Who Fails Delta Force Selection? Member Reveals Simple Answer

Former Delta Force operator Bob Porras (callsign Ninja) speaks with David Hookstead about the kind of people who fail selection for The Unit.
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[@davidhooksteadinterviews]

Make sure to like, subscribe, comment and watch the full interview here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4umiGqLptOXb5Y

[@GATOR_MCLUSKY]

ruby ridge and ninja bob

[@shankasaurous]

Lol

[@FKYT]

Please stop with the click bait titles. You cut off what he was saying at the start of the video too.

[@milldawgj9598]

Had a gunny who expected us to think and problem solve. The two years I worked for him changed my life. Not waiting for direction in a professional setting will make you stand out. You just have the guts to deal with being wrong from time to time.

[@DSB831]

It’s amazing what a difference a competent Platoon Sergeant makes. Gunnys are typically the best ones. They’ve seen enough BS to know how to avoid most of the head shed nonsense and keep everyone motivated.

[@tomatos9445]

Bro you hit the nail on this!!!!

[@slappy8941]

Unfortunately, this isn't the standard across the military.

[@killed_bya_bot7775]

If someone is giving you the responsibility without the skill and knowledge then you can never be wrong, you could have done it a better way or more efficient but you’ll never be wrong

[@cylyntknyt]

"Be brave enough to suck at something new." I've found that's the way to a happy life.

[@user-ok6nb6lr4y]

I aced the Delta selection process....... it really wasn't that hard? I don't understand the need for all of these interviews? Anyways...... I'm still at Delta, after 32 years. It's a great airline, and the travel benefits are awesome.

[@SS-fp6kz]

😂😂😂

[@user-hj9vo8sr8j]

Andddd Buh Bye 😂

[@ak12d]

😂😂😂

[@notapplicable-zn9us]

You are so clever

[@Menaceblue3]

At least the planes door didn't implode out

[@LutherMahoney]

Guy is a killer but looks like he runs Hardware at Home Depot.

[@maldad9073]

It's crazy how that works. I live in a unique location where spec ops guys regularly come to train, and some of them exude the Jocko aura of a total badass and others are like this guy, just a regular dude that works at Home Depot.

[@user-dp3zn9kt4n]

Deadass

[@muumarlin1731]

So true!

[@haveaday1812]

He’s a gentleman. Who, when necessary, can be not very gentle, man.

[@optimusprimerib602]

THE home Depot

[@user-ok9nx9yr6k]

In reference to the tough talkers. I’ll never forget watching the air war in Desert Storm starting as /I watched the news with my father. He was a veteran Pilot in Korea and Vietnam. As the news interviews a kid on a tank complaining that they were being held back and wanted to go in and kick ass like he was trained to do, my father pointed to the TV and said to me, you see that kid, he’s the first one that shits his pants when the bullets star flying his way. He further stated, I want to be behind the guy reading his Bible and writing a letter home to Mom. He’s gonna charge up the hill and never falter.

[@fredericklockard3854]

I was assigned to the 10SFG as a support guy and it was the best assignment in my 20 year career. The green berets treated me with respect, as long as I was professional, physically fit, and knew my job.

[@chrisahnemueller6456]

I had the same experience. I was the only one in my BN with my MOS

[@fredericklockard3854]

@@chrisahnemueller6456 I had many such assignments.

[@rickdunbar2319]

Do you know Joel McDaniel?

[@chrisahnemueller6456]

@@rickdunbar2319 Possibly. Been over 16 years. I’m in contact with some of the ODA guys I served with

[@fredericklockard3854]

@@rickdunbar2319 no. He was in 10th in the early 90s? Which Bn?

[@kellyBorgman]

He comes across as the most chill dude, ever. Love to listen to him !

[@Bootmahoy88]

There's a lot of weird romance around these dudes, you know, tales of how they're so badass they just radiate darkness, and that's simply not true. The one guy I knew for a while was a very sweet dude, not overly so, you know, like patronizingly sweet. He was just a nice guy, stable, very centered. He had a terrific sense of humor, and he had a fine family, a wife, two sons. The covert ops on which he was deployed were never discussed. He had a profound sense of honor. I really respected him.

[@haveaday1812]

This is observable throughout life. Some people are simply built to follow, and need structure and management. That is their psychological “attachment” style if you will. Others,I would assume Delta operators especially….are similar to high functioning entrepreneurs. They are creative thinkers, and require very little direction to complete tasks and solve problems. Most of these traits you are simply born with and are conditioned with in early nurtured environments. This is why they always say, they’re not looking for the best guys. They’re looking for the right guys.

[@irishdefense77]

This is as true as it gets.Every Unit guy I ever worked with(I was with A/1/5 of the 5th SF Grp-a CIF Co)was quiet,unassuming and a soldier who needed zero direction-they knew how to get things done without orders.Problem solvers of the highest order.

[@NoThankYouReally]

Interesting observation. As a person in a high-competition corporate type world- both inside and outside the building- the ability to just "GSD" without being handed explicit instructions is everything. Regularly have discussions on "good guys/gals" where they're excellent employees but they've "hit their ceiling" in their ability to understand the goal and then just act independently to move things forward to completion. "Comfort with ambiguity" is the characteristic you'll often see on a list of "job requirements". If you need me to hold your hand through each step or are checking in every time you make a move you are not at all helping me; I'll just do it myself. It is of course incumbent on leaders to 1) make sure your intent is understood and 2) correct, not punish, when they go off course. Nothing sadder than seeing someone who could be an utter savage afraid to make a move because every time they make a mistake they get hammered. Bad bosses operate that way. Good leaders never do.

[@thodan467]

@@NoThankYouReally 2 worse if the mistake is not reading your "not superiors" mind

[@RenegadeRanga]

The sheriff of Baghdad loved it. Credit to the British psychologists who developed this part of the SAS selection.

[@badstar9670]

The actual quiet professionals. Individuals. Together.

[@toastrecon]

I've known just a few who served in "specialized" units in the military, and they were always the most calm and chill people to work with.

[@forrestprice4489]

Perhaps one of the best interviews I have heard in a long time. Mainly because of the self-motivation aspects which are great both for special ops training AND your daily life.

[@thodan467]

German General# A Superior who screams fails

[@JDzAlive]

I attended a mandatory briefing for SFOD-D and asked the briefer why did they mandate my attendance. He said “I don’t know, what do you think?”. I said, “I don’t believe I’m what you are looking for”. He got a serious look and said, “we decide that”. As a new dad, I decided my focus was elsewhere, but I’ve always wondered……

[@user-ky2sy9lt4l]

They are selecting those that are self motivated and pays attention to details. Personality I’m sure makes an impression. Great video.👍

[@seaaworld1]

That’s how much Korea sucked. Dudes would rather join Delta and get whacked than spend a year in shitty 2ID, get 45/45 for being drunk on duty. Fastest way to make E4 in Korea in the 90’s was to show up as an E5. Camp Castle= 1200 service members. 1,196 dudes. One girl was pregnant. One chick was always on leave. One was dating a mechanic and one was a lieutenant. Good times.

[@cryora]

The fewer the better actually. None of this love triangle stuff, and men all trying to impress the women. Because there were no women.

[@JBCCT01]

"Ninja" is a solid dude. Worked with him in Iraq. Professional and smart.

[@teccec]

Heard this a number of times. It makes me think of the job applicant scene from Men in Black.

[@FMD023]

The reason why unit guys don’t give advice to future candidates is because if that candidate passes, he will have a good chance of being with that operator down range in the future. If I was an operator I wouldn’t want the knowledge of the guy potentially being my future teammate taking shortcuts. Being a cadre is considered downtime for an operator. Think about it, these full on assault units where e-8s are out on the ground. In a regular army unit e-8s are usually in an admin position or a companies 1SGT. They will usually command from the rear. That’s why they always say it’s not the best guys that makes it, it’s the right guy. These evaluators are operators that’s already on a team and they are screening for guys who they think will fit within a team.

[@travisdurham29]

In all honesty tho a lot of these guys get promoted at a faster rate than the regular army. An operator could be an E8 at 10 years where as in the regular army it could be 18- 20

[@12345678971926]

The run always gets me into a met a very awesome First Sergeant he taught me how to run after that. I was good to go.

[@k53847]

I've heard that while there are standards for events in selection they don't tell you the standards to a lot of events in selection. You don't get told you have x hours to get y points on land nav, it's 'Here's the course. Time starts now.'.

[@gizmo1802]

The phrase they use most of the time “ unknown distance unknown time do the best of your ability”

[@catadjusterZ]

You live or die based upon the white board

[@mysss29]

What a fascinating way to create stress and select for adaptability and independent thought

[@thodan467]

I do not remember even once going in formation after boot camp to the dining facility

[@CTNZ2000]

In respect of everything l have ever read, it’s the grey man, the one who knuckles down and get on with it no matter what is the one who will most likely make it. Your physical conditioning is very important but it’s you head space that will get you through.

[@ak12d]

3:16. That is a bewildering statement ... The true believer hopes you are one of those 99 out of the 100 fighters that doesnt belong when the charge goes off... Be the one who will bring the rest back stay hard

[@slappy8941]

Your English composition is terrible.

[@kevinmartin4607]

When I was in basic at Fort Knox for tank crewman training we were practicing D&C by the chapel. About 4 of us were called a roving cluster fuck. A lot of great memories.

[@user-ok6nb6lr4y]

Delta 19-4 Sep 1985....... then to Ft Rucker for 67V. Agony, misery, and heartbreak hills owe me a knee replacement.

[@user-he4xb9fd5x]

I met many Nerdy looking guys in the Army Special Forces AKA Green Berets .I would ask myself how in the heck did this guy make it .Once I got to know them I understood .

[@CarlosArizona]

At 7:00. Yes. Why? Big muscle guys can't go without water and a powershake to far down the long, long road to Hell. Physically fit and endurance get the job done. Muscles a perk ... but pack mules carry more and dont talk.

[@Golgi-Gyges]

That same atmosphere - the whiteboard with information, the relaxed atmosphere - was what I experienced at SFAS. You were supposed to "quit" (voluntarily withdraw) overnight if you chose...no urging from them for you to quit nor stay...no bad treatment if you "VW'd." And I did see guys that I thought were motivated disappear overnight. I never understood that. The environment was just too chill, I assumed.

[@josephcecil1979]

Did you make it?

[@Golgi-Gyges]

@@josephcecil1979 yes, I did. I was an E-4 amongst mostly NCOs and officers at the time.

[@teamdada2194]

I was a nat guard candidate. I went through 2 guard selections before I even went to Sfas. It’s an unfair advantage imo. Same deal with the 18x program. Sf is wayered down now. They need quality over quantity.

[@ytsucksmnkyballz]

​​@@teamdada2194thats because the DOD realized a large SF program means they get to operate ANYWHERE without congressional approval. Where as before 01 and the patriot act. It was typically only spook contracting work and pure direct action tier 1 raids that didnt require congress. Now its fk the regular army, build up the SoF programs to be far larger to circumvent congress

[@ytsucksmnkyballz]

The whole reason SF is so big now is its because thats how the military and DOD can circumvent congressional approval to put boots on the ground in countries we havent declared WR on. Make no gung ho kid want to join the regular army and push sof via propaganda to pump them number's up

[@soulosxpiotov7280]

The meek and humble shall inherit the earth.

[@11bravo80]

Meek and humble mean the same thing

[@soulosxpiotov7280]

@@11bravo80 Meek is related to great self control. A horse has great physical power yet most of the time doesn't 'express' that great power - it can be said that such a horse is 'meek.' Humility has to do with having a lowly view of one's self.

[@11bravo80]

@@soulosxpiotov7280 Rodger that

[@BryanWiedeman]

Cheers

[@Brandon-go7yp]

My grandfather told me a story once, and he said all the big guys and shit talkers we’re the first to cry at there first combat. My grandfather was 5’8 and skinny man. He ended up surviving a firefight in a fox hole. With two others who passed before reinforcements came. He named my uncle and my mother after them. He was a true bad ass! That would look any man no matter how big in face and them settle down, mind your manners before you get into a fight you cannot win. He kinda reminds me of the actors in second hand lions.

[@slappy8941]

We're and were are different words with different meanings.

[@MBsr5]

and he named you after Joe B

[@BlueJayWaters]

Bro, wake up and head to the DFAC on your own time? I'd re-enlist in a second if The Unit needed a Corpsman 😂

[@handsdownchulo6579]

Never been in the military BUT the unit seems to treat you like an adult

[@solomonstello]

I could've gone. I could've been great.

[@DavidLLambertmobile]

SOF at least 1990s 2000s were about selecting top tier applicants, best fit, most skilled. As GWOT progressed the Army & J-SOC began to change-revise qualified standards.

[@dylannewton9986]

Go be great... Nothing is stopping you

[@blue_diamond_gem]

Go achieve your dream. 💭

[@SailfishSoundSystem]

@@blue_diamond_gem Never trust a big butt and a smile.

[@shadow-Sun]

Delta really are top tier , proud to say though that the template for Delta and every other top tier special forces is the British SAS and SBS . That says a lot .

[@matthewpople9639]

From what I've seen it does appear more "British" in its mentality than most US branches

[@dandybufo9664]

never heard anything but the highest praise for SAS

[@alexR00000]

He said there used to be a swim test does that mean they don’t have one anymore?

[@ariels3372]

fort ord? thats a long time ago

[@tyw2675]

Wow. Now I wish I had stuck around long enough to maybe try out.

[@marcusdenning1649]

“Dining facility” that cracks me up…

[@doom4067]

The people that have to tell you how good they are typically can't show you how good they are.

[@Bluewatercat]

Never knew that bout delta, how its not all in your face intense screaming and what not

[@stephencarter7266]

Dude sounds sweet.

[@L_Train]

Its always the guys with the red circles around them

[@MrChuckwagon55]

A lot of dudes thrive on being alone.

[@bubbaballer88]

Bob was on Shawn Ryan. For me, it was hard to listen to bc it wasn’t a very coherent story (don’t know if he was nervous or what). This was so much better. Great story, would love to listen to the episode.

[@busterbiloxi3833]

Who is Bob? Was he a Ranger?

[@bubbaballer88]

@@busterbiloxi3833 Bob "Ninja" Porras is the guy in the clip. He served as a Green Beret and then in Delta Force.

[@steve03260]

We lost almost all the Batt guys due to the white board in a matter of days

[@izicwindsor7987]

Its ninja

[@Perryhdp]

The figure it out yourself mentally if more Air Force than Army. However, I can see why the regular Army does all the yelling. They are the largest branch by far and it's difficult to control that many people without doing that. Going to SF they have to break that out of you and have you become a get it done/figure it out kind of person. Being fit is the bare minimum for the job.

[@GTA_500]

Yeah it's because you are supposed to be leaders at that point.

[@metafeedburner]

That's funny, try out to get out of a Korea Deployment, while Unit members leave the Unit to get stationed in Korea for the rest and tang.

[@scrimshaw7470]

"Who fails delta screening?" Most. That's why it's elite. Duh.

[@dmora2386]

muscle is detrimental to endurance. Burn through too much oxygen, and you're too damn heavy so it takes so much more fuel to keep grinding. There is a reason triathlon athletes, most of them, they don't carry excessive amounts of muscle. They also normally just look like normal dudes.

[@MrChuckwagon55]

When most people talk about selection, they almost always talk about the land nav phase. But in reality, it’s 3 parts. You have to make it through land nav, the board, and then OTC. Then your on a 2 year probation to make sure you can successfully do the job. Too tough for me.

[@teamdada2194]

No they talk about team week and that will crush you. Land nav is easy if you know how to land nav.

[@slappy8941]

"You're" and "your" seem to be too tough for you. 😂😂😂

[@barryhamilton7845]

Its like listening to the American version of the British SAS.

[@redskyatnight123]

Well they did base it on the sas idea

[@redskyatnight123]

I've forgotten the blokes name who went and trained with 22 all those years ago

[@barryhamilton7845]

@redskyatnight123 Charles Beckwith. Another was Native American Indian Larry. K. Allen.

[@G4x5da]

Except SAS selection is 6 times longer and they go to the nastiest jungle in the world.

[@redskyatnight123]

@@barryhamilton7845 yeah that's the one 👍 I must get his book .

[@1337flite]

If you're askkng for motivational tips you're probably not right for the job. Like why apply if you're not motivated? It seems reasonable to ask for tip (and also reasonable not to give them) - but motivation - that has to be on you.

[@bigzu1792]

The simple reality is that it takes the total force to accomplish the mission. Toughest guy I ever seen is the guy who burns poop without a mask 😷

[@brettlaw4346]

What percentage of people are drop on request?

[@kellywilson8440]

Someone from Delta in another video said the attrition rate is above 90 percent !

[@crewthief1431]

@@kellywilson84405ish% selection rate from what I understand. Of course, there are classes where no one gets selected. Crazy.

[@theworldreportbydr.rothschild]

The alpha omega strike force also uses a similar selection process.

[@cylyntknyt]

I think most big bodybuilder type dudes (and I'm a big dude) do not value cardio. I love to run. My mother was a basketball player. After she divorced my dad she got into marathon running for about a decade. Giant woman 6', 160-170. I started running with her. But, nature took its course. 6'5, 250 all through adulthood. I hate being a big dude.Because three things are assumed: 1. You're dumb 2. You're a bully. 3. You're lazy. I've met some iron marshmallows wrestling, boxing, and in later years training in BJJ. Met lots of ripped Reacher types who can't break sub 7:00 2k row, run a sub 21:00 3 mile, nor actually slow down enough to learn BJJ. Also, sort of telling that a guy that size would try to hang with 5'8" 155lbs in a run. Plain silly, do your 110% but know thy limits. Know thy VO2.

[@6140LIBRA]

Maybe people quit because they didn't come to play mind games.

[@zachforbes3901]

You gotta name this video better, I started watching it, realized it wasn't even really focused on topic of the title of the video, and then decided to just stop watching it and go watch another video. Title has to be immediately relevant

[@JesusChrist2000BC]

He does it on purpose to clickbait. It's why nobody likes or respects Hookstead.

[@zachforbes3901]

@@JesusChrist2000BC well he should know it actually hurts his analytics if people click it and don't watch the video at all, it sounds like you just don't like the guy tho, I dont have a problem with him at all I'm just saying it might be better for him. And the audience to be more honest with video titles

[@JesusChrist2000BC]

@@zachforbes3901 Lol you think he cares what you think or his analytics? I just told you he does it on purpose.

[@zachforbes3901]

@@JesusChrist2000BC he does care. I'm in marketing. If you care about what's in your wallet you care about your analytics. If you're making KZbin videos you care about what's in your wallet. Do the math

[@clarencearnold2137]

Just like selection. Not what you thought eh?

[@user-ie1ij9nr7e]

Who is this host anyway? Seems to know a lot about it but I don't think he knows anything.

[@jthamilton9083]

That’s exactly how I thrive. Alone.

[@damone70]

Watch out, the lone wolf is here. 😂

[@rpq1968]

DOL

[@stvargas69]

I guess when they drop you in Kiev, tell you get info & see you later, do your best takes it to another level. Multiple plates spinning but you are the duck on the lake. Making it look easy but peddaling your ass off.

[@manhalen7046]

What in thee f-k are you talking about? 😂

[@Tex_actual]

God who wouldn’t want a chance to join delta

[@busterbiloxi3833]

This video needs an introduction. Who is this guy?

[@DCresident123]

The ones who still have some morals or ethics...

[@roz7.62]

Umm… practically everybody?

[@SOCORROGM]

Talk talk your not saying much

[@HeavyJay1421]

Dude is what a grey man is, i cant see operator. More like coffee black and lets get some yard work done.

[@edwardhudson9851]

Do as yer told,listen in,keep yer trap shut,and dont leave all yer guts on the hills before ye attempt selection,in a world of Gorillas be a Gucci Mountain Goat. Its not rocket science.

[@togawearer2799]

The shouting. I can't stand the shouting. It serves no purpose whatsoever. Maybe if they shouted at you to react in a specific manner, then I could understand it but they don't. They just expect you to stand there and be shouted at. Never understood the yank shark attack. It breeds the exact opposite of what you want to achieve - a functioning soldier who can think for himself.

[@rolisreefranch]

Never served, huh? That was the funniest part of boot camp. I guess you'd be upset by that if you couldn't see through it.

[@togawearer2799]

@@rolisreefranch That's not what I'm saying. The shark attack is all that is advertised. There is no humour at all. Probably because it might offend the people you don't want.

[@togawearer2799]

@@rolisreefranch I joined the British army in 1989. W ehad one black guy from London. Guess what he walked like? Is that racist?

[@hamie7624]

And that's why England lost it's empire

[@mephisto8101]

The history of the shouting attacks in the US military is quite interesting. It came when they introduced draftees into the army. Basically scare the less motivated into doing their job. And it stayed there. Fun Fact: I did not get yelled at much in the army in Germany. The drills were intensive, though, but without yelling too much. And I didn't witness a "shark attack" in my company, nor did my friends in combat troops.

[@Vranabg]

what a nothing interview. everything said in the 9 minute video could be summarized into 2 minutes.

[@selwynhingston9484]

Copied from the SAS 👍

[@PilotCFIWesHead]

Too bad that Delta is turning into seals, no more quiet professionals. Just not enough money in retirement

[@PilotCFIWesHead]

They weren't but this video shows the turn

[@ianthompson5678]

Oh shutup. The units founder and 1st commander released a book immediately after. Then Haney released a super detailed one. Then the chuck norris movies. Then that cbs show. Now podcasting is a thing so normies are getting 2 listen in on conversations that vets have been having with each other for 300k years

[@bluewave2024]

They gonna start making guys sign NDA's similar to various intel units throughout the military and other agencies.

[@ianthompson5678]

@@bluewave2024 they ardy sign nda's. Nothing theyre talking about is violating them

[@VileGlory]

If these guys want to talk about there experience in SOF after they get out, I don't see a problem with that. Nothing says they have to take that to their graves.

[@underdoggoethe8971]

Delta don't talk. He ain't no Delta.

[@tylerdurden1923]

Shut up

[@tylerdurden1923]

He is

[@vengeance8924]

fist off, being an operator does not mean you are the best of the best. I want to make that VERY CLEAR. You will only be selected if you WANT to be selected AND have the knowledge and skillset that branch is looking for. And it all varies HEAVILY. There are plenty of guys that work in security, mercenary, private security, police, and government who have the qualifications to be a special operator. Now, one of the reasons being a special operator is so difficult is because of your day to day away from home. You didn't think about that did you. Imagine being a jacked as fuck sharpshooting father of 2. You can't afford to go die on the battlefield and betray your wife and kids that way. A lot of operators can't handle being away from home in general, even without a family to go back to. Some guys just have an insane amount of ego because they are good and they KNOW they are good. That won't work. At the end of the day there are certain things different teams do more efficiently than others and that's all there is to it. Just because you don't make one team, does NOT mean you are not cut out to be in special operations. I have EXTENSIVE knowledge on this topic. Before you type anything i would urge you to look up this information for yourself and don't just take my word for it.

[@grahamblack1716]

You make it sound like you're one yourself but the use of caps would suggest otherwise.

[@arttrumbo9496]

Bro shut up. You are spouting complete nonsense. "Extensive knowledge" hahaha

[@bluewave2024]

Sounds like something a dropout would say

[@opossumgrylls3275]

He said private security. Lmfao

[@Cognitoman]

Sure you do bud 😂.

[@nealthompson8794]

Being as that we haven’t won any of the wars we’ve been in for decades, I’d say that maybe they fail some guys that might actually have made great operators. That “we do t pick the best guy, we pick the right guy” stuff doesn’t really sound smart when you ain’t won a war in your lifetime 😂

[@jmmilliken]

Not winning wars is the politicians fault. Example, President Obama said ISIS would be around for a long time but President Trump took the gloves off and our Special Operations wiped them off the face of the earth quickly. Don’t disrespect my fellow soldiers with your ignorance.

[@bluewave2024]

Stupid comment. Do you realize how many bodies were stacked in Iraq and Afghanistan?

[@shane_rm1025]

Losing those wars had less to do with not kicking enough doors so much as setting unrealistic strategic goals. "Leave Afghanistan as a democracy" was an asinine goal to begin with.

[@alanjefferson1127]

Job of SF isn't to win entire wars, it's to complete their missions? They do pretty well at their missions.