MARSOC/ Scout Sniper Mentor

Derdang

Derdang

CSO
Verified SOF
Joined
Apr 11, 2011
Messages
118
Location
NC
SSMP
SOF Mentor
My life goal was to pursue that path of Special Operations. Growing up this is all I wanted to be and also to become a Scout Sniper. I never imagined doing anything else in my life when I got older. I remember reading all sorts of books and reading forums to get as much information as possible. I joined the Marine Corps, I did the 0311 route didn't like it, and wanted more of a challenge so I tried out for Scout Snipers. Being a Scout Sniper was a amazing time. Being a Scout Sniper helped me a lot and taught me more about myself mentally and physically. I finally put in my package to try out for MARSOC, luckily everything worked out.

Growing up I always wanted to mentor people if I made it into Special Operations. It's something I'm very passionate about. I would like to help individuals who are seeking the path of becoming a Scout Sniper or joining MARSOC. My route to getting here wasn't easy but I learned a lot. I want to mentor on the things that I wish I could of done better so you don't make the same mistakes and in long run become a better individual. If you're someone that has real passion for this route then I'm willing to help guide you in the right direction. I'm not here to force you in your training. No matter what, you are one who will decide if you truly want this.

What I want to offer is mentoring in the subjects of:
-Physical Fitness and Recovery
-Mental Drive
- Nutrition
-Other stuff I wish I knew before I got here

I'm not claiming to be some crazy individual that knows it all, I'm just someone that just really wants to help someone achieve there life dream. If I can just help someone improve in there life, it would be worth it. I also look at it as a investment for the community so hopefully better individuals make it. The advice I give is based on my opinion and there are definitely other ways out there, not trying to say this is the only way to do things.

I would of posted this in MARSOC mentor forum but haven't been accepted in the group
 
That is exactly the way I feel about becoming special forces! It might have took me a little longer to figure out exactly what my dream was and taking those first steps to pursuing my dream but, I'm here now and looking for a mentor for guidance. I joined the Marine Corps in 2012 as an Ordnance Technician, I have about a year left on my first enlistment contract. I already contacted a MARSOC recruiter and in the process of completing my physical examination and CSO checklist in order to attend A&S. I'm also very passionate about following and pursuing this path, I would greatly appreciate any advice, guidance, or suggestions in order to improve my chances of success.
 
Derdang,

I've a question for you. Could you look over my nutrition and tell me if I'm lacking anything Vital/Minor.

Breakfast: Multi-Vit, 2 Eggs Whole/2 Eggs White, 9 oz. Potatoes, 4 oz Avacado.
Lunch: Chicken Breast, 11 oz. Potatoes (White), 1 cup Broccoli.
Dinner: Chicken Breast, 11 oz. Potatoes (White), 1 cup Broccoli.
Before Bed: 4 oz. Avacado, 6 oz. Potatoes, 4 oz. Chicken Breast.

Would you also by chance Part with this Knowledge.
"Other stuff I wish I knew before I got here"
 
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freefall1234 said:
That is exactly the way I feel about becoming special forces! It might have took me a little longer to figure out exactly what my dream was and taking those first steps to pursuing my dream but, I'm here now and looking for a mentor for guidance. I joined the Marine Corps in 2012 as an Ordnance Technician, I have about a year left on my first enlistment contract. I already contacted a MARSOC recruiter and in the process of completing my physical examination and CSO checklist in order to attend A&S. I'm also very passionate about following and pursuing this path, I would greatly appreciate any advice, guidance, or suggestions in order to improve my chances of success.
Click to expand...


Freefall1234 - your first assignment is to research the differences between Special Forces and MARSOC, and write a clear concise post in proper English with the results of your research. There are some really huge differences, and if you get the first of the huge differences wrong, I expect Derdang will help me school you on attention to detail and accuracy in communication.

This is not a joke, you have 72 hours (3 days) to complete this assignment from the timestamp of this post.

Huston said:
Derdang,

I've a question for you. Could you look over my nutrition and tell me if I'm lacking anything Vital/Minor.

Breakfast: Multi-Vit, 2 Eggs Whole/2 Eggs White, 9 oz. Potatoes, 4 oz Avacado.
Lunch: Chicken Breast, 11 oz. Potatoes (White), 1 cup Broccoli.
Dinner: Chicken Breast, 11 oz. Potatoes (White), 1 cup Broccoli.
Before Bed: 4 oz. Avacado, 6 oz. Potatoes, 4 oz. Chicken Breast.
Click to expand...

You need more variety in your meals, where are the complex carbs/fiber (veggies)? 2 servings of broccoli daily? you are kidding right?
Where are the nut proteins?
Where is the fish?
I bet you are getting close to iron deficiency - no red meat or spinach or kale?
 
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Huston said:
Derdang,

I've a question for you. Could you look over my nutrition and tell me if I'm lacking anything Vital/Minor.

Breakfast: Multi-Vit, 2 Eggs Whole/2 Eggs White, 9 oz. Potatoes, 4 oz Avacado.
Lunch: Chicken Breast, 11 oz. Potatoes (White), 1 cup Broccoli.
Dinner: Chicken Breast, 11 oz. Potatoes (White), 1 cup Broccoli.
Before Bed: 4 oz. Avacado, 6 oz. Potatoes, 4 oz. Chicken Breast.
Click to expand...


A book that I like to guide my nutrition off of is a book called "Perfect Health Diet". I definitely agree with "x sf med" that you're not eating enough. You can't overeat on vegetables so eat as much as you want, but add in the potato and rice. I'm starting to play with QUINOA, it seems to good to be true, but my energy is good so I'll stick with it. It's kind of like a cereal or rice, but has protein, carbs, and fats. I also eat based on how I feel, and how I'm recovering, if you're always tired then you need to adjust things until you start getting that energy. I also eat a lot of healthy fats, and if you can eat fish then add them in as well. I like this quote which is "Live to eat, or eat to live". So with that, all my meals are based on what I think will benefit me the most. Also you can look into green mix supplements.

The other things are like working on social skills, and working on more positive mindset.
 
From what I have gathered through my research, the Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is new to special operations in comparison to other special operation forces. After the attack of September 11, 2001, the Marines re-considered their involvement in United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM). The Marine Corps wanted to test the possibility of enhanced Marine support to SOCOM. Evaluation of the Detachment 1 test program, which was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom showed, Marines Corps Special Operators were fully capable of producing success through direct action, reconnaissance, and other special operation missions. As a result MARSOC was officially created on February 24, 2006.

MARSOC’S mission is to recruit, organize, train, equip, educate, sustain, maintain combat readiness and deploy task-organized Marine Corps Special Operation Forces worldwide to accomplish special operation missions assigned by the CDR-USSOCOM and/or Geographic Combatant Commander. MARSOC provides unique Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) capabilities from land and sea to CDR-USSOCOM for global rapid response, and for crisis situations with strategic affects. With MARSOC’S unique capabilities to integrate task-organized MARSOF units with enhanced combat support and combat service support structure, combined with MAGTF Command and Control provides CDR USSOCOM with rapid response SOF capable of independent operations. The MAGTF element enables MARSOF HQ units to integrate and synchronize joint, coalition, and interagency forces into a single battle concept for SOF operations. With all the combined capabilities MARSOC can deploy small lethal expeditionary teams capable of executing complex operations with goals of achieving strategic affects at the tactical and operational levels.

I hope this is what you were looking for, if you have any concerns please let me know.
 
x SF med said:
...your first assignment is to research the differences between Special Forces and MARSOC...
Click to expand...

freefall1234 said:
From what I have gathered through my research, the Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is new to special operations in comparison to other special operation forces. After the attack of September 11, 2001, the Marines re-considered their involvement in United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM). The Marine Corps wanted to test the possibility of enhanced Marine support to SOCOM. Evaluation of the Detachment 1 test program, which was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom showed, Marines Corps Special Operators were fully capable of producing success through direct action, reconnaissance, and other special operation missions. As a result MARSOC was officially created on February 24, 2006.

MARSOC’S mission is to recruit, organize, train, equip, educate, sustain, maintain combat readiness and deploy task-organized Marine Corps Special Operation Forces worldwide to accomplish special operation missions assigned by the CDR-USSOCOM and/or Geographic Combatant Commander. MARSOC provides unique Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) capabilities from land and sea to CDR-USSOCOM for global rapid response, and for crisis situations with strategic affects. With MARSOC’S unique capabilities to integrate task-organized MARSOF units with enhanced combat support and combat service support structure, combined with MAGTF Command and Control provides CDR USSOCOM with rapid response SOF capable of independent operations. The MAGTF element enables MARSOF HQ units to integrate and synchronize joint, coalition, and interagency forces into a single battle concept for SOF operations. With all the combined capabilities MARSOC can deploy small lethal expeditionary teams capable of executing complex operations with goals of achieving strategic affects at the tactical and operational levels.

I hope this is what you were looking for, if you have any concerns please let me know.
Click to expand...

You told us what MARSOC was designed to be, that's not really the assignment, how is it different from US Army Special Forces?

Copying and pasting from the MARSOC site is not really research either.

You want to join a Special Operations Unit; attention to detail, completing the mission, and using initiative are key factors, as is understanding the mission and its parameters. You got 1/4 way to the objective and stopped, you're in your MSS/ORP right now, you still have time to complete the mission. Whatcha gonna do PL?
 
US Army Special Forces consist of Green Berets which mainly focus on training indigenous forces, especially for unconventional warfare but are very versatile and are capable of multiple Special Operation missions. Delta Force focuses on counter-terrorism which includes; hostage rescue, elimination and capture of terrorist forces, intelligence gathering, protection for important personnel, and unconventional warfare. 75th Ranger Regiment take on a more rapid assault role to include; air assaults, direct action, raids, airfield seizure, recovery of personnel and equipment, and support for other Special Operations Forces. The 160TH Special Operations Aviation Regiment specially train helicopter pilots capable of insertion, extraction, attack missions, and reconnaissance in support of Special Operations Forces and regular forces. The Main differences I have found between Army Special Forces and MARSOC is MARSOC'S MAGTF Command and Control capability that provide rapid expeditionary forces which can carry out a wide variety of Special Forces Missions in any environment, provide support for multiple Special Operation Forces, and MARSOCS ability to integrate joint coalition and interagency forces into a single battle concept. A lot of the Special Operation Forces seem to be capable of multiple missions but most are directed to focus on or carry out certain Special Operation Missions for USSOCOM. Ultimately each Special Operation Force has unique capabilities and strengths that provide USSOCOM with the ability to carry out a variety of missions and support world wide.

It seems a lot of the Special Operation missions and capabilities overlap between the different Special Operations Forces. I put it into the best explanation I could, if I'm way off base please let me know if their is more I can research or certain aspects I need to pay more attention too.
 
freefall1234 said:
From what I have gathered through my research, the Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is new to special operations in comparison to other special operation forces...
Click to expand...

Allow me elaborate on your first statement without derailing your assignment or Derdang's thread.

While MARSOC is a new unit, the Marine Corps is not new to special operations. Never was and never have been new to special operation.

MARSOC is the Marine Corps contribution to SOCOM.

SOCOM has wanted a Marine component (Force Recon) for decades. The Corps has jealously kept FR.

While Force Recon remains under USMC control, our folks been a part of special operations without being under SOCOM.
 
US Army Special Forces, also known as the "Green Berets" for the distinctive headgear authorized by President John F. Kennedy are a SOCOM Unit, as are the other Army Units you mentioned. Partial Credit. You have the missions kind of right - SF has the capabilities for FID/UW/GW/DA/SR/TR/CT. Main focus per mission statement - "...To train, advise, organize and assist indigenous forces in their fights against oppressive governments. ..." Rangers are DA/Direct Support, SFOD-D has multiple SMU missions that can overlap missions for other SOCOM units.

MARSOC - from the history of the Raiders as a GW/DA force, will be the USMC hybrid of SF and Rangers in some areas, with a much more SEAL like role as envisioned by its proponents in SOCOM.

Take it from there.
 
Hi Im nearing the age of 15, I am also interested in Force Recon/Marsoc ANY advice you could give me / mentoring as to be honest im having trouble figuring out how i should train and someone who could give me info would be amazing :) Thank you
 
Best advice is be great in school. Especially at your age, you need to take advantage to all that knowledge that you'll receive. You got to look at your time now till you join as free time to train. You can master things before you get in the military and not having to deal with the stress of trying to fix it in the military. So I'm throw down some things that I believe will help you achieve your dream in the military.

  • Fitness- The beginning part of the career is going to be the most stressful physically. You got selections and courses that are going to challenge you physically. In those courses are usually time physical events. When you think of your training now you need to have that in your mind. You can't get all huge and jacked which could result in you becoming slow at running and swimming. You don't want to be super skinny because it might break you down over time and lead to injuries. There are multiple programs out there that you could try Miltiary Athlete, SOFWOD, SOFlete, Crossfit, and a lot more. If your a beginner then do a beginner plan and learn the movements the right way so it doesn't destroy your body over time. At 15 you got a lot of time to program a good steady fitness regiment till you join. Look at the type of group you want to join, and see what their test are and strive destroy it.
  • Mental- You need to be smart, so the better you do in school the more it will help you on your ASVAB and your job. I know school sucks, but you sometimes may not see the bigger picture beyond school or might just be thinking I don't need school because I'm joining the military. If you do bad on the ASVAB right there might be the reason you didn't get selected to a unit. Unites that you want to join want smart people. So you need to tough it out and strive to do the best in school, because after school your life truly begins and you might have regrets because you slacked off in school. Also learn a language, which will help you in your journey. Learn to speak confidently and clearly, the area that you live a might have a group called TOAST MASTERS, which you basically learn about public speaking.
  • Nutrition - I like the book Perfect Health Diet, just eating healthy is going to help in the long run, simple as that
Two different groups
  • Force Recon does more R&S and Direct Action, and supports the MEU, it's very physically demanding to get into, and so is regular Recon. You have to be a really good swimmer.
  • MARSOC- Long pipeline to get into, not as physical as Recon but isn't a walk in the park. But being able to work for SOCOM is the big difference. So MARSOC type of work is more like Special Forces.
Recon works for the Marine Corps and MARSOC works for SOCOM.

Do Mobilitywod

Take away is your 15 you need to learn to live life. Don't be stressed if you miss a day of training or ate something not as healthy. But don't slack to much because you want to be as prepared as you can be.
 
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Thank you for the amazing reply I will most likely strive to be Force Recon as that is the one I want the most Im not half bad at swimming i work on it everyday after I workout.
-Thank you JB
 
If your physically fit, you need to think about what sets you apart from you and the people in that job. It's there mindset, it's there hunger to strive, there passion to do whatever takes to get there dream, there work ethic. Think about those words and apply them to yourself. There is no magic thing to get you there, no one had the opportunity given to them. They worked hard and had the right mindset. They truly earned it, and now they live there life with pride. I believe only difference between you and the people you want to be is the mindset. There has been wide array of people from skinny guys to natural athletes that have made it in. Not everyone has the fastest time, but they didn't quit and had the passion and mindset. You can be the guy that tells himself that I should work out or do mobility but decide your little tired so you'll do it another day or you can be the guy that strives to better himself and does the workout or does the mobility. Everyday you will face challenges but how you attack them will be difference of the wannabes and the operators. No one wants to just have life pass by, you should want to live life knowing that your making the most out of it. Only thing you should be scared of is not taking the challenge and having to live with the regret that you were to scared to follow your dream. It's going to be hard but it's very rewarding once you get there.
 

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