Preparation for Army Special Forces Selection?

Hi all! I've been thinking about this for almost 2 years now and I've decided that I'm going to put in a Special Forces packet and go for 18B Weapons Sergeant. I'm currently deployed as an Aircraft Electrician so I have some time on my hands and want to use as much as I can of it to prepare for Selection soon after I redeploy home next year. I've been reading a lot online and Googling things for 2 years, but there's only so much info in brochures, Wikipedia, and old forum posts, so I wanted to post the question here and see what any Special Forces qualified soldiers that we have on ARFCOM think. My question is, what are some good ways to prepare for Selection? I feel that I'm mentally prepared as much as I can be, so far. I have no thoughts of failure in my mind and the only way I'm coming home is broken or with a Long Tab. My soon-to-be wife and I have also talked very extensively about this over the past two years and she is completely on board with it and supports me in my decision. She knows it's a dream of mine and wants me to pursue it. So I guess what I would like to know are some good ways to physically prepare? I have been working out but if I can find a good, set regimen that is heavily geared towards what I will need to do, that would be great. I always feel like I'm kind of piecing together workouts in the gym and would love it if I could go in and know what I need to do and get results out of it.

Also, this question is more for any National Guard SF soldiers (I will be going to the 20th SFG in Florida which is a National Guard group. Will not be switching to AD for this. Not now at least), but all input is welcome and appreciated. What can I expect out of this? I know not much can be said, but what can I expect at SFAS and SFQC, and beyond? A big question I have about SFQC is, since it is a PCS move, will I be able to bring my wife with me to live on post at Ft. Bragg while I'm gone for a year or more of training? I realize I will be gone for training most of that time, but it would really suck to have to pay for her to live in an apartment back in Florida while I'm at the Q.

Anyways, sorry if this seems like a dumb question. Would just like to hear some input from some guys that have been there and done that. Any and all tips, pointers, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

Tried http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/?

They seem to be big on "reading more and posting less." Good luck, and thanks for your service.

make sure your cardio is great, and really work on your lower body. power moves like squats and deadlifts. There's a very good chance that your going to be injured, so you better get it through your head now if your going to let it beat you or not.

My brother is about to start S.U.T (finished slection, jump school and almost done with language). He is a strong kid and used 3-4 crossfits per week as well as 2 road marches per week (6-12 miles) and one or two runs per week to get through.
He said 'selection aint for pussies'. If you have weak ankles, weak shins, weak anything it will be broken and destroyed by what you go through. Mental toughness is not alone what you need.
The crossfit he trains at is owned by a former 18b combat diver and they lift HEAVY. Lots of deadlifts (his is 570-600+). Lots of Cleans and overhead squats and box jumps etc etc etc THere is some new 10 point P.T test includes bench pressing, Pull Ups, 5 mile run etc.
The crossfit stuff really helped him get through the selection process. Prior to this he was ruck marching and doing some Arnold Schwarzenegger style weight lifting routine. Garrrrrbage.
Prepare to buy alot of bullshit stuff to get you through this. A ton of frivolous expenses along the way.

Oh and if it were me I would 100% go for it. I never did and regret sucks. At least I can watch little bro's rise to greatness. I am incredibly proud of him. It has not been easy for him.

If my brother wasn't in the middle of this very same thing I'd ask him to come her and give you some advice. He just finished the Camp Mackall phase and will be going to 20th Grp as well.

For now, I'd focus on getting through SFAS first. Embrace the suck least it embrace you.

Good luck!

Lil bro is in 20th group as well, ha! They did a good job preparing him. Spent about 8 months doing 'pre-selection'. He made it but a bunch of others did not.

Thanks for the info so far, guys! So Cross Fit is GTG? I've been wondering about that a lot. Sadly I don't have a lot of facilities to ruck march or do Cross Fit or things like that here in Iraq so what I want to do when I get back is immediately start on those things and work as hard as I can at the gym here. I am completely serious about doing this and when I do go for it, I plan on giving 110% and not quitting no matter what happens. I just need to get the physical prep down Thanks again, guys. Any more tips/suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Just signed an 18x contract and got my future soldiers stuff set up last week. I leave april 23rd for osut. Would also be looking for any
training advice. I've always been fit mostly running, basketball, and some weights but plan on increasing the intensity for the next couple months.

RUCK MARCH RUCK MARCH RUCK MARCH. Not every crossfit is the same ( I am level 1 instructor). I highly suggest shopping around. Blanco- My brother submitted his packet while he was in Iraq also. He made do with what he had and did laps with his ruck inside his FOB. Make do best with what you have. Find a way. Don't make excuses, make it happen. Good luck fellas and thank you very much for your service.
If you are in 20th start learning spanish now. The language course at JFKSWCS is 100% immersion. It aint a free ride either.

You may want to check out http://www.armystudyguide.com/

I just had a good Friend come back from this not long ago. He didn't make it but got asked to come back and try again. I asked him what he wished he had known before that he knows now. He said " Speed at land-nave, not just running the course but taking the best route that leaves some fuel in the tank." He also said listen and remember everything they say.

Good luck remember its 80% mental and 20% physical.

I helped one ARFCOM member before he went into his pipeline... and ruck and ruck and ruck was part of our trainup. The rest was him being determined to be physically and mentally and fit.

Ruck, climb ropes, and be able to smoke a PT test.

My successful students all have the following profile.

270+ APFT (18-21 age group),
12 dead hand pulls,
rope climb x 5 (after pull ups),
10 mile ruck in 2.5 hours,
5 mile run 40 minutes,
Knots and Lashing (critical task)
understand and ability to apply land navigation using attack points and rough azimuth travel
positive peer evaluations

If you have any specific questions, feel free to e-mail me.

MSG R
18Z50

As someone said earlier, ruck, ruck ,ruck, then ruck some more. Get your feet ready the best you can to prevent blisters. I've even known guys to dry thier feet in alcohol to help prevent blisters. Also as far as housing at Bragg goes the waiting list is crazy right now. They are rebuilding a lot of the houseing and when combined with the new units comming to Bragg and the fact that most of the 82nd in back from deployment means that Bragg is packed to the gills right now. Better off renting a place. I've been at Bragg for going on five years now, not a bad place.

One of my battle buddies from PLDC successfully completed the SF selection and that's all he harped on. He said he even had his ruck on him when he was doing his day job, always loaded to 80lbs. The only time it wasn't on him was when he was driving, sleeping, or when ordered to remove it. Get used to being a pack mule. He said that on several of his marches his ruck started at 120lbs due to water weight and went down from there as he drank the water. And if the ruck is ever too light you can get hammered for that...so he said at the end of the marches he would make a habit to stop and stuff a few fist sized rocks in his ruck to ensure he wasn't too light.

Buy and break in a new set of boots now if you are getting a new set..and have lots of mole skin and Motrin stocked up. They will beat the shit out of you.

I would suggest not training with any rucks weighing over 55 pounds dry.
Well broken in boots are a must.

MSG R

I would like to add on to what the MSG said by saying that If you haven't gone rucking during a rain or gotten your boots wet while walking through creeks and stuff while rucking, you may be in for a surprise. Boots act different when wet. Good luck.

More than one pair, broken in, and correct brand/soles for the standard.

Be able to dry your feet, powder them, put on fresh socks, and change your boots quickly. You will not be able to complete some of the courses without getting wet.

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