How hard is it to become a captain in the USA marines like Brian Stann?

[Phr3121]

To become an officer in the Marines, generally speaking, its about as hard as the Special Forces training in the Army or Air Force.

I’m sorry my friend but this statement alone is pure ignorance. It tells me everything I need to know about your military knowledge. You have a right to your opinion but it does not mean you are right. I’m not sure where you are getting your information from, but it is incorrect.

Well, TS is asking about ‘real’ world experience which you claim you do not have. He is asking about Marine officers. I’ve worked with a few Marine officers and can assure you that there is little difference between a Marine 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry and a U.S. Army 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry. Same job, same training, same schooling.

Tom Clancy is a novelist of great fictional books. This has nothing to do with real military experience of being cold, tired, wet, hungry, miserable, and afraid.

When did I remotely mention anything about the size of the U.S. Air Force? The only thing ‘special’ that they have is the 1st Special Operations Wing in Florida. Their focus is unconventional warfare: counter-terrorism, combat search and rescue, personnel recovery, deep battlefield resupply, interdiction and close air support.

I'm speaking purely about the toughness of their (Marine) training, which TS asks about their physical/mental capabilities of Marine officers. I'm just comparing it to Special Forces.

…and yet you have experience with neither. It is like me saying I knew what it felt to be a Jew in a concentration camp during WWII.

Graduation rates are deceptive. For example, Delta decides if a soldier graduates purely by favouritism at the end of the course. It's essentially a club. If they don't like a recuit that just finished, they can drop him back down to any week they like. I've drank with pissed-off Deltas that just graduated, after being dropped a few times at the end of the course.

Graduation rates are not deceptive, but it fits nicely into your argument. Delta primarily selects candidates from within their own Special Forces units. SEAL Team 6 also selects candidates from the Navy’s SEAL team community. Yes, at that level it is kind of a club. All current members need to approve any newcomer they will be working with. It is a luxury they have when working with a small number of men. I must say I find it odd that you even met a Delta. They normally don’t admit to being a Delta member to strangers or non-military personnel. I never met one in my 20-year career in the U.S. Army.

You're leaving out alot of factors in each unit's training. SEALS unquestionably have the tougher weeks, and need their weekends off to recuperate because it's not feasible anyone could graduate the course if it was 24/7. SEAL operations typically don't last for longer than a week anyway.

Oh, it is feasible all right. Rangers graduate from Ranger school after a grueling 9 weeks of training. No weekends off. Why do SEALs need their weekends off? I guess they need their ‘beauty’ rest. How can you simulate a stressful environment and observe trainees if you keep putting breaks in the middle of the training?

SEAL training: BUD/S consists of a three-week orientation followed by three phases, covering physical conditioning (seven weeks), combat diving (seven weeks), and land warfare (seven weeks) respectively. There is no need for a weekend break during orientation. You can put a weekend break between each of the three phases but not in each of the phases. The U.S. Army Special Forces Combat Diver Course (Scuba Badge) is seven weeks long and tougher than the Navy's SEAL Combat Diver course.

In all of my years of reading about the militaries of the world, and more specifically the specialized units held in highest reguard, this is the first time I've heard anyone say the French military have the toughest training for their Special Forces.

Well, I guess you must have been reading the wrong books. You need to read up on the history and training of the French Foreign Legion.

 

[Lubaolong]

Don't know about the Marine Corp., but Captain is the first "big boy" rank in the USAF, and nothing to get excited about in the US Army.

In the medical corps, O-3 might be an intern newbie fresh out of medical school. I always wondered if there was ever any awkwardness when these new military recruits are giving orders to nurses, PAs, or other allied health professional who hold higher ranks (like lt col). Operationally, I supervised people of higher rank when I was enlisted, and I remember at least one old army E-6 with a chip on his shoulder who had problems taking orders from an E-5. I can only imagine that some crusty old field-grade/senior officers would have issues taking orders from a brand new recruit. Or maybe this situation is just so common and healthcare workers aren't really exposed in the same way to the rank structure for it to be a problem.

 

[SMEAC]

No experience other than working with marines for years and being pursued by recruiters.

In other words you don't know what you are talking about

 

[SMEAC]

Tell us more about your experience playing call of duty.

That would be of more value to you and lubed since you're never going to be Marines

 

[SMEAC]

Jesus I love these threads

Got civilians telling the military what it's like and lubed telling us how he thinks an Air Force of office job gave him insight on the Marine Corps.

Stann went to the Naval Academy which most high schoolers don't even qualify for. He actually graduated and chose to branch into the Marine Corps with ground option.
He then did well enough at the Basic School to go to the Infantry Officer Course. He managed to pass unlike every single female that has been handpicked and tryed.
He then went on road men in combat and was awarded a Silver Star. Which for those not aware the Marines does not give out a great percentage of awards.
Finally he was selected to Cpt. (Which while at that time had a fairly high selection rate is by no means automatic) also there are no automatic captains in the USMC since there are no medical personell lubed

 

[Protectandserve]

O-3 crew here. Everyone in the military knows this is how you make Captain...

 

[WiolentOne]

That would be of more value to you and lubed since you're never going to be Marines

We certainly never aspired to be the fodder you dreamed of.

Hth

 

[GearSolidMetal]

I’m sorry my friend but this statement alone is pure ignorance. It tells me everything I need to know about your military knowledge.

And you saying Delta recruits go without sleep and food throughout the entirety of training is all I need to know about your level of intelligence, much less military knowledge.

 

[SMEAC]

We certainly never aspired to be the fodder you dreamed of.

Hth

Aww, when your call of duty attempt didn't work you show your true colors of disdain for the military, such a tough guy

 

[SMEAC]

And you saying Delta recruits go without sleep and food throughout the entirety of training is all I need to know about your level of intelligence, much less military knowledge.

You should probably stop, well you should have many posts ago, but now would be good.

 

[GearSolidMetal]

You should probably stop, well you should have many posts ago, but now would be good.

Oh, you agree Delta recruits go without food and sleep entirely?

You're backing him up on that?

 

[Mike Hagger]

To become an officer in the Marines, generally speaking, its about as hard as the Special Forces training in the Army or Air Force.

That's really what you think? Earning a green beret and becoming a Marine officer are comparable? I disagree, it's not the same, not even generally.

My experience is actually earning the tab and beret.

 

[SMEAC]

Oh, you agree Delta recruits go without food and sleep entirely?

You're backing him up on that?

That is not what he is saying and either way you don't know what the 1st SFOD selection process is and give it up with your drinking with delta guys, you didn't.

 

[GearSolidMetal]

That is not what he is saying and either way you don't know what the 1st SFOD selection process is and give it up with your drinking with delta guys, you didn't.

Oh please, you're trying to turn this into a flame war by telling me what I did or didn't do? You're just displaying your own insecurity of your argument.

I didn't bother attack your claim of working with various Special Forces units throughout your career (Correction- that was Phr) as unlikely as it may be, yet you're trying to shoot me down for a beer I had with an E6 Delta, in Ft. Irwin in March '06 at Marty's?

I'll give you guys an out. I'm open to being corrected on this - using the known training criteria and methods within both USMC Officer program and Army Delta, which one is the 'toughest?' And is there a HUGE difference in the physical/mental toughness required to achieve each?

 

[Bunk Moreland]

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Like what percent of marines eventually become a captain? It is more about physical or mental skill to progress? thanks

Sorry TS I don't know jack shit about Marines. If you have questions about the Chair Force I'm all ears.

Have a good day!!

-SirGymTanLaundry

 

[WiolentOne]

Aww, when your call of duty attempt didn't work you show your true colors of disdain for the military, such a tough guy

No it still applies to you you internet specialist.

And my fodder jab was at your e-soldier persona. Not at real military men.

So don't start crying nancy.

 

[Lubaolong]

also there are no automatic captains in the USMC since there are no medical personell lubed

I know USMC don't train doctors. But as far as I've been told, when you're USN assigned to the Marine Corps, you have the option to go Marine Corps Regs and wear all the uniforms and everything.

 

[SMEAC]

No it still applies to you you internet specialist.

And my fodder jab was at your e-soldier persona. Not at real military men.

So don't start crying nancy.

Is this your backtracking as the real keyboard tough guy?

Might want to try harder and pay attention to your surroundings more, you're giving up your new found gimmick

 

[SMEAC]

I know USMC don't train doctors. But as far as I've been told, when you're USN assigned to the Marine Corps, you have the option to go Marine Corps Regs and wear all the uniforms and everything.

What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?