TRAINING – SELECTION

Selection. The word conjures up extreme emotions. It is one of the major bond creators among the Special Forces Soldiers. Initially it was akin to the longer duration SAS type selection process that lasted between 2 and 4 weeks. By the mid 80’s this evolved into a shorter selection course with a more disciplined training cycle.

Once the selection course starts it is a war between instructor and student. His job is to ensure no weaklings sneak through that will crack under fire – the recruit’s job is to hold on.

His job is to expose you to extremes, to deprive you of sleep and food and to add constant extreme physical exercises. His job is to harass and taunt you – to encourage you to give up. His job is to test your desire and determination and find out where you are weak. He must work with you for years after this so he is relentless.

Your job is to stay in the moment. That is it – stay in the moment. Focus on your mission, shut out the pain, shut out the noise, ignore the fatigue. Look around and understand that it is normal to feel the pain, then allow the adrenaline to do its work.

Smile – nobody said it was going to be easy. This is what being Special is all about.