Why People FAIL SFAS | Former Green Beret

[@crumply5959]

This is exactly what a green beret was designed for. Teaching and advising us, the indigs.

[@MVK_GS]

During SFAS, I was moving from one STAR point to another and ran into another candidate in the middle of the woods having a six-course MRE meal complete with hot chocolate. I know I was not supposed to talk to him, but curiosity got the best of me. "Dude, are you hurt?" I asked him. "Nah. I just realized this ain't for me", he replied. I was a bit confused as to why he was sitting there in the middle of nowhere. I pointed generally behind me and said, "You know, there is a cadre truck about 400 meters that way, at an intersection. You could just go there." He looked up and - I kid you not - told me, "Well, I don't want them to think I'm a quitter, so I'm just going to sit here until the STAR time runs out." I just shook my head and moved out.

[@FNGACADEMY]

bro... things like that... people trying to bend the story to seem like they are not quitters... just own it.

[@pepper5128]

Case in point, it was definitely not for him lol.

[@Will-ep2pr]

Timestamps: 0:50 - Quitting 2:12 - Land Navigation 3:05 - Team Week; Team Mentality 4:38 - Getting Hurt

[@ricelover796]

Hey bro, I used this guy's video as well to learn how, it is super straight forward and easy to learn check it out! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKDMgmCOfNtgj8k

[@partnersincrime7639]

Ur the goat my g. Ur always doing this

[@shanehoward4197]

Integrity: If you lie about anything the cadre will allow you to continue the course and fail you at the end. Don't lie.

[@Komodokhan148]

Lie about what exactly?

[@evanspeckman8133]

@@Komodokhan148 Any question they ask

[@abunchofiguanaswithinterne2186]

@Mlimo Reii Example: you fucked something up Cadre: Did you fuck up? You: No.

[@nunyadambusiness6902]

They damn sure will - you could lie on day 2 & they'll let you go through those weeks of hell & then fail you at the end for an honor code violation... 😉...

[@TheTenthLeper]

What if the cadre is a liar? Country is so messed up you need a pages long contract for a two hour job. Why? People are liars.

[@em34ev3r]

This guy is a true American hero. I am a current Fed LE and prior U.S. Army soldier. We look up to these guys, SF and all DOD SOF units are on a whole other level

[@dantoomey3265]

Buck you’re the man! Love the videos! Keep em coming!

[@FNGACADEMY]

thanks brother!

[@mcdonaldo9219]

This man buck been on KZbin for like 2 months and already has 21.3k subs that says something keep it up man

[@robertmorrison107]

I rolled my ankle too in SFAS. Cargo nets are the worst.Great info though. I did get out after a decade in and became a chemical engineer. I now build chemical plants all over the world. Not making SF sucked but I really couldn't imagine not doing what I do. One door closes, another opens. Positive mentality people can't lose.

[@sirloin9348]

Exactly. In no way did you fail. You were steered toward your purpose, even if that purpose isn't what you wanted at the time.

[@BrainDrilled]

Recently, I didn't get accepted into an internship that I was very much looking forward to, and hearing you say that we'll all face failure at some point and the only thing that matters is how we deal with that failure and move on from it was a welcome reminder!

[@FNGACADEMY]

failure will make or break your character and character defines who we are

[@FNGACADEMY]

If you want to be Special Forces this is the place to be, subscribe to get all the tips and tricks! here is another one about SFAS kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3fRpoqqqK19gKM

[@robertprice9052]

A piece of SFAS history. Before SFAS, the Q corse phase 1 was more like ranger school. Realizing they were training a more deliberate soldier and harassment interfered with training a model similar to the SAS was developed. The first year the course was FSTO, orientation and training. Very few were cut except for extreme reasons, but there were still a lot of quitters. This was used to collect data on performance levels and event expectations. Once armed with data that allowed them to establish standards it was officially SFAS. It’s changed since I was there in the late eighties. No one was dropped for push ups, no guerrilla drills in the sawdust pit. It was very Mayer of fact: here’s a task- go! Instructors rarely spoke to you exceptional give you a mission. They did psyops a good bit. They would pull people out and put them on different teams late at night, they would call mass formation and call out roster numbers to pull them into a different formation and then send everyone to bed. They would leave the small group outside for a while then take them around the back of the huts. That group was everyone in a specific hut. They were in the back door. Things like that wormed into peoples minds all the time. Oh, my fav; the first case of MREs were repackaged to only have frankfurters. Everyone had those things. Each time we got MREs the cases all contained the same thing. Now that sucked!

[@shawnsee2688]

Got back into active duty today. 13f, just for the map reading. 35 years old, can't wait to go to sfas

[@holdfast1674]

Damn man, good luck!

[@Chiefskingdom58]

Good luck to you, train hard but smart. Don’t overtrain and break yourself before you even get there. Like he said in the video, stretch and take the time to do self preventive maintenance and condition your body. Once there, take care of you feet...poor foot maintenance is probably the #1 injury. Seen some push through some horrible blisters but most fail or quit from it. Be a decent runner, endurance is key, be strong yes, but typically the big bulky bodybuilder types fail or break themselves way before the lean athletic built types. Be able to walk a ruck all day. Get used to having that awkward Carolina tick with 60 lbs on 10-16 hours a day. Land nav, they will teach you there the necessary skill but you need to know how to apply what they teach. Route selection, handrails and backstops are super important. Team week... it’s all about the team, I mean if you can’t perform in a team dynamic and be there shoulder to shoulder through the pain with your brothers than you don’t belong on an ODA. Mental toughness and fortitude...don’t quit be mentally strong, revel in the suck and gain strength from the weakness of those who give up around you. Seen way too many doubt their performance and self select themselves right out of the course, a VW- voluntary withdrawal will never succeed. That’s all general advice, some helpful specific advice... have strong grip strength or ability to grip and carry heavy objects long distances. Have a good knowledge of how to tie strong lashings. Formulate a good plan and incorporate timed / planned short breaks & rotations as well as flexibility to rest /stop as needed. If your team are animals that work well together and dominate events, cadre will be hands off and you can use time between events to go a bit slower, catch your breath some and set a manageable recovery pace then hit the next event a bit more refreshed and dominate through it hard. The last three I have actually never given that info as advice, but feel it to be extremely helpful.

[@DakotaJones1]

Failing is a learning experience, you just gotta see it as such🇺🇸 Thank you for your time and information brother💪🏼

[@FNGACADEMY]

facts

[@ethanjones9312]

Been training to go from the fleet to navy special warfare and have to say these videos have been so much help for me. Keep up the great work 👍🏻

[@austinevans9826]

I see it’s been three years since you replied to this post I’m curious did you make it through your special warfair selection

[@ZenSchizoSavant]

Gotta step up and do more for the team when it’s required. I love that example you gave for team mentality. It happens a lot in the real world too in civilian jobs. The people that step up usually get promoted or get a ton of respect and flexibility from their higher managers. Starting to love this channel man.

[@copper4045]

Thank you, Mr. Buck! Listening on break from work. Watching your videos has changed my life.

[@FNGACADEMY]

Glad to help brother!

[@AXEZ7L]

my friend just got his green beret, thinking about taking that 18x contract myself. Really appreciate these vids.

[@jetadiahhale4355]

Just donated. Thank you so much for all the knowledge you’re providing. Means a lot bro!

[@FNGACADEMY]

Thank you! your donation means a lot!

[@Noble713]

I used to think I was good @land nav in the Army, until I joined the Marine Corps. I eventually realized I was struggling with terrain association because the maps we were using were at a lower-resolution scale than what I was used to. Never get complacent with land nav skills! Former Army enlisted, current Marine officer..... Thinking of going NG SF enlisted (as are some of my peers).

[@dwaynecarter3080]

Hey buck you think you can give a land nav class. That’s my weakness

[@roarkcurry3264]

Same.

[@kpfly1]

You guys going to selection?

[@dwaynecarter3080]

March 28th but have to arrive 10 days early due to covid they want you to be quarantine

[@christiancook6840]

Look up matt ward, he has a great one

[@holyshizzleitsconnor]

@@dwaynecarter3080 Was supposed to go in March as well.. Just fractured a vertebrae so now I'm just stuck in limbo on profile.

[@Cleared_hot]

I spoke to an extremely small GB. He said it's not biggest strongest guy that gets selected. He said the right guy gets selected. He says its simple, don't quit.

[@FMD023]

Man if you young guys are Aspiring to be an SF soldier listen to this man. I wish I saw this during my time in. COMMON SENSE goes a long way but believe it or not, some people really struggle with it and when your in the military u will realize for some people it’s harder for some than you think. Things like bring extra socks and switch them out during land nav will save your feet! I learned that the hard way wearing one pair of socks on an 18 mile road March.

[@ironhorsemodding8995]

I very rarely comment on videos but as someone who is looking to go the Guard SF route, this videos have been insanely helpful. And to me they embody what I want to be, and why I want to be Army SF. Yes I’m willing to fight and die for my country, but I also want to help in other ways. I want to be a teacher, a mentor, and a person that others can look up to and depend upon in any situation. I want to be a proficient and professional soldier and representation of the country that I love, and that’s why I want to join. Love the channel, love the content, and love all the information you share. Thank you so much!

[@ryanclyde9299]

Amen brother! Me too. I'm looking to go 18X for 19th group based in Utah. Are you going for 19th or 20th SFG?

[@ironhorsemodding8995]

@@ryanclyde9299 Funnily enough, a lot of plans and life circumstances have changed for me in the short time that is a month from my comment. Currently I’m planning on going active duty!

[@ryanclyde9299]

@@ironhorsemodding8995 Alright good for you man! Best of luck there!

[@rainbow_tactician]

Bucks legendary advice hits home once again! "Just dont quite and you should be fine" haha beautiful. Keep up to good work bro

[@cadetheimpaler]

Seriously some of the greatest if not the greatest videos on this stuff I have ever seen. Period.

[@TheLogitech91]

It's amazing. Everything you just talked about are life rules. Just be a decent person and do the right thing. I played college football and a good friend who could have made it to the NFL blow his knee out. It was the one time he didn't hustle to a play. He took that play off and his knee just buckled. Again, it was the one time he decided to take it easy. I watched the "Buds" on discovery and the one kid was doing great. He decided to cheat and not load his pack to the correct weight. He got caught and failed out. Do the right thing.

[@88rollins]

Great advice and wisdom. And by the way- thanks for keeping your videos the perfect length to watch. I find most people make their videos WAY too long with no added value. You definitely this KZbin thing figured out!

[@joshuatyson3497]

Thanks for you're videos and words of enrichment. I'm just a regular guy but so much respect to SOF guys

[@hardinross2427]

dealing with failure is easier than dealing with regret for never attempting

[@ryateo1]

One cold raining morning we woke up after staying in the field. They let us have a burn barrel, and before our morning escapades we were joking that if the instructors made us remove remove our gortex we would all quit. So as we got into formation the instructors lost their minds we showed up in our gortex, lol. While getting chewed out, one of the guys joking with us quit and thanked everyone and said goodbye, 🤣 What made it so funny is I never saw anyone else quit. The rest did it in the dead of night, or in the middle of the star. Team week wasn't so bad. The Trek was brutal. I weighed 145 lbs... and my ruck was too.

[@scottclooney5404]

Thanks buck, really helping me out telling me not to quit!

[@AFT3ERlife]

I appreciate your advice! I’m trying to get involved in federal law enforcement SOG’s I’m sure the mindset is the same. I appreciate your time brother 🙏

[@FNGACADEMY]

Go for it!

[@marvinacevedo9375]

You should make a video on stretching and warm ups, that would be incredibly helpful.

[@seekndestroy6678]

David Goggins has some good stretching routines that could probably help

[@Ronin-rz2ht]

When the men are on the apparatus so are you no matter what. Good stuff buck lets go! I'd love to see a video going more in depth on team week.

[@FNGACADEMY]

will do bro

[@bearieroblox6451]

I think a big reason why people who are totally competent enough fail is because they quit, they don’t quit because it’s too hard but they look around them and get discouraged and think they won’t make it and so they quit. I think some people have the misconception that only the top 20% can pass selection and if they aren’t in that 20% they just quit but reality is if every person exceeded the standards they would all pass, most of the “selecting” isn’t don’t by the cadre but the individuals themselves who are afraid of not getting selected.

[@thelmadickinson6811]

Guys fail the obstacle criteria, some cadre will kill you in the PT test and not count certain push ups over your form. You’re done. Her an injury where they don’t med drop you so you quit instead. Team week is 19 hours a day and guys lose their minds and get peered. Broken is a word commonly used when guys finish team week. Guys lose a ton of weight and muscle. Then You have to pass a PT 2.5 weeks later after selection with higher minimums, which many don’t because they are still beaten up.

[@sirloin9348]

Remember, if you have an injury and medic asks, "do you want to quit?", that translates to, "you are fine to continue".

[@frostbitepokin9520]

Takin advice from this video to help with getting into my country’s SF

[@FNGACADEMY]

awesome!

[@malakialkins5332]

Thank you for your videos Buck your videos are boosting my confidence and making me feel better about selection process and as they say it's better to fail then quit👍

[@HeyMikeyLikesIt2]

- Losing rubber duck, Map, Protractor on Land Nav, thinking they will fail you. (They probably will) - Not knowing what’s next, or how they are performing. - Missing home, missing wife and children, or missing your side chick - Seeing others in better shape than they are. - They just wanted to get away from their unit for a few days. It gets hard, they quit. - Scared of the woods. First time on a night time Land Nav course and my first point is over 3 klicks.

[@snakeenjoyingacanofbeans5219]

The anxiety comes from that they will not select you for an arbitrary reason.

[@tokyosan7906]

That's a sweet hoodie Buck. Also, it took me at least three minutes to figure what what the wicked attachment to your background carbine was....finally concluded it was a mic lol

[@rog_redacted]

Bro found your platforms at like 1k and to see you at 20k more is amazing! Love seeing you succeed bro!

[@FNGACADEMY]

Thanks brother! trust me i did not expect this!

[@Dillon_David]

Absolutely amazing information! Thank you very much

[@goodsir7298]

Would you consider making a video about how you go about stretching and injury prevention in greater detail, I see people talking about it often but I see nobody going into greater detail on how they do it. Please and thank you

[@treywilson7404]

Good video Buck I’m ready to get after it

[@ewankramer4644]

Dude Buck has so much great info to put out. Definitely watch if you want to go SO

[@ReplayEcho]

I’m probably gonna watch all your vids Sean great advice and production quality dude

[@frankrobinsjr.1719]

Another tip would be to understand what you're going to be doing. I was Recon a long time ago. I would have never been good in SF. I could pass the physical and mental tests. However, I'm not a good teacher. There is no shame in understanding yourself before you try for selection. If you're not prepared to be a teacher, go try something else and go back when you have more time in and are more prepared for that teaching experience. (Yes, I still suck at teaching.)

[@johnstockmann7443]

Love the content Buck keep up the good work brother

[@FulNitro]

also just donated! idk if i'm going to go to sfas but if i do i can say i learned everything from you!

[@ghop5846]

All you have to do is say I'll quit tomorrow, and do it over and over. It worked for me.

[@la-downoah5199]

Dude your advice motivates me! I love this shit

[@FNGACADEMY]

im glad man!

[@brandonpike7046]

Hey just an idea. Selection as of March 2020 we had a surprising amount of down time. Making a video on great ways to utilize that time would be really helpful to others. EG Practicing knots, packing and repacking rucksack stretching and rolling out your muscles etc. etc.

[@dirtysok9856]

how'd you do in sfas man?

[@brandonpike7046]

@@dirtysok9856 I got a 1 year return. I got involuntarily discharged right before land nav but I’m keeping my head up and I’m ready to go back.

[@dirtysok9856]

@@brandonpike7046 Cheers to you man, come back ready you fucking got this. So if you get taken out you can go back? been wondering that

[@brandonpike7046]

@@dirtysok9856 yeah it kinda depends. You can either get an NTR (Not to Return) or a return after a period of time. Either a 6 month, 1 year, 2 year, or 3 year

[@dirtysok9856]

Brandon Pike dude ur very helpful thank you, I assume vws are an ntr and medical shit is after a time

[@Jwasin3_1]

Use a protractor and learn to read 8 digit grids too. Buy a good watch that has a compass too

[@adrianb6138]

Love these videos. Motivates me to do always do my best. Thanks Buck!

[@jordanstinnett1534]

Another great video, these are very insightful. Would you be willing to do a short video eventually on the SFAS packing list/gear issue? Thanks!

[@RENEIND]

6:01 was one of the best things I've ever heard

[@tonybayer2546]

Not getting hurt is a big one, I've been dealing with tight hamstrings/tendonitus for a year because I had no idea why I had pain and I had a shitty insurance company that didn't want me to get an MRI even though the other one agreed to pay for it (which they did after I canceled with the other insurance company). I still don't know the exact cause, either because I was rucking with more weight than I could handle, a work injury, or maybe a combination of the two. Regardless, it had to do with me not being careful enough and I'm still paying the price. Having a never quit mindset is essential, but Mt. Everest has the bodies of dead people on it who also had a never quit mindset but weren't prepared to take on that challenge.

[@DumyThicDadyMan]

Love the vids man, keep them coming. I have to get as ready as possible.

[@bigblack1ify]

Aye bro this was supper helpful! Keep with coming with the content!

[@Komodokhan148]

Land Navigation is something I need to start learning ASAP!

[@FNGACADEMY]

we are launching an online training program soon

[@snowballs2023]

my understanding about SF / Navy Seals training is never quit

[@stevenhall1097]

Just wanted to say thank you for your service. Been fun to hear about your training and how to accomplish your goals.

[@rebel3230]

Hey Buck thank you much for the invaluable information. Would you be able to make a video about all the timed events ( gates) that one must absolutely pass to have a chance at getting selected.

[@karlstrauss2330]

Love your videos! Keep up the great work and God bless the Green Berets

[@FNGACADEMY]

Thanks, you too!

[@rrudee]

Been bing watching all your videos recently and i fucking love the info 💯 my brother is a retired green beret and im about to pull the trigger and join💪🏻

[@roarkcurry3264]

Great information! Thanks again!

[@FNGACADEMY]

you got it!

[@Chiefskingdom58]

100% agree, spot on advice

[@Mcmacpaddywack]

Thanks man. Much appreciated.

[@Thisisitboys]

I’m going to SFAS in March. Great video!

[@Thisisitboys]

Btw I also got med dropped from my rasp class. Heart broken for a long time. Currently stationed at fort Carson waiting on March!

[@AFGixxeR88]

@@Thisisitboys what happened?

[@michaelwoodard6924]

Meedows ill see you there

[@keegans.3939]

Could you possibly do a video on your post event and in between event stretch/recovery routine? How much downtime do you have before events that you can loosen back up?

[@dwaynecarter3080]

Just got all the paperwork for SFAS

[@FNGACADEMY]

nice!

[@IntergalacticFool]

Good luck!

[@GRANDMAST3R614]

Great stuff man. Thanks

[@buckmoody5939]

Don't let your mind play tricks on you , take this seriously, your mind can defeat you, be in shape and work out , prepare for the sand run ruck and get used to moving in the sandy terrain

[@elliotv5354]

I really need to pass on my first try so bad. This insight really helps

[@1lucasvan1]

I quit on day 17 of 19...one of my biggest regrets

[@ShaminMike]

You’re the best brother thank you!

[@alewis9735]

Buck. Could you do a video regarding the Star Course? Of course, not looking for any secret stuff but like, how much ball park distance you walk from point to point, and other things that might help. Thanks man! Look forward to the next video!

[@BlackWhiteboySwagg]

It depends bro, you could walk 10 klicks for your first point. And your buddy walk 2 klicks to his. Just be prepared to walk a lot

[@alewis9735]

@@BlackWhiteboySwagg That makes sense. Thanks for the info.

[@Tesla_ofthe_Skies]

Buck, What brand of jacket are you wearing in this vid? My dude that is some drip right there lol

[@FNGACADEMY]

black rifle woobie its bomb

[@bkl8804]

Is it drip, for real, no cap, big facts? Is it totally lit? R u finna buy it if you can? Sheesh. Cool stuff, bro.

[@10klp]

@@bkl8804 you’re a fackot

[@jb34ify]

Right!!!!! I have seen enough, don't comment a lot on what I see on social media never have, but you are a brother from a different mother Stright up the middle no bullshit, no i thinks, maybes, if you wants, just go gets, that's how it is, and I am humbled to watch cheers buck frm a little old place in the world nz

[@FNGACADEMY]

thanks brother!!

[@amandac6583]

Buck I think your a great guy and what your doing is so cool and i love the story with the map have a wonderful day

[@MarcosLopez-yz2wr]

You're so CORRECT!! In the dark and running through the woods??? Yeah, it really does suck when you misstep on something or Fall into some deep ass hole out of nowhere!!!

[@FNGACADEMY]

Facts!

[@3114bsad]

I'm definitely stuck in this trap, I keep thinking I need just one more training, one more land nav class, I feel like I keep needing to train and be prepared but im realizing I just keep letting more and more time pass

[@vaitomanocu5562]

pull the trigger man what're you waiting for

[@DysentaryGary22]

Keep up the great work dude

[@FNGACADEMY]

will do thank you for the support!

[@jaketaylor2923]

Injury prevention good video idea

[@chipoo]

Hey man I love your videos! I'm going to sfas in June and I'm trying to prepare in every way I can. Keep these videos going please! I was wondering if you could make a video on the top secret security clearance? Thanks!

[@FNGACADEMY]

sure!

[@AFGixxeR88]

How have you been preparing? I thought of getting with socomathlete

[@FeWolf]

The Green Beret Foundation, great charity

[@michaelker6880]

I'm enlisting national guard, 11c and will hopefully go to sfas soon super excited

[@FNGACADEMY]

Get after it!

[@sgtslippyfist6345]

I saw alot of 18x contracts pulled after people quitting infantry osut at Benning.

[@FNGACADEMY]

damn that is early lol

[@AFGixxeR88]

Why? Is osut hard?

[@sgtslippyfist6345]

@@AFGixxeR88 harder than other basic trainings.

[@AFGixxeR88]

@@sgtslippyfist6345 hard how?

[@sgtslippyfist6345]

@@AFGixxeR88 I lost 30 + pounds during infantry osut to say the least.

[@jpbears1122]

For anyone looking for extra Land Nav information and not in the military, go online and purchase FM 3-25.26 Map Reading and Land Navigation, $20 on Amazon, and great read and has a ton of information.

[@berserkerlewis7089]

Ayyyy! Awesome video man!

[@MW3TIM]

It's only been out for a minute bro, lol

[@MW3TIM]

No doubt it'll be awesome tho..

[@berserkerlewis7089]

Yup, and from the 1 minute I've watched of it so far, it's been awesome.

[@FNGACADEMY]

@@berserkerlewis7089 thanks homie!

[@therockjames2398]

Great story to hear sir

[@nunyadambusiness6902]

I was surprised you didn't mention log pt... Or boars 🐗 on the star course... 🤣🤣🤣...

[@SANTIAGOSANCHEZ-yw3pd]

Hey Brother where did you get the poncho liner jacket? It's very Cool....keep it up and Best of Luck

[@illtana]

Loved the video!

[@alimhond656]

So buck can you talk to somebody who has been to delta forces to give us tips

[@FNGACADEMY]

have a team mate over there now, you should have either Ranger or GB experience to get packet accepted. Then you will want to ruck a lot.. the majority of the long walk is land navigation for insane miles and you need to not get lost

[@alimhond656]

@@FNGACADEMY thank you so much bro you really are helping with the best tips and information

[@AFGixxeR88]

Tiegs and David Googgins have both talked about it.

[@rickyism1576]

2020 and were still using map and compass for land nav.. Gotta be honest I was terrible at that shit too.

[@grimmseti]

How does a soldier get their Land Nav up to par? Could you do a video on how to improve Land Nav skills?

[@Jesus-eg3yb]

Did you ever come across an older soldier making selection? I’m 39, re-enlisting into Army National Guard from Marine Corps Reserves. I want to go for GB. Was told my age can be waved.

[@loneranger7094]

Hello I was just wondering who makes that sweatshirt that you’re wearing thanks.