SPECIAL FORCES ASSESSMENT AND SELECTION, DON'T OVERTHINK IT
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Have you ever thought about a career in Army Special Forces?
Don’t overthink it, get in shape, learn how to navigate with a map and compass and step up.
Don’t be late
Don’t be last
Don’t be light
Don’t self-select
Don’t quit
Instagram : @kevin.p.owens
“Cadre Are Constantly Asking When Assessing Character: Do They Want To Be On A Team With You”
Huge Point
Thought I was too old to go at 30 but hearing guys going in their early 30s and mid 30s and making it is very motivating. Great advice and great videos
I'm currently at 11B OSUT's AIT, got selected to go 18x. You're at your prime in terms of your physicality. I'm 33 years old! I talked to the cadre at SFAS. Work on your 15 mile+ ruck and 7-10 miles run a day after.
@@chltmdwp congratulations on getting selected into the pipeline! Very motivating to hear that. I have been working on long rucks and runs and just finished a day in Colorado with SOCOM athlete and talked to a lot of 5/19 group. Hopefully I can sign contract soon. Thanks for the motivation and I hope you make it and see you down range brother
@@18x-wv6jc you'll never make it you larper. You will just keep putting it off and never enlist.
Best advice out there, thanks for this. Also, as the Commander of both SFAS and the Q-course you are spot on, we want candidates to succeed! Show up in shape, don't quit, know how to land nav with a map and compass and be a good team player.
Thank you for being a Green Beret and being the best of the best!! Your service is appreciated
Heading to selection next month and I’ve def started that phase of doubt. But I’m still working. Too late to back off now!
Good luck
You got this brother
Did you end up getting selected?
How was it, brother?
My one major piece of advice for anyone who wants to do anything in any Army Special Operations Force is get into orienteering (which is basically competitive land-nav as teams and individuals) as early as you can. I was lucky enough to go to a high-school that had a cross-country orienteering team. By the time I got to selection, I had been involved in competitive land-nav cross country racing for about 8 years. There is no single skill set I can think of, that will help you more throughout any Army SOF's training pipeline, than being absolutely adept and comfortable at land-nav.
You went to SFAS at 35, and got selected. There should be a case study on you, because that must be a first. Incredible
Average age is 33 that the guys become SF.
@ After a 2 year pipe, no?
@@MikeMike-wr7zi So they're probably around 33 to 35 when they get selected and officially get in a SOF unit. Remember these are usually guys who have served for a while so they know what it takes to make it.
@ Solid point, just shocking imagining being that age for that kind of beating
@@MikeMike-wr7zi lol that's not old though, just middle aged. If you've been working out for a while your body has already adapted to taking a beating. Bones are denser, testosterone higher, developed muscles, adult muscle mass and strength. So it makes sense most of these guys make it in their 30s, they've already adapted to taking a beating, as where the average 18 year old not so much. We don't even start reaching our physical prime until 28 or so.
I went in January’01 at 30. I tell guys to work on body weight stuff like pull ups, dips, and grip strength. Also core strength, so a lot of planks. I was an infantry guy so the first two weeks weren’t bad. The land nav was easy, but long. The biggest kick in the nuts is team week where most of the VWs occur. Grip strength is for carrying things by a rope handle, and core strength plays heavily there too. Build your shoulders up for the ruck and whatever nastiness they put on top of it. In the end, all physical challenges are really mental in nature. Just accept that it’s going to hurt. A lot. Be the first to get up, and the last to sit down.
It's totally doable at 30 or over 35?
@@ryanbeech6917 yes, it’s doable, but preparation is even more important. You have to want it because it’s going to hurt, and if your heart isn’t in it you’ll quit. The deeper your physical well is the more time you have before you have to draw from your mental well. My second time was all will power because I didn’t have the time to train like I wanted. So, yes it’s possible but you have to want it.
@danielmcneely1579 ok I understand what you mean. I actually went years ago when I was like 24 and I've been itching to go again now that I'm older. But I know age can make a difference from a physical perspective
It’s a question of preparation and desire. Now, be prepared for a shorter career in SF due to your age. I used to tell my guys that everyone has an expiration date for that work, and mine was about 42. I was in great shape but I just couldn’t keep up with the young guys anymore. I also didn’t recover as fast. Because I spent a relatively short time in SF there were a lot of things I didn’t get to do, but I would definitely do it again. I got to do a lot of things I wouldn’t have done in the 82nd.
@danielmcneely1579 gotcha, totally understand what you mean. Now did you do active or guard SF??
Getting ready to take an 18X contract, I ran on the JFK 50 for 2023 on team SF and met the CSM, had no idea how high up he was at the time, but getting excited to hopefully work under him now.
Great advice. I usually give roughly the same advice when I am asked "Don't be lite, last, late..." and I add be consistent.
Great stuff as always Kevin, I liked your comment about that the emphasis in the media concerning Vietnam, is about those who came back traumatized, and indeed a lot of them did unfortunately, however a serious amount didn't and they don't really appear in the narrative.
What you said @9:47
That’s what I’m interested in.
That “moment” where your life goes into a direction most people lives will never go. For some reason that means a lot to me
Great video would've loved to tryout sfas if I was a us citizen. I think green berets are the impressive special operation unit. It's amazing how an oda can be dropped in the middle of nowhere train up a host nations forces build infrastructure gather their own Intel learn culture languages self sustain and learn a wide variety of skills they truly are the jack of all trades. Robin sage looks like lots of fun
You don’t have to be a citizen. Plenty of waivers for that.
You do have to be a citizen
@@kevinowens9636Hi Kevin is it possible for a Irishman late 30s with previous 13years army experience to join the USArmy ?
CITIZENSHIP
Although the Army wants people from all different backgrounds and experiences, all candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a valid Green Card (officially known as a I-551 Permanent Resident Card). For more info www.goarmy.com/how-to-join/requirements.html
@@Stell559you need to be a citizen for Special forces, but for regular army you only need a green card. I’m working on getting my green card to join the army, I want to be SF, just take it step by step thou. I’m a police officer in Wisconsin, surprisingly approx only 5 police departments in USA take foreigns, so at least I’m doing something I like but I wish I could serve in the armed forces. Hang in there brother, is a marathon not a race.
I just found your video and I am currently training for selection, I really appreciate the advice and encouragement 🙌🏾🙌🏾
You’re welcome
Headed to SFRE for 20th in September, thank you for the information!
Good luck!!
How did it go
Awesome advice as always the info you put out is priceless
I appreciate that!
Sincere like a true father should be. Thank you Kevin!.
Had to listen to this a few times. Truly appreciate the insight.
Glad to hear it!
Excellent video, broke down many aspects that I didn’t even think about really.
Kevin ABSOLUTELY has it together!!
Where is the best place to learn land Navigation outside of the military
This guy....
I’ll do some videos when I get back from SHOT show
Hey, they actually changed the age limit. The new age limit is 18-29 to go to SFAS.
I don't know how long this age bracket is going to remain because it is currently affecting recruitment.
Great video Kevin!
Glad you enjoyed it
Man!!!! Makes me wanna throw on my ruck and go do some night land nav...looking for possibly u with that fire, possible beer belly, the beard is dead on, but your missing that your about 4000 meters off your VERY FIRST POINT FOR SUMMER NIGHT LAND NAV, GO BACK TO THE STARTING POINT, start over and try to find all 4 before the sun comes up i dont feel sorry for you bc I already did it and passed on the first try look....😅😅😅
I'm 34 and lots of people have told me I'm too old. The only thing that has me hesitating is i have a family. Is there any way i can get ahold of you
Solid as always.
great advise
Thank you for this!
Wish i was a lot younger and had my head screwed on straight
Green Berets are Gods!!! I love the Air Force Special Operations guys a lot, but Special Forces are hands down the best overall SOF operators in my opinion.
Do you think a person with severe dyslexia could pass?
Amazing
I'm a young athlete in highschool hoping to join sf in an 18xray contract. The only thing I think I'm going struggle with is land nav. I don't really know how I'm supposed to learn land nav, any tips?
Cross that bridge when you get to it, email me when you're in Fort Bragg and i'll advise you
@@kevinowens9636 wdym?
32 y/o physically fit, have a wife and 3 kids. Wanting to go special forces through national guard. How hard is SF life on family?
Just do it, you have one life.
Where have you been?
Found you. Nice
Can someone tell me is there was a guy named Garrett Robinson in army special forces. He’s my boss and he tells everyone he was airborne ranger with a special forces tab. I served in the army for a few years until I was medically discharged. I just have a feeling he’s not telling the truth. If someone could help me out I would appreciate it
I have a question I can only do push ups on my fist due to a surgery I had years ago. Would that be a problem if I want to be apart of special forces?
You’d have to ask a recruiter, but my guess would be yes, the injury would likely affect more than your ability to do push ups
wait....how old are you? you said you went to SFAS at 35 and that was 22 years ago? If that tracks you've aged well for being an old SOF guy. LOL
Army doesn't do sit ups anymore
What do you mean....you need those abs to have pvt what's his face jump on that constantine wire during training 😅
Another ex action guy video about assessment
And selection…🙄😴
So why are you here then🙄🤣🤣🤣
You should find out this "ex-action" guys story before you comment. He was selected for special forces at 35.
I have to say that Kevin has a really low key honest approach to this whole area and the channel is excellent. There are so many SF guy on youtube who are just angry dudes pushing a political agenda and making money off telling other angry dudes they are right........or just trying too be the biggest Alpha in the room and that's really boring.I love the common sense irish approach on this channel
@@patboland1650 💯
Holy shit! I’m 29!
Nice, brother! This is fantastic advice regardless of going to SFAS.