So how many former special forces members are there?

[kferr]

There was an old boy at my local that liked to tell stories. One day he would be a former Royal Marine and the next he flew Sabre jets over Korea.

My dad was in Underwater Demolition Team 11 in WW II. I think that counts under the small ‘s’ definition of special forces.

[Atomic_Alex]

@China_Guy

I know Andy McNabb (aka Steven Mitchell?) basically writes fiction but how realistic is his description of the SAS selection process?

I read another autobiography of a guy that joined the army at 16, was in S Africa for a while, was in the regiment then a policeman and finally barrister. IIRC, he claimed to have set the new record (at that time) for the fan dance. It was quite an interesting read. Again how accurate?

Any books on the Regiment that you recommend?

Sorry for resurrecting this thread but if Chinaguy is about I was wondering what book he’s referring to in the second paragraph.

Thanks

[kimera]

I know a lot of Special Forces guys and, by Special Forces, I mean 18(whatever). My husband’s putting in his packet for it during his deployment so I’ve done some research on it.

So were were at the park, and he gives this story about going through the special forces training, which he claimed he did as a civilian with the point being that he had the option of opting out at the end which he did after 99 percent of the other people were washed out and he got thought the whole program before decided it wasn’t for him.

The only way that this could be partially true would be if he had signed for the Army with a 18X contract. My husband did not do this because he wants to be an 18D (medic) and if you wash out of the training for 18X, you can end up getting sent somewhere horrible. 99% don’t wash out, and he’d withdraw long before he was selected.

In order to go Special Forces, you first have to get a very invasive, detailed medical test to make sure you are in good shape. You also have to quality for a secret security clearance, have an awesome GT and ASVAB score, go through the DLAB and other tests designed to measure how quickly and easily you learn.

Selection is a three week process where they take you to Camp Mackall in North Carolina, near Fort Bragg (the home to most of the SF). It’s a test of will and endurance where most individuals voluntarily withdraw. You can also be kicked out for disobeying rules, or forced to leave because of medical issues. In addition to testing your endurance and regular Army skills, they also see how well you work in a group. How well you do can depend on your teammates but, even if you are stuck in a bad team, failing to provide good leadership will earn you negative points.

Once you’ve made it through the course, the final selection board then decides if you can go on. They can chose not to select you for numerous reasons. If you’ve fucked up, you might be called to explain your actions before the board decides on you. Some are able to argue to stay on - most aren’t.

If you voluntarily withdraw, then you can’t return, but you can if you are medically dropped or if you not selected. One of the SF guys I know said that he went through with a guy who was on his fourth try.

What you scored on your DLAB will determine what SF group you are assigned to (Asia, Africa, etc). You also have to go through all the rest of your training, which includes your language and your MOS, which can take up to a year in and of itself.

Actual SF guys are, in my experience, very low key dudes. If the person mentions it first and early upon your meeting, he’s probably not genuinely SF. They tend to be very laid back, team oriented, and generally don’t look like body builders (endurance is more important than pure strength). The ones I know didn’t volunteer what they were upon first meeting me. I ask every Army guy or Army wife their MOS upon socially meeting them, and the Special Forces guys have been as unassuming as non-SF.

(I recently took a pilates course and I was feeling pretty bad about it kicking my ass until I saw how the SF guy next to me was struggling as well. Of course, his pushups brought his nose to the floor, but still )

[Angel_of_the_Lord]

My dad was technically special forces-type during Vietnam. Airborne, IIRC from the time I snuck a look at his Army paperwork. And…you know, it’s funny. My dad has always been the type to pretend to be more important than he is. When he met my mom, he claimed that he came from a wealthy family (my grandparents were solidly middle/working class). He claimed to know how to play guitar, even though I know he couldn’t even manage a few chords. He just always did that shit, you know?

He’s mentioned his military service twice. Ever. Both times when we came across old pictures, and only with the most innocuous of details. I’ve seen his medal. He didn’t show it to me unbidden; I saw it when I was helping him move out of my mom’s.

Whenever some guy loudly claims to have been special forces, that’s what I think of. My dad, the man who would make up shit to brag about, and who never bragged about or even really talked about what he did.

[Norse]

@TokyoPlayer

So were were at the park, and he gives this story about going through the special forces training, which he claimed he did as a civilian :rolleyes: with the point being that he had the option of opting out at the end :rolleyes: which he did after 99 percent of the other people were washed out :rolleyes: and he got thought the whole program before decided it wasn’t for him. :rolleyes: Let’s see, only four :rolleyes: in that sentence – I’m understating my feelings.

There may be a grain of truth hidden inside the tall tale.

Back when the Scandinavian countries had a general draft system instead of a there’s-a-draft-but-only-some-of-you-have to-serve thingy, quite a few recruits applied for Jægerkorpset (DK) / Jegerkommandoen (NO) / Fallskärmsjägarna (SE). However, most of them were weeded out during “hell week” or the initial basic training. I know quite a few guys who tried but didn’t complete basic training and were transferred back to the ordinary forces. When you swap stories over a few beers, most of those get some credit for the attempt, and there’s always a good story or four to be found in the experiences.

And when you’re drinking beer and swapping service stories, exaggerations are obligatory