ADVICE FOR POTENTIAL MARSOC OFFICERS; NICK KOUMALATSOS

[@docdolittle8057]

This guy looks like what I picture a MARSOC Officer would look like.

[@romantitus3341]

College student here, I always wanted to be a Marine Officer and I'm going to OCS soon.. Nick has been a huge inspiration and MARSOC has been something that I dreamed of.

[@yigglyyetard3043]

did you make it?

[@parrisgeorge8620]

You are spot on with you observation that some not all but some come out of TBS not just thinking but believing they know better. I told my son that after he commissions that no matter where he goes even MARSOC that the first thing he is to do is keep his mouth shut and observe. The next thing is to advise his senior enlisted that after the day is done they they will be heading to the local pizza place. There, the rank comes off the beer is poured, the pizza is hot, and the only thing that comes out of his mouth is What can I do to make your job easier or more fluid? Then do or get whatever they need. He is to let them know that he has the TEAM's back and always will. I let my son know that if he does this, the TEAM will make him shine and in return his TEAM will be rock stars in the community. The team is only as good as their leader and their leader is only as good as the team. Those that come in balls to the wall and do as I say are destine to fail. If my son follows what I have said that some of his greatest orders will be orders that never had to be given they will rise to complete the mission and in return their leader will be able to give them more! Excellent coverage gentlemen. Great advice.

[@paulfitzgerald5418]

During my officer Marine career, I always found that the best in NCO taught me, and that was their mission to make me a better leader ❤

[@marineraider1049]

Hey Nick. I had a problem. I wanted to support both Raiders Roast AND Black Rifle Coffee. This is what I did. I bought Coffee from both and just mixed it. Damn I'm a genius!

[@gabrielfelixmunoz739]

Don’t be a tyrant. Your rank means nothing. It’s just a pay grade. Put your men before yourself.

[@spectre5x5]

I'm a 22 year retired Army Veteran. What you say is great advice and I do understand it. It may not be as clear to those entering service. There's good officers, NCOs and Soldiers/Marines. And bad officers, NCOs and Soldiers/Marines. A good leader will utilize everything around him, trust the people that know and make it work.

[@eugeneibanez]

However, as an officer, at the end of the day, you still get to lead Marines. That is an honor in itself.

[@kie-skatemods4141]

Officers not really leading Marines. More like just giving orders. The NCO are really the ones leading Marines.

[@eugeneibanez]

@@kie-skatemods4141 Sounds like you've had more bad than good experiences with officers. Both are neither impossible, but there are many factors to consider in either case. But there do exist officers who feel morally obligated to strive for the highest standard of an example of an officer. The decisions an officer makes that directly affect their Marines of which their SNCOs and therefore NCOs eventually deploy their leadership to carry out either move the unit and each Marine forward or backward. Consider the reality of which an officer is "responsible for everything their unit does or fails to do." "Our company commander [Capt Haldane] represented stability and direction in a world of violence, death, and destruction...We felt forlorn and lost...he commanded our individual destinies under the most trying conditions with the utmost compassion...the loss of our company commander at Peleliu was like losing a parent we depended on for security--not our physical security, because we knew that was a commodity beyond our reach in combat, but our mental security," (The Armed Forces Officer 92) words spoken by Eugene Sledge ("The Pacific" or "With the Old Breed"). "'He [Captai Henry T. Waskow] was a very young, only in his middle twenties, but he carried in him a sincerity and a gentleness that made people want to be guided by him'" (The Armed Forces Officer 92).

[@kie-skatemods4141]

@@eugeneibanez I completely understand. I held the highest standard in every regard when I was an NCO towards my higher ups and those that were under me. I’ve just met my share of bad officers

[@eugeneibanez]

@@kie-skatemods4141 rah

[@jamalwashium5387]

Bad officers are more abundant then MRE spoons

[@withoutbounds]

As a former SOO, I would completely agree with this and very well said.

[@Monkemodenigga]

Hey what was it like. Did you still get to do cool guy shit inbetween pfficer duties. Im entering in nov 7 and am plotting out what paths to walk down. I dont have a degree so I'll have to be a mustang if i wanna go officer

[@withoutbounds]

@@Monkemodenigga hey bro. I would definitely enlist first if Special Operations is what you are truly interested in. There are plenty of chances to do what you would likely find interesting as a captain but once that time is over that life is mostly gone and it’s time to separate yourself and command from a distance. You can make a huge impact as an officer but for many it’s frustrating given how much you sacrifice and how hard you have to work to get there to only do the work you came to do for a couple years. If you enlist first you can get all the time in the teams you want and then if you want to go the O route you can later.

[@Monkemodenigga]

@@withoutbounds thank you sir. I am enlisting hopefully as a cyber marine (aced the cyber test). When were you able to go to AnS is there a rank requirement ?

[@withoutbounds]

@@Monkemodenigga Things can change but for officers you go as a career designated 1stLt and enlisted can go after 4yrs. I forget what the exact limit is for enlisted but I know if you’re too senior of a sergeant you can’t go anymore. That is honestly a terrible policy, but manning is controlled by the big Marine Corps not MARSOC, unlike most other special operation commands. However, while their max time in service limitation is not good, it’s a very good thing that you must serve in the big Marine Corps for a bit before coming over. Experience and maturity is a big difference in that world and rushing in before you should isn’t the best thing for the force or you.

[@Monkemodenigga]

@@withoutbounds oh thats pretty solid. Im excited for what the future holds. Those 4 years give me time to go get a degree and set things up ! Im shipping nov 7

[@johngabbard5106]

Funniest moments of my career is when Lt’s would walk into my office with a “Sir, I have...” I’d stop them mid sentence ask them why their Plt Sgt wasn’t in the room. Go get him and then we can talk. By the time they got back to me, the 1st Sgt, Company Gunny, XO and I would be having coffee waiting with baited breath for the Lt’s “idea.” Being a young officer in the Marine Corps is literally the easiest job there is. You don’t have to deal with 1/4 of the nonsense junior enlisted Marines endure (I was a Sgt when I was commissioned) and they team you up with someone who has been doing this for 10-12 years. All you have to do is listen, watch, be a team with your SNCO’s, read and lead from the front, especially when things suck. For the record, being a Squad Leader is the best job in the Marine Corps.

[@damonalvarez9058]

Shaming your junior officers in front of his enlisted counterparts while he’s trying to take initiative and bring forth ideas to someone he probably looks up to. Sick dude, great leadership.

[@damonalvarez9058]

I do, however, agree with the latter half of your comment, those are the makings of a good officer, and humility is among if not the most important quality. The young Lt should most definitely have brought his Plt Sgt with him, those dudes should be attached at the hip, much like any officer and his enlisted counterpart. They should be confidants and professionally friends with nothing but trust and open communication between them. Officers often miss the point where nothing is ever about them ever again from the moment they put their bars on, and that’s the unfortunate circumstance of being told you’re the “best of the best” since your inception.

[@johngabbard5106]

@@damonalvarez9058 who said anything about shaming? If you think telling a Lt in private to go get his Plt Sgt is harsh, we were in two completely different Marine Corps. Leadership is a team effort. The sooner young Lt’s learn to work together with their SNCOIC the more effective they will will be as leaders and the more mission ready the Plt will be.

[@damonalvarez9058]

Copied my last comment, in case you didn’t see it. I agree wholeheartedly, the issue I take is again having the whole gambit of leaders in one room with the intent on laughing about the lieutenants ideas. Lt’s are sometimes misguided or do some weird things, that’s without doubt. But, no need to let the world make fun of his current misgivings. I do, however, agree with the latter half of your comment, those are the makings of a good officer, and humility is among if not the most important quality. The young Lt should most definitely have brought his Plt Sgt with him, those dudes should be attached at the hip, much like any officer and his enlisted counterpart. They should be confidants and professionally friends with nothing but trust and open communication between them. Officers often miss the point where nothing is ever about them ever again from the moment they put their bars on, and that’s the unfortunate circumstance of being told you’re the “best of the best” since your inception

[@FlyinGuy25]

I had the privilege of going to SERE with LtCol Conway back in 2012 when he was XO at MARSOC. He was my groups team leader and I have never served with a better Officer in my 11 year career. That man was a truly humble leader and was always taking the time (when we had a free minute), to mentor NCO's and young Officers about leadership.

[@haildarthvegeta1094]

Thanks for this. Currently putting my Officer application together, I am qualified with the SAT scores that I have. Although if I wanted to go into MARSOC (Special Operations Officer), I’d have to take an asvab and hit 110 or higher. So I’ll see how that goes, because if I don’t pass that, then I’d have to let go of that idea of MARSOC and view other programs as an Officer.

[@stellaelectrahsky]

I'm looking into recon officer

[@fnln1913]

Tbh this advice applies to every Officer over most MOSs. From Drivers and Mechanics to Infantry and Recon, ect ect.

[@wizzardofpaws2420]

John looks like he oughtta be in movies. What a bad ass.

[@dalesfailssagaofasuslord783]

Love to know the story behind the oars hanging up behind Nick. They’re beautiful looking.

[@isaiah2028]

Likely a going away present from his time at Recon. They have jump and dive badges on them.

[@MrSlater0239]

I was not on the officer side of the house, but (and this is a generalization as well as my opinion) a lot of "officer" tasks are administrative and project management. Logistics to get to the range (ammo, chow, transportation) in a training environment or workup.

[@johngabbard5106]

Actually that logistics piece is the Plt Sgt’s job. Company grade officers spend a lot of time doing paperwork and planning progressive Plt and Company level training of mission essential tasks with their SNCO’s.

[@jacobguerrero4713]

Nick, you guys give some interesting advice and have a unique perspective, but I think it would be very helpful to your viewers if you get an actual Marine Officer to offer their perspective. As you know, there is always some friction that can exist between the enlisted and officer corps. I think some of it is a lack of interest/understanding of what officers really do. I can only speak from my own experience, but I never once heard or even detected the slightest suggestion that officers are better/smarter/etc., than the enlisted; be it OCS, TBS, MOS school or the fleet. Anyhow, keep up the great work and maybe you can get a former MO (Capt/Maj) in for an episode.

[@cm-pr2ys]

I wish MARSOC had Warrant Officers (like ODA’s).

[@NickKoumalatsos82]

Talked about that back in 08...

[@cm-pr2ys]

@@NickKoumalatsos82 Hello Mr. Koumalatsos, This came to my mind because as far as I know, MARSOC has Officers and Enlisted, but they’re missing that one last category of ranks...imagine a MARSOC Gunner and the legacy they would leave on not only the Raider, but Special Operations communities! Furthermore, it would allow Marinesthat desire more responsibility to stay within MARSOC Vice having to leave for OCS, while also specializing in the operations of a Raider team and getting more money for their retirement! If the Army can do it, why can’t we? But anyway, you would obviously know more about that than me lol.

[@michaell31]

This is a great point. Marine Gunners, and all Marine WOs for that matter, fill billets that allow the Corps to have a company grade officer that capitalizes on the years of enlisted experience that NO Officer school could ever impart. These prior enlisted officer provide a vital link between enlisted and officer ranks along with maintaining the legacy of the field they serve in.

[@artinhjollder4779]

When heroes talk, people listen.

[@michaell31]

Your observation on Officer's perception that they know best is never more evident than at Quantico. In 1992 I went to WOBC as a former Gunnery Sgt. The Lts and junior Captains who helped run the school totally forgot that each and every WO there had an average of 12 year active duty and had been an E6. Several recognized our accomplishment but most treated us like Lance Corporals. It caused a good bit of angst

[@johngabbard5106]

I too was at TBS in ‘92. F Company. We never saw you guys. The instruction at TBS is about making Plt Commanders regardless of prior service experience. No different than going to DI School as a Gunny v Sgt. It’s still going to suck. We both know TBS is not the Fleet and it’s even farther removed from being 7000 miles down range with just you and the lads.

[@michaell31]

@@johngabbard5106 Hey John- Typically there is only one WOBC course per year, March to June. We didn't see too many 2nd LTs going through TBS. Your response confirms my comment. You are assuming the TBS instruction you as new LT needed would the same as what I needed as a Gunny with 12 years of active duty. Which again confirms my comment, like you, those LTs and junior Capt who were training you and a bunch of boot LTs never once considered WO's might be better served from a different approach, one that allows them to expand on the previous experience and fill in the blanks to becoming a company grade officer. Instead, those training officer knew only one approach and it was the approach they used for you all. Very ineffective with WO. For that reason, WOBC was one the most dissatisfying experience of my + 20 years on active duty.

[@johngabbard5106]

@@michaell31 all of the CWO’s I know, from my Father to the guys in my Company told me WOBC was a waste of time. The people who run TBS, that is Infantry Officers, may have come across a handful of Gunners in their career. Let’s face it, grunts are not the most customer focused group of people out there. They break things and leave to people like you and I to fix.

[@coryhoggatt7691]

@@michaell31you’re misinformed. The WO course is shorter and NOT the same instruction as 2Lts get.

[@michaell31]

@@coryhoggatt7691 Hey Dip Sh@t- read my post. I never said WO got the same instruction! When i posted that I went to WOBC in 1992- that means I went to Warrant Officer Basic Course moron!. My comment was how the junior officers who helped operate the WO course looked down at WOs merely because we were lower on the pay scale. They gave us no credit for years of valuable prior enlisted experience. Next time- Read before commenting knucklehead

[@MyUltimateSelf]

Would you be able to make a video about Navy SARCs and how they work with MARSOC? I unfortunately learned about MARSOC after already having a sleeve tattoo (amongst others) so I’m ineligible for joining the Marines, but recently discovered SARCs... just can’t find much about them.

[@feltwedge]

Just follow the 14 leadership traits and work yourself to the point where you truly care about the Marines you lead - everything else will follow. Oh, also, just do your best, career be damned, and have a bit of luck too. Worked for me.

[@nickdantzlerward8567]

Super helpful. Thank you for this.

[@gordoncolston2819]

they need a restricted officer LDO/CWO structure in this community. that'll solve the initial enlisted/officer disconnect syndrome.

[@erman4633]

i wish they would give specific example of what an officer did or didn't do correctly. How an officer did something for himself and not the men. They speak in vague terms and they could just give a "for instance" and use a fictional scenario that explains what they are saying instead of using vague terms and going around what they actually mean to say. For example. An officer was tasked with a mission, we were not provided correct intel, training or equipment but he didn't want to rock the boat and we got some men hurt/killed or nearly died.... give examples. Don't beat around the bush.

[@AlexRodriguez-tq4so]

I wish I could just sit down talk to y'all I got too many damn questions

[@gabrielfelixmunoz739]

What’s the change in pay going from infantry officer to marsoc or recon?

[@gabrielfelixmunoz739]

Honestly, if you don’t know who Richard Dick Winters is and easy company, I don’t think you’re going into this whole Officer thing with the right knowledge and guidance.

[@drebeas1979]

Does the same apply for Mustangs? Or is it even likely that a prior enlisted MARSOC guy will be placed back into MARSOC after commissioning or is he going to be placed where ever the Corp needs him?

[@DRHtheKing]

That’s an excellent question, I would assume if you are a CSO going officer they would automatically assign you as a SOO. It’d be unfortunate to see a CSO Mustang get shafted and have to be thrown into the TBS pool of choosing either Infantry, Law or Air. I would hope to see the CSO Mustang become a SOO automatically since they have the prior team experience, it would make much sense if they became a SOO after TBS.

[@harryann1069]

Marsoc dosent really need lieutenants so probably yeah they may go back to regular corps

[@NicholasAbeyta]

From what I understand, a CSO is a CSO for the remainder of his career. It's an MOS that is so important for the Corps to retain that they won't let him commission or even do SDAs. Officers will remain SOOs until the Corps starts needing slots filled in field grade billets though.

[@DRHtheKing]

@@harryann1069 I totally see your point in this, however, MARSOC has had an issue of having officers with SOF experience that are in the field grade category. In my opinion, if you had more officers that have this SOF experience progress to this level of command, it will only benefit the organization as a whole.

[@harryann1069]

@@DRHtheKing I agree

[@edberry9890]

I know you did talk about seeing action with your team as an officer, but just to ask again... officers don’t see that much action?

[@gabrielfelixmunoz739]

Don’t be a career officer This means not telling the higher ups what they want to hear.

[@davidwong209]

Disagree

[@Mattscalf]

How long do you have to be in the Marines to join special forces

[@Austin-lt2bu]

2-3 years is the minimum to apply

[@Austin-lt2bu]

I believe

[@NicholasAbeyta]

Marine Corps doesn’t have “special forces” that’s an army term. You can enlist with a Recon contract and go to BRC after you complete ITB. Obviously that doesn’t mean you’ll make it to become an 0321. To go to MARSOC A&S, you have to be at least a corporal. As an officer, you have to be either a 1stLt or a captain with no more than 1 year time in grade or something like that to go to A&S. You can complete A&S and still not get selected. Pretty sure it’s the same to go to BRC for officers as well.

[@NicholasAbeyta]

@Malachi Land MARSOC is special operations. Recon is not. Special Forces is an actual unit in the army.

[@NicholasAbeyta]

@Ariyen Pryor it’s fuckin not you absolute smooth brain.

[@simranjitsingh2398]

I have question that if in case i go for recon can i go to marsoc without completing recon contract ?

[@USMC-jk2bt]

Why not go the mustang route or encourage it.

[@e6bond132]

at 1:03 you say "any enlisted Marine can come go to take selection", has the Corps changed that? I served 88-92, it use to be only 03xx can try indoc, which I thought was a missed opportunity for the Corps as Marines in other MOS had great potential.

[@TheRealThaiActual]

It hasn’t changed, any marine in any MOS has a chance

[@RedskinTF141]

As an officer is there any possibility one could explore other sof opportunities like buds training or ranger school if they were looking for something more combat-oriented. Additionally does an officer have the ability to resign their commission to explore enlisted opportunities within the Marine Corps. If so how would that look?

[@jamilsalih9724]

01:07 are there guys who do really good at ocs but then get admin ?

[@ramezanaliyaghtin-mirsheka8858]

is there any possible way to get team time as an officer

[@herascousin9174]

1ST

[@paulhetherington3854]

Nor would, a MARSOC, talk like this! On public net!

[@paulhetherington3854]

NOT! The best- in tactic and OPs = FORCE! MARSOC-- cheap cheese- with fowlers!