Free Downloads Always Faithful, Always Forward: The Forging Of A Special Operations Marine
Established in 1986, the U.S. Special Operations Command was set up to bring the special operational disciplines of all branches of the military under a single, unified command to act on missions involving unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, and direct action... The Marine Special Operations Command ("MARSOC") is the newest component of the military's shift toward a fully integrated Special Operations Command structure. At first, the Marines were strongly against any Marines serving under anyone other than another Marine. Then 9/11 happened. In the years following, Marine forces found themselves growing more agreeable to inter-branch operational command, finally forming the Marine Special Operations Command in 2006. Always Faithful, Always Forward follows the journey of a class of Marine candidates from their recruitment, through assessment and selection, to their qualification as Marines Special Operators. Retired Navy Captain Dick Couch has been given unprecedented access to this new command and to the individual Marines of this exceptional special-operations unit, allowing him to chronicle the history and development of the Marine Special Operations Command and how they find, recruit, and train their special operators.
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Berkley; Reprint edition (June 2, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425268608
ISBN-13: 978-0425268605
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.9 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #506,158 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #131 in Books > History > Military > Life & Institutions #662 in Books > History > Military > Intelligence & Espionage #4996 in Books > History > Military > United States
This is not a book about the exploits of MARSOC, nor is it written to be a thriller. This is a book about the training of these exceptional men. As such, the above review is highly inappropriate, and detrimental to the writing of this author as well as insulting to the determination and heroism of these men. While everyone is entitled to their opinion, judging this work as something it is not, and reviewing it as such, is shameful. The first review is based more on the reviewer's misguided judgement in purchasing this work, than it is on the work itself. If he had actually read the book in the context it was meant to be read, as someone interested in the training of those on the tip of the spear, or if he were actually interested in this topic, he would have seen this work for what it is and respected it as such. Military training is not the action packed, sexy stuff of movies, it is arduous, and demanding, and those who endure it should be shown the utmost respect. This book is excellent, and the author did a wonderful job portraying these warriors and their history. To the above reviewer, next time, it would behoove you to stick to reading about fictional characters, and their outlandish exploits, as I am sure you won't be disappointed with that genre. Furthermore, as a matter of integrity, Sir you should correct your review and give this author and these men the respect they deserve.
I've read all of Dick Couch's non fiction works about Navy SEAL training, Army Special Forces training, and Army Ranger training. All are in-depth and excellent accounts of the schoolhouses that teach the basic arts of special operations in our modern military. From the very beginning to the end, you feel as you are a part of the class with the students you are reading about. One thing I noted as interesting about this work in particular compared to the others he's written is nothing is written about the Assessment & Selection portion of training due to the command's request. He begins with a brief history of the Marine Corps and the short history of special operations heritage within the Marine Corps. Informative and good stuff. The rest is about the first phase of A&S, ASPOC, and the rest is about ITC. I know guys who have been to this training I learned stuff here that I did not previously know. It's an excellent book and I highly recommend this book as mandatory reading for any Marine considering putting in a package for MARSOC.
As usual, Mr Couch has written a book that provides excellent insight into one of the US SOF units, in this case MARSOC.This is a continuation in his series of books covering the US Navy SEALs BUD/S and SQT, US Army RANGERS RASP, and US Army Special Forces SFAS and Q Course.I give it 5 out of 5 stars for providing insight into the newest addition to US SOCOM forces.As an NCO/instructor working on an Assessment Program, I have found all of Mr Couch's books to offer me good value and insight.The only small ding I can give is that very little of the A&S course is actually covered, which is a bit disappointing in order to prevent future candidates attempt to prepare for the ambiguity.However, the focus on the preparation course prior to A&S was something I did not know about, but found very useful.I would rate Mr Couch as the best open source author of US military SOF Assessment & Selection programs.Great book!
Wanna know what it takes to become a Marsoc operator? This book is excellent! An honest account of what it takes to become one of the best written by a man who writes great books about the men who take on the greatest military challenges! I have all the Dick Couch special warrior books.....This is his latest! It didn't disappoint me! OoRah!
I loved this book mostly Because it proves how excepinal we United States Marines are. Haveing said that I thought it was way too detailed,I actually got board at times and had to go tos differant book. I remember when I graduated from recrute training in the early 70's. the DI's did just like they did on full metal jacket. They read off our mos's and then asked for volenters for recon, but they would not tell us what it was. If they had I would have gone that way. I was young then now what our Marines do amazes me and makes me wish I was a 17 year old recrute again.
Tons of good information but I found it to be almost overwhelming and difficult to follow at times. Still likely the best source to learn about MSOC and the vigorous levels of selection & testing that takes place to produce an entry level Marine operator. Anyone wanting to know about MSOC or has an interest in special operations would find this valuable.
If you want to understand how Marine special forces are selected and trained, read this book.This is not a book for enjoyment but more so to acquire knowledge about the process of how Marine enlisted and officers are select and trained to serve as special agents. It talks about the training, the weapons, the values and commitment of those who go into MARSOC, enlisted probably for career, officers for a tour or two. In a few short years the Marine Corps has positioned itself as having a special operation unit equal to and perhaps in some respect better than Navy Seals and Army Special Forces. As a retired Marine Corps officer I was proud to have read and now understand more what MARSOC is about.If you want to learn then read this book. But if you are looking for war stories or a novel look elsewhere.
I have read most of his books, and all of them on training of the special ops community. I found myself skipping over parts of the early book where he spends time on the history of the USMC. I was interested in the training techniques and process and eventually he got into that. He also goes overboard (imho) lauding the Marines on how quickly they built their training program, and seems surprised. And the answer is all over his book, it seems the majority of the trainers are former special operators from the other branches so they all ready know what they are doing, just recreating it with a marine corps flair.With that said, it is a decent read and I am glad I read it, but doubt I will reread it (as I do most books that I like).
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