Question to our SF-BTDT's...

[seventy6er]

Hi,

this question goes out especially to the board's honorable members of the SF-community (others who can contribute feel free to post too ;) ). I got a question concerning the following image:

http://www.xbox-connection.com/hostedimages/special%20forces315.jpg

Like one can easily see, there're a lotta "old folks" on this pic. What actually is their job? No offense here, but I can't imagine that some 50-year-old guys can do a job as effective as a 30-year-old. Do they still do the fighting or are they sth. like advisers? There are a lot of other pics here on this board with even older dudes. I remember a pic of a guy in (I guess) his early sixties gettin it on with a tricked-out M4...

Every answer is appreciated. Thx!

[Sean85]

Im not an expert but ill take a stab at it...most SF soldiers are older than your average soldier and end up making a career out of the army. Since you cant train SF overnight each persons skills are needed so they are all sent into the bush. SF guys arent Rangers either, their primary role is as teachers and almost like the first diplomats on the ground in some cases, in afghanistan they helped organize the Norther Alliance for instance...just some thoughts.....SCOUTS OUT

[Jack Mehoff]

Most career people retired when they hit their 20 years mark. I think there are maybe 1 or 2 50+ year old guys in that picture. Of course they look much older with all that beard.

[ibstolidude]

there is a dude named Bones that was the oldest scuba grad...the dude is pictured in the SF photos I believe...

the dude was in A-stan in K-town north.

[Thomsen]

"Old" = experienced.

They are not the guys that do the dirty work, hey teach others how to do this.

[NcDeuce]

Living under the conditions that these men endure make them look older than what they are...

Besides SF guys aren't going to be your 18-20 year old buzzcut dudes.

[Deuterium]

Average age for SF teams would be early 30s. BN and GP staff average is a little skewed because of much younger support guys and much older, say late 30s early 40s senior staff. Oldest guys would be the W4/W5 warrant(s). They might be in early 50s for some. Luckily SF is a meritocracy. You might find a 44 year old on a team, he'll smoke your ass on a ruck march. If you can't physically hack it you won't be on a team, trust me on that one.

[Tane Angle]

Deuterium hit the nail on the head there. If they can hack it, if they can do their jobs without their age causing a problem, who cares how old they are? Have a good one, and just some thoughts...

[usa320]

ALso note alot of these guys probably aint over 35, they just look old cause of the beards and long hair.

[MSG Dman]

One thing you need to realize is that 20 years in SF adds years. Many of them hadnt grown there hair and beards out in a while, and were probably shocked at how gray they had become.

I knew a Ranger CSM that was 42 years old and he looked 60. Many of the guys above who look like they are in their late 40's are more then likely in their late 30's. I would guess most are senior E-7's about 35-38 years old.

I found out I have a VERY gray beard while in Afghanasthan. Many of the guys I was with looked horrible when we relaxed the grooming standards and let them grow beards.

Don't assume SF guys always grow out there hair and beards. It is only in certain situations. And don't assume they are 50 because of gray hair.

[Deuterium]

Seventy6er..........


Oh and BTW if you want to meet SF guys for yourself just go down to the Irish Pub in Boblingen. We stand out like sore thumbs. Just don't bring your girlfriend... On second thought ask her if she can bring any of her friends.

[James]

I'm not SF, just a former USMC Grunt, now aged 30. I have a few gray hairs. I think they make me look distinguished. ;)

[seventy6er]

Seventy6er..........


Oh and BTW if you want to meet SF guys for yourself just go down to the Irish Pub in Boblingen. We stand out like sore thumbs. Just don't bring your girlfriend... On second thought ask her if she can bring any of her friends.

Hey, I could do that. Where are those SF guys from? Are the US SF still based in Bad Tölz? Why Böblingen? Are there dudes from other nations too? Calw (home of KSK) isn't too far away...

[JunglistSoldier]

I'm not SF, just a former USMC Grunt, now aged 30. I have a few gray hairs. I think they make me look distinguished. ;)

Don't say "JUST" a grunt.

[Deuterium]

Seventy6er..........


Oh and BTW if you want to meet SF guys for yourself just go down to the Irish Pub in Boblingen. We stand out like sore thumbs. Just don't bring your girlfriend... On second thought ask her if she can bring any of her friends.

Hey, I could do that. Where are those SF guys from? Are the US SF still based in Bad Tölz? Why Böblingen? Are there dudes from other nations too? Calw (home of KSK) isn't too far away...

1/10 (1st BN, 10th Special Forces Group) moved from Bad Tolz to Boblingen in 1991. I was stationed in both places.

[11F5S]

I was 43 years old when I served my last tour on an ODA. I would have stayed a few more if my knees held up, but Uncle Sam had other plans.

[Dmitri]

We stand out like sore thumbs.
just curious, why and how do you guys stand out?

[Jack Mehoff]

We stand out like sore thumbs.
just curious, why and how do you guys stand out?

Good looking English speaking Americans for one :D

[Dmitri]

Good looking English speaking Americans for one Yeah, Americans better speak some English too

[James]

I'm not SF, just a former USMC Grunt, now aged 30. I have a few gray hairs. I think they make me look distinguished. ;)

Don't say "JUST" a grunt.

Roger that. ;)

[haze99]

Not all these operators are US Army SF. At least two are US Air Force Combat Control Team operators. ( I know, they were my instructors at the Para-Rescue/Combat Control Indoctrination Course!)
Buy this book, 'No room for error'. It covers the history of the USAF STS (Special Tactics Squadron)