" at whatever task is assigned to you, even if you think it is stupid or menial, accomplish the task like your career depended on it. Since I have worked two full time jobs for the last 3.5 years, I have had to deal with 60+ hours without meaningful sleep every now and then, and have learned to deal with rude and/or obnoxious people, or co-workers, while maintaining good interpersonal skills and focus. I have heard this will be useful, especially during “Team Week.” Physical Preperation: Upon enlistment, I abandoned all dietary supplements (With the one exception being Whey Protein for muscle recovery) Utilized the diet outlined in “Slow Burn”, with some minor modifications. I used a LICENSED physical trainer to show me how to properly weight lift with good form. A hard learned lesson from me: At first, I thought I could just watch YouTube videos, MTNathlete instructional videos, and workout with my friends to show me on how to lift, but after I caused a nerve impingement in my left shoulder due to doing things the way I thought, I had about a two-month setback in my training results, and it still bothers me every now and then. I have used the “USAJFKSWCS Thor” programs with decent success, I have had to substitute certain days for others due to weather or work scheduling conflicts, but overall I have followed the program as written. I have been using “Tuf-Foot” solution on my feet and hands. It does work well for me. I have had the advantage of regular, strict APFTs from my Future Soldier leaders to give me an idea of where I am, and what I can do better. I do apologize for the long post. These are the main points that I have been doing to help myself achieve my goal of become a U.S. Army Special Forces soldier. There are many caveats, and “nitty-gritty” details of what else I am doing on a daily basis. Please PM me if you have any questions or concerns about my preparation regimen. Again, I would like to thank every one on this forum who has assisted me in bettering myself, and helping to shape me into a decent 18X candidate. All said and done, I have had every advantage in my journey to become a Green Beret. If I were to fail, it would be no one’s fault but my own. I know this, and I will not let my family, my fellow soldiers, and myself down. Eyes on that 25m target. I will not fail. Less posting, more PT. Last edited by lab; 03-24-2013 at 10:30.
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