It's all on circumstance for me. At A&S, if I fail to be selected on the board then I'll atleast know that I completed the training with integrity at the best of my ability. Those guys aren't there to make corn flakes, they're there to select a small group of individuals they feel will be benificial to the teams at a measurement of both physical and mental ability. They know what fits, what can be molded, and what simply does not work. I'll have no regrets walking out that door and I'll move on knowing that I don't have to wonder "what if" and that I made moves to accomplish such a goal. If another time comes later down the road where I could see it as beneficial to go for it again then I will, otherwise I'll keep on trucking and find something right for me. I've been considering JCSE as a backup, I'm very knowledgable in my MOS which plays a critical role in any communications plan.
To put it bluntly, I have a dream - but I'm not a groupie. The saddest thing isn't seeing failure but a failure to let go (do not confuse this with a quitters attitude, that shit is pathetic) - the people that excel in SOF were mean't to do SOF, particularly that role under their mental and physical capacity. If I'm deemed an outside personality that won't mesh well with the teams, well then what can I change about that? Would I want to change that about myself? If I did, wouldn't you think they'd see right through it or do you think I would be able to maintain that mindset and personality throughout my work on the teams if they didn't? Fuck that I'll happily move on with no animosity and seeing it soley as a challenging course that I've completed. If anything, it's a confidence booster - hence - they're not out there making fucking corn flakes.
I saw a statistic in this thread about training-ending injuries falling into the 1 percentage? I'd really like to see a chart that represents this because there are plenty of Marines atleast in the case of MarSOC that come back absolutely destroyed, one guy is getting medically seperated with a completely shatterd ankle. My backup plan for this - my life insurance policy. This may sound funny but USAA will authorize a life insurance policy with coverage as low as $100,000.00 - this may seem small but if you're already in the military your big idea is more than likely the SGLI. Without getting off track, the coverage of the SGLI, the funeral coverage also being military provided, and my USAA is great especially for only twenty-four dollars a month. My wife and child will be left with a good chunk of change but furthermore, the critical factor is the amneties associated with USAA's coverage. There's a special circumstance, that for ANY REASON, the military or any certified doctor, deems me with a SERIOUS injury, mandating medical seperation or not, I get $25,000.00 in my pocket. It is instantanious, like a prize on wheel of fortune, and only needs to be validated and signed by a qualified doctor and forwarded to USAA via fax. Thats it, the other factor is that if I am indeed medically seperated - I still remain qualified for my life insurance and only have to change the rate, in-which all amneties will still apply as well as the 25 grand. I'm comfortable with this injury plan.
If I voluntarily withdraw from the course or am ejected for bringing out my hate ape rage at another volunteer - there may be some challenges ahead in getting back into the course at a later date. If it is possible, I will do it after a serious evaluation of my mental/physical fortitude. I highly doubt that this will happen, but if indeed it does as the thread asks, I will try again if at all possible. Much later as stated - after some serious self-reflection.
Joint Communications Support Element will remain largely my top backup plan. Seeing as they will often serve SOF if there is to be something that I've done to get ejected or laughed out of A&S then that may/may not hinder my assignment. Regardless, if I can not get into JCSE due to constraints via monitor on my MOS or whatever the case. The All-Marine Team for boxing, Drill Instructor, Recruiter, MAIT are possibilities.
There's a lot I want to do, if I could do it all at once, I would - but top priority is A&S, if I am to be accepted into the SOC then all else wouldn't even shed a sliver of value in comparison - for me that is. I have backups upon backups upon backups. Its not a lack of confidence but is just my nature, for those of you who have family/people/in this forums case: team members that depend on you - you above all else can surely understand this mindset.
H/A
