Sarski

What is important to understand is the high calibur and type of individual that comprise SF forces. Many of them, even within the enlisted ranks, have advanced college degrees, are over achievers, perfectionists, natural leaders (and at times natural followers), have the ability to learn and understand multiple languages and are generally of what is classified as Type A personality.

The type of individual that comes to SF is already a breed apart from the ordinary individual, and their training in my opinion, enhances and builds on that. Their motivation and will is innate.

There are a finite number of ways to remove an individual from this planet, there are an infinite number of ways to make this planet a better place. Politics and the media personification (whether through movies, tv shows, AP news articles, embedded wannabes, TLC/Discovery shows, or video games created ala Wolfenstein) of SF's fail to include either of those aspects in their representation of SF forces.

The knowledge they embody, and are willing to impart in leading the way, for me anyways, goes well beyond the call to duty, hence the term "above and beyond."

I would never claim to understand a warrior, as the path each warrior takes, or each team takes in responsibility (AOR) is ever changing, and ever demanding. Understanding the attributes that comprise those that lead the way, however, I think is crucial!

As far as TRs question: I do not have an exact answer, I would be more concerned with surounding myself with those that continue to serve in SF (if I had a choice on the battlefield), and be relieved with the fact in knowing that those who have retired, or have decided to pursue a different path are out here among us (and perhaps more accesible, and just as equally desired as my kind of company I would associate with), and that their knowledge, skill set and expertise is not wasted here in the civilian world, but their forging the way continues in pursuit of their ideals of excellence, commitment, integrity and so on.