Surviving the cut - Page 2

Dragbag036 · 08-19-2010, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSB

Since when did the Ranger School start wearing life vests for the rope drop?
And install a cute little OSHA approved cage for the ladder to the top? With steel handrails?

I guess about time somebody pulled the barbed wire out from under the (now-called) Nasty Nick.
And added hockey helmets, and safety glasses.

Yeah, wasn't like the olden days ...

And why were they not shaking the crap out of the Log Walk, Rope Drop, etc...I remember all of us being on that ladder from bottom to top waiting for the jackass in front to move out "kiss my tab Ranger"

Ewok · 08-19-2010, 20:23

My husband and I watched this last night. From a purely I've-never-been-there-or-done-that point of view it was entertaining and interesting. I grew up in the shadow of Yonah and camping in the National Forest around Merril. It's always interesting to see home.
Thank you all for this thread!

boots1933 · 09-01-2010, 20:58

Next weeks "Surviving the Cut" (Sept 08) is about Combat Dive School. The preview/trailer specifically stated Ranger and Green Beret participants so I figured I'd post it here for those who may be interested.

Have a relaxing Labor Day everyone.

~ND

Maytime · 09-01-2010, 22:01

One of my buddies was present during the filming of one of the shows, and he said, "I never liked seeing the Discovery Channel folks because it meant something bad was about to happen."

CSB · 09-02-2010, 15:50

Yeah, and there was snow every day, and the rain when it wasn't snowing, that's the ticket; and when it wasn't snowing or raining it was 100 degrees and Heat Category IV, and our rucks weighted 60, no 70, no 80 pounds -- did I say pounds? I mean kilograms.

09-08-2010, 23:55

Just watched the SF Combat Dive cource episode, (class 03-10), happy to report, it was well done. The level of professionalism by the cadre and students alike, no surprise there. Hats off to the few who reported only days after returning from Iraq and A-stan.

I sleep better knowing my younger brothers have tonights watch, thanks fellas, God bless you and your families.

Wet Dog

Last hard class · 09-09-2010, 00:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by wet dog

The level of professionalism by the cadre and students alike, no surprise there.

Concur.

Things have certainly changed since I went through. Mostly for the better from what I saw. We didn't have our hands and feet tied back then. And that pool is ginormous! I got a little uncomfortable just watching those guys.

Tying it all together with the mission was awesome.

The little lady had a hard time picturing me in size 29 UDT shorts.

LHC

SFSalRet08 · 09-09-2010, 03:31

Yes, I also just caught a gimps of the Combat Dive episode (3-10). MSG Reed and I had entered SF together. I was fortunate to have him there reading my farewell at my retirement ceremony out of Special Forces Underwater Operations (SFUWO), Key West, Florida. The show did really well showing future combat divers what they are in for. See that episode had me missing the days as a SFUWO dive instructor. Every year since I have retired (which has not been that long) I return to Key West to see the school, buddies, and catch a class going through. Great job guys! Keep them combat divers coming. The lard day way yesterday!

SF_BHT · 09-09-2010, 03:54

Missed it due to work. If anyone finds it posted onthe web let me know.......

Glad to hear they did a good job covering the course....

SFSalRet08 · 09-09-2010, 05:11

SF_BHT,
I have been watching it on uTube, and discover.com. Give it a look. Just put in Surviving the Cut in the search box.

Happy hunting

SFSalRet08

Quote:

Originally Posted by SF_BHT

Missed it due to work. If anyone finds it posted onthe web let me know.......

Glad to hear they did a good job covering the course....

1stindoor · 09-09-2010, 06:53

I watched it with my son, had to explain the differences between my class 17 years ago and now...surprisingly very little. But what was really great was seeing those smiling faces after the one man comp...and knowing exactly how they felt at that exact moment.

I thought they did a great job...makes me want to plan a trip down there.

09-09-2010, 08:56

What I liked best about the episode was the fact it wasn't a day-to-day, drawn out "reality" episode.

We see the students, well prepared, ready to go. Week one, confidence testing - pool time, .......jump to week five, insertion, movement, target, exfil.

Lesson here is for those soon to attend SFAS, Special Forces has patterns in our behavior, (1) "We train prepared soldiers". It is evident that the students were already strong swimmers and getting ready is not easy when you have other ODA responsibilities. (2) Respect for each other, cadre and instruction. No false motivation, no yelling or harassment, just excellent training and instruction. (3) Set high standards, marginal performance is not acceptable, at the end of the day, performance counts.

1stindoor · 09-09-2010, 09:23

Agreed. As a long time diver and eventually a team sergeant on a dive team I used to tell others that it's just one more skill to be put into the rucksack. Failure does not mean you are any less of an asset as a commo guy, medic, engineer, etc...it just means water isn't your preferred environment.

I mean if it was easy...they'd call it HALO

**Razor** · 09-10-2010, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stindoor

I mean if it was easy...they'd call it HALO

That show confirmed my belief that I'm far more comfortable on the running end of lead climb rope, even on a second pitch, than I would be trying to learn to grow gills.

SFSalRet08 · 09-11-2010, 00:45

I can agree as well. A prepared student was a successful student. I can remember myself going through Pre-Scuba and getting a firsthand taste at what was to come. The days of pre-scuba (from what I know) are long gone. When I was an instructor we were getting guys that were just back from deployment form one of the Stan’s or Iraq. Way unprepared, and no knowledge as what was going on, BIG heart, but little knowledge. I can say that we were being told that some ODA’s were throwing strong swimmer courses when they had the time, and a pool was available. That was a good thing to hear. SFUWO had moved from a 4 week course (while I was there) to a six week course, stressing the basic the first week and a half. We would basically do a pre-scuba there, giving student a good shot at completing the course. Of course you would have guys quitting before they really gave us a chance to teach them the techniques. And really that’s all it was, because once you had the techniques down all the water skills were a breeze. Now dive table and book studies were all on the student. Either you could learn or you couldn’t. But I can tell you many a nights I would stay after to help those who wanted and needed help. As most of the other instructors would do the same, in the pool or in the class room. It is a very challenging course and I would recommend going to just about anyone who was in group. I am glad that they are now airing the special school’s out there so more men could see what they are getting themselves into before they go. Because IMHO going all the way to Key West, (or any other destination to train) and quit is a BIG waste of time!