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Old 12-08-2015, 14:10   #1
Team Sergeant
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Originally Posted by Dobi84 View Post
I get his commitment issuses but why would age be a factor. I'm 31 and in the best shape I've ever been in my entire life.
I love when people say "I'm (place age here usually between 30-50) and I'm in the best shape of my life!"

Good for you, what happened to 18-30? By the time I was 19 I was an animal and a killing machine.

By 23 I was a Special Forces animal and a more skilled killing machine.

At 39 I retired from the military. So you're going to start at 31 and maybe, maybe make it to a team as an E-5 by the time you're say 34?

Good luck with that. Can't wait to hear the 20 year old SF Staff Sergeant calling you grandpa.
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Old 12-08-2015, 15:56   #2
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Originally Posted by Team Sergeant View Post
I love when people say "I'm (place age here usually between 30-50) and I'm in the best shape of my life!"

Good for you, what happened to 18-30? By the time I was 19 I was an animal and a killing machine.

By 23 I was a Special Forces animal and a more skilled killing machine.

At 39 I retired from the military. So you're going to start at 31 and maybe, maybe make it to a team as an E-5 by the time you're say 34?

Good luck with that. Can't wait to hear the 20 year old SF Staff Sergeant calling you grandpa.
You forgot to say, at 36 I was a broken shell of my former self just pushing myself to accomplish the mission. The missions, the falls, the jumps, the weight of the ever decreasing 100 pounds of lightweight equipment still weighed 100 pounds.

I went into SF at 25ish after being in the Infanrty for eight years, I was in good shape, by 31 I was in great shape, 33 "best shape of my life," after that it was one injury at a time and I learned and accepted that as I got older I didn't heal as fast, didn't bounce as well.

Knowing what I and most of us know, there is a "prime time" for being in SF. If you can't keep up there is a time to go find another job. That's a hard pill to swallow but must be...the mission comes first. They only keep the broken old guys around to impart knowledge and wisdom on the next generation. If you're just an old guy without knowledge and wisdom of SF's mission you're not of very much value.

I didn't marry until I knew my career was nearly over, didn't have a child until after retirement, right now and back then it was 100% Army, 110% SF, there were no competing interests. Today my son is 100% of my interest and everything from marriage to job is only a way of supporting that.

So ask yourself, what do you have to offer, how long can you give, and are you truly doing this for country, duty and honor of your brothers?

SF has a very high divorce rate of those that had a strong marriage because choices are made, and those that make those choices are better or worse for it. Ultimately, it's the children who suffer a selfish father or a mother with misplaced loyalties. For the families who make it work I've never seen a stronger bond and level of devotion and pride in the accomplishments of their children. Many boys who follow in their father's footsteps becoming men who will make the same sacrifice they hated as youngsters. Oh, and daughters that go on to outstanding achievements of their own.

Good luck in your choice, but make it for all the right reasons.
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Last edited by Old Dog New Trick; 12-08-2015 at 19:57.
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Old 12-08-2015, 19:12   #3
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I have learned an enormous amount about the 'total equation' from this thread and all of the input.
For some reason, my initial thought process for joining involved;

TRY OUT FOR SF
BE OF SERVICE

I was clearly leaving out who will have me after the Army is done with me. I now know why my plan was 'woefully' incomplete.

As far as commitment, marriage never meant to me what it is supposed to be. I now understand, that is incorrect.

Thank you again for the replies, the advice has done more than you know.
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Old 12-08-2015, 20:27   #4
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TRY OUT FOR SF
BE OF SERVICE
First learn to be a good man to those you are responsible for... then a good American.

You need not be a Special Forces soldier to be a "great" American. There are millions of great Americans that never served in the military.
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Old 12-08-2015, 21:46   #5
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Why are all of these non QP's answering questions in the SF Questions threads. Please read the stickies and follow the rules!!!!
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Old 12-09-2015, 04:27   #6
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Thank you QP for all your words of wisdom and advice. I still feel a strong pulling and desire, if not more than ever now, to tryout for SF. My only problem was failing to include my family into that equation.

Team Sergeant

Right now I can only hope & pray that I'm even fortunate enough, to be graced with a spot on a team, and be called "grandpa". Until then I'll keep on keeping on training, training, training, smartly of course.
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Old 12-14-2015, 15:06   #7
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Originally Posted by SF_BHT View Post
Why are all of these non QP's answering questions in the SF Questions threads. Please read the stickies and follow the rules!!!!

I believe we might be speaking a different language than the non-QP's... Nah, we're clearly speaking the lingua franca of this country, for the current time, at least. Maybe they don't teach reading comprehension anymore, or they're all special snowflakes who have rules that only others have to obey?


Clearly, I seem to be as confused as you, I wonder why?
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Old 12-14-2015, 16:11   #8
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I remember when at least one divorce was a not so whimsical requirement for SF.

Being in a 11 year non matrimonial relationship with a kid and another on the way is pretty fucked up and says a lot.

Do yourself and SF a favor and deal with your life in a responsible matter.

I would not like you at my back.
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