Here's Why Most Army Rangers Never Make it to Special Forces Selection

Summary

In this script, a former serviceman recounts his experience with the 75th Ranger Regiment and the Special Forces selection process. He describes the intense pressure and isolation of selection, the unexpected impact of 9/11 on his training, and the fear of missing out on combat. The narrative also covers the transition to the Special Forces Qualification Course, highlighting its academic and tactical components, and the unique challenges of unconventional warfare training.

Takeaways

• 🔒 The 75th Ranger Regiment had a strict policy where leaving for reasons other than selection into Delta Force or death was seen as a betrayal.
• 🛡️ The Rangers were used as a stepping stone to Special Forces, indicating a clear career progression path within the military.
• 📊 The rank structure and career progression in the Rangers are similar to the Infantry, with limited opportunities for advancement past certain ranks, often leading to a transition to Special Forces.
• 🏔️ The selection process for Special Forces is intense and includes both physical and mental challenges, with a significant emphasis on individual performance.
• 📅 The interviewee describes the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, highlighting the shock and the swift transition into a wartime footing for the military.
• 📺 During the selection process, the interviewee and others were initially unaware of the 9/11 attacks, only learning about them through briefings and later, newspapers provided by the cadre.
• 🚫 The interviewee expresses fear of missing out on combat, a common concern among service members who had seen others miss opportunities due to timing or location.
• 🏃‍♂️ The selection process is described as isolating, with candidates receiving minimal feedback, which can be a significant source of stress and a reason for attrition.
• 🎯 The Q course for Special Forces is more academic and includes job-specific training, with the weapons phase being particularly engaging for the interviewee.
• 🌐 The unconventional warfare block of the Q course is portrayed as the most enjoyable, involving realistic scenarios in a small North Carolina community.
• 🎖️ The interviewee emphasizes the motivation to succeed in the selection and Q course, driven by the desire to be part of the combat operations following the 9/11 attacks.

Q & A

What was the only accepted reason to leave the Ranger Battalion according to the speaker?

The only accepted reasons to leave the Ranger Battalion at the time were either being picked up for Delta or dying. Leaving for any other reason was considered being a horrible traitor.

How does the speaker describe the transition from Ranger Battalion to Special Forces?

The speaker describes the transition as a progression, with the Rangers often used as a gateway to Special Forces, and there is an unspoken understanding that many Rangers end up in Special Forces due to career progression and limited positions available at higher ranks.

What was the speaker's initial reaction to the 9/11 attacks during Special Forces selection?

The speaker was initially in disbelief, thinking it might be a training scenario, until TVs were brought in and the reality of the situation set in.

How did the 9/11 attacks affect the speaker's motivation during the selection process?

The attacks significantly increased the speaker's motivation, as they were afraid of missing out on the opportunity to be part of the combat operations that were expected to follow.

What was the speaker's fear regarding their potential involvement in combat after 9/11?

The speaker feared that they might be in the wrong place at the wrong time, missing out on the combat operations that their Ranger Battalion could be involved in.

How did the Special Forces selection process change after the 9/11 attacks?

The selection process became more intense, with the Cadre bringing in newspapers to keep the candidates informed about the changing situation in the country, and the realization that they were in a bubble while significant events were unfolding.

What was the most challenging aspect of the Special Forces selection for the speaker?

The most challenging aspect was the isolation and the lack of feedback, as the selection process required a lot of independent decision-making without the support of a team.

How does the Q course differ from the selection process in terms of structure and content?

The Q course is more academic and focused on specific job skills, such as weapons and demolitions, with less emphasis on the physical and psychological challenges of the selection process.

What was the speaker's experience with the unconventional warfare block of the Q course?

The speaker found the unconventional warfare block to be the most fun part of the Q course, as it involved live exercises in a small community, simulating resistance and guerrilla warfare.

How did the speaker's experience in the military shape their perspective on the possibility of going to war?

The speaker's experience, especially after 9/11, made them realize the reality and immediacy of going to war, and they were motivated to be part of the combat operations rather than missing out.