Having recently graduated from the SFQC, I thought I'd impart some lessons learned for the up and comers. Being a brand new SF guy, I admit I have a LOT to learn. The following apllies only to my experience in training for Special Forces.
-Don't quit. You've heard it a thousand times, and that's because that is the single best piece of advice there is.
-Paralysis by Analysis. I see this on the Internet all the time. There IS such a thing as over preparing. You don't need to know every detail (the unknown is part of the process), all you really need is to have the items on the packing list, be in shape, and don't quit. How do you think guys did it before the internet?
-Showing up is the hardest part. Any Selection process is going to suck, and is going to be hard. The hardest part though, is showing up. Know what you want to do, don't over think it. Don't make excuses, if you want it, make it happen. Just show up, and do your best every day.
-Read more, post less. When I joined this board, I didn't post anything more than the obligatory introductions for the first few years. To my memory, I have never posted asking a question, or for advice. There is already a wealth of knowledge on this site and others. Be a self-starter and find it.
-Be a self-starter. If you want to be spoon fed, SOF isn't for you. If you have a problem, find a way to solve it, don't expect it to be done for you. Take the initiative for your life and take control.
-Internal motivation. If you are externally motivated you're doomed to fail. Will you be able to draw the motivation from within when you're alone, it's completely dark, you're starving, and you still have a 10k movement before your next break? That cool moto video from YouTube isn't going to help you then.
-Mind over matter. The only thing stopping you, is you. I am 5'11", and I was 165 lbs when I went to Selection. I was in great shape, but I wasn't a world class athlete with huge muscles like some of the other guys. Your mind is your greatest asset, it can keep your body going longer than you think possible. A lot of those world class athletes quit at some point. Be in shape, and don't quit.
-Be teachable. There are many times that you are going to be wrong. In the military, and in life. Know when to accept that you were wrong, swallow your pride, and learn from your mistakes. You're going to fail in the process, probably a lot. Being teachable, and learning from failure is key.
And finally, my last piece of imparting wisdom: Training for Special Forces is not sexy. If you want to do this because of the cool recruiting video, you're probably gonna quit. You will spend weeks and months cold, wet, tired, and hungry. You'll spend hours on the ambush line unable to move, and getting snowed on. You'll spend hours every night studying for a language you don't understand very well. You'll be lost, and alone in the dark, trying to figure out where you're next point is. You will also enjoy the feeling of being tested like you never thought you could. You will feel the sense of pride in accomplishing something that few in society can comprehend. You'll forge friendships that will last a lifetime. You can be a part of a brotherhood, and belong to something bigger than yourself.
Thanks to the members who make this board a great resource. I am excited to give myself to the Regiment and get to work.
DOL
-Don't quit. You've heard it a thousand times, and that's because that is the single best piece of advice there is.
-Paralysis by Analysis. I see this on the Internet all the time. There IS such a thing as over preparing. You don't need to know every detail (the unknown is part of the process), all you really need is to have the items on the packing list, be in shape, and don't quit. How do you think guys did it before the internet?
-Showing up is the hardest part. Any Selection process is going to suck, and is going to be hard. The hardest part though, is showing up. Know what you want to do, don't over think it. Don't make excuses, if you want it, make it happen. Just show up, and do your best every day.
-Read more, post less. When I joined this board, I didn't post anything more than the obligatory introductions for the first few years. To my memory, I have never posted asking a question, or for advice. There is already a wealth of knowledge on this site and others. Be a self-starter and find it.
-Be a self-starter. If you want to be spoon fed, SOF isn't for you. If you have a problem, find a way to solve it, don't expect it to be done for you. Take the initiative for your life and take control.
-Internal motivation. If you are externally motivated you're doomed to fail. Will you be able to draw the motivation from within when you're alone, it's completely dark, you're starving, and you still have a 10k movement before your next break? That cool moto video from YouTube isn't going to help you then.
-Mind over matter. The only thing stopping you, is you. I am 5'11", and I was 165 lbs when I went to Selection. I was in great shape, but I wasn't a world class athlete with huge muscles like some of the other guys. Your mind is your greatest asset, it can keep your body going longer than you think possible. A lot of those world class athletes quit at some point. Be in shape, and don't quit.
-Be teachable. There are many times that you are going to be wrong. In the military, and in life. Know when to accept that you were wrong, swallow your pride, and learn from your mistakes. You're going to fail in the process, probably a lot. Being teachable, and learning from failure is key.
And finally, my last piece of imparting wisdom: Training for Special Forces is not sexy. If you want to do this because of the cool recruiting video, you're probably gonna quit. You will spend weeks and months cold, wet, tired, and hungry. You'll spend hours on the ambush line unable to move, and getting snowed on. You'll spend hours every night studying for a language you don't understand very well. You'll be lost, and alone in the dark, trying to figure out where you're next point is. You will also enjoy the feeling of being tested like you never thought you could. You will feel the sense of pride in accomplishing something that few in society can comprehend. You'll forge friendships that will last a lifetime. You can be a part of a brotherhood, and belong to something bigger than yourself.
Thanks to the members who make this board a great resource. I am excited to give myself to the Regiment and get to work.
DOL
