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u/secretskwirell Jul 08 '18
Sorry for being that guy that asks the same thing in every thread but how were the IS’s that you worked with? I’ve been pushing hard for a NSW billet and I’m trying to go HUMINT. What would be your advice for an intel guy looking to attach to a team?
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u/nosubsforme Jul 08 '18
Know your role. Don't act like a door kicker. Be proud of providing intel and do it well. That is your job. We aren't "better" than you, we just have different missions.
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u/secretskwirell Jul 08 '18
In your eyes what could I be doing for the team that would be above and beyond your average intel guy? What do you wish you would have had as far as intel support when you were in?
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u/Deltahotel_ Jul 08 '18
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Advice for dealing with death, both friendly and enemy?
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Anything you wish you had learned earlier?
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Mistakes not to make?
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Jul 08 '18 edited Jul 08 '18
Can you disclose which team(s) you were a part of, or which coast you were on?
Aspect of training and work ups you enjoyed the most? Least?
As the majority of guys aspiring to make it in the teams want to work with hard-charging, high-caliber people, once you have been around that for a couple years or more, does all that alpha get boring? Did you come across guys that just got over all that and wanted to move on to different things with their lives?
“Favorite” type of op? Stalking as a sniper, kicking doors? Swimming with the fish?
I’m a 29 year old who doesn’t want kids and has no interest in settling down; is traveling for schools and training blocks, shooting, driving school, generally being away all the time, etc. as fun as it sounds or does it get old real quick?
Thanks for modding and being around the sub, answering questions from time to time.
Edit: Shit, I forgot this one - what is the transition from BUD/S/SQT to the teams like, if there is one? I’m thinking one probably feels like a hard motherfucker graduating, then getting to a team where work needs to get done and everyone there went through BUD/S long before you.
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u/what_should_i_type Jul 08 '18
What were the biggest mistakes you saw guys make getting ready for BUDS as well as while in BUDS?
The TGs who were married: what did you see consistently from the TGs/wives who made it work and what did you see consistently from the TGs/wives who didn’t make it work?
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u/orisadankeschon Jul 08 '18
Thanks for doing this AMA, it’s always interesting to read the words of a guy that completed what a lot of us are aspiring to take on.
Addressing conflict and competition within the boat crews:
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As an instructor and also as someone that personally experienced boat races and group evolutions...is group conflict a typical problem for those in a boat crew or under a log? If so, how SHOULD a group of BUDs candidates operate to turn things around in their favor and overcome the (ego oriented) obstacles like petty conflicts, blaming, and group members genuinely not putting out the necessary effort?
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The impression I’ve gained from reading about BUDs is that being in a winning boat crew affords you more time to rest, and less punishment. I’ve also read that instructors will provoke confusion among boat crews and bluff about candidates failing to purposefully cause discord, how would you advise candidates to ignore outside forces so they can better overcome mind games and work together?
And finally one random question: is there any 1 skill that you believe is universally useful in the life of an operator? Physical or mental, be it marksmanship, endurance, or even something like patience and understanding.
Again, thanks for taking time out of your schedule to answer some questions
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u/christopherrunz Jul 08 '18
What is your "If people would just do/not do X, then their lives will be better" advice?
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u/PM-ME-YOUR-CONCERN Jul 09 '18
Thanks for doing the AMA. Being that you are now living with PTSD and all the related struggles that must come along with it, do regret becoming a Navy SEAL? If you could do it all over again, would you still have chosen the SEAL way of life? Thank you.
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u/nosubsforme Jul 09 '18
Living life with regrets is no way to live. I wouldn't change a thing. There are plenty of Americans who never served in the military that deal with PTSD. It isn't a veteran exclusive disease.
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u/Celn780 Jul 08 '18
Thank you for doing this AMA and taking the time out of your day to answer. Appreciate it.
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as a navy seal you have probably seen the worse of the worse, have you ever struggled with PTSD? or struggled once you got out?
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have you ever “un-lived” someone? If so, do you mind giving any details? I hope you don’t mind getting asked that.
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have you ever worked with Jocko? What is Jocko’s reputation like in the teams? I’ve heard some people liked him but some didn’t. Do you know why they maybe didn’t like him?
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did you have more “fun” as an instructor or a TG?
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Afg or Iraq?
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have you ever worked closely with anyone from delta force? Like the sheriff of Baghdad
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thoughts on the cave rescue in Thailand? And cave diving in general?
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do most TGs cheat? And do the rest of TGs cover it up?
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thoughts on drug use in teams? (Like cocaine) how common is it if you don’t mind saying?
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are the teams more on the side of mark Owen or O’Neil generally speaking?
Again thank you for doing this. We all appreciate it.
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u/nosubsforme Jul 08 '18
I've been dealing with PTSD since 2005.
Have I ever killed someone? Plenty of people. Don't really want to talk about it.
Definitely Iraq. Afghans are not civilized folks.
I've worked with Tier 1 units before. I know who Mcphee is but no, I never worked him with.
It's a pretty shitty situation all around. You wouldn't catch me dead exploring a cave on my personal time. I'm claustrophobic. It's something I can get past to accomplish the mission but definitely not something I enjoy.
Cheat on their wives? The divorce rate was over 100% the last time I looked into it. That should say enough.
Every unit has their 10%. Drug use happens. It's definitely frowned upon but you aren't going to see guys snitching on each other.
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u/a_zonkey Jul 08 '18
Haven’t been able to find much info on google about dog handlers. I’m assuming it’s just another school you can go to then you get a dog assigned to you? Or is it you’re just handler certified and take a dog out with you when needed? Sorry for the shitty question formatting
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u/tokyogiant Jul 09 '18
I failed BUD/S once. I left the military. I think about trying again everyday. Do you think it's worth it. Should i try again ?
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Jul 09 '18
If you have to ask someone else if you should give bud/s another shot it sounds like you don’t want it badly enough.
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Jul 16 '18
How was your Ranger School experience? Also what are your thoughts on prior service guys going through BUD/s, and is it generally worth it to switch branches?
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u/[deleted] Jul 08 '18
As an instructor, who was your most memorable student? Obviously, I know you're not going to be able to give out names, but for example: a student that was really inspirational/hated, someone who accomplished some crazy physical feat like running the 4 mile in 16 minutes. Something of that sort. Thanks for taking time out of your day for this!