Posted on Nov 15, 2016
PFC Jim Wheeler
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My dad never talked much about his service (Vietnam), but he did tell me a story about when he went through SFAS. His was that there was this short little guy (dad was 6'1") that he refused to quit before. No matter what, he wouldn't let that guy last longer. That guy never quit, so neither did my Dad.

For those that made the cut, how did you make it through when things got tough?
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Responses: 6
SGM Special Forces Senior Sergeant
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You have to find motivation in other's weakness. When they quit, you laugh. When they complain, you smile (because it ain't that bad). When YOU want to quit... don't. That is all it takes. When you reach the point of physical exhaustion... take another step. And another. And another.
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SGT Ben Keen
SGT Ben Keen
8 y
I think the same can be said about anything you set your mind to. Let it be SFAS or a civilian job interview, your words ring true.
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PFC Jim Wheeler
PFC Jim Wheeler
8 y
For some reason that sounds easier said than done!
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SGM Special Forces Senior Sergeant
SGM (Join to see)
8 y
PFC Jim Wheeler - Well, it took me twice, so it definitely wasn't easy.
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MSG Team Sergeant
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There aren't any tricks of tips. Just don't quit. Have the mentality that they will have to make you leave.
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PFC Jim Wheeler
PFC Jim Wheeler
8 y
I didn't figure there would be any tricks, it's just kind of cool to see what type of mentality helped people make it through.
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1SG(P) First Sergeant
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I'm confused. SFAS wasn't instituted until around '88.
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1SG(P) First Sergeant
1SG(P) (Join to see)
8 y
No worries. I made it through by looking at the guys who quit and thinking, "This sucks. But it doesn't suck bad enough to quit."
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PFC Jim Wheeler
PFC Jim Wheeler
8 y
1SG(P) (Join to see) - I appreciate you taking the time to respond!

In your experience, does anything suck bad enough to quit?
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1SG(P) First Sergeant
1SG(P) (Join to see)
8 y
Not that I know of. But maybe I haven't encountered it.
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LTC Stephen C.
LTC Stephen C.
8 y
I'm with you, 1SG(P) (Join to see). I finished jump school in APR70, and we got on a bus and went straight to Fort Bragg. A week or so later, I was at Camp Mackall for Phase 1 of the SF enlisted course. SFC George Smith PFC Jim Wheeler
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