Special Forces Changes

In the 80's there was a program allowing fresh recruits to enter into US Army training to become Special Forces qualified. Along those same lines, you might've seen a press release on the DOD website announcing a new pilot project by the US Army. Apparently, they've come to realize that soldiers with 20 years worth of Army-think aren't always the most creative at coming up with novel solutions to certain problems. The result is that applications are being accepted for attending the "Q Course" held here as part of the process of becoming a Special Forces soldier. Specifically, the Army is seeking "professionals in their 30's and 40's" looking for a new challenge.

One of the main assumptions of the special forces establishment has always been that a soldier's brains are the most important weapon. I guess with this new program they're taking that assumption to the next level.

Of course, the above "announcement" is totally false so don't bother going to the DOD website to look for it. I should be forgiven for spreading this misinformation though because I've recently read, Secret Commandos : Behind Enemy Lines with the Elite Warriors of SOG by John Plaster and Masters of Chaos by Linda Robinson. Both very different books, but both well written.

Normally, I try to maintain a little bit of balance in my reading. Too much of any one subject makes for a sort of tunnel vision that borders on obsession, (that's my inner geek coming out) but as I was ordering one of the books at Amazon I was trying to qualify for "super saver" shipping and I needed to spend a little more so I ended up clicking on a suggested book in the same category. (I'm a sucker for that.)

I ordered the SOG book because I like finding out about the types of tactics these units use. (It's one of the reasons why I enjoyed reading "A Clear and Present Danger" by Tom Clancy, despite the fact that I can't stand the guy and think he's a terrible writer.) The author of the SOG book is John Plaster, who served in a SOG unit in Vietnam. He's a good writer, unlike many military guys who write memoirs, and apparently he has a good memory. The book provided good information on unconventional warfare and also provided an excellent glimpse into the views of many soldiers about the war itself.

The "Masters of Chaos" book has the type of title that usually repels me. However, it isn't one of those macho tales of daring-do like the ones put out by that Marcinko guy. It's not written from a first person perspective but gives you an education on the way US Army Special Forces works. If you know someone who wears the Green Beret, as I do, you'll enjoy reading this book because it helps you to fill in some of the blanks as to what your friend/relative/acquaintance has been up to these past few years.

I can't see the Army ever opening up it's elite units to "outsiders", especially not those in their 30s and 40s and I question the sanity of those who would try to pass the Q Course at that point in their lives. But it makes for an interesting middle-aged fantasy.