Trainers/warriors??

[Kuri]

Gentlemen, because of the fact that I'm not a QP or BTDT, I don't post much and I'm usually satisified by just reading and learning from the threads on this forum. But I do have a question for you guys. How many of you got into SF because of the chance to work with and train host nation personnel? I'm asking because the majority of people who think about going SF are drawn to the highspeed, direct action stuff and no one usually comments on the Foriegn Internal Defense mission.
I'm currently stationed in Korea and will go through selection when I DEROS. Today we were tasked out to run a PMI/Qualification range for some Korean National Security Guards that work on the installation. These guys didn't speak english and my Hangul is limited, so a lot of nonverbal communication was used but we were able to get the job done. I apologize in advance if this post isn't relevant to the overall tone of this forum. Kuri, OUT.

Had a direct effect on my interest. If I wanted to do DA stuff, I would have tried to get a Platoon in the Ranger Battalions.

[Shark Bait]

I was interested in the whole thing. DA is fun and the kind of action that attracts some people initially. Many people don't realize that one of the primary functions of an SF soldier is that of a trainer. I liked the idea of potentially training indigenous forces and leading them in combat in the enemy's backyard.

[sandytroop]

Shark Bait and I soldiered together, and he knows... I was always big on the indig / cultural element. I think anyone raised watching the Vietnam War on TV and reading the books that followed could hardly resist the idea of helping people build their own free country, one secure village at a time. I always believed (still do, actually) that no investment matches the blood of patriots, and if people suffer to build their own country, it really is their country and they have an interest in the success of that enterprise. If Americans are willing to do the same, stand with them, teach them, guide where it's useful, while respecting the local "way", it can build loyalties and international relationships that no Secretary of State can compete with. Wars eventually end; Guerrilla commanders become Army Generals, Underground operatives become Senators, and an SF Team can be the catalyst for that growth beyond just thinning out the bad guy population.

[NousDefionsDoc]

Good question. Good thread.

[Shark Bait]

Originally Posted by sandytroop

Shark Bait and I soldiered together, and he knows... I was always big on the indig / cultural element. I think anyone raised watching the Vietnam War on TV and reading the books that followed could hardly resist the idea of helping people build their own free country, one secure village at a time. I always believed (still do, actually) that no investment matches the blood of patriots, and if people suffer to build their own country, it really is their country and they have an interest in the success of that enterprise. If Americans are willing to do the same, stand with them, teach them, guide where it's useful, while respecting the local "way", it can build loyalties and international relationships that no Secretary of State can compete with. Wars eventually end; Guerrilla commanders become Army Generals, Underground operatives become Senators, and an SF Team can be the catalyst for that growth beyond just thinning out the bad guy population.

Extremely well put Sandytroop!!

[lurch]

Having participated in both DA as a warrior and Mobile Training Teams as a teacher I would have to say that I received more satisfaction in performing the mission of a trainer/ teacher. The concept of force multiplication is one of my favorite topics when explaining to the uninformed the basic mission of an ODA. I have applied that concept (FM) to many situations in my life outside of the military as well.