books for the field
 

Well... I know, this is an SF or SF Candidate thread but I had to throw my two cents in here... For books to take to the field, I usually packed something unusual that usually got a lot of comments or caused some of the SNCOs give me the "Eyeball"... Things that get attention are "The Communist Manifesto" (I enlisted during the waning days of the Evil Empire), Che's biography, The Koran (I actually had a guy want to discuss the merits of Islam while sitting in a fighting hole during DS/DS), poetry books (nothing feeds the soul like a little Sasoon, Kipling, or Owen... Gents that a troop can relate to)... I think the best one was while on my first float, sitting off the coast of Liberia, "The Sexual Politics of Meat"... A nice book extolling the virtues of feminism and that meat eaters supported the oppression of all womanhood... Interestingly, my Gunney, suggested that I talk to Chaplain Charlie about my issues... Most of the time I was usually studying my MCIs or getting ready for the next promotion.

Ahh, good times curled up in a nice, wet hole in the ground with a good book and great company... ;)

Anyway, hopefully I didn't offend anyone by hijacking the thread to put out a rare thought from a Jarhead...

SF
Scott

It appears that you did not read this entire thread or you wouldn't have posted.

Three posts above yours TR said:

I will attest to that.

Point taken Snaquebite...

I highly recommend that you "Observe The Warnings" of QPs!! Else you will earn yourself the FTFSI Title!!!!:munchin

Later
Martin

I'm taking Five Years to Freedom by Colonel Rowe. I was told that if I read that and quit I should kill myself.

That's a pretty good choice.

I can't even remember what book I brought to SFAS. I do remember bringing extra tobacco products and being the center of attention in the last week of SFAS:D

I didn't bring a book. I spent "free time" talking and getting to know the guys I would be in the Q-Course with & it was time well spent. I did my fair share of people watching too. Over the few weeks there I got pretty good at spotting "that look" in a guy just before he would quit. SFAS was extremely reflective for me as well. Especially the land-nav portions... dang the things that would go through my head while skirting draws.

I think Group should extend the opportunity to tabbed guys to go back to Camp Mackall (and not a Phase-2 cadre either...) to wander around in the woods for a few weeks with a ruck on their back. A sorta GB sabbatical if you will. I know I could sure use one...

Books... it's only three-ish weeks. :cool:

That may be "just you" but it's excellent advice. When Chuck went through it was called Pre-Phase not SFAS and he says it was way different. Maybe so but I'm sure the level of professionalism is the same and you guys will be going on to future schools and more extensive training.

I asked him what he took with him and he doesn't recall the exact book except that it was something educational and that it was not anything escapism, like a novel for instance. That's just him, however, he seems to do fairly well in his chosen field.

I'm sorry and don't mean to hijack the thread but prior to current deployments didn't team guys do a recertification thing that sometimes took place at Camp Mackall? I do understand about GWOT and time constraints but it seems to me those recerts were kind of a big deal.

Surely I am misunderstanding what you mean, yes?

If it had nothing too do with passing...I didn't take it! Reading a novel was waaaaay down on my "to do list.".:cool:

Stay safe.

Yeah, what Guy said.

I am surprised at the lack of focus some have when attending the course.

If the Special Warfare Center (SWC) pulled the "get ready", "get ready" and "get ready" courses and placed all the candidates straight into Phase One like they used to do, trust me when I say you would not have time to read.

TS

I brought a book, but I can't even remember what it was as I never read one word out of it. I was too busy fixing my feet, caring for and preparing my gear or maximizing the 4 hours of sleep we were allowed.

I leave on Monday, and from what I'm told the only time you are going to try and "kill" time is during inprocessing. I can't imagine running on less the four hours of sleep, all burnt up and tired wanting to curl up around an MRE heater and a woobie wanting to read a good book.

You won't have to. ;)

Good luck on Monday. :lifter