3
3
0
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?
For those that made the cut, how did you make it through when things got tough?
Posted in these groups: 
Special Forces
Special Forces Assessment & Selection (SFAS)
18X: Special Forces Candidate
Special Forces Special Forces Assessment & Selection (SFAS) 18X: Special Forces Candidate
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 6
9
9
0
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.
(9)
(0)
5
5
0
There aren't any tricks of tips. Just don't quit. Have the mentality that they will have to make you leave.
(5)
(0)
PFC Jim Wheeler
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.
(0)
(0)
5
5
0
1SG(P) (Join to see)
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."
(2)
(0)
PFC Jim Wheeler
1SG(P) (Join to see) - I appreciate you taking the time to respond!
In your experience, does anything suck bad enough to quit?
In your experience, does anything suck bad enough to quit?
(0)
(0)
LTC Stephen C.
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
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
SFAS is not that hard if you are truly there for the right reasons. Pay attention to detail. This goes well when preparing your packing list to land navigation. Be in great shape. The Nasty Nick obstacle course is no joke. It has rope climb after rope climb, after rope climb. Be good at land navigation prior to you going there, and you should be fine. You will see weak individuals there that have zero chance in making it. Be a team player and help out those in need during team week, and do not quit. Do not assess yourself. Let the committee tell you how you did at the very end. You will have some off days, make up for them on the days you feel better.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
I have not yet gone, but it is my whole intention to do so. But, contrary to your old man, my motivation is not in the weakness of others, but in the strength of the men before me. My family name is know throughout 1st, 5th, and 3rd Group(s), depending on the BN you belong to. I've got two generations of green berets ahead of me, and I absolutely cannot fail. My motivation is in that I can say that my father and my father's father made it, and I wish that statement to be true for my children as well.
(2)
(0)
SSgt Dale W.
SPC (Join to see) Had to post the last verse in your honor.
"Put silver wings on my son's chest; Make him one of America's best; He'll be a man they'll test one day; Have him win the Green Beret"
"Put silver wings on my son's chest; Make him one of America's best; He'll be a man they'll test one day; Have him win the Green Beret"
(0)
(0)
SPC (Join to see)
SSgt Dale W., much appreciated. And one day, that will be true for me as well! Thank you for the support!
And for the record, SSG Sadler was a genius for writing that song!
And for the record, SSG Sadler was a genius for writing that song!
(0)
(0)
SSgt Dale W.
SPC (Join to see) - Yes, SSG Sadler had some creative genius. His Casca series of books kept me entertained and helped pass a lot of time on standby. I have often wondered how much of himself he put into the character Casca.
(0)
(0)
SPC (Join to see)
SSgt Dale W. - Every great author puts themselves into their characters. And a great many of us put themselves into several. So I would guess that Casca had a great many similarities to SSG Sadler.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Depending on when He went thru The "Q" Course ... he may have Been in "Zero Week or Pre-Phase"
They were the predecessors of SFAS in the 70's and early 80's
late in 85 they started "Assessment" and all attendees were there TDY and if they Failed they were sent back their Unit...
They were the predecessors of SFAS in the 70's and early 80's
late in 85 they started "Assessment" and all attendees were there TDY and if they Failed they were sent back their Unit...
(1)
(0)
PFC Jim Wheeler
He was in in the early 60's (enlisted in the late 50's IIRC). I don't know what it would have been called back then, or remember what he called it (if anything, he may have just said SF training?). He passed back in 08, so any story I remember was from at least 8 years ago and probably closer to 15 lol. I was probably 8-10 years old when he was talking about this.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
-
Ask questionGet expert advice and
tips for your questions. -
Post updatePost pictures, personal updates, plans, or anything you like!
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google