I can talk about what I’m familiar with. As far as SEALS go, everybody pretty much knows what they do and what it takes to become one, if you watch enough of the Discovery channel. Marine Recon, I have no idea, other than what I saw in Heartbreak Ridge:) Airforce para-rescue are suppossed to be pretty bad ass, but I don’t know any.
I do know what the Army forces do though.
Special Forces, in addition to being a direct action force, are involved with the training of insurgents and indigenous forces(depending on who we like).
That is one of their primary missions, hence the need to attend language training. I’m not sure if you can still directly enlist into the SF occupations now. When I served, you couldn’t, but for a while afterwards I think they allowed it.
Rangers are basically specialized airborne infantry. They perform many LIC infantry type missions.
Delta - Don’t worry about it yet, you definitely can’t enlist there. Although, at least when I was in, they did not recuit solely from other SF ranks. They held periodic open recuitments looking for guys with specialized skills that they needed at the time. If selected, you went through the SF Q-course and SF training, then to DELTA training(whatever that is).
As far as the helicopter guys go, I don’t think you can select a SF specialty, but your best chance is to get involved with the Blackhawk, since that’s what they use.
I don’t know if this helps, but you’re welcome to PM me if you have any other questions.
DEVGRU easily. Or u can go to canada eh and be mountee behindee.
Stuff like DELTA and DEVGRU u’d have to be “in” for ast least 6 yrs before u ascend to that level.
Xen
What are looking for in terms of info? Are you looking at a career in spec ops or just general info?
If you are looking to join the military for the sole purpose of joining the spec ops community make absolute certain it?s what you want. It?s just not as simple as enlisting and applying spec ops team then getting in.
If /when you are chosen, the selection process is extremely intense regardless of the branch and chances are you won?t make it through. No offense but statistics have proven it. Of the select few that are even chosen, only about 20-30 percent make it through.
The army has the largest and most diverse spec ops options, some of which include psychological warfare and a civil affairs unit that you can apply for even at the reservist level. While they are not the ?tradition? SF units most would think of, they are an option.
I read a few people mention Delta Force, or CAG (Combat Applications Group, forget about it. They choose you and you just don?t go waltzing into their compound at Bragg and sign up.
There are a lot of web sights on the net devoted to the spec ops community. I?d stick with web sights that are endorsed by the spec ops community or set up by current or former operators.
Hope this helps you out some.
As a side note, Dick Marcinko’s first book is called Rogue Warrior and it?s autobiographical. A fantastic read and all non-fiction. He’s written a series of management and business books as well as books of fiction based on real world experiences.
I can safely say that he is the real deal. Anyone that says he is b.s. doesn’t have the first damn clue what they are talking about.
I’m not exactly sure how getting into Delta works but I know it’s not entirely them choosing you. My father had a chance to attend their selection process but declined. My understanding is that there are postings for Delta on most every combat arms unit.
However, actually making it through selection is extremely hard. My father has also been around a few Delta guys who were in the process of selecting new recruits (if you will). They told him that there were well over 150 guys to begin the process and that number had then fallen to one lone guy.
The selection process has its physical challenges but I’m sure most of it is based psychological evaluations, mental abilities, and past military achievements.
Either way, that’s a long way down the road for you if you decide to even join the Army.
But like I said in my first post, what you choose to do in SOF should be based on which job you’d like more. Comparing SEALS to Special Forces or to Rangers is apples and oranges. You can’t really say who is “tougher” or “better”.
Quick question for anyone.
To be in the Special Forces, a Ranger, a SEAL etc., do you have to speak a few languages?
I thought that was a pre-req.
I would recommend going Army SF. I know most everyone says SEALs are the best but I have worked with USMC, SEALS, and Rangers. The Delta Force is by far the best training and all around BEST. If you are interested in a medical type job at all the Army has amazing training like goat labs, monkey labs, you could be doing some truely unbeliveable things.
[quote]carter12 wrote:
Air Force: SOS unit specializing in infiltration/exfiltration and close air support. STS specializes in combat search and rescue and air traffic control along with close air support. I don’t know much about these guys.
[/quote]
No idea what SOS or STS units are, but I know there’s CCT (Combat Control Team), SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape), TAC/P (Tactical Air Control Parties - you’re basically going to work with Army troops, heh). Also there’s ParaRescue (PJ’s) who are some bad ass mofo’s. Many prior Navy SEALs have failed to pass the PJ course.
CCT has some cool as jobs within it, especially the Counter-Sniper job.
[quote]carter12 said:
Navy: SEALS. Specializing in water borne activity but with new emphasis on land warfare due to iraq and afghanistan. They’re the first to be called when they need someone to insert by water. Many have complained about not getting enough missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Still, if you make it through the initial trianing alone (BUD/S), you are a bad motha fucka. They get to blow up a lot of shit and use just about every weapon possible.[/quote]
Bad thing about SEALS is that you’ll rarely, if ever, see combat. The main reason SEALs get out of the Military and go to a private company of sorts is because they never see action. They train and train and train and train, then they retire.
[quote]Kir Dog wrote:
Quick question for anyone.
To be in the Special Forces, a Ranger, a SEAL etc., do you have to speak a few languages?
I thought that was a pre-req.[/quote]
No but it’s a big plus.
“Air Force: SOS unit specializing in infiltration/exfiltration and close air support. STS specializes in combat search and rescue and air traffic control along with close air support. I don’t know much about these guys.”
USAF has PJ’s and Combat Controlers. For more information on USAF special ops check out www.specialtactics.com
I have worked with most of SOCOM (that means SEALS, Army special forces and PJ’s and CCT), as well the aussies.
and they all kick ass, so the “who is the best” argument is not needed.
[quote]JokerFMJ wrote:
Bad thing about SEALS is that you’ll rarely, if ever, see combat. The main reason SEALs get out of the Military and go to a private company of sorts is because they never see action. They train and train and train and train, then they retire.[/quote]
This statement is right on. Hence the massive popularity of ‘private contractors’ in the middle east right now. I know people who would turn down reenlistment to get more action, more safety, MUCH better pay, ROE like in the movies, and best of all, its YOUR choice. All credible agencies require prior service of some sort. The most well known is Black Water. Then again, if one is ‘itching’ to get killing, these companies are multinational corporations and i’m sure one can find a company hiring in African country X for immediate deployment. Get your tickets, grab a vest, and pick up one of Kalashinakov’s finest in the Subsahara for less than $30.
-k
Thank you so much for answering the questions everyone I really appreciate the input.
I understand that finding the “BEST” branch is an absurd notion. They each specialize in certain areas there is a lot of cross training and joint operations.
The best comparison I heard is, that asking which Spec ops group is the best is like asking which surgeon is better…A heart surgeon or a brain surgeon. Different specilizations, different areas of expertise, similar techniques.
I sat down with my dad and let him know how I felt about a lot of things. I really feel like I"m just spinning my wheels in college… I’m around a lot of business types and I’ve survived (actually did quite well) in several intense business atmospheres but I dont like the type of person that it would make me.
Granted its profitable but I’m always going to dream about more…and doing something else.
Only thing holding me back are my family commitments (and school). My parents are on the older side, my father is soon retiring, and I have to take care of my sister (older but in general a fuck-up though she’s doing her best currently, and doing fairly well.)
My dad told me, that the family will always be ok and that he doesn’t want me to be like him and always wonder what if. All he asks is that I gain some understanding and wisdom first…
finish college, take a semester abroad, love, live, etc… then make my decision.
Which is extremely supportive and I’m grateful that I have people in my life like that.
So currently I’m just trying to gain more information to look at my options.
I understand that its not glamourous in anyway, its not something that you hear a thank you for. My obituary will never mention my exploits and I’ll probably be nothing more than a distant memory…if that.
But I’m not doing it for anyone other than myself, to be able to look myself in the eye everyday and know that I’ve survived more than most men can concieve.
Also, I’ve never had a best friend or any type of camradrie with anyone. I spent some time giving gifts and what not at a senior citizen home this Christmas and some vets were there and it was interesting to see these older guys (whom you would think were brothers by how they acted) still after so many years have such a strong bond. Cliche as it is, I really do want that. I’m damn near an only child (sister and I are 13yrs apart), maybe thats why haha.
I’m giving myself sometime to really decide what I want… It’s either SpecOps or I pursue MMA more aggressively (meaning only do school part-time in an effort to train more & work).
Meanwhile, I’m taking private lessons in several languages (not concurrently) to gain a level of proficiency that would make me an asset in SpecOps as well as the work force if I choose to go that route instead.
Lord knows what will happen… again thanks for the help everyone I really do appreciate it. Now if you’ll excuse me I"m going to go cry for my Trojans.
Xen
[quote]carter12 wrote:
First thanks to all the fuckin idiots who posted their dumbass comments. Way to waste your time and our fellas.
[/quote]
bollocks. If you cant take some fun then maybe their not for you after all eh?
[quote]Xen Nova wrote:
But I’m not doing it for anyone other than myself, to be able to look myself in the eye everyday and know that I’ve survived more than most men can concieve.[/quote]
That right there is the single most important factor if you decide to do it. If you’re doing it for someone other than yourself then you’re not going to survive the training, plain and simple. Glad to see you’re at least being realistic.
Oh, and as far as the Marines, I wouldn’t go that route… If only because they brain wash you and make you think you’re a lot more badass than you are… If you do become a Marine, please don’t think you can take on a Samoan Army Ranger, please? … My buddy witnessed a Marine trying to take down his Samoan Ranger buddy at a joint training course, heh…
Let’s just say the Marine had to leave the course and spend some time in the hospital.
You may find this Link useful or interesting as many former Special Forces members and those that are interested in this type of lifestyle wind up in this career field.
A lot of international info
http://defence.janes.com/
http://www.globalsecurity.org
Some of the best at Counter Terror
http://www.isayeret.com/main/guide.htm
If you think you can handle it, grab your UDT shorts and flippers and give it a try.
Me Solomon Grundy
[quote]TestOnly wrote:
Or u can go to canada eh and be mountee behindee.[/quote]
actually Canada has Joint Task Force 2
Thank you guys i really appreciate the help
FYI - Delta finds you not the other way around. In other words its by invite only.
Me Solomon Grundy
[quote]Solomon Grundy wrote:
FYI - Delta finds you not the other way around. In other words its by invite only.
Me Solomon Grundy[/quote]
They hold try-outs occasionaly. These are mainly just PT weeder tests. Several friends of mine did this on Ft Lewis, one got an invite to the next level, the others were told to try again next time.
Had to do things like 50 push-ups in a minute, with the evaluators hand in a fist under your chest and his other hand on your elbow.