I Failed Selection.

special forces qualification course failure rate
November 2, 2015  
|  32 Comments
Categories: Op-Eds

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This is a guest post from Eric Hack, a former Regular Army soldier and currently serving member of the Texas Army National Guard. Eric is an Iraq veteran and aspiring actor (he even has an IMDB page). He’s also one of Mad Duo Chris’ soldiers. Eric tried SFAS, failed, and found victory in that failure. You should read, and take to heart, the message he has for us. Mad Duo

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I Failed Selection. It’s One of My Proudest Accomplishments.

Eric Hack

October 2008. North Carolina. I, the newly-promoted SPC Hack, had an undisclosed distance to ruck within an undisclosed time. It was raining and dark, and I had three days of backed-up shit trying to force its way out. This was the end of my first week at Special Forces Assessment and Selection. I was Candidate 140, still dizzy from log and rifle PT and improper hydration, stumbling along the dirt route through the pine trees of the Star Course.

We had been bussed to the site. Some have said they rucked out to the site, but we rode busses. The ruck in the rain made up for the comfy bus ride. I zombied out shortly after starting, and was still dizzy from puking earlier in the day. That morning we got up from our usual three-and-a-half hours of sleep, ate MREs (mine was beef stew) and were split into two groups. My group had the logs first.

Not only was I scrawny, I’m also short. And I wound up at the end of my mounted log. The strain from the log work made the freshly-eaten food in my stomach fight back. When we had to roll right, roll left, or roll over the weak my own weakness came out all over the rubber tire chunks. Fortunately there was a polite Green Beret hovering overhead to provide immediate instruction: pick up my weakness and put it in my pocket.

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This routine repeated until all the weakness had left my stomach and found its way into the cargo pockets of my trousers, while other candidates rolled over me. Then we switched places with the other group and conducted rifle PT. Turns out, I still had some weakness in reserve. The rest of the day was a blur. I threw that set of ACUs away, took a baby wipe shower, brushed my teeth, and I think I took the psych test and IQ tests next (but those days all seemed to roll into one). I remember a safety brief on the “Star” land-nav course and the cadre talking about all the scary venomous snakes around, trying to get some of the less committed to quit right there. I grew up on a Missouri farm and knew how to handle snakes. I was more concerned about wandering onto some backwoods moonshine distillery and dealing with Ol’ Bubba.

The Star Course excited me. I was pretty skilled in map tracking and land navigation, and the Star Course marked the exact middle of the 14-day selection course. In 2008, the JFK Special Warfare Center and School experimented with shortening Special Forces Applicant Selection (SFAS) from 21 to 14 days in an attempt to get more soldiers in the Q-Course and more SF troops on the battlefield. The experiment was roundly rejected by the cadre. They warned us on Day 0 they were going to be extra critical because they wanted the experiment to fail. In this they were successful. Only ten percent of our 401 candidates completed the course.

That afternoon I started the Star Course, and I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. The mere sight of an MRE made me retch. That’s all I’d eaten for three-squares a day for a week, and all I would eat for the rest of Selection. The commander told us to eat everything in the MREs every day, because we’d need every calorie. I understood that all too well, but still couldn’t force anything down.

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By the time we arrived at the bivouac site it was dusk. I was alarmed how dizzy and sick I still felt, so I went the medic table. After pushing away a voluntary withdrawal (VW) statement and explaining I just needed to see a medic, an 18D sauntered over with a thermos of some of the best smelling coffee in the world and told me to drink more water. Then he gave me a pill (in hindsight it was probably Motrin). I vaguely remember asking what it was and what it did. He said it treated seasickness and might make me drowsy. I took it and got in line to start the ruck march, leaving a few fellow candidates at the table filling out their VW statements.

I weighed 120 pounds. I wore my ACUs in accordance with AR 670-1. I would have made my Sergeant Major proud. Our cadre had forbidden rolling our cuffs and unblousing the boots like all the documentaries and pictures on Google showed. I carried my rubber duck replica M-16A2, old LC-2 suspenders, a web belt, two one-quart canteens, an eighty-pound ruck with e-tool and two two-quart canteens on the sides, an additional three-liter CamelBak on top, and all the rain and sweat my equipment could soak up.

I was cold, hungry, tired, and sick. I would routinely look at the stock of my rubber rifle to read the words a previous candidate carved: “KEEP GOING.”

Somewhere along the route the 18D from earlier stepped out of the darkness and asked, “Candidate, why are you behind 90 percent of the class?”

I stared at him for a long time. Where’d he come from? I thought only Rangers were ninjas. I was loopier than I thought. All I could say was, “I guess I need to ruck faster, Sergeant.”

After a good chuckle he had me move out. In a few minutes I looked back and saw him following me in the white truck. “You got something you want to say to me, Candidate?” he shouted out his window.

“No, Sergeant.”

“Then move out, Candidate.”

He cranked up the radio and started playing “Eye of the Tiger”. I had to stop and get myself under control before the laughter made me shit my pants. To tell the truth, even though I was miserable and the 18D was jacking with me, I was having the time of my life. Some might see that guy as an asshole, but I got the message: he wanted me to succeed, but the only way he would help me was by pissing me off. He wasn’t there to encourage or coddle me. He was there to challenge me and let me prove I had what it took to earn the right to go to the Q-course.

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When I flew home to Ft. Hood after Selection, I carried a memo from the school. But it didn’t say “selected.” I wasn’t going to the Q-course. The memo was, to anyone who has never been to Selection, a statement of failure. But those of us who have been there know better. Although the memo said I wasn’t going to USAJFKSWCS to become a Special Forces Soldier, it didn’t have the true declaration of failure: “Never to Return (NTR).” I didn’t make the cut this time, but they’d let me try again when I was ready.

I arrived at Hood on a weekend. The next Monday I crept to my Company building, head low, copy of the memo in hand. One of my section NCOs laughed and said he could smell the Bengay on me from across the parking lot. I spent the rest of the morning being razzed by everyone for screwing up. As a consolation prize, my squad leader gave me a two-day pass to recover.

At home I hobbled around worse than Kevin Bacon in Murder in the First. The “pass” turned into two days to think about not being selected. Two days of emails from friends with messages like, “Hey, pussy! I heard you were a huge flake and too pussy to make it. Ha-ha! Love you bro.” Two days of depression and embarrassment. I really thought I had it in me when I flew out to Ft. Bragg. Now I just felt like a failure.

After a day of self-loathing and questioning whether I trained hard enough before I went to selection, debating whether I should have taken the medicine the 18D gave me and second guessing everything else, I came to a realization:

Fuck ‘em. At least I tried.

Of course I didn’t make the cut. I had only been in the Army for two years. I “deployed” once to the Republic of Korea and had zero combat experience. I had just gotten promoted from PFC to SPC and had never had more than two soldiers under my command. Yet I was crazy enough to volunteer for some of the most hellish training in the Armed Forces. I wanted one of the most dangerous and toughest jobs the Army has to offer, and I did my best to get it. And for that, the cadre said, “Give it another shot.”

I wasn’t like some of the candidates that go through Selection. I wasn’t doing it for the adoration of my unit members, to escape a deployment or to get some of that Green Beret prestige and cool guy status. I did it because I wanted to be the best in my job. I wanted to earn my awards rather than get a piece of flair for falling asleep in the back of a HMMWV (I got an AAM for that once). But although I went to Selection for the right reasons, I wasn’t the right guy for the job.

When I attended SFAS in 2008 I was a typical young soldier. Minimal, not exceptional. I wasn’t the guy an ODA could count on. I wasn’t the guy they felt comfortable next to in a firefight. Bottom line, I wasn’t the guy they wanted. I realized I wasn’t given the opportunity to earn the tab and beret because I wasn’t ready for the responsibility.

Throughout my life and career I have always achieved things too easily. I conned my way through college with cleverness and a little research. I excelled in Basic and AIT by just doing what I was told and keeping my head down. I earned top levels of respect in my unit by scoring high in marksmanship and PT. I could do all those things with minimal effort. But to be a true professional like the Special Operations soldiers I’d have to be exceptional at every aspect of work.

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I couldn’t con my way into Special Forces. I had to actually earn it.

My uncle was a Vietnam-era Ranger and I have an in-law in 7th Special Forces Group. I’ve always had a deep respect for the professionals in the special operations community. When I first joined the Army, I had no interest in volunteering for Special Forces. I wanted to do one enlistment and that was it. Before I enlisted I wanted to be an actor, as far away from the military as possible. But after less than two years of service, I found I wanted to be more than just marginal. I wanted to do something meaningful.

What I learned in preparing for Selection, and failing it, was pride and courage. Pride in my work, and the courage to fail, rise up, and come back stronger. At some point in our lives and careers we’re all dealt hard blows. We’re not the heroes in a story. We don’t always overcome a challenge the first time, or ever. But we stand a better chance of overcoming it if we have the strength to keep going.

One of the cadre at Selection admitted he went through the course five times before being selected. My in-law went through twice. Stories like theirs forced me to realize how much work I needed to do if I wanted to earn what they’ve earned. That includes accepting I might fail many times over en route to victory.

Almost nine years since my initial enlistment, I’ve suffered several failures and achieved many victories. I’ve been to Iraq and Afghanistan. I’ve led larger and larger numbers of young soldiers. I’ve achieved higher levels of education and military training. I’ve consistently sought out the hard triumphs, because I’m no longer appeased by the easy win. I dedicate everything I have toward excelling where others would be content to just pass.

Failing selection is one of my proudest accomplishments, because it forced me to look at myself. It forced me to realize how little I’ve challenged myself and how often I “worked smarter, not harder”. Sometimes working hard is the only way to get the job done right.

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Premier soldiers are not identified by their expert marksmanship or PT studliness. Those are basic soldier skills earned through a minimum amount of effort. Premier soldiers are identified by their steadfast dedication to accomplishing the mission in the face of extreme challenges when all others give up. You don’t need to be SF to be a premier soldier, you just need to work for everything you have and do it with perfection as your goal.

I plan to go back. I don’t care about the dyed wool or tab. I want to earn something through hard work that no one can give me, something I cannot con my way into by doing the bare minimum. Whatever the outcome, I feel prouder of this failure than I do of almost all of my successes.

To all the members of the Special Operations community, I have nothing but the deepest respect for the work you do. You’ve earned your titles, your awards, and your pride the hard way many times over. Thank you for what you do and for teaching me what it means to actually work hard.

-EH

Read more Advice for the Noble Profession of Arms

Army Ranger in Afghanistan.

 

About the author: Eric Hack is a soldier, actor, and hopefully future Special Forces sergeant.

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The Mad Duo are the most renowned, scholarly, door-kickingest action figures since...well, ever. They, their wretched minions and other abject flunkies are an improbable (and awesome) tale unto themselves. Read more about them here.

32 Comments

  1. George E. Hand IV

    I went through SFQC a long time ago. The format has change but the men are the same. I don’t know how good of an actor you are, but you are a very effective writer. I was very moved by the end of your essay. You are an honorable man and a true credit to the military. I have since been through Delta Selection if WV and served 10 years with the Unit. Delta selection was far beyond, and completely overshadowed by experiences in SFQC… but your article has allowed me to sit and reflect on how truly difficult SFQC was for me at my age and maturity level. For that, Sir, I am grateful to you. My compliments, George E. Hand IV, Staff Writer, http://www.SofRep.com

    Reply
    • Eric

      Sir,

      Thank you. I’m humbled by your experiences. I’ve read some of your articles. I appreciate the compliment.

      Reply
  2. Art

    Well written and very much showed you had determination. I agree with many of the others that what Mike and BeretVerde stated is not the side of SF I was in. Maybe I don’t have as much time or experience as Mike and BeretVerde but, I did spend 25 years in the Army and 20 Consecutive years in the same Group as an 18C, 18F and 180A. GO BACK!! Give 110% and then some again.

    Reply
    • beretverde

      Arty…All I stated were FACTS. I copied the AUTHOR’s “points” (excuses?) and inserted my FACTS. Wow, I guess I am mean! You spent 20 years in the same group? No time in IMA/SWC as an instructor? I REFUSE to FAWN over someone’s carthatic treatise. There are two types of people…those that ARE and those that aren’t. In “Group” it was flash qualified and “candy stripers.” The “stripers” weren’t, but had a lot of great guys. And another can of worms- One tab- Ranger, One Beret- Green…loved it! But that was a different era. Failure then was different?

      Reply
      • Art

        Most people call me Art!!

        So spending 20 years in the same Group on teams is a bad thing? I suspect that you must have had some career if what I did was a bad thing. No time at SWTC just at the Group DAMN … most SF guys would find that AWESOME! You did state facts well, Noted! But, a Professional Leader would try to inspire others to preserve through what has brought them to a point of failure. I Suspect you were a complete SUCCESS trough your entire career, “whatever you did do.” One thing you fail to know is what leadership is stating facts in a demeaning way is Unprofessional, Very “Not” the “Quiet Professional.” Failure is the same now as it was then (Your Time Was significant)… or I suspect that you’re the type (personality) that states that everything was tougher when you did it. Congratulations on your graduation from Ranger “School” I suspect that it was harder than it was is 1988, 1989 or the present. I wore the Green Beret as well as was very proud of it. I’m also as proud that I have a son that took the same path as his father and is going to challenge himself as did the author of this article. If you had a friend or child that did not succeed in an attempt of one of the most difficult courses in the US Army would you berate them and insinuate that they were a quitter and making excuses. That sounds like true leadership to me <>(excuses?)<>>De Oppresso Libre<<

        So go ahead and post your DD214 and show the world you're a hero, you must have spent you're an entire career in a Combat Zone unlike any of the "Newer" SF guys that are currently serving.

        Reply
        • beretverde

          Art…interesting that you spent all of your time on a team and never did time as an instructor. I succinctly pointed that out, because as an instructor at IMA or SWC, there are a different points of views. As a student, and later as an instructor, I saw many failures. When I was a student in “sucklab” one guy QUIT because of a girlfriend. Another student, in my same class, DX’ed his WIFE (hard core dude for sure). Both women gave these guys ultimatums. When I became an instructor I heard and saw many things. One guy literally “cooked off” on a ruck march. Heat stroke NOT exhaustion. Damn tough dude who almost died trying. I simply pointed out this guys “excuses”… and the “I was only a SPC and had 2 guys under me” excuse simply holds no merit with me along with the Motrin. I will say however that I am “intrigued” by your continuous team time vs “SWCing-IMAing”. The only guys I know who did that were guardsman/reservists, but that was a long time ago.

          Reply
          • Eric

            BeretVerde, You point out some great examples of tough soldiers very much worthy of respect. I recognize the proven difference between myself and someone like that. My points listed showed the way I began to doubt my merits and my logic that helped me rebuild. I have deep respect for all the posters, and see your point of view as well.

            Reply
  3. Frank W. Kapaun

    Eric, my hat is off to you young man. I went through the Q Course in 1980 as a National Guard REP 63, with 20th Group. I was recycled in Phase II and was devastated. It was at that point, I realized how fortunate I was. At the time, I was a 21 year old with less than one year in the military that had not done much with my life other than go to college and work hard. The instructors and my fellow students were true patriots and the salt of the earth. The powers that be gave me the chance to have an academic redo. I took full opportunity of it, passed Phase II and never looked back. At that time, there was no “selection” phase. This might be comparing apples and oranges, but my advice to you is return and try again. Good luck and may God bless you and your family.

    Reply
  4. Brian james

    Good write up. I am an average person who has worked extremly hard in my career. Less capable then most of my detachment, but as the commander its my job to lead and perform. I have to give 100% effort to do what most of my guys do on 80% which they give 80% of the time. So it works out. Forget the naysayers. There are shit bags that loose their berets all the tine. like some of those NCO’s said does the regiment approve? The Q course is kingergarden. If it is something you want, go get it. Your most important tool is your mind and it sounds like you got yours in check now.

    Reply
  5. CombatMissionary

    Awesome read. Remember, people who point fingers and laugh are seldom the ones who’ve got anything to be proud of themselves.

    Go back. Achieve.

    Reply
  6. Tony Cerruto

    Eric,

    You may not remember me but I was a cadre TM SGT working at selection whe you went through. I have to say that your essay was excelent. I counseled many candidates over the my three years working there. If you were counseled by me you may have been selected or not but you had made it to the end. For that I applauded every one who sat I front of me receiving thier critique. I wish I had your essay to read to the candidate who were not selected for what ever reason. I would tell candidates that just because you didn’t get selected this time doesn’t mean you’re less of a Soldier. I fact, quite the opposite is true. I would tell him to return to his unit with his head held high. If anyone were to give him shit for not being selected to blow him off or silently tell him pound sand. More than likely that guy had no idea what you just went through and would never. If he was a badass enough to make it through himself, he wouldn’t be at that unit giving you a hard time. He’d be on an ODA congratulating you for having the balls to try and perhaps giving it another shot someday. Your writing made me laugh and brought me back to that dark period in SFAS history where the “two weeks in Hell” absolutely brutalize candidates and even cadre at times. I won’t go too into detail about how I feel about that curriculum(I’m still active duty) but if you’re ever in Southern Pines, NC I’ll be glad to discuss it over a pint or two. I’m glad you wrote this article. Your retrospective was funny, insightful and true! Good luck Eric, it would apear that you have a lot going for you.

    Best regards,

    MSG Tony Cerruto.

    Reply
    • Eric

      MSG Cerruto. Thank you. We were all in that experiment together and the cadre were true to their namesake, professional all the way. I learned a lot about myself at Selection and use what I learned every day. I’ll keep training and just keep going. Thank you and I’ll be sure to let you know the next time I’m in your AO.

      Reply
  7. R

    Eric, that was an excellent read. I appreciate your perspective on the experience and thank you for the kind words about SF and SOF. Pay no attention to Mike and forgive BeretVerde for being immature. (Many of us were like that when we were younger. Thankfully, most grow out of it.) I started out in 2/75 and was selected in 1992. With 22 years of active duty service in the SF regiment, I assure you that you what you have written here shows maturity, perspective and promise. The teams need mature thinkers who can express themselves articulately and make sound decisions. (BeretVerde I hope you’re taking notes, “Quiet” Professional.) That’s not to say we don’t also need strong, fast gunslingers who can run marathons in full kit or that we don’t have a place for functioning psychopaths who choose to use their powers for good. In this line of work, those who lack some knuckle-dragger DNA quickly find themselves surrounded by disappointed teammates. The point is, we want all of that. And that’s why Selection exists. SF shouldn’t settle for anything less. It just gets too expensive–lives, money, rapport, cooperation, international relations, etc. I, too, hope you go back to Selection. But you’re right about this: no matter what, at least you stepped up and gave it a shot. You’re asking for the hardest job. So either way, the only thing guys like me should have to say to you is “thank you.” Thank you for trying to earn a spot on a team. Didn’t make it? Either try again or go be awesome at something else. Bottom line, no SF guy can keep this up forever–no matter how much we wish we could. There’s just no way around it: it takes a lot of courageous young men TRYING to make it in order for us to find the few who are right for this life. And there’s so much work yet to be done. Best of luck to you.

    Reply
    • Eric

      R. Roger that. Regardless of how Mike and BeretVerde view my article, nothing but respect for them and you. I’m working hard and training as hard a possible. Thank you, for all you’ve done and for your words of advice.

      Reply
  8. Cochise

    You made some insightful comments about what it takes to excel in a course that tests the best. Not a lot of people have the perserverence, stamina, maturity and mental acuity to pass SFAS. You must have a lot of physical and mental gifts to be a successful SF operator. Some may say it is easy, but it is not. You first have to be willing to face failure before you can succeed. My hat is off to those who come back after failing and then later succeed. I don’t know if I would have gone back if I had not made it the first time. It is an imperfect process. Not everyone who makes it is worthy, and not everyone worthy makes it.

    Reply
  9. beretverde

    Hmmm…

    “…debating whether I should have taken the medicine the 18D gave me.

    I “deployed” once to the Republic of Korea and had zero combat experience.

    “I had only been in the Army for two years.”

    “I had just gotten promoted from PFC to SPC and had never had more than two soldiers under my command.”

    You forgot to say the “sun was in my eyes.”

    No excuse…NON Select. PERIOD.

    Oh BTW I was 18 and had far less than you…yet PASSED.

    Reply
    • Eric

      That’s awesome, Beretverde. 18X, huh? Hats off to you. Where you showed them great drive and the spark they wanted, all those bullets above were me proving how lazy I had taken my years in. Nothing but respect for anyone 18-45 who get picked up. Whether it’s their 1st or 20th attempt.

      Reply
      • Mad Duo Chris

        I met an NG SF soldier who went through selection at 47. Holy cow.

        Reply
        • Miclo18d

          I think I was in selection with that guy!

          Reply
    • Chris

      Beretverde, your lack of perception, ignorance, and cockiness is exactly what no one wants on their team. If a person like you ever showed up on my team, even if you were a senior, I can garuntee your shit would be in the hall.

      Also, you were/are an 18x. Besides what you learned in the q, what do you bring to your team? High school education? Maybe some kick flips on a skateboard?

      Ask yourself this son, “Just because SWC said I earned my beret, does the Regiment feel the same way?”

      I’ll be keeping my eye out for French trained x-Rays in the future.

      Reply
      • beretverde

        No 18X in 1979 nor selection. Just CM and his pet Kaiser.Oh yeah no “Regiment” then…just “Group, Battalion and Division” were the calling cards. No cockiness meant in my piece just facts. I’m glad guys like you Chris can be so perceptive over facts (that’s called sarcasm). Oh yeah…No SWC either…it was called IMA. “Shit in the hall”…go bounce the gates…if you even know what that means.

        Reply
    • Rabbit

      An 18X candidate must be 20 years of age by graduation of CMF 11 OSUT. Last I knew, there were no waivers.

      Reply
      • Rabbit

        I was writing my post as beretverde posted his response. Disregard.

        DOL

        Reply
  10. boostercup

    JEW CANE DOO EEEET!!!

    Reply
  11. Nick

    That’s awesome man, great story! Go back!

    Reply
  12. Mike

    At what point did you lose your self respect and decide posting this shit was a good idea?

    Reply
    • Joe

      Shouldn’t this be something you post anoymously? Seems like something I wouldn’t want my future cadre reading…

      Reply
      • Eric

        Joe. Not really. At Selection I’m just a number. Also, I would hope they judge me based on my work while there. I’ve had a few guys ask me what exactly I meant by “Fuck ’em.” Seeing it from their perspective, I get how it might appear directed toward the cadre or SOF in general. But the “’em” refers to the nay sayers and razzers, the depression, the self-doubt, and etc.

        Reply
  13. Ben

    The hardest part is showing up. The day before I flew out all I could think about was how I could get out of going. Whether or not you’re who they’re looking for, the fact that you tried makes you better than any critic who hasn’t. And anybody who has been would never think less of you.

    Reply
  14. Rabbit

    I was a cadre at that time. Go back. Wtf are you waiting for?

    Reply
  15. Antonio

    Your damn right SGT!! Hard work and perseverance is the key to success in any adverse situation. I have worked my ass off to get to this point in my life, no where near as intense as you, and I have seen those who chose the path of least resistance thinking it was the “best” way to go. These are the same people who get filled with envy when they see you succeed. The truth is there is absolutely no replacement for rolling up your sleeves and putting in the work. Drive on SGT! And stay in the fight!

    Reply
  16. Kevin

    Great read, and thanks for sharing your experience and insight. You’re already ahead of the curve, and I can tell you from personal experience that the most important piece of the puzzle, the inability to quit, is already there. The second piece is emotional maturity, which you also seem to have in spades.

    The unwritten message of ‘you didn’t make the cut’ is ‘you didn’t make it this time.’ They know that if you don’t try again, you’ve quit, just not in the middle of selection.

    Reply

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