Should I stick to my choice for Special Forces?
Hi there! First of all, I want to clarify that I DO NOT live in the United States but in Greece, so please, when answering, don’t do so having the American standards in mind.
I’m now 19 years old. In my country, males have to do obligatory service for about 9 months when we become 18 years old. You make your choice through a paper that get’s mailed to you, asking to go and fill some forms about your preferences to a military office. Of course, I’m studying in University now so I postponed my service for until graduation – it is possible through a paper administered by the University, and besides my studies are my number one priority – but aside that, let me go on to my real question.
So, I’m a person that showed an inclination for the military from a young age. Aside playing with guns and toy soldiers and watching action movies (I know these can’t make you a soldier!), I always were interested in that: I enjoy conversing with people involved in the military, watching deeper documentaries or movies with that theme, reading about weapons, international procedures, specific military forces etc. and I won’t lie; since I’m studying Physics and am planning for a post-graduate degree in a technology/engineering field, I would mind getting a similar job in the military. But I was always more inclined to the ‘special’ side of the army; The Special Forces.
So that’s what I chose when the time came. To be more specific, my country has 3 branches for Spec Forces: The Mountain Operations Unit (I think they are called ‘Rangers’ in the US), the Underwater Destructions Unit (the unit is designed with the US Navy SEALs standards in mind) and the Marines. Those have other sub-divisions too. I chose the first, leaving out the choice for Airborne Units since heights are not my thing.
Reminding that this is just a 9-month service, I’m not sure if I’m cut out for this. I’m a nice person, kind and friendly, but I understand I’ve got just so many weaknesses that would eliminate me as a choice for the army. While I’m in good physical shape and am working on it more, it’s my inner fears/inhibitions that I’m afraid of. First of all, the fear of heights. Secondly, I’m rather sensitive and can take things very personally sometimes and this throws my confidence down all the time. And third of all, the fear of failure is always there for me. I understand that moving forward and recognizing my weakness is a good first step, but I’m very afraid that I’d be a ‘total clown’ in the army.
On the other hand, all those listed above are also the reasons I want to get in. I want to go to the Special Forces because I know I’ll be tried very hard, I’ll be pushed beyond my limits and get over my weakness. But the biggest reason I want to go is because I’m very enthusiastic about it. I know this will sound childish, but every day, I like to do things like a Spec Ops guy would; I like sneaking behind friends just to see if I can, I like playing ‘war’ sports like paintball and airsoft, I search the internet for military work-out routines so I can be on edge, sometimes I even day dream of operations I carry out with my friends just for fun!
On a last note, my inclinations are mostly mechanical/electrical stuff, so I would mind a position that would involve it, like a combat engineer but still in the special forces.
So, do you think I’m not cut out for it? Or can everyone surpass their fears and join the special forces? Do you think this experience will harden me and help me in everyday life? I want to be a mentally stronger and more courageous person, because sometimes I feel like I fear too much.
Thank you in advance!
@Lana: I clarified this from the beginning. Do not judge my question keeping US standards in mind. SpecOps in my country has an entry challenge, but it’s only physical. And since that was in the paper and I could choose it, no, there is no selection board. There is a 9 month term, I know because it’s declared in the papers and I have at least 3 friends who went there and they didn’t go for life.
combat engineer in special forces?
you are playing way too much COD. you dont need a hacker with a Hecklerkoch to disarm a door lock when you have explosives.
MOST if not all European special forces REQUIRE previous military experience.
besides… you did not mention ANY actual workout or hiking, mountain climbing, diving etc. sneaking behind friends doesnt count. Paintball and airsoft… great- lots of bad habits to get rid of once you start the real thing.
the conscript slots in the SF unit will most likely involve truly technical duties like cooks, or assistant clerks.
I think you will find the regular service Challenge enough for the avg. person. Those Special units have selection boards looking for those who are going to stay in the service long term. Not 9 months.
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combat engineer in special forces?
you are playing way too much COD. you dont need a hacker with a Hecklerkoch to disarm a door lock when you have explosives.
MOST if not all European special forces REQUIRE previous military experience.
besides… you did not mention ANY actual workout or hiking, mountain climbing, diving etc. sneaking behind friends doesnt count. Paintball and airsoft… great- lots of bad habits to get rid of once you start the real thing.
the conscript slots in the SF unit will most likely involve truly technical duties like cooks, or assistant clerks.
References :
overall, you seem to see the SF as a sort of self assurance. dont take this wrong, but you DONT sound like a SF material to me.
the >special< word in the SF does not mean that YOU/ the personnel is special. it means their TASK is special. without the will to work on "regular" tasks, you can hardly expect to be allowed to do the "special" ones.
You don’t seem to have a type A personality. But nothing anyone tells you on here will convince you other wise right? So why not go and try. The standards and technology used in the job must be low if they allow you to serve only 9 months in special operations. In countrys all over the world, if one becomes special forces they must serve for many years. Why? Because it cost millions of dollars to maintain, equip, and support these units, it makes no sense to have them serve for 9 months. Apparently your country can throw money away, I guess that why they are having a financial catastrophe. I know nothing about your countrys special forces, so if you say it’s 9 months I’ll take your word for it, what a stupid thing your country does though if it’s true. Even in Switzerland, a country that never goes to war, if one makes it they are required to serve many years and must be ready to go at a moments notice even when at home. Again it makes no sense that they allow you to serve only 9 months, I would imagine 4 or more of those months at least are used for training.
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Our special operations all have a year and half minimum training period, most have a 2.5 year training period. Yours must be a month with mediocre training if they are willing to let you leave in 9 months. I think a country like el Salvador can take you in a war if it’s true.
Special Forces aren’t what you see on TV and play on your Xbox. Special Forces spend 90% of their time on base doing JACK SHIT! and the other 10% of the time behind enemy lines where sneezing at the wrong time will get you killed. Standard Infantry service will be much better for anyone to go through before special forces anyways because it gives you experience that can save your life! But… who am I? I’m just some random person on the other end of a computer screen that you will never see, hear, or smell. In fact, this will probably be the only time that we ever communicate in our lives. Nothing I’m going to say will ever change your mind, it’s just that I don’t consider you special forces material.
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