SPECIAL FORCE

I commend the author for putting together such a well-needed book. I am unaware of any book similar to this one and really, if you followed all the work-up training programs outlined, you would be well prepared for any special operations group regardless of the branch of service (I am a former Marine myself). The only slight exception to this being that if you intend to pursue Marine Force Recon/MARSOC or the Navy's SEALs, you will need to add a significant amount of swimming to your prep program plans in order to be properly prepared for these units' training. Swim training is not really covered in this book as it is not a primary focus for Army SF until much later, after completing training and joining your unit, when you may be assigned to either a SCUBA focused platoon or an Airborne focused platoon where you then receive further advanced training in one of those specialized areas.


Has some great tips and tricks also, the kind only the salty "old" guys know like how to toughen your feet, etc. before going to the Indoc Course to begin your training. Many of the things discussed in the book, including the mental training and resources to further this and other key elements your success, can be advantageous to the regular infantry trooper or even support MOS's if deploying to the wars in the Middle East. For this reason I think some of you already serving with no or undecided interest in becoming a special operations operator may find the book useful and motivating to buy anyway, because even if you don't want to become one of the highly elite of your branch of service the concepts in this book may put you well ahead of the rest in your unit if you put the advice, positive thinking (essential), and self-training guidelines to use. This could equate to more rapid promotion and more important leadership roles & tasks if you are intending to stay in service a while (not so much for the person just planning to do 3-4 years service for college money, etc. or reservists).

Well structured, easy to navigate, and often has important points or advice in bold or in a box to catch your attention if you are looking for a few things you want to know immediately without sitting down to read entire chapters right then and there. The book is backed by many former and present SF soldiers applauding its usefulness and accuracy for improving your chances of making it through the screening and actual training. This says a lot and gives a good feeling of faith and trust in EVERYTHING the good Major has to tell you. By the way the author is the officer who was tasked with creating the prep course for SF candidates, so you are getting advice from the one man you should be taking advice from.

Also of interest to some of you, a good friend & barracks roommate that I served with in the Marines switched over to the Army after our contracts had been completed and immediately volunteered for Army Special Forces, he used this book to prepare. He completed the Special Forces training pipeline (approximately 2 years of training) on his first attempt, even with a broken foot, and earned his Green Beret. He highly recommended this book, and noted that if you follow the work ups programs (ie. rucking with a pack, running, etc.) laid out in the book and are mentally tough, you should be able to complete Special Forces Training. That is about all I think anyone needs to hear and they should be "sold" on the merit, if not absolute vitality of owning this book if you KNOW you want to be an SF soldier.