How Hard is SFAS? | Special Forces Journey
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- Опубліковано 20 жов 2024
- How hard is Special Forces Assessment and Selection? I'll do my best to answer that for you now! Thanks for stopping by everyone! Please hit that like and subscribe button so the content can reach every future operator on the tubes!
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Wow ok
Which month it was? When you get through Selection? October, November or what?
For anyone wondering if what he’s saying is true, the answer is yes, I was selected a few months ago and I am headed to the Q course next month. Everything he says is spot on and honestly, you have to be there to understand. It was also my second time going through selection as I was a 19 day non-select the first time. Your mind goes to weird places that is very hard to bring into your training so for most, it’s the first time they are experiencing it. I knew where my mind was going to go so I prepared for it and that got me through, but it was still tough. you just have to remember why you are there and that there are many others that have already been successful. Your body will do things that will seem impossible during the course, but will seem like nothing when you are done. Good luck to everyone trying out and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it.
Great advice! It took me 2 times to get Selected as well. If you want something bad enough you can achieve. It's going to take blood, sweat and tears and always remember NEVER FUCKING QUIT
good shit brother! thanks for dropping in to give out some hope!
You must be in SWC, like me unless you're not an 18x. Getting sent to RASP now 😔
@@MM-qt8gz whats wrong with rasp? Thats what i want to do is be a ranger when I graduate hs next year
@@aidansmith8299 nothing wrong with rasp. Just get ready to get fucked up. SFAS, they dont yell at you at all. Very stoic, no emotions at all. Regiment is different. The culture, the mission set, etc. I'm not young. Ranger regiment is very taxing on your body especially if you're on the line and not a support MOS and honestly, it's not a place to be for the long term. The standards are extremely high and you're literally fighting to keep your job, day in and day out. SF is more chill and at the least the skill sets are more transferable as opposed to just kicking down the doors. I'm too grown to be hazed by a 24 year old Sgt but it is what it is but things get better and they treat you like part of the family if you're a "tabbed" ranger in the regiment. It's absolutely a great place to grow and be molded and learn a lot of great skills and actually be in special operstions. For me, I have no desire to go back to SFAS. Maybe, I don't know. Team Week fucking sucks... it's brutal. Yeah, the missions are different but they're both under SOCOM... i wish I got the 18c to learn construction but I'll just learn it on my own
Great video!
In my experience:
1. I lived meal-to-meal. Get to breakfast. Make it to lunch. Make it to dinner. Make it to breakfast.
2. When it’s the worst (as so well described about 7 mins into this video), just keep saying to yourself: “One more step. One more step.” You can’t make a 20 mile March with a heavy pack. But you can 35,000 steps, one at a time.
3. Just don’t quit. Don’t even start if you don’t have this attitude. It can be, “I’ve got no where else to go”, or it can be, “I can’t take the shame of being a quitter”. Whatever it is, make them say no, not you.
4. Get super fit before you go. It won’t be enough.
5. Embrace the suck. Love it more the more it sucks.
6. Be helpful. Make it, but try just as hard to help other (worthy and able) teammates get through. It’s about the team more than you as an individual. You don’t survive alone.
Thanks for the video Buck. Was slotted for SFAS last April but ended up tearing my ACL in an accident in March. My first thought before even thinking about anything else was, “Will I still be able to go to selection?” Almost a year later, I’ve had my frustrations here and there, some doubt from others, but I let it fuel me. I never doubted that I’d get back to where I need to be to attend selection. In a way I’m grateful for my injury because I believe it’s helped me build mental callouses that I’ll need when I’m ready to go again.
damn right! the fruit will be that much sweeter too
Buck just wanna say thanks man. Being a GB has always been a dream for me. The knowledge you provide us in these videos has really inspired/motivated me to finally shoot my shot. Will be attending selection very soon and have been training my ass off but doubt is always in my mind but it just pushes me to work harder. Thank you 👊
glad to help bro! go get it!
Can't wait for a year or two. Got the VA involved with helping me overcome my prior injuries and I'm gonna hop in after serious mental and physical training. From marine to green beret, I'm chasing my dreams and you, and those like you, are helping tremendously.
hey man wondering how its coming along
@@Lucas-dz2cy If they're quiet that's either really good or really bad
My experience was when I decided to try out for our SWAT team, I told everyone about it. I was in my 40s and not in the best shape, but by telling everyone, I knew it would motivate me to work out harder because I did not want to be embarrassed by not passing the physical test. Yeah, I failed.
Just kidding, the possibility of failing and all of my friends laughing at me motivated me to pass.
i use that method at times too, just need to be prepared for the hate when you are open about your plans
*Every time I see your videos I'm Happy to hear your words of Wisdom & Experience. Glad your here & still fighting. "One Day At A Time", That's the Secret in Life.*
thank you and couldnt agree more
I'm over 50 Sir but I appreciate your content. I'm a fellow LEO (LAPD) who was able to start and retire from the career which as you know only 20% of us can do so, with the help from our Lord.
Thank you for what you do. You're making the world a better place and giving hope to those that are in search for something greater.
Just don’t quit! Great video man! Always try to be first and never quit….you’ll make it.
Honestly… I’m just hear to learn more about what my mans is going through while he’s away training on the 18x contract. :) also… being subscribed to your wife has also helped a lot!
I'm not or ever was SF, but if that's the route you choose, hope it's the hardest thing in your life up to that point. That way you know & prove to yourself that you've got in you to do hard work. Best of luck to all who take that path. 🤘🏼
thats right!
Hey thanks man. I appreciate the advice. Ever since I was a young boy I always wanted to be an “army man”. Here I am a whole ass man getting ready to join the army. Now the question I had been asking myself was “what kind of army man I want to be?” I want to be the best. I want to be able to reach the heights of special forces weapon sergeant. And something you were completely right about is the self doubt. I’m not even enlisted yet, but I have been training for the army for months, and I have committed myself in my own mind to do my best by trying to be the best. Wish me luck with my training.
It’s so true what Buck is saying, I don’t even have my contract yet and my USMC 1st Recon cousin is already telling me I won’t make it because people don’t make it, and that 18X people don’t make it and all that shit. Kinda does get to me sometimes, but I remember how good it will feel when I prove him wrong and that helps.
Edit: holy shit holy shit holy shit, I just finished watching the video after commenting this and he said how some people use self-doubt as fuel and that’s SF quality and I feel like maybe I am cut out for this after all! Every selection, Q course video i see only reinforces that thought, I will make it buck!! I’ll make you proud, and most importantly I’ll make myself proud. Thank you. Seriously.
I don’t think I’m eligible. But I emailed Buck almost a year ago. He didn’t get back to me but that’s ok. He has stayed diligent at helping out this community and staying busy in answering questions I didn’t even think of asking. Thanks Buck!
i respond mostly on here, eligibility is a question for the recruiter though
Why wouldn’t you be eligible
@@AFGixxeR88 Back injury, age, and just so many waivers that it keeps me out. At least that's what I have been told.
@@ms_shooting keep fighting for it if its what you really want. Make them tell you no. Go to a different recruiter if you must. Live your life
What about a history of asthma? No meds needed and max PT Score
Thank you for your Military service and the video.
yea man
Interesting to see your perspective from your time. 25+ years ago I think it was the same or very similar. I believe the mental aspect is probably 90% of it. Like what you are doing bro, keep up the good work!
This is one of my biggest goals, to become a Green Beret. 💪 Can't wait to get the opportunity to go to selection.
It's refreshing to hear that such a stud has self-doubt.
Don’t make the mistake I made. I got in great shape, but I was not conditioned to perform on no sleep. Sure I’d been to other schools where you are sleep deprived but selection was a different beast. You are all alone for most of SFAS. That is when fatigue seems to hurt the most. It gets in your head. Team week was a suck fest but at least you were around people. The energy of the group will keep you going. When you are in the dark, cold, and wet whole trying to find a metal engineering picket in a swamp it’s not too motivating. So get used to be tired and hungry before you go. This was an obstacle I had to overcome.
You can’t condition yourself to perform good under no sleep just got to suck it up
To what extent are you sleep deprived throughout? Is it a steady continuous thing or a few days here and there of little to no sleep?
People tend to make your life an area of study once they find out you're doing something they wish they had the courage to try
well put
Hard as hell 😩 & first 🥇, also hope for video of how to survive then thrive in jungle & marshland environments as a Green Beret operator. Also need video about the Captain rank in SF A-teams soon.
true but doable for sure
@@FNGACADEMY ok cool
Thanks dude. You put a lot of bugging questions to rest!
That product placement at the end was hilarious lol
Nice Video! I’m going to Air Force basic in 5 months and I’m going to CCT Selection. I know your video are more towards army but it helps me too. I’ve been training for nearly a year for this (mostly improving my pretty bad swimming) and I’m hopeful that I’ll make it.
ill do some videos on drown proofing, i did a lot of it
Jacob, you need to be extremely comfortable in the water. I worked at the USAF SW Pre-Dive course for 2 years. It's very doable, just don't quit.
@@FNGACADEMY I would love to see it
@@18AFitness that’s why swimming has pretty much been my main focus. I was confident I can do the push ups, sit ups, pull ups, running, and rucks with enough training but swimming was a low spot for me. I’ve been hitting the pool almost everyday and I’m much better than I was before. Hopefully it will be enough
@@jacobglass6521 you also need to be able to 25m under waters.
Ty for another great video and your right mental toughness is the secret of life never quit
dude your like the best person on this platform in terms of information for sfas and whatnot, you have a great doctrine and mindset that you spread your audience and that makes you really unique.
I started making myself not speak often about my goals and I learned how to shut the hell up, that one piece of advice has helped me more than I ever thought it would. Keep up the great work bro, hope you make it far with youtube.
I appreciate that! I spent a long time regretting opening my mouth, it is great to pass on that knowledge and have others follow it
18X here I ship out March 1st love the videos man
Good luck
get after it bro!
Keep us posted
I think your story about that ruck could be drawn out over all of SFAS, or anything difficult in life - work, school, whatever. Focus on the little victories.
I had a friend that went into one of the special forces; I felt like I was the only one that told him fuck yeah you can do it bro
He made it through everything and I couldn't be more proud of my bro
If only the Army would allow 18X’s to stay in shape during basic, AIT, and Airborne. Depends on the Cadre, and time of year, and everything you are saying. Don’t be a quitter.
We've all looked in a mirror and seen all the faults with our body. What we don't consider is that every mirror is flawed. The image you always see is going to be distorted. Mental tests are always the hardest. (Everyone thought I was too small at 160 lbs. After a couple of weeks, they thought I should carry extra rocks in my pack to carry the same weight they had to carry.) You're always stronger than you realize. Just realize that those guys training you are trying to see if you're going to quit on your brothers out in the field. Safety of the teams is their first priority.
Needed this today. Thank you Buck 🤙
you bet bro!
I wanted to be a pj during the sequester. Trained my ass off in the pool. Even hooked up with the local seal running prep for seal wannabes. Then they refused my waiver because I had a shoulder surgery. Went to Meps at least 3 separate times. Biggest regret of my life. Dude if you got the balls to do any of this respect. Make them tell you no. People tell you you can’t do something, because that’s how they view themselves.
How you talked about how you got through ruckmarches is how I did it when I was in the Canadian Forces reserve (BCD 788) and we were on exercise with our Reg Forces Regiment (PPCLI2) we were assigned to
My oldest is in the 3rd week of SFAS. He's a beast. But I told him the person he is looking at in the mirror is the one that will stop him if he lets it. Thank you for your videos on SF training. Thanks to ALL those who have served and did what most can't or won't.
@@Ash12428 thanks for asking. Land Nav got him. He's going back through in October.
I’m amazed at the fact that a candidate can finish SFAS but not get a ‘go’ for the Q course. I can’t imagine how those soldiers feel about getting passed over. Speaks volumes about how the SOPC and SFAS process is more than checking boxes to get the tab and beret.
@@VanyaTheSlavicLol no. Absolutely wrong. MARSOC probably want “killers”, not Green Berets. Green Berets look for leaders and intelligent warriors.
Thank you for this.
you bet!
Man I had to pause when u said it all depends on you all the past trauma you’ve been thru and life experiences cause that’s facts n it hit home I’m only 20 turn 21 in April and I am far more mature and stronger then so many who are older then me cause of my “childhood” if ya would even call it that me being the oldest I shielded my younger siblings from everything and sacrificed myself so they wouldn’t have to go thru it I wanted them to enjoy life and there childhood unlike me from my pops never being in my life and he ultimately dying when I was 16 to getting beat from my single moms as a kid, us growing up poor n me being bullied as a little kid I had anger issues and kinda stayed to myself even tho I was an athlete I grew up playing 3 sports cause I had so much pain that I couldn’t express that it made me stronger then the rest mentally which ultimately gave me the advantage physically cause I wouldn’t quit at all that was never an option I just wanted someone to say they was proud of me which pushed me cause nobody did I’ve seen my mom get beat and my younger brother in abusive relationships when I was a kid and couldn’t do anything about it my mom almost offed herself in front of me I took away the blade and hugged her while she hit rock bottom at one point we were homeless I remember it’d be 3 of us on a twin size bed and I’d sleep on the floor purposely so they’d be more comfortable I’ve really been lookin into joining the military even tho I really want army but I think I have to go navy cause of my left hand tat jus being realistic I doubt the waiver will be accepted and I wanna do a combat job cause anything else I think I’d bore myself and later on regret it in life but idk it’s hard when there’s no one to talk too about it I read the description of your book and to an extent related a lot I keep finding myself watching your vids and thinking I should try going for it but idk man
Go for it bro! You got this !
Hello :) I am in Aus and looking at infantry as I know you have spoken a lot about it. Where I get confused is 99% of people online and I speak to say don’t do it, you’ll do nothing 4 years blah blah and I wanted to do it originally to give me a path to SF
Why not do it?? If you really want to test who you are, why not?
Thanks Buck! Love the new podcast!
Glad you enjoy it!
thx buck, your videos were most helpful. I passed SF selection ( eu country) last year and i am few months to finish line. If i get picked ill send u a patch.
bad ass! good job!
Great Job
You just explained life with this video
#FNGACADEMY Hey thank you for the tips im planning on jo8ing the special force cant wait
I think it would be pretty cool to collaborate with "18A fitness" on example and maybe some other companies and then provide services for all type of selections!
I'm talking about, somebody wants to go SEAL, and then you provide them with some plans and equipment for that.
Also you could have a guy who wants to go SFAS and you provide him with what he needs!!
Best of luck!
Me and Buck did a video together. Check it out
Just remember- hate never comes from anyone above you.
Could you do a video talking about going sf warrant officer and the process
for sure
Great channel, thank you for sharing your knowledge God Bless You Good Sir
Would love to know if I could have made it. Was in an SF unit (Reserves) and was training... rucking,.. running,.. calisthenics every day... hard AF but had someone hit my car at like 60... broken back and neck. Oddly enough, after 2 years of getting back in shape... Army didn't want to throw me out of a perfectly good airplane. Complete regrets.
There’s life after the military. Be the best version of yourself. Life is hard.
@@18AFitness 100%
Hey buck its been a while since a wrote a comment but to day is my birthday and i turned fifteen! 3 more years till i join the army!!
happy birthday homie!
@@FNGACADEMY thanks buck but ive had this question ive wanted to ask you do you think I should become a green beret even though i have depression and suicidal thoughts
Ounces equal pounds, pounds equal pain 💪🏻🇺🇸
damn right
Love the video today Buck! Also, what’s your intro song? It hits hard!
come together its called
@@FNGACADEMY Thanks Buck! You’re the man!
Thanks for the great content man, it’s appreciated. By chance, are you familiar with the inter-service transfers to SFAS? Have you heard of or worked with any guys from the AF/Navy/ etc? Currently looking at coming over from the Air Force side of the house.
thanks man! I met a lot of Marines that transferred, didnt ask about the process
Meet a couple of different branches guys. Very doable
Get into contact with a SORB and get a conditional release from your CO. Upon getting selected you'll be in the Army. If not you'll just continue with your AF contract.
Dude Green Berets are awesome
I wanna switch from psyop reserve to SF and get on a Dive ODA, the problem right now is that I'm trying to finish college and get through this 1st contract.
How long does the paperwork or packet processing take?
not too long
Going through Ranger and RIP the academics were the hardest as well as land nav just wore me out. If I didn't just go through PNOC I don't know if I would have made it. I learned some good study habits.
i tried rasp and didn’t make it so I think about special forces this video help with a few questions I had
Love the Outro🤣🤣👏🏿
thank you!
With my luck I’d get lost on the nighttime navigation course and end up in South Carolina
lmao!
Great video
This is like asking how hard is to run a marathon.
Usually I'll hop on here and make a goofy comment about wine and rations. But as an old guy ( 7 years leg engineer, and 19 years corrections) I'd like to point out to the young guys, hard things are hard. Sounds obvious. The easy stuff rarely turns out to be worth your time. The easy stuff isn't something you can point to with pride and say "I did that". Do the hard shit. Even if you fail you made a real effort and didn't sit in the basement with a game controller, a joint and a bag of twizzlers.
Great advise Andrew! ♣️💀🇺🇸
Thanks for the likes, guys. Seriously.
God bless the folks that can make it. I'd shine their dress shoes but I could NOT do their job. Cheers fellas!
I think Shrek McPhee passed down the greatest wisdom for a course like this, there’s nothing that you can’t do on any given day.
Is SFAS course difficult if your a marine? Ive talked to Marines who went thru Ranger school tell me that was easy. I think maybe when your a Marine, everything else is easier.
So, hat do you think of the 18x contracts dude? I mean 18 years old? It does seem a little early… But I dunno lol. I’m no professional, full support to anyone who attempts this shit dude. 🤙👍
you have to be 21, option 40 Ranger is 18
@@FNGACADEMY oh. I had no idea? I thought that it was for 18 year olds to go in as an 18x. Thanks for the clarification! :)
All 18x is, is just a way to guarantee a tryout going from Civilian to SF. And like
he mentioned you have to be 21 minimum.
@@R2WSF yeah, I was surprised.
Last I checked, they are selecting people with a 90 GT scores so basically a fry cook can get in SF if they can walk far.
Not true
Hey there, 35p Crypto linguist here. In your experience was there every much of a chance for us intel guys to jump over to this side? I’m trying to decide between SOT-A and going all in for that Beret
Probably the hardest thing i've ever done other than bury my grandparents and close brothers. Selection was 2 weeks when i went through Bragg, i guess it's 3 weeks now.
In the airport currently shipping to Ft Benning to start my 18x journey!
nice man!!
You should even go unless you done your homework, you should have already done the Q course mentally and physically,no excuse not to be ready, this is the Green Berets ,either you want it or you don’t it’s that simple. class of 78 ODA325 10th group
great channel
My buddy says the mind fuck at SFAS is crazy. When you do a series of tasks, you and your fellow candidates will make some mistakes. The issue for many is that you don't get any feedback and you don't know if the mistake(s) will cost you from being selected once you make it through. Many guys who made it through weren't selected
It’s not crazy. Most pressure is self induced
You are awesome. sua sponte
I've been considering trying out. I'm currently in the Guard and there is an SF unit not to far away. I just need to raise my GT score up 2 points and wait for when try out sign ups.
Let's say you go into the Airforce and try out for Special forces but don't make it...do you just get sent back and do the job you originally had applied for within the Airforce? Thank you.
Damn, I thought y'all were there to entertain me as a fat veteran watching you like George Jetson exercising.
lmao
It's not really that hard. Just gotta be used to carrying a really heavy ruck. Grip becomes super important. Doing farmers walks helps immensely. I recommend doing far walks with medium weight as not to stress your neck. I would do short distance extremely heavy ruck of 180lbs. No more than 2 miles. Make sure you decompress your spine and neck and foam roll those traps. After land nav. That 68 lb ruck feels like 100 lbs. Cross train heavy and light.
Im assuming you’re a green beret then
@@Themastercobbler512 why?
@@johnlasseigne7676 180lbs sounds like getting hurt weight
@@Themastercobbler512 maybe your body isn't tough enough. I've carried that more times than I care to remember and I'm fine. I only say to do that because you carry 210lbs during team week. Better to let your frame adjust than be shocked by it. Your call.
@@johnlasseigne7676 maybe! Good luck at the Q course man
I was an 0311 in the Marines Reserve, got out 6 years ago. Now I’m going Army National Guard, and want to give SF a go. Is it difficult to get an age waiver? I just turned 39.
This is Facts!
If they have to explain to you it's hard they still trying to get past the first stage learning to read that's why they call it "Special Forces"
A few years back a buddy of mine got dropped from A&S for an integrity violation because he drank from his canteen on the second ruck and the weight of his pack had dropped by the end. Do the instructors not see it the same way at SFAS ?
In SFAS you’re free to drink out of your water containers for events, in fact it’s highly encouraged. You just have to start with them full. At the end, when you weigh your rucks, it’ll be without water
Can you try out if you need to wear glasses? how does that work out when you need to do water training?
glasses are good to go, water training im not sure because i dont wear them, but i am positive there is a solution
They offer lasik at group
I got lasik before enlisting. Best decision ever. But I had to pay out of pocket. So there’s that. Lol
Don't tell, just do.
agreed
I’m 25 and take the ASVAB Wednesday morning. I’m really torn between the option 40 and 18X contracts.. what would you do?
did a couple videos on that, think about the missions
Can you talk about the asvab test for special forces. I’ll like to try and be able to tryout for special forces
just did a video on it last week
Where’s Andy ????
Montana
@@FNGACADEMY thank you Buck your still the Rock Star in my book 📖
are you going to do marsoc to for the fng store
yes sir! all special ops
Buck, when’s the mentorship program dropping bro? Ima be leaving soon and need that shit!!!
soon brotha! when do you ship?
@@FNGACADEMY Mid may! I’m getting right with Kevin but I’m tryna get it first try!
Can you talk about going back through a second time and how you feel chances are it something like that
Buck was more difficult RASP or SFAS ( physically)?
Does anyone have a workout for a 15 year old 115lb looking to get ready for sfas? anything would help
Brown Jason Lee Sarah Garcia Robert
Been doing THOR3 14 week prep program, do you have any experience about THOR3?
they pushed it a lot at the team level but it was meh... i like what Kevin is doing, more well rounded
We’re you in special forces? Did you pass SFAS?
Do you think 28 is too old to go into the army on an 18x or option 40? Saw your video saying rangers are a younger crowd but I've also heard guys like Mike Glover say Rangers to SF is a good progression.
Thanks
28 myself. I came in the Army at 25 so you aren't that old. A friend of mine came in 35.
Age is a number! Never to old!
My uncle just got selected and just started the Q course and he’s like 30
Just turned 33 and signing back up in the Army as an 11x after a 10 year break in service with aspirations of going SF.
Age is just a number, how old do you feel?
There was a ranger that went through RIP/RASP at 44, he got selected into ranger regiment at 44, became the Army’s fittest man, and got a free slot to Army Halo freefall school as well as combat dive. This was in 2018. if he could do it at that age. Anyone can.
Can I ask you what language you learn during your training?
french
Do you think you could pass sfas if you had to do it again right now?
i think so
I couldn’t pass the run times right now but if I followed my SFAS plan for 16weeks I could.
I just got from selection this recent January... I'm a 21 day non-select. He will tell you... it's very subjective. I was top ten on run and top 20 on the rucks. It wasn't enough.
@@MM-qt8gz How was that Ice ruck??
@@14tamales lmaooo.. the long ruck on gate week? Dude that was the hardest ruck I've ever done in my life, holy fuck. I never got cramps like that ever. That was insane. Everything was frozen, from my OCP, FLC to my ruck and hair. If it wasn't for my feet being fucked up on trek like everyone else, I'd say that was probably harder than trek.
Hey buck would you say making buddies in selection or finding a group and leaching on is a good idea
no, one team one fight, everyone should be trying to help eachother
@@FNGACADEMY Great advice! Plus, be the chief when in charge and be the indian when not.
Does anybody know how many times selectees do the "Nasty Nick" in SFAS? Like do you do it multiple times or just 1?
Once
In 160 SOAR, ranger or green beret u must to do the drowning proof or that kind of stuff in water?:(
nope just CCT, PJ etc