Here are the questions and answers from both gentlemen.
*For the sake of anonymity, #1 will refer to soldier one, and #2 will refer to soldier 2.*
What can I do to best prepare myself for the physical aspects of SF?
#1: Play to your strengths. When I went to Selection I was 5' 11' and 145 soaking wet. I knew I wasn't the strongest guy there, but I knew I was one of the better runners. So before Selection, I upped my long distance running training and got 15-30 seconds FASTER than the recommended time. That way, if the distances exceeded what I was prepared for, I would still be able to keep an above average pace. You're not racing other guys, you're racing a standard.
#2: It really is a matter of endurance. You don't have to be the fastest sprinter, but you need to be able to finish early no matter what the distance is. Training for that is hard since you don't know the distances or the required pace. My training method was this; every week, increase your ruck weight by 10%. Do this for six weeks. On the seventh week, decrease your ruck weight by 50%. Then on the eight week, decrease by 75%. Ninth week, be back at the ruck weight that you began at, and start the whole nine week process over again. This is simply because your overuse injuries generally begin at the six to eight week mark. Your bones need time to become tighter and more compact, so decreasing the weight gives them this period of "rest" and avoids injury.
Most Important PERSONAL attribute for a prospective SF candidate?
#1: You need to be someone who is a team-player with ANYONE. You're going to meet some guys who you may never want to be friends with at Selection. But if they are on your team, then it is your job to work with them. Sometimes you need to be a cheerleader, and other times you need to be a leader. Just remain focused and always make the time limits set by the cadre; you're being judged to a standard for every event. During Team Week, you'll be in a group of twelve guys. Four of them may never be SF material. However, it's still your job to work with them and finish in the best possible time and manner. Let the cadre assess them.
#2: The number one attribute that I think makes a SF soldier is personal courage and honesty. It's what you do when no ones watching that defines who you are. It takes a man to accept responsibility for his actions, but that's the qualities that are needed in positions of leadership like SF. The way you represent yourself on your team and around your teammates will say a lot about the type of person you are.
What do you think the future role of SF is given the nature of the changing geopolitical climate and the assumption that asymmetric warfare will be the nature of future conflicts?
#1: SF will always be necessary. There are always little wars going on in little countries. The job of SF is training other soldiers, and building relationships with other nations. In my personal opinion, in the future we will see a shift to less direct action, and more building relationships with nations.
#2: Less direct action. During my SF career, many of our deployments would have been considered a failure if the situation had dissolved into one that required guns and firefights. It was our job to take care of the little situations so that the big situation never even happens.
Importance of Land Navigation/Ways to learn?
#1: Land navigation is ESSENTIAL! You should 100% get a early start if you are seriously considering a SF future. I learned all my Land Nav when I joined the military; however, one of the best ways to learn is to get a map and compass and just go out and start walking areas you know. Get familiar with terrain association and knowing the direction you are going. If you feel like you're shifting right, check your compass to see if you are correct. Also, local college ROTC groups hold Land Navigation classes that are open to the public. You do not have to be a member of ROTC to learn from them.
#2: Land Navigation is huge. You WILL be tested on this in Selection, and it WILL play a huge factor in your SF career if you do happen to be selected. I was lucky enough to have a mentor who took me under his wing and showed me the correct way to navigate. I relied too much on my compass and pace counts and this would cause me to miss the little things that were indicators that I was near my points. I made a shift from only doing pace counts to doing both pace counts and terrain association, and this saved me from walking extra kilometers. It's not a race either; I was usually the last to leave the starting area. Some guys would just look at their map, do a quick azimuth and move out. They usually ended up getting lost more then the guys who took their time to associate themselves with their grids and maps.
Opinion on college education/ Bachelors or MBA?
#1: When you're in college and you want to serve, it can be very tough. Half of your mind is telling you to drop out and go. Like you think you're going to miss out on the action. Looking back now, I am so glad I stayed in college. There are always going to be wars. Action is always going to be there. Your education is of the utmost importance. Don't risk losing a future career and additional education. Get your bachelors first, and then go from there.
What is your opinion on the 18X (X-Ray program)?
#2: I think it's a very good thing. We need more SF soldiers, and this is a way for people who are truly dedicated and interested to work their way into the SF world. However, with every dedicated person comes one who just wants to be lazy and doesn't know what they truly want. The 18X program has a high failure rate because it serves as a wake up call to those people who weren't ready for Selection, and I'm glad it does that. We need soldiers who aren't going to waste the Cadre's time and the government's resources.
Best MOS in relation to after Army work?
#1: I'm obviously a bit partial, but I have never regretted for one second becoming a medic. I did 30+ years with the Army. I was able to transition straight out, and into a position working with local hospitals as their Operations Officer. I always loved medicine and without my 18D training, the doors that opened for me may have remained shut.
#2: I was an 18D with the 7th SFG, and it was the best decision I made. I wasn't a door-kicker; I liked working with soldiers and helping them get better. When I finished my time with SF, I worked with the Warrior Transition Battalion, and that time spent with wounded soldiers helped me and my skills both grow. 27 years later and I'm still doing what I love here at Bragg.
Opinions on training schools (Scuba, HALO, Ranger)?
#2: I did my career backwards. I earned my Ranger tab when I was a 33 year old Lieutenant. This helped me. I was used to being hungry, I was used to being tired. My prior service is what made it possible for me to finish Ranger school as strong as I did. In regards to other training schools, I only did the schools that I needed to do in order to complete my missions. I went to Scuba school because I needed that school. I did HALO training because it was required of me. The downside is that once you have all these talents, people may request you for their missions simply because you possess the skills that others don't. So if that's your goal, then additional training schools open up a lot of doors.
That's all I really have. #2 gave me three reading materials that I will post links to below. I hope that people can gain insight from this and maybe use the information to answer any of their own questions. Both #1 and #2 were gentlemen, and I am extremely thankful and humbled by their dedication to helping young men like myself, and their service to their country.
A Message to Garcia: http://www.birdsnest.com/garcia.htm
The Art of War: http://classics.mit.edu/Tzu/artwar.html
Monkey Management: http://www.lce.com/pdfs/SPL_LP_Monkey_Management.pdf
If you have any questions, please PM me!
-G
Much to learn from these and you are gaining some good SA. Post some follow-up questions.
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