Devgru training/selection process

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mough RE:Devgru training/selection process 5/23/2006 12:20:29 PM

I did hear though that they have changed DEVGRU selection process and criteria...don't know to what end though, maybe to get more guy's through?

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mough RE:Devgru training/selection process 5/23/2006 12:26:27 PM

anyway, my last post here for a while, been a pleasure, see you lad's in the future

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GOP RE:Devgru training/selection process 5/23/2006 8:40:00 PM

Good luck mough, and thanks for all your contributions to this board. If this break from SP has anything to do with you being deployed (I certainly don't want any info on this at all), then God speed and thanks for helping the good guys. As far as DEVGRU, their change in training probably doesn't have anything to do with getting more guys through. DEVGRU still holds alot of Marcinko principles (no matter how outdated), and he would never sacrifice training to allow less qualified people in (this is also a very big no-no in the entire SEAL community). I would guess the change probably has much more land-warfare involved, so they can better fulfill their CT role in the GWOT. I know that the "Regular" SEAL Teams are also filling their pre-deployment training with a heck of alot more Land warfare training to allow them to do more land warfare in the GWOT.

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EW3 RE:Devgru training/selection process 5/23/2006 10:02:37 PM

When you talk about who is the best, the fact is that all the SOFs in the US and their counterparts in otyher countries are at more or less the same level. They can all run a mile in 6min, swim a mile, and do HALO jumps all day long. The real differentiator is the mental capacity and the mental toughness. When I was in the service most of the SEALs reportedly had GCT/ARI scores around 130, which used to be interpreted as roughly your IQ. In other words these guys are smart. They are all smart. The key to success is being able to adapt to differing circumstances. Can you use that smarts to solve problems you are not trained to solve? Then beyond that you have the mental toughness issue. How long can you handle the waterboard? How long can they put you in a tiny box and stick a snake in there with you before you crack. Most SOFs are tough dudes and they have already been through the preliminaries of adaptability and toughness, but I suspect that Devgru cranks it up a bit. But not in the physical arena, more in the mental arena.

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GOP RE:Devgru training/selection process - EW3 5/24/2006 12:25:02 AM

EW3, I agree 100%. Any dufus can get in shape, but can he solve problems; handle pressure; handle being cold, wet, tired, miserable, and being shot at all at the same time and perform up to standard; etc. Your example of SERE training kind of freaks me out (snakes absolutely freak me out), and I have heard that alot of BUD/S recruits go through SERE training before starting indoc...so that is the second hurdle to get to BUD/S (boot camp first, and they got rid of A-School...it is now the "Seamen to SEAL" program). Kind of off topic, and not sure how much info you can give without breaking rules (I think SERE swears you to secrecy), but is it mentally and physically (from a pain standpoint) harder than BUD/S / SOF training? Is it possible to escape?

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GOP RE:Devgru training/selection process - EW3 5/24/2006 12:28:19 AM

Sorry, I mean't escape from SERE when they let you loose. Also, how long does it last? I obviously don't want you to say too much...so you may not want to give any info (I completely understand). Thanks

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Horsesoldier RE:Devgru training/selection process - EW3 5/24/2006 11:20:47 AM

>>Kind of off topic, and not sure how much info you can give without breaking rules (I think SERE swears you to secrecy), but is it mentally and physically (from a pain standpoint) harder than BUD/S / SOF training? Is it possible to escape? << No. SERE school has a syllabus and POI like anything else in the military. You could pretty easily avoid the POW phase of the training, but you would not be given credit for completion of the course without going through it. (At least for the army course, but I can't imagine the navy would do things any differently.)

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Horsesoldier RE:Devgru training/selection process - EW3 5/24/2006 3:05:05 PM

>>Sorry, I mean't escape from SERE when they let you loose. Also, how long does it last? I obviously don't want you to say too much...so you may not want to give any info (I completely understand).<< Like I say, you have to complete the whole course of instruction for SERE like anything else, so you eventually have to get "caught" and do the POW portion. As for length -- not sure on the USN or USAF versions. I'd think all of them run less than a month (including both classroom and practical exercise portions). As for the course material and such, I'd recommend reading Five Years to Freedom by Nick Rowe. It will not give you any direct information concerning current SOF SERE training, but it describes Rowe's experiences as POW during the Vietnam War. He later pretty much wrote the book on SERE training for SOF personnel, so his experiences should give you some insight into the sort of things SERE school is geared to prepare you for.

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EW3 RE:Devgru training/selection process - GOP 5/24/2006 8:19:50 PM

There are several varations on SERE. When I went through it (USN), I had the beginners flavor, only 5 days. Our class senior officer was an USAF Major. We only had to cope with 2 days of torture. There a much more advanced versions. Just the survival phase can last 2 weeks. Then you have to do the ERE part. And the R part can last a week or more. (The only thing I learned from SERE was to not let Chuck capture me.) You don't like snakes? Why do you think they call SOFs "snake eaters"? You better learn to enjoy French Kissing a rattlesnake. You crawl around in the low weeds on your belly in a swamp, you will have all kinds of things crawling your way. The worse part is that when the odd poisonous snake crawls over your leg, you can't move, twitch, squeek, or in anyway reveal your position as you make take your team members with you when the enemy detects you.

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GOP RE:Devgru training/selection process - GOP 5/24/2006 10:49:40 PM

Horse, I will definitely read the book you recommend, as I am sure that SERE school replicates that as safely (well, as in keeping the guys alive and without long term issues) and realistically as possible. EW3, how long do you think it would last for a BUD/S Recruit? As far as snakes, they are my worst enemy. I know that alot of guys in SOCOM/SOF are extrmely tough and unafraid, but I have a major fear of snakes for whatever reason. Although, on an op, I would much rather have a snake crawl on me than be killed

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