Nate you are a walking MASH Unit Brother. I had both hips replaced, have a open book Pelvic fracture, both rotator cuffs torn. I had a torn upper AB muscle, bone spurs. That was 5 years as a 0311 Marine. Thank you for your Heroic service.
have zero SF experience and here’s my list Testicular torsion, broke left arm twice, broke right hand, screws in right ankle from break, septum removal in right elbow, broken ribs, concussion, labrum repair both shoulders, followed by bicep tenodesis on both arms, Colectomy from colon cancer that failed and I went septic, emergency surgery to clean me out and install ostomy, in and out of hospital for months due to infection from sepsis, surgery to remove ostomy after a year and install ileostomy to protect repairs until they healed, surgery to remove ileostomy, hernia repair caused by the location of previous ostomy, another emergency surgery due to pill cam getting stuck in small bowel, months in hospital on TPN feeding because bowels wouldn’t wake up, next came another huge hernia repair from being cut ribs to groin so many times. Surgeon nicked a vein and I almost bled out while being kept for observation. Another emergency surgery to find bleed and repair hernia again, 10”x14” mesh required across abdomen to hold it all in. Long stay in ICU. Now on top of that I have bone marrow cancer. Oh did I mention I was born legally blind? I say all this not to one up you, but rather to say just live your life, poop is gonna happen. Hopefully you get through your trips around the sun with a bit of luck and as few injuries as possible. Like Hunter S Thompson said Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride
Holy shit. I thought a lifetime of aviation was hard on my body (I’ve got enough metal in me to build a bridge) but nothing compared to you and all SF guys. Don’t laugh but, I do some yoga and it’s provided some relief. Great content and thank you for blunt realism.
Just a quick question, Nate: Have you found any issues with sleep? Not just from pain but years of crazy hours and sleep deprivation. Years in aviation has wrecked my sleep and if you have any suggestions, I’d be happy to hear.
@@user-cc5od3zk4p yea, this video doesn’t even cover the mental side. Probably my biggest issue. Pretty severe insomnia due to ptsd, been through years of behavioral health and it’s the most lingering issue. On top of sleep apnea.
I wasn’t special forces but I was EOD . Spent almost 8 years in the Middle East . Blown up 4 times 3 IEDs in Ramadi 06 and 1 RPG in Afghanistan. I’m so special if you count all my disability numbers I’m over 200 percent VA disabled. I’m a grand almost 53 years old & I can barely walk & have had at least 13 concussions that are documented. L-4 L5 is total trash . Everything on my left side especially leg is hot garbage. What he is telling you is not out of the normal it’s not even above average.
I feel with the more injuries one gets the closer they become to getting their M.D. due to their knowledge of the Anatomy of a human. Except, instead of a lecture for a day, it is a lecture for life; each injury is a lecture.
I can only imagine, I did 21 years in conventional Army and just retired and I’m 100 p&t a lot the same stuff you talked about, lower back and neck arthritis and disc, and multiple knee procedures and a bunch of nic nac stuff so it rough period much less with the extremes you guys go through. Happy Father’s Day and thanks for your service.
I know of a guy who broke his back and had a serious concussion because he tripped moving down hill. Low light, loose ground, a full day of patrolling with 100kg(yes kilograms) of kit on him. Carrying more than your body weight every day is normal for his group.
I Pray for You Brother!!! Not to Change the Subject, but I was an Equipment Operator for 30 years, working in Rock Quarries and Grading. I "Fell Apart" at 43, Right Shoulder Reconstruction, 2 Pinched Nerves on Both sides of my Neck so Neck is Fused from C-4-7, SI Joints are Gone, L-3-5 & S-1 Discs are Gone, and Left Knee is Shot. 4 1/2 Years Later, Still Dealing with the "Back Issues!!" Ugh!! Had Over 100 Shots, etc and Can't be "Fixed." 🙄 I'm not even 50 yet but Feel like I'm going on 70!! Thank You for Your Service and GOD Bless ALL of Your Family, Friends and Loved Ones!!! 🙏🙏 My Dad was in Nam, and Grandpa was in Korea. Wanted to be a Pilot in the Navy, but wear "Corrective Lenses," aka Glasses, so Equipment it was... Someone's Gotta Do It!! I Still Miss My Dozer!! 😔
The SAS did a building rooftop helicopter insertion demo for Charles and Princess Di back in the day. Before the helicopter got within 25’ of the roof an SAS soldier fell out landed on the roof got up brushed his shoulders off and charged off. Everyone was stunned like when the Bin Laden Raid stealth chopper went down. The roof had a 3’ knee wall around it. The SAS placed a guy there till the operation began so it looked like the SAS were men of steel. They could fall and get up unscathed and charge on with the mission. It was years later Charles was let in on the joke. Not sure of his reaction though.
One arthroscopic surgery for torn meniscus,, two total knee replacements in both, broken left foot twice, bulging disco in neck, carpal tunnel in both wrists. Not SF. Correctional officer who engaged in many physical altercations. I feel for you all that are hurting. You have to motivate yourself to get stuff fixed, workout regularly and eat right. It will get better with the right treatment.
Yup Dislocated a hip, wrecked a long, wrecked a knee, TBI’s….. not counting broken toes, fingers, an ankle etc or things surgery actually fixed Oddly enough my back is pretty ok. Being 53 and fairly immobile, unable to play with my grandkids for any length of time..Can’t say it was worth it
I came home from QC with a torn ACL, meniscus and torn nerve in my back at C7 after SUT. I nursed the knee for about two years never giving up on my quest. the injury occurred on the Star course in selection stepped in one of those burned out tree stumps. Yes I finished selection and SUT on a blown knee. The C7 nerve was so painful I couldn’t sleep in my bed and slept on the wood floors for months. The whole right side of my body atrophied never fully recovered. Banged up but still here
If you live a life of adventure you will pay the price. I am 60 this month. 20 years in military TACP JTAC, then 13 years as a COP including SWAT. I am at 22 orthopedic surgeries. Looking at at least 4 more. I live in constant pain. However, totally enjoyed my life. IT WAS AN Adventure. It is in my DNA, family has been military since at least the French and Indian war.
Interesting content. You've been through a lot, clearly. I have a question. I know SF battalions have Freefall and diver teams and such. But what is a rucksack team and an ASOT?
I did suspect that's very hard on the body, specially joints and lower back, have a few friends that have passed through it as well. Some of them improved a lot with stem cells treatment. If you have some cartilage to make the culture, it would pretty much fix your joint. Maybe worth take a look at it. God Bless you and all the best
Hey man this is unreal, thank you for sharing! With so many surgeries and the recovery times post op, etc, how did you stay so active on a team and stay in top shape? Trying to go selection but dealing with potential foot surgery if initial treatment doesn't work. They're saying a 12 month recovery post op. How did you do it with all those surgeries man???
We have really good physical therapy/recovery care, which helps with getting back sooner. I also just started working way sooner than I should have each time, which is also probably why I had so many re-injuries.
This is combat arms... tore my meniscus twice... combat arms is very hard... specially light infantry.. I can only imagine how SF is.. the constant training and pounds on the body
Besides yoga, keeping my bodyweight down, and good recovery practices (obviously recovery is situation dependent) do you have any big recommendations for an 18X about to go in? I'm giving myself a lot of time to prepare, because I want to at least maximize the length of my career. Thanks as always man
I didn’t do any of those things from 25-30, then the injuries all started to come in my mid 30s. So you’re doing the right thing, just make sure you actually continue to do it. It’s gets hard once you start deploying and living the busy schedule that is being an SF dude.
Spent 8 years as an airborne infantryman. I'm 6 weeks post op from lumbar ADR surgery. I feel amazing!!! No more pain! Guys look it up. It works. Forget being fused, it takes approximately a year to heal. I'm 6 weeks out and I'm back in the gym training, walking about 4-6 miles a day. Still weak with weight training, but eventually I'll bounce back
@ValhallaVFT no sweat man. I had L5/S1 and L4/L5 done. Best decision ever. If you need help navigating through all the feedback, surgeons, hospitals etc please reach out man. I'd be glad to help
Just a civilian here. But damn, I relate to a lot of this. Played hockey through college. Never got sick or injured, really, until I turned 30. Just wear and tear from sports. Then turn 30 and boom, Crohn’s disease. Body began to fall apart as I tried to remain active and physically fit. Fracture my hip, torn miniscus, twice herniated L5S1, seperated my shoulder, then to top it all off…18 inches of my small bowel removed. I didn’t operate and wish I had those cool stories to tell. But that dog years comment really hit me. 10 years of crohns is fucking dog years. I fought this damned thing tooth and nail and I’m feeling so much better. Never give up fighting. You special operations dudes and the manner in which you can persevere was very inspirational in my own personal war against my own body. Thank you for your service🫡
BPC-157 i heard is a peptide that helps a ton with healing. theres gotta be a few more peptides that induce better healing i have not found yet as well. its not FDA approved but has extensive animal research as well as being found naturally in the body in small amounts in human gastric fluid.
@@ValhallaVFT really... I'll have to ask him about it...but he was older than you when his was done...within a month he was up on scaffolding,in rafters, helping me renovate our Dojo
Whats your thoughts on performance enhancing drugs to avoid injury, I heard of guys doing it after taking a pounding for years but whats wrong with doing it ahead of time for the line of work. I know that you cant take steroids or cheat during selection process but why not after earning everything so you can begin the basics and beyond to start your career getting bloodwork done and getting on decca or a little bit of T?
They aren’t good for avoiding injury, in fact they make it much more likely due to your tendons/ligaments not keeping up with the development of the muscle. I won’t say they aren’t needed to do the job long term though, especially after 30 years old. Stuff like HGH/stem however is a way different story.
being exposed to implosion-explosion did you ever have clear fluid run down into the brim of you ear called perilymph-csf fluid..? it can happen from trauma to the head or being expose to very loud sounds.. it's called a perilymphatic fistula or PLF for short. I do not think it happens as much as some doctors that diagnose it because it is extremely rare to happen. Never the less it can happen but when it does it causes vertigo and normal the ear drum will also rupture.. I had something called superior canal dehiscence or SCD for short. I went to the wrong doctor and had surgery for that and was made worse.
18 1/2 years in Group, + my infantry time. It's all awesome and everything unless you get old. Then it sucks. But I wouldn't change a thing, a little pain is a small price to pay to being allowed to travel the world with giants.
Hey Nate I just got selected and am wondering what the likelihood is of me getting stationed in Okinawa if I make it to 1st group? I speak Tagalog and have lived In the Philippines for 2 years before the military. I’m in 19th group right now but am thinking of going active if I can get stationed in Oki
Nate, can I ask if there is any possible way to prevent this for guys seeking an SF career? Ik a handful of current GBs irl but not nearly enough to make a judgement on their physical health overall although they look pretty good
I did 4 years in the marine corps infantry as a machine gunner. When i got out my body was beat but not broken. If i'm being honest a lot of my injuries sort of resolved themselves. I continued weightlifting and i believe that helped strengthen my back and knees again. I'd be bullshiting now if i said my body is broken regardless of what my disability rating says. I used to not be able to sit in a chair or drive for 30 minutes without pulling over and standing up. I'm good now. I've got more to give. I need to go to selection. And yes I just sucked up a ton of injures and never went to BAS once for fear of being labeled a bitch. But physical therapy works. Besides tinnitus and sleep issues I'm good
As green berets having only 12 of us on a team, there really isn’t much. We have to carry substantially more than other military units do to the way we operate.
Hey dude love your vids. You should make some vids on how to best get in shape for SFAS or BT period. I went from 246 to current 192 at 6’1 been putting in work for the past 6 months. I watch plenty of your vids, you’ve kind of been my inspiration lately.
Was it common for people to be on profile? Or was it something you just dealt with and worked out through? On the conventional side you’ll see it all the time where people will always be on profile and get out of things? Have you seen that happen on SF side of things or do they just get the boot?
It seems incredibly stupid how many guys the military injures in airborne jumps. A combat skill that's outdated being used to destroy your best troops.
Jason Redman said to me: You have a yard stick, your performance today is based on the yard stick you use today. If you get injured, you've got a new yard stick to measure yourself.
Nah, was coming in on my final landing pattern in Yuma Arizona and there was a barbed wire fence in front, had to turn last second and turned with the wind, didn’t end well.
They don’t force green berets out for medical. And because I continued to pass PT tests, which I can still do to this day regardless of all the injuries
I am 30 and just finished a day with SOCOM athlete to get a taste of what is to come with signing an 18x contract. No serious injuries in my lifetime but whatever injuries I get down the line I see as worth it. Insane how many injuries I've heard you say. Really is an eye opener to the job and lifestyle.
@@JacksonFive-rj3so one of the main goals I'm learning about going SF is giving the 11b or 0311 the best advantage on the battlefield. We are all a team just different jobs.
@@mikesmith7497 working out in general my whole life playing sports manual labor chores and hitting the gym. Specifically for selection about 2 years. I've met guys as young as 18 and as old as 35 attempting the 18x contract but most have some type of athletic background
If you live life hhar it will do the same. Grunts also have the same issues. I have shattered hip shattered pelvis destroyed right should many broken ribs and permanent dented femur at 52n. 5 years later at 58 almost combat ready again. Had surgery last week to remove golf ball size tumor. It's called life live a soft life die a hard death.
Hey hey I been meaning to have this throw out there. No better than you types. Drafting and CAD is a descent job for busted up types. Did my 2 yr. in it before I joined. But what I really want to throw out there is ya know 1 yrs Cert. or 2 yr. Deg. and Arch MEP or Circuit Boards or Mech and you can go Defense like Boeing or Raytheon and even wiring Harness (flippin' everything needs a wiring harness). After 'bout 10 yrs exp. you'll be pullin' pretty competitive wage. When I was in D&D School (Drafting & Design) we had a few people in wheelchairs and some injured type f/ industries come through. So hey feel free to join our club huh ? We understand ! And it's laid back too ya need a day off cause your having trouble or in pain they ain't gonna raz ya for it either. So if 50 ish DOE and ability to 65 / hr works that's about what is pulled. Peace out bros ! Fmr PFC Shaff US Army Infantry 93, 03 stints, dis. comp., Veteran. 4 yrs D&D in HS Associates Applied Science Deg. (AP f/ HS) Electro-Mech Drafting & Design w/ CAD Drafter 13+ yrs Physics Student (Off Cycle)
@@ValhallaVFT lmao hes a youtuber that interviews people trying to be navy seals and stuff. You guys have a comparable following and i think you would like him. You should look him up and do an interview with him. Stuff like going over injuries and the toll it takes is exactly what he talks about. He was a football coach at iowa and a seal pretty funny guy
oh there is one small caveat. Everyone's probably online. And they're there too Designing and Engineering in Forums not far. So as you would choose to or not to handle it is your call. And Policy is well sort of dictates what it does. I don't have to tell you guys. Just beware Foreign boundaries do not exactly work on internet space as in real world. And ya may cross paths.
SF guys deserve a blank check for medical care, put it all on the line for uncle sam. Are there any programs you have seen online and said to yourself dam I wish I had this when going to selection and operating ? (knees over toes guy for example)
Not military, but finished my first year as a 400m collegiate sprinter. I have mild arthritis in my knees - I can only imagine the amount strain on the body as SF, let alone a regular grunt. Takes as special type of man to do what you guys do.
So you’re saying that a demon would never want to possess your body…got it. I was an Airborne medic in an Armor BN and then EOD. I got joint pain and tinnitus from the Army (7yrs) and a plate and screws in my neck from a car accident. Looks like I got off easy…then again, I want to rescue victims of sex trafficking and Christian prisoners in “hostile” countries so I got time. 55y/o and I ain’t dead yet. 😂
Dude you probably just lost hundred of recruits . I did 28 years in SF and still operating as a contractor. Title this as to what happened to you or can helping in general if you don’t take care of yourself
@@mikesmith7497 Iy was luck, genetics and being consistent with lifting on a program , mobility try Pliability and now science try BPC 157 also with T500 if you can research those prodcuts. Also, use your VA or primary care provider to get Test something most if not all SOF guys should look into . Good luck stay in the fight Bro. DOL
I want to get inti SF or the Infantry. I'm starting to understand why it isn't really recommended for women, lol. But i want to do it. I wanted to take the medical rout you see. To be honest, even though it's most oikely gonna be impossible, I want to be a PJ. I mught have to settle for a conbat medic, but trying and failing is better then not trying at all.
@@brianorozco8506 yup 8 trillion spent for shia Iran to take over Iraq and the Taliban to run Afghanistan with 100 billion of our equipment in their pocket. Totally worth it. What about "extreme ownership" and accountability?
The decision to allow women to attend SFAS was made in 2016, yes I graduated years before the that. You not knowing that lets me know you never graduated to begin with.
Bro when they dig you up in 5 thousand years the archeologists are gonna say "holy shit"
literally what I was thinking
*Thank you for being honest about the reality behind all the glamor which many social media ex-spec-ops influencers won't talk about.*
Nate you are a walking MASH Unit Brother. I had both hips replaced, have a open book Pelvic fracture, both rotator cuffs torn. I had a torn upper AB muscle, bone spurs. That was 5 years as a 0311 Marine. Thank you for your Heroic service.
We’re all beat to shit brother. Thanks for the support 🫡
have zero SF experience and here’s my list
Testicular torsion, broke left arm twice, broke right hand, screws in right ankle from break, septum removal in right elbow, broken ribs, concussion, labrum repair both shoulders, followed by bicep tenodesis on both arms, Colectomy from colon cancer that failed and I went septic, emergency surgery to clean me out and install ostomy, in and out of hospital for months due to infection from sepsis, surgery to remove ostomy after a year and install ileostomy to protect repairs until they healed, surgery to remove ileostomy, hernia repair caused by the location of previous ostomy, another emergency surgery due to pill cam getting stuck in small bowel, months in hospital on TPN feeding because bowels wouldn’t wake up, next came another huge hernia repair from being cut ribs to groin so many times. Surgeon nicked a vein and I almost bled out while being kept for observation. Another emergency surgery to find bleed and repair hernia again, 10”x14” mesh required across abdomen to hold it all in. Long stay in ICU. Now on top of that I have bone marrow cancer. Oh did I mention I was born legally blind? I say all this not to one up you, but rather to say just live your life, poop is gonna happen. Hopefully you get through your trips around the sun with a bit of luck and as few injuries as possible.
Like Hunter S Thompson said
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride
damn. need to find a way to make bones, tendons, spine, connective tissues more durable. I see why many operators do roids.
Some of us are just cursed eh lol
Holy shit. I thought a lifetime of aviation was hard on my body (I’ve got enough metal in me to build a bridge) but nothing compared to you and all SF guys. Don’t laugh but, I do some yoga and it’s provided some relief. Great content and thank you for blunt realism.
I’m big into yoga now, wish I would have been earlier in my career, definitely would have helped with my longevity
@ValhallaVFT did you do VSO in 2011?
Just a quick question, Nate: Have you found any issues with sleep? Not just from pain but years of crazy hours and sleep deprivation. Years in aviation has wrecked my sleep and if you have any suggestions, I’d be happy to hear.
@@user-cc5od3zk4p yea, this video doesn’t even cover the mental side. Probably my biggest issue. Pretty severe insomnia due to ptsd, been through years of behavioral health and it’s the most lingering issue. On top of sleep apnea.
@@user-op7nb5pb7k nah bro vso ended right before I got into SF in 2013, just be for my time.
Physically. Mentally. And emotionally.
🤗
Special Forces is a mistress…in the end she will leave you for a younger man…
lol, very true
Or leave you very broken.
2 years in the infantry gave me arthritis in both knees, a bulging disc in my L5-S1, and tinnitus. cant imagine what special forces does
I have an uncle that got Parkinson’s from flying jets in the Navy
I wasn’t special forces but I was EOD . Spent almost 8 years in the Middle East . Blown up 4 times 3 IEDs in Ramadi 06 and 1 RPG in Afghanistan. I’m so special if you count all my disability numbers I’m over 200 percent VA disabled. I’m a grand almost 53 years old & I can barely walk & have had at least 13 concussions that are documented. L-4 L5 is total trash . Everything on my left side especially leg is hot garbage. What he is telling you is not out of the normal it’s not even above average.
Welcome home dude
I’m glad you made it home sir
Thank you for putting your body on the line continually, for all of us.
I feel with the more injuries one gets the closer they become to getting their M.D. due to their knowledge of the Anatomy of a human. Except, instead of a lecture for a day, it is a lecture for life; each injury is a lecture.
I can only imagine, I did 21 years in conventional Army and just retired and I’m 100 p&t a lot the same stuff you talked about, lower back and neck arthritis and disc, and multiple knee procedures and a bunch of nic nac stuff so it rough period much less with the extremes you guys go through. Happy Father’s Day and thanks for your service.
I know of a guy who broke his back and had a serious concussion because he tripped moving down hill.
Low light, loose ground, a full day of patrolling with 100kg(yes kilograms) of kit on him.
Carrying more than your body weight every day is normal for his group.
I Pray for You Brother!!! Not to Change the Subject, but I was an Equipment Operator for 30 years, working in Rock Quarries and Grading. I "Fell Apart" at 43, Right Shoulder Reconstruction, 2 Pinched Nerves on Both sides of my Neck so Neck is Fused from C-4-7, SI Joints are Gone, L-3-5 & S-1 Discs are Gone, and Left Knee is Shot. 4 1/2 Years Later, Still Dealing with the "Back Issues!!" Ugh!! Had Over 100 Shots, etc and Can't be "Fixed." 🙄 I'm not even 50 yet but Feel like I'm going on 70!! Thank You for Your Service and GOD Bless ALL of Your Family, Friends and Loved Ones!!! 🙏🙏 My Dad was in Nam, and Grandpa was in Korea. Wanted to be a Pilot in the Navy, but wear "Corrective Lenses," aka Glasses, so Equipment it was... Someone's Gotta Do It!! I Still Miss My Dozer!! 😔
One of your old videos about the negative aspects about joining SF was very real and honest, looking forward to this
Ya this is really a more in depth detailed version of the physical injuries I mentioned in that video.
Thank you , for your service and sacrafice of your body for our Republic!
The SAS did a building rooftop helicopter insertion demo for Charles and Princess Di back in the day. Before the helicopter got within 25’ of the roof an SAS soldier fell out landed on the roof got up brushed his shoulders off and charged off. Everyone was stunned like when the Bin Laden Raid stealth chopper went down. The roof had a 3’ knee wall around it. The SAS placed a guy there till the operation began so it looked like the SAS were men of steel. They could fall and get up unscathed and charge on with the mission. It was years later Charles was let in on the joke. Not sure of his reaction though.
Did they throw a dummy out of the helicopter?
Yes it was a dummy. I believe it was in Bravo 2 Zero Andy McNab’s book
One arthroscopic surgery for torn meniscus,, two total knee replacements in both, broken left foot twice, bulging disco in neck, carpal tunnel in both wrists. Not SF. Correctional officer who engaged in many physical altercations. I feel for you all that are hurting. You have to motivate yourself to get stuff fixed, workout regularly and eat right. It will get better with the right treatment.
do you know anyone that left with their body in good shape? or any tips on how to keep the body healthy
Thanks for your Service !
Busted foot 2x busted hip lmao ! Who'd thought !
Training injuries. Infantry 93 and 03.
I do it again !
Remember the static line Bro thanks for the information!!! LFR💪💪💪
I did two years of judo/jiu-jitsu starting at age 40 and that sure wrecked mine.
Yup
Dislocated a hip, wrecked a long, wrecked a knee, TBI’s….. not counting broken toes, fingers, an ankle etc or things surgery actually fixed
Oddly enough my back is pretty ok.
Being 53 and fairly immobile, unable to play with my grandkids for any length of time..Can’t say it was worth it
I came home from QC with a torn ACL, meniscus and torn nerve in my back at C7 after SUT. I nursed the knee for about two years never giving up on my quest. the injury occurred on the Star course in selection stepped in one of those burned out tree stumps. Yes I finished selection and SUT on a blown knee. The C7 nerve was so painful I couldn’t sleep in my bed and slept on the wood floors for months. The whole right side of my body atrophied never fully recovered. Banged up but still here
How long did you serve as a Green Beret after your injuries?
If you live a life of adventure you will pay the price. I am 60 this month. 20 years in military TACP JTAC, then 13 years as a COP including SWAT. I am at 22 orthopedic surgeries. Looking at at least 4 more. I live in constant pain. However, totally enjoyed my life. IT WAS AN Adventure. It is in my DNA, family has been military since at least the French and Indian war.
Interesting content. You've been through a lot, clearly.
I have a question. I know SF battalions have Freefall and diver teams and such. But what is a rucksack team and an ASOT?
I did suspect that's very hard on the body, specially joints and lower back, have a few friends that have passed through it as well. Some of them improved a lot with stem cells treatment. If you have some cartilage to make the culture, it would pretty much fix your joint. Maybe worth take a look at it. God Bless you and all the best
Hey man this is unreal, thank you for sharing!
With so many surgeries and the recovery times post op, etc, how did you stay so active on a team and stay in top shape?
Trying to go selection but dealing with potential foot surgery if initial treatment doesn't work. They're saying a 12 month recovery post op. How did you do it with all those surgeries man???
We have really good physical therapy/recovery care, which helps with getting back sooner. I also just started working way sooner than I should have each time, which is also probably why I had so many re-injuries.
Good luck mate.
I feel you, man. Anything light infantry/recce/SOF is just murder on your body.
Affirm. We’re all fucked
@ValhallaVFT got my 100%! lol, it makes up for it in small bits.
This is combat arms... tore my meniscus twice... combat arms is very hard... specially light infantry.. I can only imagine how SF is.. the constant training and pounds on the body
Funny how "light infantry" actually means - you ain't got a vehicle to keep your shit in, so you gotta carry everything yourselves.
@@corvanphoenix exactly! you get it ! Sounds sexy but you pay for it..
Life as an Airborne Ranger is rough too!
Arthritis sucks!
Besides yoga, keeping my bodyweight down, and good recovery practices (obviously recovery is situation dependent) do you have any big recommendations for an 18X about to go in? I'm giving myself a lot of time to prepare, because I want to at least maximize the length of my career.
Thanks as always man
I didn’t do any of those things from 25-30, then the injuries all started to come in my mid 30s. So you’re doing the right thing, just make sure you actually continue to do it. It’s gets hard once you start deploying and living the busy schedule that is being an SF dude.
Spent 8 years as an airborne infantryman. I'm 6 weeks post op from lumbar ADR surgery. I feel amazing!!! No more pain! Guys look it up. It works. Forget being fused, it takes approximately a year to heal. I'm 6 weeks out and I'm back in the gym training, walking about 4-6 miles a day. Still weak with weight training, but eventually I'll bounce back
Interesting, that’s where all my damage is as well. I’ll have to look into that. Thanks bro.
@ValhallaVFT no sweat man. I had L5/S1 and L4/L5 done. Best decision ever. If you need help navigating through all the feedback, surgeons, hospitals etc please reach out man. I'd be glad to help
Ruptured my left Achilles last November. Nerve damage in my lower back. Tinnitus. Iraq and Afghanistan, 80+ jumps, Etc..5 more years until retirement
Just a civilian here. But damn, I relate to a lot of this. Played hockey through college. Never got sick or injured, really, until I turned 30. Just wear and tear from sports. Then turn 30 and boom, Crohn’s disease. Body began to fall apart as I tried to remain active and physically fit. Fracture my hip, torn miniscus, twice herniated L5S1, seperated my shoulder, then to top it all off…18 inches of my small bowel removed. I didn’t operate and wish I had those cool stories to tell. But that dog years comment really hit me. 10 years of crohns is fucking dog years. I fought this damned thing tooth and nail and I’m feeling so much better. Never give up fighting. You special operations dudes and the manner in which you can persevere was very inspirational in my own personal war against my own body. Thank you for your service🫡
Ya unfortunately that’s what makes my knees not as bad as they could be.
BPC-157 i heard is a peptide that helps a ton with healing. theres gotta be a few more peptides that induce better healing i have not found yet as well.
its not FDA approved but has extensive animal research as well as being found naturally in the body in small amounts in human gastric fluid.
How do you have time to rehab… I had knee surgery 6 months ago and can barely run
My Dad's two knees were bad for years,& we had Martial Arts schools...but he got both replaced year's back & it did wonders
That’s what everyone tells me, the VA is refusing to do it because they’re saying I’m too young. Is what it is I guess.
@@ValhallaVFThow much does it cost to do it if you do it in private sector?
@@ValhallaVFT really... I'll have to ask him about it...but he was older than you when his was done...within a month he was up on scaffolding,in rafters, helping me renovate our Dojo
Whats your thoughts on performance enhancing drugs to avoid injury, I heard of guys doing it after taking a pounding for years but whats wrong with doing it ahead of time for the line of work. I know that you cant take steroids or cheat during selection process but why not after earning everything so you can begin the basics and beyond to start your career getting bloodwork done and getting on decca or a little bit of T?
They aren’t good for avoiding injury, in fact they make it much more likely due to your tendons/ligaments not keeping up with the development of the muscle. I won’t say they aren’t needed to do the job long term though, especially after 30 years old.
Stuff like HGH/stem however is a way different story.
@@ValhallaVFT thank you sir.
being exposed to implosion-explosion did you ever have clear fluid run down into the brim of you ear called perilymph-csf fluid..? it can happen from trauma to the head or being expose to very loud sounds.. it's called a perilymphatic fistula or PLF for short. I do not think it happens as much as some doctors that diagnose it because it is extremely rare to happen. Never the less it can happen but when it does it causes vertigo and normal the ear drum will also rupture.. I had something called superior canal dehiscence or SCD for short. I went to the wrong doctor and had surgery for that and was made worse.
18 1/2 years in Group, + my infantry time. It's all awesome and everything unless you get old. Then it sucks. But I wouldn't change a thing, a little pain is a small price to pay to being allowed to travel the world with giants.
💯
Hey Nate I just got selected and am wondering what the likelihood is of me getting stationed in Okinawa if I make it to 1st group? I speak Tagalog and have lived In the Philippines for 2 years before the military. I’m in 19th group right now but am thinking of going active if I can get stationed in Oki
good luck man
Do they implement any hgh in the recovery process
A lot of injuries are from wear and tear. Which injuries usually are caused from deployment or training?
Little bit of both. Most are from training accidents or combat.
Wanna hear some more? Some fixed, some not and I wasn't even in combat, these are all training injuries! 14 years in SF and 6 years as a leg!
Nate, can I ask if there is any possible way to prevent this for guys seeking an SF career?
Ik a handful of current GBs irl but not nearly enough to make a judgement on their physical health overall although they look pretty good
No
How did Simonn Man and his guys keep doing this stuff in their 50s?
I did 4 years in the marine corps infantry as a machine gunner. When i got out my body was beat but not broken. If i'm being honest a lot of my injuries sort of resolved themselves. I continued weightlifting and i believe that helped strengthen my back and knees again. I'd be bullshiting now if i said my body is broken regardless of what my disability rating says. I used to not be able to sit in a chair or drive for 30 minutes without pulling over and standing up. I'm good now. I've got more to give. I need to go to selection.
And yes I just sucked up a ton of injures and never went to BAS once for fear of being labeled a bitch. But physical therapy works. Besides tinnitus and sleep issues I'm good
I'll see you there!
@@Theprimaryfocus SFAS or A&S?
@@NYRalltheway14 SFAS Lord Willin!
How old are you and do you have any disc injuries?
@@mikesmith7497 37. I don't have any real mileage on me.
What do you think we could do to reduce the weight you guys have to carry?
As green berets having only 12 of us on a team, there really isn’t much. We have to carry substantially more than other military units do to the way we operate.
Hey dude love your vids. You should make some vids on how to best get in shape for SFAS or BT period. I went from 246 to current 192 at 6’1 been putting in work for the past 6 months. I watch plenty of your vids, you’ve kind of been my inspiration lately.
Was it common for people to be on profile? Or was it something you just dealt with and worked out through?
On the conventional side you’ll see it all the time where people will always be on profile and get out of things? Have you seen that happen on SF side of things or do they just get the boot?
I never had a profile my entire career, until I retired and had 6 permanent profiles lol. We don’t really do profiles in SOF.
It seems incredibly stupid how many guys the military injures in airborne jumps. A combat skill that's outdated being used to destroy your best troops.
Facts 🤦🏻♂️
Friend of mine ex Australian SAS. His body is wrecked.
Jason Redman said to me: You have a yard stick, your performance today is based on the yard stick you use today. If you get injured, you've got a new yard stick to measure yourself.
X-ray contract is 5 years, I think. What about the guys who get out after that first contract is up?
How did the free-fall collision happen, what it with another soldier or with a structure?
Nah, was coming in on my final landing pattern in Yuma Arizona and there was a barbed wire fence in front, had to turn last second and turned with the wind, didn’t end well.
@ValhallaVFT Oh wow, that explains the muscle trauma. Sorry that happened to you, but glad you recovered for the most part!
How did you avoid not getting medically separated earlier in your career? How did you continue to pass your PT tests?
They don’t force green berets out for medical. And because I continued to pass PT tests, which I can still do to this day regardless of all the injuries
@@ValhallaVFT Wow. You're an animal 💪
I am 30 and just finished a day with SOCOM athlete to get a taste of what is to come with signing an 18x contract. No serious injuries in my lifetime but whatever injuries I get down the line I see as worth it. Insane how many injuries I've heard you say. Really is an eye opener to the job and lifestyle.
If you make it... remember to give back to the Infantry/Grunts... if you have a chance.
@@JacksonFive-rj3so one of the main goals I'm learning about going SF is giving the 11b or 0311 the best advantage on the battlefield. We are all a team just different jobs.
@@18x-wv6jc exactly 🤙👏 God Speed, and don't quit
How long have you been working out for I'm 29 and want to go 18x to.
@@mikesmith7497 working out in general my whole life playing sports manual labor chores and hitting the gym. Specifically for selection about 2 years. I've met guys as young as 18 and as old as 35 attempting the 18x contract but most have some type of athletic background
What will he be like in 50’s or 60’s
If you live life hhar it will do the same. Grunts also have the same issues. I have shattered hip shattered pelvis destroyed right should many broken ribs and permanent dented femur at 52n. 5 years later at 58 almost combat ready again. Had surgery last week to remove golf ball size tumor. It's called life live a soft life die a hard death.
Live hard
concerned about getting injured as a highschool athlete before joining
Remember my dad always said take a trip to the Va hospital. You’ll see if you still want to join
Welcome y’all to the world of hurt.😅
Slow n Smooth Smooth is Fast.
Cheers
Hey hey I been meaning to have this throw out there.
No better than you types.
Drafting and CAD is a descent job for busted up types.
Did my 2 yr. in it before I joined.
But what I really want to throw out there is ya know 1 yrs Cert. or 2 yr. Deg. and Arch MEP or Circuit Boards or Mech and you can go Defense like Boeing or Raytheon and even wiring Harness (flippin' everything needs a wiring harness). After 'bout 10 yrs exp. you'll be pullin' pretty competitive wage.
When I was in D&D School (Drafting & Design) we had a few people in wheelchairs and some injured type f/ industries come through. So hey feel free to join our club huh ? We understand ! And it's laid back too ya need a day off cause your having trouble or in pain they ain't gonna raz ya for it either.
So if 50 ish DOE and ability to 65 / hr works that's about what is pulled.
Peace out bros !
Fmr PFC Shaff
US Army Infantry 93, 03 stints, dis. comp., Veteran.
4 yrs D&D in HS
Associates Applied Science Deg. (AP f/ HS)
Electro-Mech Drafting & Design w/ CAD
Drafter 13+ yrs
Physics Student (Off Cycle)
👍
One of the points i made a decade ago on not allowing w o m e n into frontline specialites and units of the U S military...folly.
Collab with jake zweig !
No disrespect but I don’t now who that is. Care to elaborate?
@@ValhallaVFT lmao hes a youtuber that interviews people trying to be navy seals and stuff. You guys have a comparable following and i think you would like him. You should look him up and do an interview with him. Stuff like going over injuries and the toll it takes is exactly what he talks about.
He was a football coach at iowa and a seal pretty funny guy
Does delta force have fewer injuries than special forces?
Most delta guys are just former SF/ranger bat dudes so not really. Just as beat up typically.
@@ValhallaVFT ah okay, I figured they would be less injured since they take the best of the best
More so meaning when delta selects they probably aren’t going to select someone who has a history of a lot of surgeries
@@wes100 mm, not necessarily true, most guys have plenty of injuries by the time they go to selection.
oh there is one small caveat.
Everyone's probably online.
And they're there too Designing and Engineering in Forums not far.
So as you would choose to or not to handle it is your call.
And Policy is well sort of dictates what it does.
I don't have to tell you guys. Just beware Foreign boundaries do not exactly work on internet space as in real world. And ya may cross paths.
all part of their plan
All the retired SF guys I know look 15 years older than they are. All the firefighters look 15 years younger. Choose wisely.
Rode hard put away wet.
SF guys deserve a blank check for medical care, put it all on the line for uncle sam.
Are there any programs you have seen online and said to yourself dam I wish I had this when going to selection and operating ? (knees over toes guy for example)
No combat arms do
Not military, but finished my first year as a 400m collegiate sprinter. I have mild arthritis in my knees - I can only imagine the amount strain on the body as SF, let alone a regular grunt. Takes as special type of man to do what you guys do.
So you’re saying that a demon would never want to possess your body…got it.
I was an Airborne medic in an Armor BN and then EOD. I got joint pain and tinnitus from the Army (7yrs) and a plate and screws in my neck from a car accident. Looks like I got off easy…then again, I want to rescue victims of sex trafficking and Christian prisoners in “hostile” countries so I got time. 55y/o and I ain’t dead yet. 😂
They definitely would be disappointed in the body they decided to take lol.
The infantry will treat you worse SF gets treated special.
Did you as an individual feel that you were making a contribution to something bigger by being on an ODA?
Dude you probably just lost hundred of recruits . I did 28 years in SF and still operating as a contractor. Title this as to what happened to you or can helping in general if you don’t take care of yourself
So you didn't have to many injuries? How did you take care of yourself so well?
@@mikesmith7497 Iy was luck, genetics and being consistent with lifting on a program , mobility try Pliability and now science try BPC 157 also with T500 if you can research those prodcuts. Also, use your VA or primary care provider to get Test something most if not all SOF guys should look into . Good luck stay in the fight Bro. DOL
Ugh...Doc says motrin and water...
Damn your VA disability rating has to be through the roof.
Lol, I’ll just say they didn’t have any room to try and mess with it.
VA just loves passing out pills and kicking the can down the road.
@@ValhallaVFT That’s awesome, good for you. A lot of people lately haven’t been as lucky.
@@ikewilbur4463 ya I know, which is unfortunate. Things are getting better though now at least compared to to how it used to be.
How many dudes do you know that have Exerisize Induced Compartmental Syndrome?
Haven’t heard of anyone with that issue
I want to get inti SF or the Infantry. I'm starting to understand why it isn't really recommended for women, lol. But i want to do it. I wanted to take the medical rout you see. To be honest, even though it's most oikely gonna be impossible, I want to be a PJ. I mught have to settle for a conbat medic, but trying and failing is better then not trying at all.
So you have all the injuries of a 15 year NFL player without any money 😂
78% of NFL players are bankrupt within 3 years of retiring. I have lots of money, so actually you got that backwards.
All those issues cause you didn’t drink water enough and change your socks
“Not service related”
Seems like a completely ridiculous thing to do to yourself for completely bullshit reasons.
Probably for you yeah
@@brianorozco8506 yup 8 trillion spent for shia Iran to take over Iraq and the Taliban to run Afghanistan with 100 billion of our equipment in their pocket. Totally worth it. What about "extreme ownership" and accountability?
💯
Before or after women were allowed.
Did you graduate before 2004.
The decision to allow women to attend SFAS was made in 2016, yes I graduated years before the that. You not knowing that lets me know you never graduated to begin with.
Twenty one surgeries and one to go, right total knee, not looking forward to it.