You are going to hate it, but some of these guys are going to get shoved out early. Just too big a need. And you know that those courses can be speeded up. In any case, they have been.
LB,
The last major changes were put in place over two years ago (one month after 9/11). The changes were to increase recruiting not to modify schools. This was no quick change in response to current events. They had been in the works and thoroughly staffed for a long time...There have been no changes which reduce or shorten training or lower training standards. The opposite is true. For SF trainees, with less time in service, training as been increased by a month or more. Over the years, training demands and standards have been increased not decreased.
I have first-hand knowledge that SF Training has not been modified down and no training standards have been relaxed. I listened to General Lambert explain that some months ago and the Branch Chief for the SF Qualification school (Q Course), a long time buddy, came here and briefed my SFA Chapter on that very issue recently.
The two 2001 changes are:
1. An intensified recruiting effort. There are plenty of folks in the Army whose records indicate they are eligible to apply for SF Training who do not.
2. Some changes have been made to who may apply. Not as much line unit experience is now required...but those volunteers without it, must have a higher GT (IQ) score and must attend vigorous extra pre-SF training courses to bring them up to speed. All of the old hands were for this change, as many of us did not have to meet this pre-training standard...yet we had wonderful SF careers.
The SF schools have no graduation quotas and no sliding grade scales to determine who passes. Either you meet the established standards or you are out. Some classes have graduated zero trainees.
Here is a recently established link that explains before vs now...
training.sfahq.com
If you think about it LB...SF is the most deadly fighting force in the world today. They have proven themselves in every conceivable weather and terrain condition, all over the world. They fight, win and survive under the most arduous and dangerous conditions. Why would anyone want to short change such a successful training program, developed and refined over the 52 years US SF has existed? There is not a Sergeant Major who would go along with relaxing training standards nor is there a General who would approve them.
When SF Training is changed "substantially", it is always because of technology, or a refined tactic or technique that has been proven on a battlefield. Often these items are add-ons and nothing is dropped. Many of the SF training courses have been lengthened over the years.
I have a copy of the August Special Warfare Center and School Bulletin in front of me. A lengthy article is devoted to "The Evolution of Special Forces Training: Maintaining High Standards". I have known the author since 1965 and served with him overseas. He has been with SF for all 52 years. He explains in the article that some training has been added to teach some special skills needed in Iraq. Notice he says added...nothing has been deleted.
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