The Making of a Special Forces Warrior - Chosen Soldier

This is a well-written book about selection and training of US Army special forces. I really enjoyed experiencing selection, qualification and particularly Robin Sage through the writer's words. I highly recommend to anyone and also for prospective SF warriors!

Great read. Simple and straightforward (slightly biased) writing at its most informative form. Wish there were separate books for each phase of training with more details on individuals and the types of lives theyve left and the mindset and thoughts they were having. The pictures were great, more of those too. I kept going back to each picture with a better understanding of each situation the more I read and feeling more connected.

Another great work by Couch! I'll be honest, this "type" of special operations training does not tug at me the way his other works have, but I believe that is not due in any way to Couch's writing. Highly recommend this book, and any other of Couch's fact-based works targeting the training of our special operations warrior class.

Bought this book for my son who is currently enrolled in the 18 X program. Hoped to give him an idea of what will be expected. Book gives a good overview of how they select their members and how difficult it is.

A really interesting look into the making of special force soldiers. The author, Dick Couch, is a former SEAL himself, so he knows what it takes to make our toughest military members. He was, I think, given unprecedented access to Green Beret recruit training, and Couch offers a fine first-person, memoir-like description of all he saw as the recruits arrived at Fort Bragg, NC for what was a grueling training process. After reading Couch's book, I'm convinced of a few things: 1) that US Army Special Forces soldiers are some of the toughest, smartest, and hardest working people on the planet; 2) that it is not easy to create new SF soldiers - it's costly, time consuming, and few people have what it takes to be SF soldiers; 3) that we need more of these folks considering the counterinsurgency wars we may be involved in over the next couple of decades, and they are not easy to create (see #2); and 4) that our political leaders should have been much more knowledgeable of these points before opting to invade Iraq. What some people are willing to take on for their country is amazing, and to know that there are Americans who already have it all and yet complain that they need tax cuts is pathetic. Anyway, Couch did a great job and offered a valuable window into the tip of the spear of American efforts to defeat terrorism.

If you can slog through the author's endless statements along the lines of "band of brothers, fight with honor, protecting democracy, Islamic jihad and the global war on terror", you might find something worthwhile in this book. When you read what he had written in 2007 about how Afghanistan and Iraq are evidence of the brilliant success of modern warfare you have to shake your head, seeing that we are still there 10 years later, fighting the same fight in the longest military engagement the US had ever been stuck in with no end in sight. The author would have done better to give more insight into the training experience and less flag-waving rah-rah nonsense. Written by the army, for the army to be read by ex-army/wannabe army.

For me, this book was boring beyond belief. I nearly quit reading on several different occasions but forced myself to read on. After several attempts to continue to read further, I finally gave up and never went back.

First off, this book is a must read for anyone looking to learn more about the rigors of Army Special Forces Training. This book is written by a highly regarded member of the Special Forces community, and provides an in depth look into Special Forces, from being excepted to try out for Qualifications, all the way through to Deploying. This may be the most informative book that so have read on this subject.

I was fortunate to have been running the "med-shed" as we so lovingly referred to it, while Mr. Couch was making his rounds through the barracks compound and training area for the initial phase of the 18x program (Ph1-A). He was a gentleman, well spoken and polite, but there was definitely an air of confidence to him, being his background was so strong in SOF. Picture pages 2 or 3 shows a buddy of mine, won't name him, but he's wearing the tan hat with the shades. Learned a lot from that man. Was a great time to be SOF, working side by side with SF QP's. Definitely miss those days, and I will of course say that you should definitely purchase and read this book, especially if the SF life is something you are considering. Mr. Couch covers virtually every aspect of training, from the most menial task to the most complex problem solving exercises these men go through during their training at Ft Bragg proper, at Camp McCall, and let's not forget the Pineland. Outstanding read!!

From the first day on base for the X-Ray candidates, to the end of the grueling Robin Sage exercise, this author shadowed the students and instructors through the Army's Special Forces selection and training. He introduces us to the methods and thoughts of the instructors as they shape the next generation of Green Beret, as well as the changes in the students as they become elite warriors.

The candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds, from experienced veterans to those in the X-Ray program who have only been in the Army a few months. As with all books of this nature, some material has been withheld for security purposes, but the vast majority of the 4 phases of training are explained. The SERE and Airborne schools are not covered, although all candidates must successfully complete them.

Training consists not only of the physical punishment and small unit tactics expected in the Special Forces, but also extensive land navigation, force multiplication, and specialized courses in such areas as weapons, communication, medicine, engineering, and leadership unique to the Green Beret.

This book also takes the reader through the extensive Robin Sage exercise which involves on all the training the students have learned. Robin Sage is a truly amazing exercise which utilizes hundreds (perhaps thousands) of Green Beret, former Green Beret, contractors, volunteers and most of central North Carolina to simulate what it's like to live and work with an insurgency in a foreign country.

A truly mesmerizing look into the life of a Green Beret soldier, this book is a must read for anyone interested in what Special Forces training involves.

This was another great book from Dick Couch. We constantly here about the Navy Seals but not much about the green berets. This book describes the pre training process all the way through their final training prior to real time deployments. The green berets train very different than Navy Seals but they also train for different kinds of missions as this book describes. These special forces are the ones training guerilla forces to overthrow leaderships, they are all well equipped to perform their duties or eachothers duties and this book definately describes why. I would definately recommend this book to any person interested in special forces or just as a nice read. Again, another good book by Dick Couch.

Author Dick Couch, a former Navy SEAL, does for Green Beret training what he did for SEAL BUDS (Basic Underwater Demolition School) in his book, THE WARRIOR ELITE. This is an absorbing and detailed account of the huge effort - blood, sweat and tears - that go into earning the Green Beret and Special Forces tab.

Regardless of your political leanings or views of the current conflicts, it is hard to come away from this account without a sense of the professionalism and dedication of this segment of our military's elite.

Couch also offers trenchant views on the nature of insurgency/counter insurgency warfare, arguing that America learned little from its Vietnam experience. Best not to make that same mistake twice.

A very good read!!!

I think this is Couch's best book! As a person with a big interest in the subject matter and some knowledge to begin with, I was instantly pulled into the stories of these men heading down the road to a Green Beret. I was impressed, though by the exceptional job the author does at making it understandable for readers without a lot of prior military knowledge. It has everything you expect from a Couch book: an insider view at a super-secret society, people you can be proud to have out fighting for us, detail and excitement that is engaging throughout. This is a great book in support of the guys laying down their lives without getting trapped in political rhetoric. I highly recommend Chosen Soldier

Dick Couch does an excellent of job of taking the reader through the preparation, assessment and selection, and qualification courses of a special forces soldier. Couch also touches on what kind of men excel in these demanding environments. He does this with great detail while making the book very entertaining. Couch has written several books about SEAL training and involvement in the war on terror. The fact that Couch (a retired SEAL and CIA case manager) labels Army Special Forces as the most important weapon in the war on terror, speaks volumes about these guys. As someone interested in joining the special forces, this book contained some of the best information that I have been able to get my hands on.

For anyone who has the intestinal fortitude to volunteer for some of the most intensive and challenging training the US Army has to offer, this book covers a good deal of it. As a member of the US Army's elite Special Forces, this book clearly brought back memories of my old class at SFAS (Special Forces Assessment & Selection). This book is very helpful and insightful for anyone coming to SF, or thinking about it. Do your homework and do your best to prepare mentally as well as physically. You will be tested at SFAS & SFQC big time! The name, "Nasty Nick" alone was enough to bring back all kinds of memories in training at Camp Mackall. HOOAH!!

No question Couch does a great job explaining the incredible training and selection of SF soldiers. He knows the ground and covers it well. But, the role of SF seems to have changed, and could be viewed with some thoughtful questions. Has the SF mission been changed and more emphasis placed on their being small scale Ranger units or substitute CIA para-military units? Has the Blackwater thought process taken over? The SF I knew was "the best and the brightest". True warriors who knew that sometimes having to shoot it out was the first sign of a failed mission. I'd love to see Couch explore what the role of these heros has evolved into.

Bought these 2 books for a friend. She told me she has looked everywhere with no luke in finding it. I told her to let me see what I could do. Of course I came to the store.com and had it in 5 min.
She couldn't believe it. It is an excellent book on the life of a person who becomes a special forces soldier. Recomend it to anyone who likes truth about the military.

I purchased this book because my husband reenlisted into the army to train for special forces. Right now he is in the selection process. This book has helped me to understand what he will be going thru at all points of his training and how long it will take. Dick Couch does a wonderful job of explaining the process of the training while making it easy and fun to read. If your husband, boyfriend, son, or anyone you know is entering this program you must read this book. I refer to it all the time when my husband is at different points in his training so that I can see what he is doing and how long he will be doing it for. I bought a copy for my husband to read so that he could be prepared and he thought it was a little discouraging at times. That is how hard and trying the training is. I feel for him training in this NC heat! God bless all of our U.S. Soldiers and Green Berets!

I picked up "Chosen Soldier" on a recommendation from a friend, and actually read it before I attended Selection myself. Although Selection is an ever changing process, I think that Mr. Couches "Chosen Soldier" is/ should be a MUST READ for anyone interested in Selection themselves.

As a former Navy SEAL, Mr. Couch has a unique insite into the Special Operations world. He does an outstanding job of setting up the entire book w/ a chapter to explain all the acronyms and jargon used in the book, not to mention the differences between Special Operation and Special Forces. He goes on to give the reader a special look at the men going through the course, which he follows from start to finish, by doing personal interviews with them. Asking about where they went to school, their families, and why their reasons for being at Selection to begin with. As I said, Mr Couch follows the students from beginning to end. He does an great job breaking down the specific jobs of each team member into their own dedicated chapters.

Long-story-short, overall, this book is a great read. I read it before attending Selection myself and I thought it was a lot of help in helping me prepare. Afterwards, I found it to be very accurate. When I left, my wife picked it up and read it. When I came home, she asked me, "How was the Nasty Nick?" ... that was the last thing I wanted to think about.

I can see myself reading this one a couple more times, as well as keeping within reach as a reference as I make my own way through the course.

Thanks for a great read, Mr. Couch!

Ex- Navy SEAL Dick Couch provides an excellent narrative of Army Special Forces Selection and Training in 'Chosen Soldier." Mr. Couch follows a group of U.S. Army 18-XRay Special Forces recruits through all phases of their long road to earn the Green Beret and serve with some of the best soldiers in the world. Much like 'The Warrior Elite,' and 'The Finishing School,' Mr. Couch provides detailed, word-for-word descriptions of training scenarios, snarling cadre members, and relentless physical and mental trials. I highly recommend 'Chosen Soldier,' to anyone who is either interested in becoming a Special Forces soldier, or is interested in the selection and training process of these elite men.

i think it's safe to say that this book is the best written so far on u.s. army special forces.
someday i hope to become an 18 bravo. if you don't already know what that is and you want to find out, as well as just about everything else about special forces, you need to read this book.
also, dick couch was and still is a total bad ass. in veitnam he and his fellow seals did the job that nobody else wanted to do. i thamk him for this book and his service to our country as well as all those serving in our military now. god bless.

This book goes into great detail about Special Forces training without revealing any classified details. The brief commentaries at beginning and end of book are outstanding, but if you are not into the details of the training, it might not be as action packed as one would like. I enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it.

I remember having a conversation with a friend of mine and we were trying to figure out what training produced a more deadly efficent incredible (man/soldier/warrior) although, I am more biased towards the navy seals, as my son is one, my friend was formerly in the special forces. He recommended that I read this book and I am amazed once again at what people are capable of learning and doing. It truly is amazing the types of situations these soldiers get themselves into and out of, what they have to do to get there, what they have to do once they're there, and what they have to do to get home. I can't say enough how interesting this book is. I enjoyed it a lot as you might be able to tell from my review.

My son is a Green Beret, and I had only heard a few of his stories about the intensive training that he went through. This was a real eye-opener for me to see exactly what went on. He was able to identify some of the cadre who had fictitious names assigned by the author.

If anyone is interested is signing up for SF, they need to read this book to get the real inside story.

Overall great read! As an american soldier with a significant time in service,both stateside and overseas, I found this book to be very informative and motivating. It shares with the reader all phases that an SF canidate must endure to earn the sacred Special Forces tab and be able to call himself a special operator. I have been considering a life in SF and I think this book might have pushed me over the edge and motivated me enough to try out. As I said before, great read and very well written.

Specialist M
US Army

Mr. Couch had the privelege of tagging along with a group of SF candidates throughout their selection and training process - his book offers a level of candidness and insight that only such first-hand experience can provide. His background as a Navy SEAL allows him to accurately highlight the crucial differences between the modus operandi of Army and Navy SOF - differences of which not many are aware. If you want to know about the road to becoming an Army Special Forces solider and the caliber of man it takes to travel it, this is an outstanding choice.

Most books about special operations training don't cover the day to day details. If they do, they don't cover the big picture. Chosen Soldier nailed it! Dick Couch gave the right balance of day to day details and broad strokes. His special operations and writing expertise showed through every topic.

I'm currently preparing for the SF Qualification course. Although the Special Forces have a lot of preparation material, nothing compared to the SF Qualification knowledge provided by Chosen Soldier.

This is a great book on Special Forces. The author, Dick Couch, was offered complete access to thhe Special Forces training process. And he has experiance in being a Spec Op, he was a U.S. Navy SEAL.

This book, covers the whole training and selection process. And it even includes some pictures.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone that is interested in being a Green Beret, or any type of Special Forces, or to anyone that loves reading these kind of books.

5/5

Very well written and hard to put down. An excellent insight into SF traing from beginning to end. I've seen many books on the subject of SF traing but none as complete as this one. WOW, brings back a lot of memories! This is a MUST READ for anyone thinking of going SF.
Great job Mr. Couch!

I recently joined as 18x in the Army and have been looking for insight on how to best prepare myself. This book not only explains each and every stage in excellent detail but also encourages and motivates me. I highly recommend this book to anyone considering joining as an 18x. You will not be disappointed!

A rare and interesting glimpse into the journey of becoming a S.F. soldier. The book gets a little bogged down with acronyms, in addition to speling erors, which detract from the readability. Overall, the underlying message is clear- these guys are tough, intelligent, and adaptable. If you want to know what it takes to qualify for S.F., this is a must read. Thanks to Dick Couch and all those that serve our country.

I've read several of Mr. Couch's books and the level of detail and realism he brings, based on access granted as a result of his own SOF affiliations, always makes for an interesting read. This book provides great detail into the training of a Special Forces Soldier and how mult-facted their role really is. Particularly coming from one who belongs to the Elite fraternity of Navy SEALS, he sings particular praise for these Army Warriors.

This book is great! Of course, I am partial since it is from my son's training and all those with him. I believe anyone interested in finding out just what a special type of man it takes to become a Green Beret, you will thoroughly enjoy it. Throughout this book the author made it possible for me to go through each part of his training and feel even more proud of not only him, but all the men that would dedicate themselves to such unbelievable physical and mental training, dedication, and tasks to learn and become one of the strongest, smartest, educated and trained special forces for our country and for our freedom.

This was a great read for anyone who is interested in joining the army for the purpose of becoming a green beret. This book really illustrates what make the Army Special Forces the worlds finest warriors. The in depth descriptions of how the cadre test the candidates as well as what they look for can help any prospective green beret get ahead with preparing himself.

Presently my son is in the qualifying program. Individuals ask my wife questions like the difference between a seal or ranger and geen beret. She asks me since I once was a green beret. I gave her this book so that she would relate to what our son is doing and could answer questions like that. Book is excellent.

This book is a very well written, articulate description of how brave men become the ultimate warrior. A very good read that I highly recomend to all who wish to better understand the United States Army Special Forces Soldier and what it takes to earn the title. De Oppreso Liber

While I do not have any first hand knowledge of Army SF training, this book provided what I consider to be a First-Class documentry. Great info and a great read if your interested in what it takes in SF training.

I am a civilian female with no special military expertise, and I found this to be an excellent read. Mr. Couch is careful to explain the confusing military slang and acronyms, and he has a knack for anecdotes and details that bring the trainees to vivid life. I highly recommend the book, and I thank God that this nation still raises up the kind of men who strive to wear the Green Beret.

The book certainly had some interesting points, but overall, even for a military buff like me, could get quite boring. It seemed to drone on, almost like reading an actual military handbook. In all honesty I haven't even completed the entire book, I've come close to the end to what I assume is going to be an interesting part, but I just can't quite force myself to read it yet