MY SFAS Experience | 21 Day Non-Select | Special Forces Assessment and Selection
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- čas přidán 2. 05. 2022
- What's up CZcams. In todays video I will be covering My SFAS Experience. I'll be covering the events that took place and what lead to me being a 21 day Non-Select.
Music by: ONLAP - Miracle
Instagram: / detached_operational_g... - Jak na to + styl
I went all the way through… twice. Physically smoked it both times but time #1 but I was told I was too “Rangered Up.” Top tier selected the 2nd time.
My advice…
Be fit.
BE NICE.
Don’t quit.
Don’t get hurt.
what does being too "rangered up" mean?
I just finished SFAS. Also a 21 day. Mine was very much like yours. My feet were just fine. First two days of team week went okay. But the last two are what broke me. I was just out of strength and it showed. I couldn't really help the team. So I got peered out.
At first I felt down and low, you know. But I didn't even think I'd make it to Team week. Like Rocky I just wanted to go the distance. Call it a self esteem issue. But then I remembered why I originally went. I proved to myself that I can do it. I shouldn't be so hard on myself, I'm stronger than I thought, I can persevere. So I'm going to try again in a year.
Get back there and give it your all
This was a very honest self evaluation. Most people in your shoes whine and complain that it was political or that they got screwed. You should still be proud of yourself for not quitting. Having a return date is a good thing. Have you considered going back?
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 I've been told as an officer who attended SFAS with me back in 2013, you can't not receive more than 2 negative peer reviews per team on team week, so it'll be even harder to get selected. Good luck!
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 you’re a fucking hard charger much support brother. I’m currently a federal law enforcement agent, prior military as well. And I’ll tell you this, all these so called “operators” and special agents try to be active duty special ops. You guys have much higher standard than federal civilian. Much support again brother. I wish you the best
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 I wouldn't say you can't do it but I would be hard pressed to try selection shortly after ranger school. I haven't been to selection myself but I was beat all to hell after ranger school. I couldn't imagine boasting an sfas-standard ruck anytime soon after ranger school. I think it took me around 5 or 6 months before I gained the weight back that I had lost, in a healthy way of course. Best of luck to you, sir! I have no doubt you're gonna be where you want to be in the end.
I was a 21 day non select back in 2014. We had close to 400 in my class with about 60 completing the course and only half of that actually being selected. I remember everyone who failed the APFT was stuck there for the 3 weeks doing details for the cadre.
The runs and rucks were pretty easy had no issues there. Nasty Nick the entire course was wet from rain so towards the end I was struggling with my grip and think I failed a couple obstacles. Black Friday was actually pretty fun for me, felt like a competition between soldiers.
The Star Course was interesting I was nervous at first but was 4/4 my first day & night and because of that I was able to do an 8 mile ruck instead repeating the Star Course the following day. When we were leaving to head back to camp I actually had lost the flare they give you for emergencies so my number was written down by cadre.
I think team week is where I started to fall behind. My first team wasn't terrible but we weren't the best either. We lost 4 team members altogether, so by the time we got to water jug carries everyone was holding two jugs with little to no breaks and my forearms were just screaming at me and I could barely hold those jugs. My 2nd team was filled with absolute physical machines. Not only did we come in 1st each day but early enough that the Cadre allowed us to eat at the defac. During down pilot though with my 2nd team I did injure myself but I didn't really think of it as being terrible so I just kept pushing through.
The trek just sucked so I would just zone out and sing some tunes to myself until I found out we were just doing two massive laps around the camp, so I just hauled ass to finish it during my 2nd lap to be done with it. When I finished the trek it probably took me 30mins just to walk up the stairs to my bay area because my feet were just done walking.
When we all got called to formation to find out if we made it or not I was in disbelief that there was hardly anyone left from team week and the trek. About half of us were called to move towards the shacks and were told we didn't make it.
When I got back to my unit I went to check out the injury I sustained at SFAS and turns out I had suffered from what they called a pars defect or spondylosis which was a fracture in my spine as well as having lordosis which was my spine was arching inwards towards my abdomen.
I did receive a memorandum with a 1 year return date. Unfortunately my injuries continued to get worse over the years being an 11B and was medically discharged 6 years later.
how are you doing now?
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 that's excellent, good for you. I was talking to buddy with the spinal injuries and whatnot
@@davidoftheforest3822 I'm doing good. I'm doing physical therapy now with hopes of being fully recovered in the next 3-4 years. In the mean time I will be working on getting a degree in mechanical engineering.
@@___VanTage___ right on, good to hear. I'm not a doctor but anything involving your damn spine must be misery. Good on you for hanging tough
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 good luck to you.
Bro so much respect for you being honest and not making bull shit excuses very rare to see that
*respect for going all the way through and never quitting.*
I learned a lot from this. Many guys are actually focused on their successes rather than trying to improve their weaknesses
Make your corrections and go again. It took me 3 times to pass. First attempt I went with a buddy, he was married and missed his wife and kid, so he quit. And yeah, I quit also, but I did get the best Land Nav classes I’ve ever gotten in the military. 2nd attempt I jumped off the truck with my ruck on and twisted my ankle. It was purple for 2 days, I tried to hide it but during clean up a Cadre member caught me not running, while taking trash out. I went to sickcall and was dropped. My 3rd attempt, I was a rockstar, I called Nasty Nick, little Nicky when I was done with it. I’m a strong believer in being trained in another MOS before making this journey. The 18X program is good, but when you bring another MOS to the Team, you’re two, maybe 3 soldiers in one. I have seen 18X soldiers make an excellent career also. I was an MP and a Mechanic before going 18E. Once I had to give the Kuwait Army a class on convoy escort and no one had experience or any manuals to go by, and while deployed I took care of my ODA’s vehicles every morning while doing commo checks. You bring more value to the ODA. During team week, you need to work as a Team, be a team member, motivate others on your TEAM. The PT test, runs and ruck marches are individual events, but TEAM week is even more important. You’re trying out for a position on a team with 11 other men. Sometimes teams don’t even have a full team. I wasn’t the fastest or strongest, but when I was done with an event I motivated others. I’d stand at the finish line and motivate everyone else, until I was told to move. Even then I’d cheer everyone on from my rucksack. When in charge, be in charge. When a team member, be the best team member you can be. They selected 77 of us out of 245. One guy from my hut got an NTR after being boarded. This guy didn’t even sweep under his own bunk, never volunteered for clean up, always first in his bunk. For Land Nav, When I was Cadre at the Qcourse, we had tracking devices on the students. We can monitor the entire movement of each student. They can see how long you walked the roads. One candidate was on the road for 2 klicks. Don’t walk the roads! Don’t give too much G2 on the course, you have to let everyone experience it for themselves. Especially when you give your SERE vlog. Don’t give up. De Oppresso Liber
They let you go 3 times? I heard it was 2 tries
@@rjczr3836 3 times a charm. I’m living proof. When I went through they removed team week, but the TREK was a total of 93 klicks. My first movement was 25 klicks, zero illumination, second leg was around 18 klicks…. It got lower and lower, but it wasn’t fun, everyone had a Sincgars radio to carry around. I swore my ruck was over 80 pounds. They didn’t even weigh us, they knew the Rucks were ridiculous. I broke a strap, and the frame was squeaking so bad it was driving me nuts……. Yeah, I still have dreams about this and Ranger school…spent 12 years in 3rd group and been retired for 10 years….and this shit still haunts me. lol.
@@rjczr3836 its 3
I went through in 97 or 98. I was selected. As a lowly E4, I kept my mouth shut and pulled my weight. I was well-trained physically for this...my swimming was in question, but I passed that.
If I remember correctly, out of the whole class, whatever number that was beginning, 120 were selected.
There was this guy that was on his third round. And I admired that.
I look back with pride on what I was able to do by preparing on my own.
Post script: there was that last ruckmarch...it seems like it was 11PM to 11AM...I didn't rush...I certainly did not start my ruck at the front of the pack...I finished number 11 without trying to beat anyone or be first. I have to say that my grit and determination during training is what helped me there. It was relatively easy.
Best wishes to all that try and check your attitude. Even after you may get selected.
Q: don't remember such a life changing year? when did SFAS begin to allow a 3d try? used to be only 2. 120 selected? That IS A HUGE CLASS.
@@xusmico187 I couldn't tell you the details of SF school policy along the years.
My numbers may be off on how many were selected. The class was pretty large to begin with.
I understand that if you are non-selected, you have the opportunity to state your case for re-admittance before a board.
Sometimes people with hot heads just can't adapt to the situation...and the situation is unconventional military, yet all are expected to perform highly.
You sort of seemed to be checking me for truthfulness. Yes, I did that for real.
@@Golgi-Gyges if you can find it, "Assessment of Men" OSS book declassified 20 years ago, hard to find. if tab protectors are out of the equasion, it is more mental than physical.
In case you are wondering, "It was relatively easy" is the dead give away that you are lying. Just friendly advice so that your future lies concerning your non attendance in SFAS don't sound quite so dumb.
Hell ya old school shit
Honest self evaluation and not making excuses for your shortcomings are the most important steps on this journey.
That you got the Return Date memorandum indicates that the cadre saw the potential in you. They identified flaws or areas that you are currently lacking in; but they also assessed your potential to improve on or overcome your weaknesses.
Usually, those flaws are related to physical preparation. performance focus or maturity issues.
Do not take this non-select as a FAILURE; use it as the preparation tool the cadre meant it to be.
Ten years into an SF career it will not matter to anyone whether it took one trip or two to get through SFAS and McKall.
That you came back on the right cattle car is all that matters by then.
Several years ago, we got some statistics on SFAS first time selects. A couple of stand out facts; if my memory serves about 85% of the first time selects had 300s on their APFT. That is not to say if you have a perfect APFT score you will get selected. It does indicated if you DON'T have a perfect score you have a harder row to hoe.
The cadre discovers everyone's weakness; no matter what it is ruck, obstacle course, land nav; they find it. Being at maximum fitness capacity before you start the process allows you some breathing room and helps you keep your lips above turbulent waters. HOWEVER, ultimately it doesn't matter how fit you are they will find your breaking point. It's what they DO.
A moderately fit soldier with the right attitude, determination and drive will ALWAYS get selected over the cross-fit superman.
The second thing I remember from the report; sorry I don't remember the numbers however I remember a significant majority of first time selects were COMBAT ARMS.
Again, that doesn't mean anyone who isn't CA will fail. It just means the average combat arms soldier is more mentally and physically prepared for the rigors of the assessment process. That's why 19th and 20th Groups have fairly high success rates. They know how to prepare their candidates.
For your actual self-assessment. As I listened to your description of your preparations (19th Grp), APFT and LANDNAV performances, based on the title of your video I was almost certain you dropped yourself in Team Week. What many people don't understand or accept; Cadre do not fail you. Your performance fails you. The cadre wants quality candidates to succeed. They KNOW sooner or later they will share a Team bay with former candidates...
Two more things to consider. Your reputation as a Special Forces soldier starts with how you interact with your other candidates in SFAS.
How you act, treat others, deal with the stress, respond to criticism all goes into the communal memory bank. There will be someone from your class who will get to your Team. Company or Battalion before you. When your name comes up, the question always comes up; "who knows this guy". You do not want the reply to be "I went to SFAS with him, he was a turd".
Second, SFAS is the door starting the journey. It is NOT the finish line.
The finish line is when you receive your Honorable Discharge after spending years in Group and other SOF assignments or retire.
SF soldiers are tested and assessed and measured every day of their tours. You cannot graduate from the "Q" Course and say its time to take a breather.
You finish the Q and then prove yourself all over again on your Team as a junior.
You ascend as the senior and you have to prove yourself as a technically, tactically competent and solid mentor to your junior.
You make Team SGT and you must prove its more than just rank or TIG...
That's all I have to say about this. Good luck in your future efforts.
Can prior navy go through it with a waiver go get into army?
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 would rather go pysops just curious
Much respect to you. Hope you have made it back and through selection.
Dude, congratulations on doing all of this, I believe you have a great opportunity with the time to reflect and the fact that they not only bothered to make a return date for, but bothered to even talk to you about it. Do your thing and go again if you so choose to do so.
- An Almost SWCC applicant
This was incredibly insightful. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for your candor and honesty.
Curious as to your foot care routine during selection and what you did before to toughen up the feet besides rucking and running. Thanks 🙏
Good luck and thank you for the video!
Thank you for sharing your story. I have been out of the Army since 2016. I just reenlisted in the NG. I'm out of Oregon, planning on transferring in a few months to 19th group and following the path you took. I really appreciate your honesty and courage to put yourself through selection. Thank you for the helpful information.
I was a non select for CCT in the Air Force Special Warfare A&S. Im switching over the the Army Guard. Thanks for the video man. Very good stuff. It would be cool to talk with you about the SFAS standards and prep that goes into the Army's program. I appreciate you being candid and open about your experience.
Was this before the specwarfare contract came out?
Short and to the point, good stuff thanks!
Congrats man. Completing the course is hard enough❤
Thanks for your honesty and humbleness. My coworker was a Non-select also that finished SFAS. He was basically "voted off" during peer reviews because of not being a good team player. Thats a very common reason to be dropped.
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 I think thats what got Dan Bilzarian at BUDS, made it through Hell Week twice I think and almost all the way through the course and was a no-go because of his attitude, has to be crushing to know you can physically meet the challenge but arent ready in other areas.
Got back from selection too. 1 month ago actually, i feel that pain. 21 day none select also, it hurts. But getting that 1 year return means there is still hope. Learn and grow.
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 apparently my class was the last class to do the sit ups, i’ll ask my buddy who just left and see if he had to do sit ups. What got me was day 2&3 of team week. I snapped at someone and said “get the f out of the way” because my teammate needed some relief, and someone got in my way. And apparently i didn’t carry my weight enough, either way i know it was more of my personality. I focused too much on getting physically ready, I neglected people skills.
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 absolutely brother, i’m not sure if you hear rumors on cadre dropping dudes on purpose just to see if they will come back. But like i said… they are just rumors. What are your thoughts?
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 it’s true that as of April 1, it’s the run, push ups and now pull ups. I have someone in selection now. Ends July 1. At the time he left, the scoring was not determined, like before you had a 300 max+ and now it’s still timed for push-ups and run but the value not set on pull-ups. I think the minimum was 7.
@@erickaguilar883 hey, brother. Do you have any information on what IQ test was used during the course? It’s hard to find anything on it. I know they used to use the TABE. I appreciate your time in advance!
@@seanm.7249 it basically is just a tabe test, but no one failed that test. It really is just the most basic math questions and some word knowledge and some reading comprehension. Super easy stuff, for study material to make sure you’re good, all i did was google tabe test and did some math problems.
Well, my friend. You actually owned what you did wrong and didn't have 1 excuse. I have much respect for you for your honesty in saying what went on. I got selected in 96, and I fractured both feet on the last part of team week and the last 24-28 mile ruck march in the sand, but, I refused to tell anyone. During team week, I never took my boots off because I knew that my feet were so swolen that I couldn't have fit back in them. So I slept with my boots on. That selection sucked.
I went a few years ago, twice. Here were the things I noticed.
1. GBs are elite soldiers, so the impression people put off on the line about group being fundamentally different than big army is wrong. I was a pretty good soldier when I was in, but I never really fit the mold of army culture. I never had disciplinary problems; I just didn’t fit in with the guys in my platoon all that much. If you’re like that, don’t expect SFAS to be your army Cinderella experience. The guys who got selected were the same guys who did well in a line infantry unit.
2. A lot more army things happen in SFAS than you’d expect. I’m sure people will defend the cadre and say I didn’t have the full picture, but I’ll say this. I saw a 24 year old dude with HALO wings, airborne, pathfinder, air assault, and ranger (he was LRS) get dropped because he asked for a new map in land nav. They said it was equipment maintenance or something like that. I got dropped my first time because I did what I was told but not exactly what the cadre implied. I literally saw the senior instructor let another guy who fired his star cluster off stay because he was annoyed I wasted his time. I saw stuff like that on the line, and it was just as common in SFAS.
3. If you aren’t in the army and are looking at this for feedback, enlist as an 18X. It’s harder as an 11B to get selected. People can make whatever noises they want about experience or maturity, but just about every 18X guy I saw in SFAS had spent months training full time for the chance to be a green beret. In comparison, I got back from Afghanistan two months before my first time in selection.
TL;DR: Group is about being an elite soldier. If you don’t like the army, you aren’t going to magically fit in and be accepted there. And in truth, failing can have unforeseen consequences when you return to your unit. They never tried, but they never failed. Once you get that stamp, a lot of your leadership will see you as a failure, even if you tried and they didn’t. It’s not fair, but that’s life, and especially Army life.
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765
1. Yep. I was one of the people who joined the military because I liked military history, strategic studies, and political theory. Nobody likes that guy in an infantry platoon, but I thought I would find like minded people in higher echelon units. But you can’t beat the system. I should have been an officer because I liked the things officers did. My problem was believing I needed to serve as an enlisted man to get perspective. In the end, I was a poor fit personality wise for the workplace culture of the enlisted ranks of the infantry. That was my mistake, and by the time I was able to consider commissioning, I had failed selection twice and gotten an NTR. I spiraled into a dark place after getting NTRed, so I got out as the most bitter kind of veteran: someone who truly loved the military who was rejected by it. That’s why I want to stress that what I say might not be as accurate as it could be. Like everyone who was in or is currently in, we carry our grudges for a long time. Some of them run deep enough that we may not realize they still exist, despite the work we do to get over them.
2. To your point about readiness, that’s something they don’t prepare active duty guys enough for. My experience was as the second-best physically fit guy in my company, and one of the top twenty at least in my battalion. The number one guy was my partner during my second pass through SFAS. The biggest mistakes I saw are reflected in our failures. On my end, I thought I was a physical stud, but I failed to appreciate that EVERYONE in SFAS is in the top 10% of their units. You need to be almost freakishly fit if you hole that will carry you through the process (meaning that distinguishes you.) my buddy, on the other hand, was the second guy back from the trek. Nothing could slow him down; the guy was a goddamn animal. However, there was an officer on our team during team week (which are easy to recognize despite the whole “no rank” thing, which is BS when you look at how officers are evaluated anyway) who got fresh with my buddy. Since my buddy was already a stud who scored in the top 10 in sniper comp, he told the officer to, and I quote “fuck off.” That pretty much killed his chances of getting selected. Like I said, we both failed in different ways.
3. Okay, so basically what happened is the instructions post land nav were to find the nearest intersection and sit down. I’m sure you already know this. However, I was up in the northwest side (it’s been a few years) where the roads are sometimes a little rugged. So, I found my intersection, sat down, and waited. I continued to wait (several candidates joined me during the process) and we saw the cadre’s trucks driving around the road but not directly to us. It had been over thirty minutes, so I decided to walk towards the closest intersection on (I think) 4 line road. Before I could make it, one of the cadre trucks which was searching for us found me walking towards the intersection.
Essentially, the cadre was in a bad mood because they couldn’t find us. I tried to explain that we waited at the intersection and I could see them looking for us. That was what prompted me to go out on my own initiative and find them. Several of the other candidates confirmed this story.
Typical of the army, though, one of the E8s was mad, so he made a split second decision by letting a guy who fired off his star cluster stay and dropping me in his place. “You wasted my fucking time” I believe was his reason, regardless of what he said in the official drop slip.
My parting note for this (which I am happy to continue a conversation if you would like) is repeating what I’ve said (not for your account, but for others) in my previous comment.
If the army works for you, If you’re good at it, and you like it, take the plunge. If you’re active duty and combat arms, I really suggest you get your sapper/ranger tab and EIB (whatever the expert soldier badge is if you aren’t 11B) before you go to SFAS. If you aren’t dedicated enough to the army to do those things, you probably aren’t dedicated enough to make it through SFAS or the Q. That’s my opinion, so take it as you will. But every non 18X GB I saw was a proven element before they went to group.
PS that advice is for active guys. I know guard is a different beast with SF.
I want to thank you both for your incredibly detailed experiences, they’ve cleared up a lot of the fog when it comes to certain aspects of selection, for myself and I’m sure plenty of other people. Equites can you explain by a whole different beast with the NG side? I’m getting out of the Corps soon and was looking at the NG part potentially
@@maxb4210 So, the way (as i was told, but i was active duty) it works for Guard is they have to try out to get a temporary assignment to a SFG. Then, they have to wait around and train with the GBs (unit dependent) until they get a school date. Once they go, they get selected or not. Assuming they do, they do Guard black magic to be an active dookie soldier until they finish the Q.
Good side of NG GB, they deploy a lot. That was during Afghanistan, at least. Now, i dont know. But i was told NG GBs get about as much deployment time as they want because teams will pull them as a last-minute gap filler.
Bad side, you have to be Jake from State Farm who's also a highly-trained (and probably bored) killer trapped in a world of civvies. Personally (and i want to be clear this is 100% my opinion) its best to take a year or so post-service to look at what you want. Getting out of the military is like getting out of a cult, my friend. I always tell people "when you dont feel the need to tell people you were a servicemember, you know you're officially out." and yes, i know in the military people say its lame to talk about your service when you get out. My point is to say that getting out is extremely isolating and lonely. You'll find yourself craving the military because it feels like home, even if that home was an abusive, poorly run hellscape.
100% transparency, consider contracting. If you arent married, go do a few years of that. Build yourself a nest egg, then come back to the civilian world when you're tired of carrying a rifle in strange places.
You said if you don’t like the big army don’t except to shine in sfas? But you also said that 18x is your best bet when those guys don’t wanna be in the big army to begin with. I think it just goes down to the individual because I know a few dudes that were shit bags in the big army but got selected. And I know guys with multiple deployments and schools who get dropped.
@@robjose5669 These are good points, and I should have clarified. Please, allow me a moment to elaborate, though I do want to clarify upfront that everything I have to say is (by its very nature) subjective and the result of my own perceptions. Its entirely possible that I’m wrong, missing the entire picture, or just a whiny failure. How anyone decides to interpret what I say is for them alone.
The first aspect you mentioned was the big army thing. My experience with the line (I was an 11B) was this constant myth that group was somehow separate from the Army in every way. A lot of NCOs told stories to their joes about how group was this mystical land where 1SG didn’t waste people’s time and officers respected their men. Everything good about the line was better and everything bad was nonexistent in group. As a 20 year old specialist hot off the heels of his first deployment, I fell for that.
Instead of the mythical “big boy rules” that I had been fed as a junior enlisted man, I found that selection and who was selected were the same kind of men who did well in the big army. Were some of them dishonorable? Sure. But I knew plenty of bad men who knew how to work the army for their own purposes on the line. They were successful, and there were plenty of good men who were, too. What it ultimately came down to was exactly what SFAS says: finding the right man. Unfortunately, I was too young at the time to realize I fundamentally didn’t mesh with the personality types the Army tends to appreciate. So, barring me being an absolute stud (which I wasn’t) getting selected was never going to happen.
As for the 18X angle, I’ll explain that in an anecdotal story. When I was getting ready for SFAS (2nd time) my PL said, “go to the gym whenever, bro. Get ready and knock it out of the park.” He was super excited for me, and I think he was doubly excited because I was going my second time. Unfortunately for us both, he got selected as one of the early departures for JRTC who had to OC for our 2nd brigade, which was going the month before us. As a result, my PSG looked at me after my PL left the room and said, “yeah, fuck that, you’re working.” So, instead of prep, I worked 12 hour days getting the unit ready for JRTC. Then, we went to JRTC, came back, yet again I was denied training opportunities, and I went to selection and failed.
While I was going through that, the 18X in my class had six months of nothing but land nav, PT, and other prep stuff for selection. Their preparedness showed when the course started, and only the best active-duty guys could compete. To condense my opinions on the matter, I usually tell people, “go for the job you want. Don’t try to work your way up from a job lower on the totem pole.” Most companies recruit from outside more than they do internally, and the army does the same thing with GBs in my opinion. This is far from universal, but I can say with confidence that 18X is the best way from the civilian side to get a long tab. Everything else I had to say was for someone who was already in.
Graduates Ranger School class 4-97 and always thought I had more of an SF mentality based on some previous experiences with them. I can say being a team player is very important and either you have or you don't inherently. I always thought of my fellow Rangers more than I thought of myself and it was reflected in peer evaluations, etc.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with the aspiring community I’m also in the Guard and after this current deployment going to SFRE for 20th group and channels like this, FNG Academy, aspiring green berets really help and mentor future team guys. Thank you 👊🏼🇺🇸
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 yes sir already subscribed I try and support the whole community that helps motivate and mentor me.
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 Florida
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 unfortunately I don’t have any other social media besides CZcams. I tried for 12 years to get in due to moral waivers finally got in in 2020 at 33 finished 22 week infantry OSUT now currently 34 on deployment and just wanting to make a dream since I was 10 finally come true. I am highly motivated to succeed and trying to do what needs to be done to get ready. And thanks for the support I’ll be looking out for that video
ur not a future team guy just a future non select
@@ikik32 that’s your opinion are you a team guy ?
Brutal self assessment takes real fortitude.
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 it was enjoyable. Best of luck to you, hope you go a long way!
My class started with 400. After the trek I wanna say we had 90-100 left. And around 50 were selected.
Me and my friend from Campbell found eachother for the final formation. When we all stood up for the cadre. He said SIT THE FUCK DOWN. Because he knew the pain we were in. Finally some sympathy!
They started calling roster numbers, we could tell these were nonselects based off of how they performed. They passed my buddy’s number. They passed mine. We were ecstatic. Then they said okay this other group we are going to call step over here. We were like wait what what’s going on. And based off of these guys they weren’t top performers or you’d catch them slack during team week. They passed my buddy’s number they called mine. Heart sank. The first group they called were do not return. And my group was return in 1 or 2 years.
I moved to the barracks with all the other prior drop outs. They are carrying on about their business normal conversation. And I’m at a loss of words. Like I couldn’t believe what had happened. Blind sided gut punched. But I made it through. Plenty of people don’t have the balls to go. I made it through.
Funny, not so funny…. I went through with a buddy from Ft Campbell, we were both support guys from 5th Group, But We both made it. I was about to say, Hey Jerry what’s up? Lol. Never to Return guys, I would say got bad peer evals, lost a weapon (rubber duck) on Land Nav, wasn’t consistent on runs or marches, got caught on the roads during Land Nav, caught sleeping, or couldn’t articulate to the board why you deserve another chance. If you get boarded you need to make a plea like your life depended on it. Train for this selection course like you’re already in it. There is no quota, Groups need more people. I was SF for 12 years, and I never had a full 12 man team. Train….. I was eating meals in the messhall in 5 minutes, getting outside and climbing ropes, pull up bars. After work I was doing 2 or 3 events. Weekends I did 3 events and swam. The Website for Special ops has a good training program under the recruitment battalion area, that will get you in shape….do it 3 times. Do it once to break your body down phase, twice for build up phase, and 3rd for sustainment phase and maybe add more weight and distances. Get strong, real strong. And eat like a professional athlete! When you get to group you’ll have access to real sports rehab trainers, dietitians. Well maybe not in 19th and 20th Groups.
They recently changed the APFT. Removed sit-ups completely.
This isn't for the maker of the video, because hes an experienced soldier but the best advice I can give to anyone wanting to go to SFAS is to ask yourself if you can be a mature, contributing teammate while in a terrible physical and probably mental state. Always be genuinely looking out for your teammates. Guys putting on fake personalities are obvious to everyone and will usually peer the lowest.
Never let the cadre see that you're feeling the pain. They WILL notice and many times follow you around until you slip up while telling you that you're the weakest member of your team.
Most people say "never quit" or "get good at rucking". Well those are no longer the standards. They are the baseline to get in. You'll need more than just baseline.
Hope to see you around in the future sir! Best of luck.
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 Yeah probably best if you wait until 25-26 b/c if you're a brat at 20 you might see the world differently then, and you need to be humbled b/c no cadre likes a self loathing jerk. GL!!
I saw them doing those old-school sit-ups in the video and it made my back scream in pain. I will never do those again. I have a lower back problem and those are horrible for that condition. My hat is off to you guys who even attempted to go through that training.
Are they not use in RASP?
@@brendongrant8411 RASP still has guys doing sit-ups.
I mean that was always the baseline for any special operations almost lol ...If you are only making the minimum, you ain't making it.
Give’em hell, Sir! I did SFRE for 19th as well. Did not get picked up for SFAS, though. I hope you get it on your next try.
Which company within 19th did you go through?
Keep trying and be a better you each time and sleep,eat, drink that "team" mentality. Push your teammates so they push you. You can do anything that you truly want.
Thank you for sharing your story.
So you going to go back more team oriented? I’m like super curious now lol. Excellent video man, very humble. It’s such a rarity today, so refreshing. Thanks.
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 good luck bro
21 day non-select is still admirable. People go through 2-3 times before being picked up.
It's not just a physical exercise. They are watching how you react. Don't show lots of frustration or get angry..They will notice it. As they grade you on how you behave in a group...So watch what you say. And always look for an opportunity to help someone else.
Why they had years to figure out what really makes a person tick..You will also need to learn a second or third language. Be duel qualified M.O.S. And Medics are at the top of the list. As you will spend the next two years just on that one...
I was a med drop my first time. I was dumb enough to show up already injured. I was invited to return the following year (course 1st sergeant gave me a memorandum to return) as I was still doing better than some of the healthy guys despite my injury. That following year, I was selected. I served in SF on active duty for 15 years prior to retirement from the Army for a total of 20 years served. Great tines!
It's always about working together as a whole unit weak link is a mission failure. You help each other lifting up your team mates. No Matter what you help your team mates make it no man left behind.
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765
19Delta 5th of the 15th. All for one and one for all . Motto to live by unity . US Calvary Scouts if it was easy to be a scout everyone would be one.
The one thing that I've heard that describes the thinking behind the selection of Tier 2 & 1 personnel is that they don't always want the best person, but the right person.
Thats the thing, right? You could suck at most of the physical stuff, but excel at teamwork & get selected. Anyone can ruck, run, log PT, etc..but the cadre are looking at how you do working with others & attitude when your at your lowest, but still manage to finish your tasks. SF & Seals are in "teams" for a reason👍
I'm working up to the 18X enlistment right now, I fucking want that Beret. But more than that, I want to know if I have what it takes. If I fail, at least I did my damn best. When I make it though, then I'll acquire the skills to make this world a better place.
At least you gave it your best shot
Hope everything goes well for you!
Thanks for sharing brodie
At least you tried, good luck with your second chance.
I love this video. Great insight. Im still a civiallian, i have 7 months until i sign my 18x contract. Gave my word to my papa. i wouldn't miss his birthday. He served in '74-'81. Other then making miles, Rucking, push ups, pull ups and sit ups plus working out. What can I do now tobhelp better prepare me for the course?
I wish you the best brother,my dad was in SF 81-89,I got hurt in boat accident & took my dream of going, so do or die out there
Build as much muscle as you can. They tell you not to lift but you have to. Heavy deadlifts and squats. Be strong, speed doesn’t matter
It’s about being calm when stressed, able to think clearly when exhausted and working as a team mate, not an individual. It’s Not who did the fastest ruck time.
SFAS is a mind fuck according to an SF guy who was a Scout Sniper in the USMC. You do your tests but the rest of the course, you don't know if your mistake(s) will cost you on day 21.
If you got a return date you should go back and try again it's worth it brother.
So when do you plan on going back?
I’m currently trying to enlist as an 18X in the 19th.
Hopefully we’ll cross paths one day. 💪🏻
How’d it go? Did you get selected? Any tips?
Hey brother, I noticed you never mentioned swimming. Is swimming excluded from the initial PST for special forces? Also what was the main reason they opted not to move you forward? Thanks man
At least you had enough balls to try, Even though you weren’t selected you’ll get it next time. Just Look at it this way, at least you’ve been given the opportunity to try out. Not everyone even gets to try out in the first place.
With the 19th ground when you were on training team before sfas was it every weekend or just the once a month drill?
Thought that looked like the APFT route at the compound
What test do you take now to get into SFAS? The apft or acft??
I went through SFAS twice and was selected the second time. I went on to serve on an ODA for most of my time in the Army. I often think about selection and the events that stand out the most from my experience.The feet, back and shoulders take a beating. Most guys had a problem with their feet but my feet held out fine , my lower back took a beating though. We had a good number of land-nav drops and team week dropped a good number of candidates as well. My advice to anyone attempting SFAS is to stay in the top 1/3 in individual events (runs, ruck marches ).
Failure to navigate The Nasty Nick by not completing certain events dropped a few students. Land -Nav was my favorite part of selection because you ruck alone throughout various terrain and , YOU are solely responsible for completing your event under the time required. Success during team week depends on how well you can adapt to personalities within your team and how you contribute towards each event. The events during team week are rough , with certain events rougher than other events. It is important to lead when you're in charge and to follow direction when you're not in charge, without drama.
Was a 21 day non-select. Don't regret trying it out though
Other than having to get in shape how hard is it to pass. do they challenge you knowledge wise I'm not the smartest person but I'm not dumb either i would say math is my weakest subject but I've also never put that much effort into my education i finished high school and that's it but I'm 24 now and i want to sign an 18x contract but i want to be as rdy as I can I'm just afraid to fail i was just curious on how smart do they expect you to be. what should i expect going in.
Of the 75 selected, what is next for them?
What is going to be your main focus on improving, and what are you gonna do differently when you go back?
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 Well it looks like you definitely have the right mindset. Even after facing “failure” you have learned from it and are willing to try again. Instead of blaming others you’ve looked within and are striving to improve. That is a great quality and as long as you put in the work I think you’re on a path to becoming a green beret. Also with your prior experience at sfas you will be able to help plenty of aspiring candidates and will be looked up to. Good luck on your journey and never give up.
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 Well you’ve definitely helped me so consider your goal accomplished. I’ve got a question though. In sfas is the camaraderie strong? Maybe this is an odd question but was there any times in selection you laughed at all? What I mean is when the suck is on did any of your peers crack jokes and things to that nature? And did peers try to motivate each other when things would start to get difficult? One of the most attractive aspects to being sf or any sof in my opinion is the brotherhood and caliber of men you’d be working alongside. What im trying to say is did you get a glimpse at that brotherhood in selection?
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 What do you think will make a good leader? Being a leader is definitely a weak point of mine and something I need to work on. Do you think it just comes with experience?
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 how well was the soflete program??
Thanks for the video. I’m attending a SFRE with 19th group as well in a couple months. Is the 50m swim in uniform still in SFAS?
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 Thank you! And I worded my question poorly, I meant was the swim test still part of sfas? Recruiter told me they took it out of their SFRE because they’re phasing out the swim test at SFAS. Thank you
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 Got it. Thank you!
what state training team where you on?
My husband is going through SFAS right now. He is an 11B, he is set to return this friday as that is the end of selection. If he would have gotten dropped earlier would I have heard from him by now?
How did he do?
Is there any short people there im just curious because im just 5’6
Coming from the 82nd I knew A LOT of guys who were not selected.
You ever make it back?
How long ago were u in sfas an at boot camp does the cadre visit you an give guys workout or no? How can guys in basic stay fit ?
You're fucked and depends on the bct battalion you're in.
It's down to you to do your own pushup situp drills on your own and how much you prepared before hand
t. Not a 18X candidate, just a RASP phase 1 week 4 integrity drop
What I did got me to the very end of the program however, despite the unfortunate case me and other 11 people involved in the same incident had
Hello Sir! Regarding the rucking in SFAS, does that mean both power walking and jogging? Can I jog to keep up with the time? I think rucking at SFAS was something like less than 13 minutes or less for a mile, but for now I have to jog for a bit per each mile to keep the time pace around 13:10 minute per mile.
If you jog level stretches and downhills you should be fine.
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 Thank you very much Sir! Please allow me to ask you two more questions, Sir!
1) I see you are in Intel, and I am planning to start my MOS with Intel or Cyber (I majored in mathematics with focus on number theory and cryptography, so I can add infinitesimal value to them). Do they have excellent preparation programs for SFAS? I believe I am mistaken, but I suspect they might not have a rigorous prep program compared to combat MOS or similar like combat medic.
2) What is the weight of ruck optimized for SFAS? Is aiming for 60 lb or so for rucking very high and optimum enough?
@@RS7evenSLDR Sir! What are stretches and downhills? Is former the uphill and latter the opposite? I am so sorry, but I am not familiar with jogging concepts yet.
@@mansukim6371 for as long as you can on level trail/road you should try to jog. Definitely on downhill slopes jog, I’d recommend not trying to jog uphills because you will burn yourself out unless you just a beast like that.
@@RS7evenSLDR speaking of beasts... there will be dudes there who are MONSTERS physically. Don't deselect yourself because they beat you. There are standards and you're probably meeting them. Yeah yeah those guys are smoking it and you're not, but until cadre tells you to go home, keep going. It's only 21 days and some of them aren't so bad so it's really like a few days of really sucking bad and dealing with a lot of uncertainty/scrutiny.
I’m an 11b over at 10th MTN planning on going in October. In regards to preparation what do you recommend other than running and rucking? Did you lift weights prior to going? Im by no means out of shape and can max an APFT but at the same time im only 6’2” and 170ish lbs so I’m not the strongest when it comes to the big lifts
team week is heavy, the ruck might weigh you down during land nav. I started selection around 200 pounds and after the trek i'd guess i was about 175-180. you'll lose weight even with 3-4 MRE's a day. not saying bulk up unnecessarily, but don't try to go in too lean. I think a good "combat weight" for a 6'2" dude going to selection is between 185-200ish. but everyone's body is different. so what you have now might be best for you.
@@tf2965 I appreciate the comment! I completely see what you’re saying. I used to be around 205, really strong but my cardio lacked. Right now I’m a lot more agile and can run distance with relative ease. I think I just need to become more of a ‘hybrid’.
I went through a while back and in retrospect I didn't do enough stuff outside the gym. I was a crossfit hero. Some baseline of gym stuff is probably a good idea, but not necessary if you're moving heavy stuff long distances frequently. On your back, in your hands, etc. These days strength and conditioning has moved away from the idea of "mileage," but going from like 15 miles a week to... who knows during sfas fuuuuuuucked me up. I could smoke some events but they kept coming, and i kept not recovering, and they kept coming, and i kept limping.... having some kind of mileage base might not be a bad idea...
@@Ophio117 I hear a mileage of like 40-45 miles per week is ideal
@@mingus445_gaming that would probably be fine
I've never failed any of the special forces selections I've attempted.
Perfect record, impressive
As a young 20 something I could never have done this but as a man in his mid thirties I believe I could but my age disqualifies me
I'm working with a 19th Group Recruiter at 35. Game isn't over yet 🤙
Even if you failed a few obstacles you may still get selected. They're looking for people who do well in a "team" environment who doesn't quit which includes bitching about something or being selfish.
Hi bro. Can you tell me please? What kinde of season in this video? In which month going selection process in green berets? In the same time. Do you have roads in the mountains while going selection? Thanks.
April 2017
What class were you 🤔 I was in class 4-17 lol
Going 18x soon. Appreciate the video. I'm wondering about the team week environment. I'm a helpful person but I don't feel it's appropriate to be overly helpful in any environment as that can be detrimental to others when we prevent them from going through what might be hard but helpful. I can imagine guys who are way too enthusiastic to help or are trying to appear very helpful for selection being extremely annoying yet appear like great team players while others who are just reading the situation appropriately appear like less committed to the team. Do the evaluators seem intelligent enough to tell the difference? Also, did you get in actual arguments with others or you just saw that? And do you really think they docked people for tensions or conflict? Seems reasonable and appropriate, also an opportunity to resolve and grow together. Why do you think your teams didn't perform well? Was it physical weakness or no leaders stepped up to help organize a good plan or? Appreciate any responses.
8 for 8 on the Star? It used to be that you either got 4 out of 4 in one night and we're done, or 9 out of 12 over the full three nights to make it further. Is it changed now?
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 Oh wow, that is quite different. The STAR caused the most attrition other than v dubs when I went through. I would assume that is not the case anymore.
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 Right on👍
So are you currently in the 19th?
It'd be nice if the VA didn't have policy of shutting injured vets out from support so often.
So did you return?
Where was your SFRE?
Not being a team player, being a TFG, and not making the standards are all major gigs.
You won't be selected if you are deficient in any of those areas.
Why did those guys who were 21 days NTRs? Used up all their SOF selection attempts? Integrity violations or VWs?
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 that’s interesting. I’ve never heard of a 21 day getting an NTR unless it was their last SOF selection attempt. I understand it’s different every class buys that’s wild. Know a bunch of guys that received 21 day non selects. It’s definitely a tough pill to swallow but shows that SFAS isn’t all it’s made out to be, end of the day it’s still a “big army” school.
bro make this like an +hour
I don't know. I was selected and I was 34 years old. It was very hard, but no really all that hard. I just always felt that they were doing Selection to GET soldiers not to NOT GET soldiers. I don't know, it was hard, but it wasn't THAT HARD. I didn't think it was really all that bad.
Its not about the test it's about how you react to the test
Any update?? Lol you went in 2017?? Should’ve been 2 year return? Are you gonna go back?
What is being roadkill in land nav and why can’t you go on the road
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 oh that makes sense now thank you very much
I know someone who was also a 21 day non select. He tried to find out why, and got no answer, which doesn’t seem very American.
He was told that doing 80% on some evolutions is not good enough. You are very honest and IMO, you are who they should be looking for. Where are you now?
What fitness program did you do prior to going?
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 thanks man. Would you still recommend that one or would you have liked to seen more of a particular thing in that program?
So you didn’t get a date then?
How much and how often are you running to get down to a 1330 2 mile?
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 Thats insane. I always figured running waaaaaaaay more would have been it
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 Really appreciate it man
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 What's a good time on those slow runs?
Just Finnishing this is an achievement in its self. If were me id go a different path ,like seals or army rangers, delta
Not comparing Army SF pipeline to SEAL pipeline (BUDs) but if you didn’t make it through SFAS you are almost guaranteed not to make it through BUDs lol Army SF SFAS/QCourse im sure has their demons and some aspects maybe more grueling than BUDs but that SEAL pipeline shit is another fucking machine man. It’s just a very bad time. Literally zero easy parts. However they do keep food in you well but that’s because your running 15-20mi per day in sand while wet and sandy, bleeding all around your body consistently. That’s not even hell week. Learn that Army SF pipeline and stay training for it since you already got that experience there. Also you can’t just go to Delta. Takes many many years to develop and groom them operators. Most guys are in there 30s and 40s. Takes time to climb up tiers I would imagine.
How did you not get selected? You were in the guard? Before you leave for selection you are already selected by your guard group, so you don't have to get selected at selection. Did you talk to your SGM After? Where was the SF guard cadre? Something isn't adding up here. Did you med drop? If you med dropped they just send you right back through.
I think you have to be selected by your guard group in order to attend selection. I knew a dude who was selected by his group to go to selection but was a non-select
@mingus445_gaming they just send you back down
@@christopherflynn6743 Not in bros case, and not in the case of anyone who gets a secondary MOS in contract
@mingus445_gaming like I was saying there is information missing here. Your friend also may not be telling you the whole story.
@@christopherflynn6743 there's nothing else to tell. he qualified on his secondary MOS so in the case of failing selection he would still be an asset to the unit
Dang dude that sucks bro
That is the primary reason you weren’t selected. Focus on self and, not Team.
so will u try again?
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 respect man
Could hear it in your voice you weren’t a team player before you said it. Are you just gonna act like a team player or actually be one?
I go in on an 18x in july☠️
How come you have to wait till July?
@@CORNERBLITZFANTASY well I'm training alot, and I gotta wait till I'm 21 according to my recruiter
Hope you make it
82k views... that, kids, is irony
Tighten up your shot group.
You know, and they told you your gigs. They want you, you just need to cut your cloth to the standard.
Getting Selected is just the foot in the door. The standards set are what is expected the rest of the game.
@@detachedoperationalgroup5765 You're gonna make it, Stay Frosty!
I didn’t have blisters and then went to I stitched up my blisters. Instead of talking about what position you finished you should show more humbleness
Military is getting softer. Blue collar work pushes you more and is harder cause we do it everyday, not once in awhile, everyday. Most of these guys wouldn’t last a day in august putting shingles on a roof. You guys might as well have mixed teams because you have women standards. Less work for more pay.