When I put my packet in as an Infantry Lieutenant, my Battalion Commander was very supportive but the Battalion S3 and Battalion XO both had some snide comments. I remember the S3 asked why I would want to "give up the opportunity to be a Company Commander and lead 150 steely-eyed killers so that I could be a glorified squad leader." Well, as a "glorified squad leader" I was the senior advisor for an 800-man Iraqi SWAT unit that got regular calls from the Prime Minister to respond to contingencies all over the country. During that deployment, that former S3 was a Battalion Commander working up north of me. He had less guys under his control and was working a far smaller geographical area.

Just goes to show how little some folks know about what we really do.

Gotta love Donald, I wonder how much practice preceded to get those actors to do a correct column left. If it was anything like my first FST drilling ceremony practice, I would have loved to seen it.

RE:

You need to read the rules at the top of this forum.

Get back to me when you have.

TR

So, how about all the soldiers who serve in Airborne divisions due to injury or washout during Selection? Do they face any less resistance when they reapply the following year, or are things much the same regardless of what kind of contract got them there?

It's not the same thing at all. Each of those organizations have a different mission and purpose.

hulk:

I do not know where to start with your post, so I will make it simple.

Post again without putting an introduction in the right place, or without using proper English, and you will be banned4lif from this site. Your understanding of SOF and our service roles is also lacking.

I am not impressed. Work on it.

TR

The ability to learn a language might be the first problem he'd have. English was a 0/0/0. :D

Actually I think his first hurdle was the ASVAB. After reading his posts, I'm not sure he could have qualified as one of McNamara's 100,000.

The Marine Corps Wants You, Its Marines Will Not
 

What an Ignorant response. I wonder how long into basic he'll be before he realizes that he wasn't cut out for military service. I'll give it a month. That's when he'll figure out he's the shithead and the other recruits don't like him.

Of course I could always contact some old friends on the Island to ensure his realization is more swift :D

Stud, if you come back and read this, let me break it down for you.

You are coming across as a whiny little shit with an attitude and an IQ below room temperature. You cannot even seem to read, write, or follow simple instructions. I am surprised that you can actually get out of bed in the morning and get dressed without adult assistance.

You do not understand many things, the most obvious of which is when to shut your pie hole and listen.

SF is never going to be desperate enough to select and graduate ignorant, loud-mouthed, disrespectful little turds like you.

If you make it out of Basic Training, you will have demonstrated the Corps' tolerance and ability to train almost anything. Frankly, I suspect that you will quickly be the recipient of a blanket party by your fellow trainees shortly after you arrive and open your suck. Refer to "Full Metal Jacket" for an introductory preview of this technique. I think they will ensure that you have an emotional epiphany.

Hope your time here has been educational, I suspect that it has not and you will suffer the same fate again elsewhere.

Adios, biotch!

TR

I think this is Army Wide. You will always have haters. Seniors in the regular Army hate seeing their subordinates surpassing them.

The Marines do. But I'm working on it.

My background was eight years AD in the Armor community, before I decided that I wanted to do something different, and better. During those eight years, I had the opportunity to work with SF teams several times over two OIF deployments. From my lofty perch as an E-3,4,5 I witnessed pretty much zero resentment from folks in my unit(s) toward the SF guys. Possibly it was because we had completely different jobs to carry out (which albeit sometimes complimented each other) so there was no feeling of jealousy or distrust. Our leadership liked having them around for their agility in sector and willingness to share intel, and for the support assets they brought with them. They liked having us around (I'm assuming) for our ability to promptly bring a huge amount of direct fire and intimidation to the party.

When I decided to attempt my hand at SF and go to SFAS, I received no static whatsoever from my PSG up to my BCO. And this was in Korea, in an Armor unit, with a bi-annual gunnery looming. Sure I'd get the little prods when I'd be rucking on a Saturday and doing PT on my own nearly every night to prepare, but as far as I could tell, it was all in jest. I got a lot of "good luck"s on my way out.

When I got back after being selected, I got a pretty warm reception. I think my 1SG's exact words were "Good job, now get a goddamn haircut before Joe sees you." Shit, I'll take that! My PSG even let me do PT on my own for the next week, which was great because walking was hard enough, let alone running. I'd get plenty of people asking me questions, though. The majority of those from NCOs were of the "What, you don't like tanks anymore? Why you wanna change jobs?" variety. If they didn't know, then I'd never be able to make them understand. Most of the junior enlisted just wanted to know what SFAS is like and how I got ready for it.

So, from my experience in Big Army Combat Arms, there was little or no hate toward SF. However, talking to a lot of the former Rangers I work with now, their old outfits had a completely different attitude, as was described in previous posts. I think in the end, my feeling is "who gives a shit what others think?" If they want to play ball with you, then it will only help both players. If not, well, fuck em. I just feel bad for the dudes who are potentially awesome SF candidates who get held back by the idiotic politics.

Mostly the 82nd
 

I think most of the "hatred" is in fact the 82nd. I don't know maybe it is "I would'ves or should'ves", but what I am getting from my experience and most of my friends experiences is that in combat arms units its a selfish game and they (highers SFC-CSM) worry about their reputation with the highers than any their soldiers desire to improve themselves, and careers. In my unit it's ok to leave guys behind who are going to PRC or Ranger during JRTC support of another unit but if someone is going to SFAS "oh well they are staying in the unit that's why they are staying back and training and your not, and I understand that your going to SFAS 4 days after we get back but you will be there in LA with us." But thats the "Division" for you. I have come to realize that alot times in the unit actions speak louder than words. The whole we support you is said and the back stabbin starts as soon as you decide you want something better outside of DIV. Oh well we think you should stay you're in the top 5 for the next school and we know we've screwed you over on promotions and other things but if you stay and give up your dreams to be better, than it will be better here we promise. Don't go SF you dont have the mentality for it or you gotta run 10mi at a 5min/mi pace. But no matter what I am continuing on with my dream. Karma is a mother

There was no animosity towards the Special Forces in the 101st or any of the other units I served with.