Life in Special Forces: The positives and upside of team life | Green Beret

In response to the popularity of my video on the negative and ugly sides to life in SOF, it is only fair to make sure everyone knows the amazing parts that are lesser known as well. While the negatives can be extreme, the positives vastly outweigh them overall in my opinion.
Also check out our discord and Patreon for more content like this about life in Special Forces
www.patreon.com/ValhallaFirea...
/ discord
#greenberet #specialforces #dol #oda #sof

[@randalllusk8547]

I'm seriously glad you guys have better equipment and training than wehad back in the day. I'm an old timer I retired in '96. God Bless Brother!

[@ValhallaVFT]

It’s always evolving, my dad was in group during Vietnam, so I’m well aware of how much better we have it now on those fronts lol.

[@randalllusk8547]

@@ValhallaVFT All my team sergeants were Nam vets, I learned a lot from those guys!

[@ValhallaVFT]

@@randalllusk8547 hell ya awesome generation of SF guys for sure, did way crazier stuff than I did.

[@randalllusk8547]

@ValhallaFirearmsTraining Yeah I think they'd probably lock us up for now for the shit we used to get away with. LOL

[@damnanddaunted8]

God bless our green berets 🇺🇸 It’s always an honor to hear from our warriors

[@ValhallaVFT]

Thank you 🙏

[@Nj18497]

Awesome, thanks for sharing. After watching this video I got so fired up! I watched the downsides video and still wanted to join, but this confirms it for sure. Appreciate you putting the information out there.

[@Connor-gc3uz]

Ive had the privilege of training with and supporting sof on the active and guard side of my career. And every time its one of the great highlights. No bullshit. No green weenie. Night and day difference from conventional. Just a bunch of bros that like to have fun and it such a cool aspect to watch.

[@KahinAhmed72]

Oh cool! I just watched your video on the downsides of being in special operations earlier today. Now a video on the positives just got released today! *GREAT!* 👍

[@ValhallaVFT]

Ya that video exploded out of no where so I figured I needed to get the other side of the coin up as well so people know it’s not all bad lol.

[@Bharmanxxx]

Good stuff dude. Look forward to watching your channel grow.

[@ValhallaVFT]

Thanks brother, appreciate the support for the channel.

[@1anre]

Your Dad also being a Green Beret is one of the coolest things I heard during this talk you gave.

[@ValhallaVFT]

Hell ya that Vietnam generation is the wildest special forces one for sure. Crazy men for what they did.

[@1anre]

@ValhallaFirearmsTraining True. They brought swag with their jeans and added color to the moderm warfighter's level. I can imagine of they pulled out of Vietnam safely after defeating the NVA & took care of their montaiyards indigs, that would've set the benchmark for future JSET jobs going into the future for modern day Foreign Internal Defense-heavy operators

[@ValhallaVFT]

@@1anre it should have been an unconventional war in general, but the government hasn’t been able to figure that out for any conflict. History sure repeated itself with that one when talking about exits.

[@WatchingYoutube12]

This stuff is good to hear, I'm trying to go 18X as well I just gotta wait til I'm old enough, but yeah its stressful when you have a girlfriend and you think you're leaving them behind and you focus on the negatives but when you highlight the positives of the team life its just that much more motivating.

[@nickfay2359]

Thank you for your service Sir. Hoo.

[@user-cc5od3zk4p]

This just came across my feed. I'll put work aside for this. I understand the horrors and dangers that are present but, as a civilian I can never truly understand what you guys go through. My time in aviation gives me a good idea as civilian aviation came from the military and it's always gonna have that element. Sorry, digressing here. I'm looking into volunteering with Veterans as they don't get the support they need when they come home. The mental health element is huge so, how can I best support Vets that are suffering? I'm a former paramedic so, I kinda get the ugly, shitty death side but I'd appreciate any guidance you could offer, Nate. Keep the great content coming.

[@f82dot]

Thanks Brother! Great videos

[@ValhallaVFT]

Thanks for supporting 🫡

[@mikessplboxes7497]

Thank you for the content, honesty, service, and feedback. 27 year old Adrenaline seeker here looking forward for your advise. Im a paramedic with tac certs. I've never served in the military but looking forward in joining after this deployment. Would you say I would have the experience of providing care under fire, tac field care, prolonged field care, & evac as a ranger medic? Don't care about benefits but to serve the country, help my brothers, training, and experience.

[@jed9615]

Good job brother! Honestly from someone who has been there and informs future "go guys", of Pro's and Neg's. May they think hard when they take this leap!!!!! Not all men, can give themselves to others! Understand if you can, or think you can, it comes with HONOR, and RESPECT, and putting others first, not YOURSELF!!! Keep walking with our KING!! Combat Divers hoooooah! Lol

[@ValhallaVFT]

That’s what it’s all about. DOL

[@brodymiller6567]

Just came across your page. current 11B planning on going to selection, not sure if I'll drop my OCS packet first or not. great info on the channel!!

[@ValhallaVFT]

Good stuff man, there’s quite a bit of info on the channel that can help. Good luck in your journey.

[@aygo784]

would love to here more about 'combat demployment chasers" that topic sounds full of crazy storys

[@ValhallaVFT]

I’m guilty myself. Also one of the guys I worked with the longest in my career, he had like 6 rotations through Iraq/Afghanistan, bounced around non stop to teams to keep going back.

[@davidwierman3345]

I’m 27 and already took the ASVAB now just waiting to get medical records approved to join the Navy, I’m going SEALS.

[@ValhallaVFT]

Congrats, good luck on your journey, never quit!

[@Raf-eg7db]

Let's go man! Hope you'll make it

[@urielaz2402]

@@ValhallaVFT Thank you for what you do. Based on your knowledge and experience, does enlisting at 35 as an E4 can get one anywhere near the smallest chance of being selected for SF ? (I don’t have to tell you that some people change paths later in life to pursue what they’ve always wanted to do but didn’t for some strong reasons)

[@ValhallaVFT]

@@urielaz2402 I know guys that have gone to selection at that age so it is definitely doable. Have to get your body to hold up though as it’s definitely a young man’s game.

[@urielaz2402]

@@ValhallaVFT Thank you. Would you say the best thing to do is try for 18 X ray because of the age or is it still better to spend a year in the army before starting the process?

[@88rollins]

Great video as usual. Wondering if at some point you could do one on the linguistics aspect of SF? By that I mean learning a second language, what the training was like, proficiency, etc. Thanks for your service!

[@randalllusk8547]

When I was in (the stone age) LOL They used to send us to the Defense Language Institute which was in Montrey, CA. I retired in '96 so I'm sure they do it differently now.

[@ValhallaVFT]

I didn’t think people would find this interesting, but a lot of people have asked me to do a video on this now so maybe I was mistaken. I can definitely do a video on that, I’ll mill it around in my head and figure something out.

[@sh4rku5]

@@ValhallaVFTglad to hear it! there is definitely interest among a lot of us

[@ValhallaVFT]

I can tell you I was one of the unlucky ones to have Chinese Mandarin as my language, was it was a continuous struggle the whole way lol.

[@randalllusk8547]

@ValhallaFirearmsTraining I had German and Vietnamese. German wasn't bad but Vietnamese was a struggle for this southern guy. LOL

[@coleanderson4432]

I would love to see a video talking about leadership in its self

[@ValhallaVFT]

This is one a could definitely do. Not only from my SF career but my higher education was Organizational leadership as well. I’ll put something together for this. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@Rascal-of-War]

In the UK it sometimes feel like SF is the only part of the Army where its members are genuinely and consistently happy.

[@DevilFrog61]

Can you do a video talking about FEAR? Did you ever have anxiety over things, how did you overcome it, is self doubt something that’s normal for a guy who’s operating overseas? Or should that be something you want to overcome first? No one ever talks about human emotions and a lot of younger guys compare ourselves to the impossibly stoic guys we see on the internet, Thanks.

[@ValhallaVFT]

Oh man there was plenty of times in my career where I dealt with that. One of the biggest I dealt with was jumping HALO again after a really nasty accident that seriously injured me. Getting back on that horse was terrifying. That could be a good video to talk about.

[@Based_Gopnik89]

Awesome video - can you do a video about NG SF? Particularly how the negative and positive aspects relate to doing it "part time." Thanks for making these dude.

[@ValhallaVFT]

This is probably the most requested thing I get on the channel. Unfortunately I really don’t know that much about life in NG SF, so I can’t really give an honest assessment.

[@Based_Gopnik89]

@@ValhallaVFT Hey thanks for the reply. I'm AD - I think a lot of dudes want to have "the life" but don't want to be around the AD military life 24/7 anymore; so it seems like a good compromise/option. That said, there isn't all that much out there about it aside from TF Voodoo writing about it and some random recruiting videos, so the picture we get is pretty fuzzy.

[@ValhallaVFT]

@@Based_Gopnik89 one of my old teammates got out and has been NG SF for about 3 years now. I’ll give him a call and see if he can give me a good rundown.

[@Based_Gopnik89]

@@ValhallaVFT thanks dude I appreciate you taking the time to do that, and I'm sure tons of other guys do as well

[@Based_Gopnik89]

@@ValhallaVFT Hey dude ever get a chance to talk to your bro in NG SF? Thanks again for all the sick videos man.

[@nelsonx4235]

oh man your dad and you must have a lot in common; when growing up did your dad tell you his journey as a green beret? That would be a cool video

[@ValhallaVFT]

Actually didn’t talk about it as much as you’d think until I made the decision to join, then got much more of his story.

[@viper7320]

I know special forces main mission is fid but do y’all do a lot of reconnaissance missions

[@ValhallaVFT]

Honestly it’s not suppose to be FID nearly as much, that’s just what it turned into through GWOT. One of our core mission sets it’s Special Recon, obviously that was a huge part of the Vietnam mission set, especially with MAC-V. We are going back to that more now though with the transition away from GWOT and into first world adversaries.

[@The85F0X]

I never found it after I left the teams (I’m a former 5th Group guy) until i became a cop and joined their swat team. I didn’t have a great team Sgt but I learned how not to be. I went through the fractured relationship and all of what he said but I would for sure do it all again.

[@jed9615]

When were you there and what ODA were you? I was in 1st Bn, ODA 536 starting out with my best friend to this day, Sam Houston, and then had an opportunity to try out for the combat diver team 535. A few yrs later, I went to become the 180A and went to ODA 515. Then finsihed as the group dive officer. Retired in 04

[@ValhallaVFT]

Good to hear from some fellow group guys. And even with all the negatives I feel the same way I’d definitely do it all again if I could.

[@joshuaseawright221]

In your experience is it possible to get vision waivers? Basically I have a non correctable 20:70 in my left eye, no glasses, prk, lasik etc can fix. I’m extremely high functioning and have totally adapted. Didn’t even know until later in life that it was a lazy eye. I’m a professional martial artist and make people miss me by centimeters and counter them, a proficienct shot and have served in executive protection and law enforcement related fields for over 4 years, college degree etc. do you think I could get a waiver to join, I am so convicted to be a green beret and I just want a shot at the course, if I fail I fail but I want a chance, thank you.

[@ValhallaVFT]

Honestly I don’t know enough about that exact medical situation to give you an answer. I know you wouldn’t be able to be on a military free fall team as you have to have corrected vision for that. You’d need to probably talk to a recruiter to really figure that out.

[@mrdboy31]

How old were you when you went SF. Did you go SF first?

[@ValhallaVFT]

24, and yes I was an 18X. My entire career was in SF outside of 4 months in basic training.

[@Xaviier9090]

Question Nate, favorite thing about 1ST Group over any other Group? Would you change your Group possibly knowing what you know now?

[@ValhallaVFT]

I mean Asia is awesome in general, so many cool places we work, Thailand, Mongolia, Australia etc. so that’s a huge upside. My entire family is from this area so I wouldn’t change groups, but I know everyone I know in 10th group also loves it there as well. So if I had to choose something else, it would be probably be 10th.

[@Xaviier9090]

@@ValhallaVFTWell, can’t go wrong with living in the same state with family.🤪

[@michealsealy1908]

Could you do a video about CIF and if it’s still around and how you get into those specialize groups ?

[@ValhallaVFT]

They technically got disbanded, even thought they’re still sort of there doing the same thing, kind of a weird situation right now. The biggest thing is typically going to, and graduating SFARTEAC, one of our most advanced shooting schools.

[@michealsealy1908]

@@ValhallaVFT what does that school consist off how long is it and the type of training ?

[@ValhallaVFT]

@@michealsealy1908 primary cqb/urban combat.

[@traviswetzel1060]

How old were you when you enlisted and how old were you when you got out?

[@buttercup-rm5im]

Yo I was wondering what are the policies or restrictions around using medication? Would I not be allowed to take medicine if I ever try to do SF?

[@ValhallaVFT]

That’s a difficult question to answer without knowing specifics, it would depend on the condition I’m sure.

[@buttercup-rm5im]

@@ValhallaVFT Alright thanks for replying.

[@CandC68]

SF forces you to do your best, Make a high level version of yourself. And when things get intense, you are with people of your caliber. Who would you want to be in that situation, but the best version of yourself. AND who would you want to be with? The bond in war is a different kind of family.

[@thecarlonian]

Cool man. In case you don't remember. I commented on the other video yesterday. So I'm going to have some talks with my wife. What you're talking about is what Im looking for. I definitely value and respect my wife's opinion and want to consider my kids. Im 34. Im very active and feel good. I'm a team player. I can lead and follow. I can pick up slack and I can take the brunt of the work when needed. I dont mind. Ive always wanted to work with like--minded dudes. I dont feel like im old at all. What are your thoughts on age.

[@ValhallaVFT]

SF is on average a pretty old force. Most guys are in there 30s, some in their 40s. The only issue with age in my opinion is whether or not your body is going to hold up. That is probably the most limiting factor to make it through things like SFAS/q course. Don’t recover as fast as the young bucks, but I had lots of 40+ year old guys on teams with me, so its doable.

[@RealMenMotivate]

how do i prepare for a special forces selection course? what should i do physically?

[@ValhallaVFT]

We have a discord community for exactly that type of information. discord.gg/Ucarzh98

[@Woqqs]

do you have a updated link to the discord?@@ValhallaVFT

[@oookenn1777]

I know a lot of people are asking you to cover certain topic, I don’t know if you’d have any knowledge about 18x series and how it is on the guard side?

[@ValhallaVFT]

Oh I sure do, I was an 18x so I’m very intimate with that subject haha. Guard side not so much other than just talking to my buddies who are in the guard now. The 18x thing is a good idea though I know there’s a lot of interest in that.

[@oookenn1777]

the main question I have for the guard side is if the deployment tempo, would it be higher or lower compared to active. I've seen a diverse amount of responses regarding this. But yea its all good thanks for reaching back out haha@@ValhallaVFT

[@ValhallaVFT]

@@oookenn1777 it’s more up to you. My buddy who is over in the guard now deploys more than when he was active, but that’s because he wants to. You definitely don’t have to.

[@therealaz4737]

If you someone looking for raid/hostage rescue training and experience is it better to go ranger or sf?

[@ValhallaVFT]

You’re looking at units like the CRF (CTAC now) in special forces, Devgru, and Delta. Obviously all extremely tier organizations for hostage rescue. Both Ranger/SF do lots of raid work, rangers with their own unit, SF by leading a partner force on the raid.

[@electriczombie8299]

Did you ever get the chance to work with members of the 75th Ranger Regiment during your career in SF?

[@ValhallaVFT]

@@electriczombie8299 got abunch of shorts training with them. Not that much unit to unit but individually I have.

[@Gabriel_the_Shemite]

How do you build relationships with locals, and raise up an army from scratch?

[@ValhallaVFT]

Ha I wish that were something as simple as a few sentence answer my friend, but it’s a massive undertaking.

[@rashad6459]

As I get older I realize how sketchy night wall locker is...especially pulling on the hill.

[@ValhallaVFT]

Bro pulling on the hill, my literal nightmare until I had like 100 jumps and was finally comfortable with it. I definitely nearly killed myself tumbling and throwing on HAHOs more than once lol.

[@Wolfy_king3]

I'm applying for the green beret what should I expect

[@ValhallaVFT]

Getting physically mentally and emotionally destroyed on a regular basis.

[@skymningforelsket1302]

Have you found it challenging to decompress and adjust to being out of Special Forces? Some people speculate that prize fighter Sugar Ray Leonard got on coke after he stopped boxing because he wanted to emulate the thrill of being in a world champ fight. I'm not saying you're doing that LOL but the concept is the same. Being in Special Forces sure sounds different than Regular Army. So much tedium, monotony, and boredom goes along with the duties of a regular soldier. I must've put on a protective mask, cleared it, and sealed it 2,000 times if I did it once. Also, at least in my experience of Regular Army it's the opposite to forming bonds--- people come and go, in and out of your life, all the time. You're with them for a while, then you're all sent your different ways before too long, and the cycle repeats. After a while you realize you're never going to make any long term friends, and maybe this sounds a little twisted but I started to value human relations with fellow soldiers less because it was such a transient and temporary lifestyle.

[@ValhallaVFT]

It is quite different in SF in that we stay in the same Group our entire career, because of our languages. So you work with the same guys for much longer and it definitely a community. I haven’t been out very long, only retired a month ago, so at the moment it feels more like being on leave than actually being out. I imagine I’ll deal with some of those things you mention as I’m out longer.

[@skymningforelsket1302]

@@ValhallaVFT ​ @ValhallaFirearmsTraining I didn't know guys were grouped by language the whole time, interesting! You can probably finish eachother's sentences after a while! Well, I'd bet you know how to do skydiving and of course you can do that as a civilian. I've seen parachutists land in stadiums like cotton balls touching down. Not like airborne slamming into the ground like a 50lb. sack of spuds thrown off a roof.😆 So maybe you could skydive if you can land gently and don't slam ur knees. Motorcycles can be quite a jolt. Don't know how exciting a Harley would be, but a something like a Kawasaki H2 can certainly reach the level of thrilling, and run the needle all the way up into sheer terror, even. 😄. They have "track days" in most local areas where you can rent the track and ride the bike as fast as you dare. Ever watched a GoPro cam of guys racing at Isle of Mann! I've also done cliff diving, where you jump off high cliff edges into the water below and that's a blast! Sure, you won't get to use any C-4 but a good time can be had by all LOL

[@ValhallaVFT]

@@skymningforelsket1302 ya each group handles a region of the world so we stay explicitly to each group. Unfortunately because of a skydiving accident I had both shoulders reconstructed and I can’t currently reach back far enough to pull my BOC so that’s off the table lol.

[@lavdog524]

you ever work with Canadians?

[@ValhallaVFT]

Years back we did some joint military free fall jumps with them. So a little bit, not too much beyond that. But 1st Group does stuff with the Canadian SOF in celebration of Menton every year here in Washington.

[@coleanderson4432]

First lol

[@ValhallaVFT]

😎