Why go SF?

[C/S PHOENIX 10]

well, first of all I'm third gen airborne and second gen SF, but that just started the ball rolling. Everyone will have their own reason for joining or not, that's the bottom line. We, as the ones on the inside attempt to size each person that show an interest in the club. I have done this many times myself; that guy is to dumb, he's to into himself, dude could not get lai&*^ in a ore house on payday. The one thing I have learned over the years, that the one common link that all of the great ones have, is that they give a crap, truely care about the men and the mission. Those are the ones that make a great team guy. Now over the years I have met a many of guys that came into the the club and didn't have the right mind set, but grew into the role and are some of the best senior guys and some are leading men in combat as we speak. Another thing I keep hearing people bitching about, is the "Q" stanards are dropping and the quility of of the guys are dropping with it. Well I have yet to see the drop from the receiving end of the "Q". The men that have come out of the course to the team are just as good if not better than what was porduced 14 years ago.


Now back to the real question. SF is a jack of all trade and must master most of them too, the day of say master of none is long gone and will get you killed. I read most of the posts, with some outstanding replies. On the other hand some post I don't agree with, but I do not rate very high in the world so do not lose any sleep over any comments I may have. We are a force mulitplier, not some CA unit, that recruits, trains, assist, advises and leads combat operation in times of war. Those same skill many be employed to prevent war in the form of FID, or may have to conduct unilaterial DA/SR operations. Then you have the "cover letter" of UW that puts all of the above under one blanket. In three tours my team has done at least 5 or 6 full blown unilaterial blowing doors raids, searched well over 400 compounds in a softer manner, 7 special recon mission, called in 15 or so air strikes most without a J-TAC, close to 30 artillery fire missions, led a 500 man host nation "gang" of soldiers across forty km of mountain dismounted receiving airdrops resupplies every two days with only five SF guys, as the only Americans, hunting down pockets AQ/TB in south/central Afghqanistan, issued two ambushes, been ambushed twice, held village meetings, briefed US Generals, state department personnel, PSD duty for both US and Host nation officals, served as QRF for an entire AO, ettended meetings with Paki officials and the list goes on and on. Now this is just normal work for SF in Afghanistan. That's just in resent years, what about in the days prior to the war. Well I've(the detachment as a whole) eaten dinner with two foreign counrties president's, countless ambassador, both US and foreign, and in the same breath planned a teams night out that resulted in rocking the cash bar to the point of passing out in some club of ill rebuked in god only know what country.

Now do you have what it takes

[Achilles]

Thanks for posting that, Phoenix 10. I think I'm going to print out the 2nd paragraph of that post and tack it to the wall for extra motivation.

Seconding the thanks for your post C/S Phoenix10.

FrontSight

[SERPENT5XX]

I came to SF because I wanted to serve my country as my father and his father did. Ronald Reagan was president and I wanted to be part of his war against communism. I thought the best way to get in on the fight was to be in SF. I figured SF would fight not only in any full out “high intensity conflict” but also in the “low intensity” struggles.

Once I got to SF the reason I stayed was less lofty but just as important to me. It was FUN! LOTS OF FUN!! Traveling to places no one else has even heard of much less gets to go to, jumping out of planes at 24,000 ft, blowing stuff up, fire, shooting guns, fire, driving cars really fast, roaring across the desert in a gun-truck shooting, CQB and all that great high testosterone stuff. Did I say shooting and blowing things up yet?

The most important reason I stayed was because I got a chance to work with and hang out with some really top-notch guys whom I have learned an incredible amount of stuff from (mostly good!).

It has been a great time and I would not change it for anything! Sometimes I feel sorry for anyone who has not had the same experiences but they can only blame themselves as ultimately we each control our own destiny and no one in SF arrived there by accident.

SERPENT5XX

[lurch]

May of '69 enlisted so I could choose an MOS rather than be assigned one in the draft. Chose "Image Interpreter" (I've forgotten the MOS number). Arrived at Ft. Ord, CA for processing and Basic. One morning a very impressive looking SFC in Dress Greens with several rows of awards and decorations, CIB, Jump wings and wearing a Green Beret stood in front of the formation of recruits and called off several names (mine included) and said that our test scores were such that we would be allowed to take another series of tests to see if we were good enough to enter the training path for SFQ. I too had read the book and seen the movie and so I took the tests and scored well enough that I was offered the option of ending my enlistment contract and volunteering for parachute taining and the SFQ course. I did and I have never regretted the decision.

I take great pride in the fact that I served my country during the Vietnam war as a member of MACVSOG, CCN and later assignments on an ODA in the 5th SFG and at the USAIMA. I had the opportunity to serve with some of the finest men in the military in those days and made acquaintances that I maintain and treasure to this day.

ps A humorous note? I called home and told my parents of my decision to go into Special Foces and Mom said "that's wonderful dear, you have always had an interest in sports." She of course had confused Special Services with Special Forces.

[Ambush Master]

Originally Posted by lurch

ps A humorous note? I called home and told my parents of my decision to go into Special Foces and Mom said "that's wonderful dear, you have always had an interest in sports." She of course had confused Special Services with Special Forces.

I called home from Benning after making my first jump and was attempting to explain to my parents where I was headed. After I told them that I had jumped out of a C-119 "Flying Boxcar" my mom asked me to say that again, I did, and I heard the phone bounce on the floor when she fainted. After she was revived, they called me back and, since I was a Water Safety Instructor, they thought the same thing (Special Services). It wasn't until I told them "Like the Book, the Song, and the Movie !!" GREEN BERET !!! that they realized what I was saying !!!! (Loud phone clunk sound once again !!)

[Drew5337]

I want to "go SF" for a lot of the reasons already listed, but most importantly:

The desire to be among the best. If I CAN, then I SHOULD. There is no reason for me to re-enlist unless I plan to go all the way with it.

The brotherhood of such a group holds a great deal of appeal to me.

The desire to serve my country and a greater cause.

The desire to get away from the material world, and obtain something that no amount of money could ever buy.

The desire to explore some of my own personal interests (language, weapons, military history, etc...)

The desire to put boot to ass against a foe that I have a personal vendetta against.


I don't know if some of these are the "right" reasons or not, but thats where I am starting from. I still have a ways to go before I can get there, but the desire and motivation have the fire burning.

[Achilles]

Originally Posted by Drew5337

I want to "go SF" for a lot of the reasons already listed, but most importantly:

The desire to be among the best. If I CAN, then I SHOULD. There is no reason for me to re-enlist unless I plan to go all the way with it.

The brotherhood of such a group holds a great deal of appeal to me.

The desire to serve my country and a greater cause.

The desire to get away from the material world, and obtain something that no amount of money could ever buy.

The desire to explore some of my own personal interests (language, weapons, military history, etc...)

The desire to put boot to ass against a foe that I have a personal vendetta against.


I don't know if some of these are the "right" reasons or not, but thats where I am starting from. I still have a ways to go before I can get there, but the desire and motivation have the fire burning.

You have a lot in common with me and other 18X's. Are you contracted yet?

[Drew5337]

Achillles,

Not contracted yet. I had an inguinal hernia repaired this past Monday, two months from that date I will be eligable for a waiver to re enlist. I plan on shipping in about 6 months, that will give me plenty of time to recover and re condition and train. I would go tomorrow if I could.

[Croaker]

(edited for cultural sensitivity....honest )
Sorry about resurrecting an old thread here, but I thought that I may have something constructive to contribute to a topic that will never grow old because there will always be people looking for why go SF. I've been a longtime lurker over on SOCNET and just recently found this site after reading some of the back posts there.


I am personally not in SF yet. I will be sitting down with a NG SF recruiter from the 19th ideally around the NOV/DEC 05. I'm 32 years old. Prior enlisted Navy corpsman. I originally entered the Navy back in '95 under the divefarer program for BUD/s after 4 years of wasting time in college spinning my wheels. It wasn't the difficulty of the course work (Chem Eng/Space Science dual major) although that was tough, it was knowing that that wasn't what I wanted to for the rest of my life. This may sound cliche but ever since I was a kid I always wanted to be the soldier/warrior/protector character. I always wanted to be the good guy, kicking the butts of countless bad guys..you know......to be the kind of person that if something tough came up and everybody else was backing down...I would step up and fill the gap. I realize that probably sounds like a bunch of comic book crap......but hey......what 'man' (notice not 'male'....society's got plenty of males...very few 'men') as they were growing up wanted to be the 'desk jockey' the rest of his life?

I went in to be a SEAL. Challenge was that I entered the Navy in very good shape, got OUT of shape in Navy boot camp (we didn't start PTing until week 3), didn't take the screen test until week 7 and straight up just couldn't cut it. I wasn't ready, period. Reclassed as a corpsman, went to lab school and somehow wound up in Camp Lejeune, NC with 2nd FSSG. While there I seriously got disillusioned about my life in the military and disappointed that I hadn't accomplished what I had set out to do.....still always thinking about SOF and "wishing I would have" done it. Every time I would see one of the guys walk by with that trident I would want to puke. It made me so mad! Anyways...got out in 2000 and met my wife and tried to get into the civy routine.

It hasn't worked. I have thought about it everyday...EVERYDAY. I didn't really believe there was a way to accomplish my goal at that point what with being married and owning a business.....until I found out about the NG SF program. This year my wife finally got fed up with hearing about it and we came to the mutual decision that it was time to get done what needed to get done. I should be sitting down with a recruiter from the 19th around NOV/DEC 05 and beginning the process. I had already talked to one from the 20th up in Virginia but was more interested in the 19th's AOR, even though I know they have been sending the guys from the 20th all over the place. I'd just prefer to learn a language ( I already can speak/read some Russian) other than the native language of North Carolina.....spanish. I do have enough common sense and have lurked long enough to realize that I had best be in top condition BEFORE I sit down to do the contract. I don't want to waste their time and I not getting any younger so I'd best not waste any more of mine. I've wasted enough trying to deny what I have always wanted to do for the sake of "not rockin' the boat" of life.

We only get one shot at this life (contrary to some people's opinion......) In my mind, I want to pass on with as few regrets in life as possible.....And for me, and I'm sure for many other guys lurking on this board, if I didn't finish what I started......what I have thought about everyday......at least made the attempt......I would have a tough time telling my kids to shoot for their dreams when I hade a chance to make mine happen but instead let it die. I'm tired of being a spectator of the life I have always wanted to live. I want to be a player.....and when I have gained enough wisdom......a coach. Ever looked at a sporting event and notice the number of players/coaches to the number of spectators? Only a few people will choose to be players in life. I choose to be one...

My advice to other guys lurking out there is....don't lurk forever!!! You can lurk and read so much that you get "information constipation" and become a book expert on SF....but you are still not making an impact on the game. At some point we all have to get off the couch and make it happen. I have always been a part of teams in athletics and love the feeling of being a part of not just a winning team......but the #1 team. I can't think of a better team in the military to be a part of and contribute to. And if you are looking for a test of your abilities....well.....this path should be a given. It's doesn't get much tougher. That's another reason for me.....I want to know what 'Todd' can do.

Anyways....sorry guys for such a long post.....just had to get that out there. Back to lurking and PTing and I'll post back when I've signed the deal...

God Bless
Todd

[Pete]

Q. Why go SF? A. The people you will serve with.

Q. Why stay in SF? A. The people you serve with.

Q. Why do I miss being in SF? The people I served with and the people I see serving today.

While SF is a part of the Big Green (Tan) machine it's just not the same. The "FEEL" is different. Smaller, closer, more personal. It's hard to put into words, it's something you just have to do and experience.

Pete

[Blueboy]

I must say how truly inspired I am from reading this thread. I am reminded of the prophetic words of the SWCS CDR spoken at my Q-Course graduation---"Gentlemen, you will earn your beret everyday for the rest of your lives."

To the candidates, you have a tremendous resource in the Quiet Professionals on this site. The Team Sergeant, NDD, Jack Molroney and others are truly national treasures. Learn from them. Then committ yourself utterly to the task, jump through the flaming hoops at Mackall, Bragg, and elsewhere, and get yourself onto an ODA. There is still important work to be done for our country, and the brotherhood you are aspiring to join is in the vanguard.

Stout hearts----Blueboy sends.

[BMT (RIP)]

SF is not a JOB,it's a way of LIFE!!!

BMT

[ender]

Why go SF, or in my case SOF?

First, it's the autonomy. Being in an infantry battalion, you're a very small cog. And what you do is directed by, not common sense, but by what is dictated from above. Just give me the Cdr's intent, or end-state. And let me do the job how I see fit.

Second, everyone is focused on doing the job. How often in a conventional unit as a junior nco, do you have to crack on privates to do the trivial bs? And it allways seems like the same troops are the first ones to get stuck in, with the same ones allways scamming. As a leader, I hate it. I just wish I could give the guys a task, check on the progress. And do a final check when it's done. Or even get in and help them. Sure they might do the job in the field, but it's the prep work, or low level garrison training that will make the difference.

Third, training. I want to freefall, fast-rope, call in fast-air, call in arty strikes. And fire so many live rounds, that i get calluses on my hands from my weapon.

Fourth, op-tempo. I didn't join the army to sit around battalion lines and watch the paint dry.

PT on my own is a nice thought too. Trying to do Pl PT in the mornings and stick to my own schedule in the evenings can be an annoyance.

My two cents.

[bhealy]

Dont know if you'll have seen the introductions post from me or this first, but I am Brian Healy. Grandson of a retired SF leader, Maj Gen Mike Healy.

My dream of becoming SF is to be with others like me. Why go along in life wondering if you could have, without even trying. So i will try, do my best, and if I succeed then I know my ways are set. Training has become my life.

As my grandfather Maj Gen Mike D Healy (Iron Mike of 5th) told me in many of our talks: "You can join the army, and feel proud about what you do, or you can try and do what I know you can do, and become an SF soldier. There you will be amoung your own, who will be your family, friends, and alltime best pals you could ever ask for. You'll feel safer, even in more danger. And you will never forget why you are there. I know you can do it"

He also said in private talk when I decided to go for SF, that you cannot explain why...you just know. Not in a thousand words could I begin to really explain why I want to do this. I guess the only reasons that can be put to words are the brotherhood ,desire, and yeah it'd be fun as hell. Other than that, it's just in my heart...and noone could take that from me. Thanks