Becoming a Green Beret is not as difficult as you'd think - Here's Why

[@SNAKEEATER1776]

Agreed. I’m not the most physically fit or the smartest guy to ever complete the q-course, but I walked through it all in 13 months with first time ‘go’ in all phases and made the commandant’s list for academic achievement. completed a 15 year career as a Green Beret and 20 years overall in the Army.

[@InfiniteGrit]

That’s awesome man. Appreciate your service!

[@CrazyAuntJoey]

You earned that screen name then. I love it. I was a support weiner bragg I used to tell my team "remember we aint the strongest, we aint the fastest, but we're damnnnn sure not the brightest". I figured it was always best to remind them that we're just the good idea fairies, nobody likes us lol

[@tristenbaur4323]

Fuck yeah man

[@ethanglover1579]

You got a Facebook, I’m thinking of going for it but I’d like to talk to someone who’s lived the life first.

[@InfiniteGrit]

@@ethanglover1579 yeah man, hit me up I’m happy to help

[@seanhokanson4115]

Becoming a green beret really isn’t difficult. I haven’t done it, so it has been very straightforward and easy.

[@JohnDoe-fv9si]

Hahahaha

[@jfkst1]

Depends on what you find challenging. In the US SOF community, it was the lowest in PT and highest in GT. Also the oldest average age.

[@carsongrover9924]

Too funny 😂

[@One_of_Gods_Warriors]

They say a bunch of PT Studs wash out of rasp because of the mental aspect. I can say rucking 40+ miles in 2 days during the forge showed me that a lot of the “studs” fell out because their mind wasn’t stronger then their body

[@cplboot]

I'm not from the US, but I have served in my country's military for 10 years now and I've had so many friends who went the extra mile and became tier 1 operators. What really set us apart all along wasn't PT standards (hell I could even smoke some of them at that) or being particularly sharp, what really made the difference was the mindset they had. The motivation and resilience is just something you can't train, it has to be there and you have to be cut for it, otherwise you're gonna find out the hard way during initial assessment. One thing is for sure, I could never do that, hats off to the awesome guys I've worked with who went through the whole thing and allowed me to grow as a regular grunt, y'all are doing the real deal!

[@InfiniteGrit]

Appreciate you sharing!

[@davidj6599]

You’re right, building a resilient unfordable mind is quite often overlooked and not given due diligence as the physical and intellectual demands, despite it being the most essential of components to building a special operatives unit. If you were to spend as much time almost deliriously affirming yourself that nothing can stop you from attaining your objective, and that you’re at least an expendable piece on an otherwise much vast board of pieces that are moving as one in unison, an infallible machine of mass production that’ll output its desired designation/task, then that could help us achieve a mindset that is unconquerable, one that would allow someone to fight to their last dying breathe even against genghis Kahn during his respective time period. With calm analytical precision, and the vigor of 10 healthy men, you must be as inane and uncompromising as a Karen trying to get the name tag of an employee to report to the manager. Once you get that tag, you must never yield, don’t let it go, with sole deterministic tunnel vision don’t let it escape your gaze, let it become your vision and let the pressure burn up inside you like a tea kettle, that’s your passion and it mustn’t stop simmering.

[@seanbuchanan7110]

Having walk that path too, Infantry and then Special Forces, I really appreciate the perspective you provide on the video. I think what make someone a Green Beret cannot be defined but is discovered.

[@InfiniteGrit]

“Cannot be defined but discovered” I really like that! Thanks for sharing brother

[@Wabbradford]

A very powerful message in a short, no-nonsense video. You are stronger than you think you are, focus on the now and you'll amaze yourself. Most people need a 20 minute video with overpowering music to explain a quarter of what you did in three minutes.

[@ssvd91]

I'm in the grind and dealing with all those doubts right now. AF ST not SF but totally applicable. Thanks for the video. It does help.

[@InfiniteGrit]

Appreciate the feedback and wish you the best with it! Keep grinding 🤘

[@JimPickens_Official]

Keep it up little cone. You’ll get your funny hat too is you just ✨ believe ✨.

[@TheSubieFan]

Afsoc is definitely by definition sf. What are you trying to do in afsoc.

[@JimPickens_Official]

@@TheSubieFan AFSOC is not in any way SF. They are two completely different things. AFSOC is AF Special Operations Command which encompasses many things. AFSPECWAR is on 4 AFSC in the USAF; 1Z1, 1Z2, 1Z3, 1Z4. Those four jobs are not SF. SF is specifically an army job consisting of a few different MOS’s similar to how the multiple AFSCs in the USAF are set up. Both are SOF but they are not the same. Source; me, an active duty 1Z3 in the USAF.

[@ssvd91]

@@TheSubieFan Force reconnaissance of the environment & establishment of landing zones to facilitate forward air power projection; etc. AFSC 1Z4; the grey berets.

[@jackhaugh]

I went to a SF recruitment briefing if you will run by the top SF NCO in Europe while I was stationed in Berlin back in ‘93 or ‘94. I was a 91D (operating room specialist) and went with a friend of mine that was a lab tech. I was interested in becoming an 18D which was Special Forces Medic at the time. When I went through 91D school, we trained at the old BAMC hospital at Fort Sam. We split the building with the 18Ds. It was nothing to hear a .308 rifle go off and one of those guys would have to run up and save a pig they just shot. We’d go out out and take smoke breaks with these guys, and I quite honestly just idolized them for the training they were doing and how cool they all looked with their berets on. I went to phase 2 of AIT at Ft Belvior, and we had an 18D trainee going through at the same time. They basically treated him like a surgical resident which is a doctor that’s learning how to become a surgeon. So back to this briefing. I had concerns about my PT score. I could only get about a score of 70 on the run, but 100 in push up and sit up. This guy basically said we can get you in shape, we can’t make people smarter. He was mainly interested in recruiting the most intelligent soldiers the Army had to offer. I took all of that with a grain of salt, and he started going over the training schedule. I had just gotten married to an incredibly attractive 21 year old female that I was madly in love with. This guy basically said most guys get divorced along the way, and that they could help me with that. I just said no thank you. We ended up getting divorced after 2 consecutive deployments on either of our ends. She was active duty too

[@rayma7151]

Current 68D (OR tech) seriously thinking about going to SFAS

[@tyw2675]

That sounds a lot better than what being in the conventional army was like. Everyone tore each other down. As a contractor now, it’s almost the complete opposite. I’ll say this: 19D is one of the worst MOS’s in the entire army, for so many reasons, but I think the number one - in my own experience - is that everyone is always pitted against each other. That’s how my basic training was, that’s how a lot of my units were, and it’s wrong. It doesn’t make anyone stronger. It tears everyone down and makes us dysfunctional.

[@One_of_Gods_Warriors]

I may not be the best in any of the categories but I can guarantee I’m the most motivated and I want it more then anyone else. Can’t wait to finish OSUT and go to rasp

[@blazegulizack]

Agreed man, selection was a cake walk and I never struggled in the q. Just be moderately fit and a good dude 🤨

[@JPetersenJohnMiltonPetersonIII]

Thank you! All well said, good points, and articulate. One of the best depictions of all that I've seen online of the pipeline (amongst the cottage industry of people online talking about SF and SOF.) I graduated selection and SFAC in the 80s.

[@sixtyskills2814]

I had the pleasure of working with SEALs and Special Forces a few times and several observations stood out. One, they never complained about anything. If someone came up with a better idea for a problem, they would ask questions but wouldn't argue about it. Two, they never, ever, quit. This might be termed as having a lot of endurance by some but really came across as mental endurance. Three, they were very intelligent. Not necessarily educated in a classical sense. Just inquisitive and very professional. Four, everyone wanted to be the best at what they did. They were always working on improving at anything they viewed as a weakness. Five, they were completely committed to what they did. No one was halfway in. Fitness gets a lot of attention on KZbin with the special operations community. And while everyone was in shape their physical ability to do things seemed to have more to do with mindset than anything else. You cannot out endure any of these guys.

[@mikejones6426]

This is a one in a million actual good video.

[@InfiniteGrit]

I appreciate that, man!

[@jerryegan299]

Thank you for the inspirational video!

[@InfiniteGrit]

Thanks for the support man!

[@jerryegan299]

@@InfiniteGrit Always look forward to your videos and posts on instagram.

[@sfdclay]

That’s somewhat comforting.. I just turned 39 and looking to do 18x and try for 19th group. From a physical standpoint I feel like my biggest challenge will be the timed runs, as my two mile time right now is about 17min and my 5 mile is about 55 min

[@ricklopez4703]

Younger guys just recover faster so we have to be more careful to not get injured but I feel I can still at least keep up with 20 year olds though I exercise allot more than the average person

[@Tom.88234]

Do ALOT of stretch & joint rotation warm ups before each running or lift workout

[@15walkingaway]

Bro, have you talked to a recruiter? Army age range to enlist is 17-35.

[@mingus445_gaming]

@@15walkingaway he might be a waiver or commissioning

[@sfdclay]

@@15walkingaway yep, under 40 the recruiter said an age waiver shouldn’t be a problem

[@jfkst1]

I went through in '05. SOF guys will support people that deserve it. They will also sabotage incompatible personalities and poor performers.

[@Prodigysportsman]

“Incompatible personalities” can mean tribalism because of the threat of meritocratic objectivity and not the cliqué cartel their running

[@oldsoldier181]

NEver went through it, but tried a pre SFAS back in 91, through 1st Group in Lewis, WA. Failed it, because I mindfucked myself. I will say this: back then, NO ONE KNEW what they were getting into. There were no online resources, and even the tasks and completion standards were secret. Men going into that MOS these days have a lot more info to better prepare. Back then, you only needed to do two things to prepare: be able to ruck, and be good at land nav. That was, literally, the training advice for anyone trying out way back then. As to us being able to do more than we think capable: 1000% on that (not that you need validation, lol). Our minds, like our bodies, prefer comfort, pain free existence. And, most people will never get beyond that. What we can ENDURE is far more than what we THINK we can endure. We just have to break through that mental barrier. Some can, some cannot. From an old (like, M81 pattern BDUs) grunt, thanks for your service!

[@AdrianMilanio]

Love the videos brotha !

[@InfiniteGrit]

Thanks man I really appreciate the support!

[@melgoy2094]

As a retired SF guy and someone who went through twice, I can tell you that the only thing that is constant with the Q course is inconsistency. Not all courses are ever the same. There was a.1.5 years between my courses. This is the 80s. The second time was different. When new commanders and the powers to be take over SWIC their visions are different. This is when slight changes happens. Went thought as an 18E. My graduation class had 13 comms guys that finally graduated. There were only 5 or 6 that were a non recycled student. Out of the 13 or so grads only 7 of us were sent to the active units. Most went to 1st and 10th. Only one went to 7th because his dad was a retired SF CSM and knew people to keep him at brag. Now fast forward to 1991-1992 we saw masses of guys being pushed through the course to fill the ranks and teams. SF did not become an18 series branch with a tab till 1985 or 1987. Also during the early 90s we were in the beginning of desert storm and other places on the globe. We wound up with guys that were recycled through 3 to 5 times just to get them to the units. When I got to 1st Group there were only two companies per Bat and they were not fully manned. Short on Comms and Medics. The Charlie companies were the last to start filling up but the teams were never full and always short till GWOT started. I was contracting in Iraq in 07-08 and talked with some active duty SF guys and they said there were 14 guys on a team and a 4th Battalion. There was also a waiting list it seemed that a lot of these young guys were 18X or SF babies

[@CordsZ]

“Not as hard as you’d think” is a line I’ve used with operators in a TOTALLY different context than this one 😅

[@InfiniteGrit]

Damn lmao

[@heartandmindovercome3214]

Awesome video thanks 👍🔥

[@TerryOnVinyl]

You just have to be pretty smart, pretty in shape and really really want it.

[@InfiniteGrit]

Absolutely

[@irishseven100]

Good video--One day at a time.

[@igorbittner8483]

I wish there was a direct pipeline for special forces if you’re prior service.

[@8ber1nard85]

technically there is, if you’re MOS is a combat mos like a 0311, they give u the opportunity to tryout for recon, and if 5 years in service MARSOC, and if u make it, you could crossover and do schoolhouse that will help you like jump school or scouting swimming or things like ranger school or even goin for the green beret. However if you were a admin guy obviously they couldn’t give less of a fuck to give you a tryout of the bat, I mean that’s just what makes sense.

[@travisprather678]

@@8ber1nard85 Special Forces and MARSOC are not the same. He said prior service. Why would someone join MARSOC, and transfer to Special Forces? To the original poster, there is, but there isn't. The BEST way for a prior service guy to go Special Forces is to contact the National Guard SF groups, and attend their Special Forces Readiness Evaluation. If accepted, you will then attend SFAS. Apparently this is a common route. I am not SF myself, but have researched it a lot. Now, as for contracts, and whether you stay with the respective group, or can go active, I have no idea. I have heard of guys who go that route, and find their way to active duty groups, but not sure how common considering 19th and 20th Group still need retention as well. That's not to knock the 19th and 20th as they still do badass shit, but its a different lifestyle I imagine since its more of a balancing game of being 100% SF and 100% into civilian career as well.

[@EvilRamon]

@@travisprather678I was going to suggest the same thing! SF thru the NG is a solid way thru the 18X pathway

[@fifieldhu33]

You can also do an SFE which is a day of APFT (modified) 5 mile run and 12 mile ruck. All conducted in the same day. They have SFEs for 20th and 19th group, the two SF groups in the national guard, they have multiple sites throughout the country.

[@RogerCharlamange]

There's 18Xray

[@spunds4378]

Ty

[@alchemicalsoul]

My son graduated OSUT at Benning and gave RASP a shot at 17. He made it up to the day of selection but was told to come back in two years because of his psych test results. He assumes because he didn't lie on answers. I also consider his maturity level at the time. Nonetheless, he was determined not to quit. He understood the concept of, I want this, so by any means. He was crushed when not selected, but he proved what people kept saying, the struggle is mostly mental. If the will is there, you will figure the rest out. We met an ex 18X at the gun range, a slim, laid back guy from Nigeria. He told him that SF selection was the best way to go, and doable as well. He also told him not to tell the Batt Boys that either. 😂

[@alm505]

dude the one I thought would be difficult was getting through Ranger course, I met so many people with a ranger tab, like I met guys in admin and logistics who had ranger tabs, they werent former infrantry or anything RC just had slots to fill so those guys got tossed in and passed

[@Bubbly_pen]

I wonder with the NG 19th and 20th SF groups if it would be possible to work towards getting a bachelors.

[@InfiniteGrit]

Absolutely! I know many guys who got their bachelors while active duty, it’s even more doable on the NG side

[@Bubbly_pen]

@@InfiniteGrit That is good to know, Thanks.

[@elchinoguerito8915]

One of my classmates in college was an NG SF guy. solid guy, humble, and knew more than he let on which is nice compared to the usual "look at me" students

[@teamdada2194]

Why do you want a college degree lol?

[@aaron6268]

Do it active, once you're at the compound you have all the time in the world.

[@stuc3195]

Theres approximately 5,000 Green Berets on active duty. today. So clearly its not overly difficult.

[@TheDesertRat31]

1. How bad do you want it? 2. You can do more than you think. 3. Be a team player. If you are a blue falcon, the cadre WILL see that and will take note and drop you, but more likely, you'll fail on your own.

[@xObscureMars]

I was talking to a guy earlier and he had a green beret tattoo. He told me he was an 18d. After asking him some questions, I am 99 percent sure we needed to get Don on the case if he did more than just phony seals. With that in mind, it looks like half the people on KZbin were green berets as well judging by the comments here lol

[@truenreal365]

They skip one of the most brutal elements, the ocean.

[@InfiniteGrit]

Haha true

[@denisberte778]

You're right on that one Truenreal. Went to the Scout Swim School at Key West in 91 and only survived because I had a background on swim teams. It definitely kicked my a_s, graduated 35 out of 35. And as they say, "......It's when nothing else matters....." Regards, Denis Berte' SFC 1st Group 18E (Ret.)

[@Tovashi]

What happened to your q&a vids?

[@InfiniteGrit]

I took them down for the time being. The channel hit an absolute wall in regards to growth and I think just having a bunch of different content was hurting it. They performed the worst out of everything so I changed up the game plan a bit. I may start pushing them out to the email list each week and I also do a live one in the community every Wednesday

[@Tovashi]

@InfiniteGrit I understand. Thank you for clarifying.

[@HAMMERTIMEBB]

Sigint marine going to selection when im eligible (MARSOC makes you wait till you are able to reenlist to go to selection)

[@bakixavirists4561]

Can you explain cif company!?

[@18x-wv6jc]

Yea but isn’t land nav by yourself at night?

[@InfiniteGrit]

That’s essentially the only thing you do on your own and it’s not bad at all if you’re comfortable in the woods

[@18x-wv6jc]

@@InfiniteGritthanks for the reply that makes me feel a lot better going into SFAS as a regular ol blue collar country boy going as 18x

[@InfiniteGrit]

@@18x-wv6jc country boys typically crush Land Nav! I think a big contributing factor to me doing well in Land Nav was my obsession with hunting

[@18x-wv6jc]

@@InfiniteGrit great video and info man I’m somewhat of a hunter and fisherman myself. You got yourself another subscriber I will be watching your videos leading up to SFAS to prepare

[@InfiniteGrit]

@@18x-wv6jc I appreciate it. Let me know if there’s ever anything specific you’d like me to cover!

[@CrazyAuntJoey]

Big Army Troops "But was it worth it?" Guy on my screen *Look at this f*cking beard followed by a lot of logical situations you'll find yourself in* Big Army Troops "You rite you rite you rite"

[@alanstone139]

I just read that the Army is going to cut SOF units down 😮

[@Theprimaryfocus]

Maybe I will...

[@the3gamingnerds458]

I know for a fact I can do the physical stuff. But I'm not to bright with school work. But if it was just go out run do push ups or march for hours and hours. I'd own that shit probably be first in class. Like not talking shit just stating facts.

[@chrisxavier3147]

Haven't they been having trouble recruiting across all branches these days?

[@InfiniteGrit]

Yeah for sure. I haven’t read much about the other branches but the Army was very short of the 2023 goal

[@AjaychinuShah]

If you made it through thee Ruck Process it’s difficult. Else you failed then Green Beret is easy. So which is it? I don’t know.

[@nicolashebert3683]

What?

[@AjaychinuShah]

Whereas you tingle and tickle pain and suffering inside our most underlying fundamental sense of breathlessness you continue to fuck up women and fuck up Middle East. Way to go Brock.@@nicolashebert3683

[@CommunistCommando1]

I eat Green Berets for breakfast! (That was a joke btw)

[@CommunistCommando1]

I admire the physical athleticism of the military but politically against your leaders. Lions led by donkeys!

[@hiwayman981]

I love that film...so many quotable, tongue-in-cheek lines from Arnold from which to choose for so many different occasions!

[@CommunistCommando1]

Arnie films are always a laugh. Predator's great as well but Arnie can't run!

[@Roger-il8iw]

Is 30 too old to do this lol 😂

[@teamdada2194]

I was 38. I knew a guy who made it at 42. Just be a yes man and get along and be in shape pansy.

[@Roger-il8iw]

@@teamdada2194 I was a detective/cop for 9 years. Tried to be a pj during the sequester, but got denied for a shoulder surgery. Went to Meps 4 time. Not trying to sound like a wannabe, just weighing my options before I get too old. I’ve run numerous ultra marathons. My primary concern is my shoulders holding up. Just doing my research.

[@teamdada2194]

@@Roger-il8iwworth a shot. Just dont run a lot. 15 miles a week tops. Ruck 15 a week and do some weight training. Dont piss off your peers and be the grey man. Dont stand out as too good or too bad I know it sounds bad but they target you if you’re a stud.

[@Roger-il8iw]

@@teamdada2194 I’m a long distance runner. I’ve been doing 50 mile plus weeks for years.

[@teamdada2194]

@@Roger-il8iwevery ruck mile equates to 3 miles of running damage wise so adjust accordingly. 45-55lbs max for training. Land nav your ass off. Do not come in first in any event but be consistent. I’ve completed 4 selections. 2 active duty at Bragg and 2 in 19th group to prep . I got selected in 09’ two weeks in hell class and had a job offer which required years of training so I got out and had to redo years later at 38. If you’re wondering I think I know more about selection than anyone.

[@teamdada2194]

I got peer reviewed non select from a bunch of 19 year old pansys in 14’. Selection is hard but if you’re prepared you will be fine. Very soft selection group. Must be they needed people at the time. The Sgt Major was encouraging us before the trek. A captain who cane in dead last got selected over me who came in 14th. 10 years later I’m happy that Green Beret thing never happened. Would have been dead for no reason. I got sent from 19th group as the only guy they selected out of 18 to go lol. When Insay pansys, thats what was selected for the most part out of my class.

[@senorFrog2032]

Sounds like you weren't a team player. They're looking for the best guy in all aspects

[@teamdada2194]

@@senorFrog2032 yes and no. 95% of my team were 18xrays. How you think that worked out as a 38 year old stud? So soft and dumb most of them. Maybe like you?

[@senorFrog2032]

@@teamdada2194 anybody that calls themselves a stud is not one. All I'm hearing is horrible attitude instead of self reflection to get better

[@teamdada2194]

@@senorFrog2032 I bet you’re one of them 18x-ray pansies I’m talking about. Even the instructors were 18 x-rays hahahaha. For the self reflection part, I’ve already learned from that phase bubs so go play your little sissy game somewhere else. I’ve learned around 90% are pansies so theres a good chance you’re one of them.

[@alchemicalsoul]

It's your mindset Brotha. If you had that energy of calling yourself a stud, and other people pansy's, they likely felt you thought you were better than them. Maybe you struggle with self-awareness and humility. Notice SF are generally laid back, unassuming bad asses who don't flaunt their status. They will choose a captain who came in last over an arrogant dude. That attitude would get you, and others killed.

[@matt6223]

Still sounds incredibly hard, lol. You basically have to be an Olympic level athlete in terms of fitness

[@edwardfessenden9490]

Lol yeah okay

[@matt6223]

@@edwardfessenden9490 you do it then if it's so easy

[@iamtheai2759]

But why? Why would you want to do that? To serve Halliburton? Or spread LGBTQ+++++?

[@landenjones9374]

Believe it or not all the LGBTQ stuff in the military that's advertised on TV is mostly propaganda to try and get people to enlist and push THE MESSAGE but in reality 95+ percent of people in the military are hertosexuals/straights or what ever you want to call them because LGBTQ people are still heavily frowned upon in the military

[@JohnDoe-fv9si]

Is there a trans unit?

[@SammyHangDemonofDemons]

They aren’t that great. Honestly they are egotistical and cause more problems that help a situation.

[@thizzingallnight966]

🔥