Just Qualifying For Special Forces Training Is A Highly Selective Process
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/...n1642067.shtml
Making The Cut
FORT BRAGG, N.C., May 22, 2006
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(CBS) It's the lightest load these soldiers will carry all day: 65 pounds, counting water and weapon. Then add ammo crates and a water drum to be hauled down — and up — a road of soft sand.
"It's a lot of weight," says soldier No. 232. "It's real tough."
CBS News National Security correspondent David Martin reports that No. 232, who's 19 and new to the Army, is one of 3,200 soldiers who this year will try to make the cut to qualify for Special Forces training at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Another hopeful, No. 489 — CBS News was asked not to use any names — has been in the Army for nine years and has seen combat in Iraq.
He finds the training a challenge, too.
"It's pretty hard," he says. "These kids are half my age. Some of them are 18. It's challenging to keep up with them. I'm doing my best."
Since 9/11, the Army has nearly tripled the number of Special Forces soldiers it turns out each year. These troops are on day 15 of a year-long course. Most of them won't make it to the end.
It's one challenge after another. This time, they must carry three doomed "pilots" — duffle bags filled with sand — on makeshift litters. Add it up and each soldier is carrying 150 pounds. It's not just grueling — it's brutal.
What begins as a march … soon turns into a stagger.
Three soldiers serve as "floaters," stepping in to take the load from someone about to go down. When they stop to rest, the wait to have the burden lifted is as excruciating as the march. Teamwork starts to crumble.
No. 489 is feeling every one of his 36 years. No. 178 no longer seems to realize that's a rifle he's carrying. No one tells him what he's doing wrong, but you can be sure that the sergeant who is grading him will mark it down.
"They're here to see what we can do on our own," says No. 489.
No. 232 is about to buckle. But one of the sergeants deciding who makes the cut says this is about more than just physical strength.
"Even though he's a little weak," Sgt. Major Dave Randall says, "he has good persistence, which to me is really important. I can't train that."
No. 232 makes it to the end of the litter carry. So does No. 178, who says quitting was not an option.
"I never though about it," he says. "But I was sucking really bad. I'm never going to quit."
Martin says both would soon find out that they did not make the cut. No. 489 didn't know it yet, but he would. For now, all he was thinking about was whether his body could keep going.
It's still five miles back to camp, with those 65 pounds. All of the men finished the march, but only half would be chosen to begin the real training for Special Forces.
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