READERS COMMENTS

Outward Bound is amazing.

Just to add to some of the requirements listed, it's actually quite a bit more than that to become an instructor at one of the bases.

You go through about a month of training, which includes 15 days in the backcountry with the rest of your training group, before you become an instructor.

There is also a degree of compassion that instructors inherently have, that can be strengthened but I don't know if it can be taught - it is just there.

Both NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) & Outward Bound are made up of some of the most amazing people on the planet.

Kaki
NCOBS, TIOBEC, & DISCOVERY Outward Bound
kakiflynn.com
Posted: Sep 09, 2011 Kaki Flynn

i believe delta force and green berets top the "over glorified" navy seals any day!
Posted: Aug 24, 2011 chris

Adam, All the components have their own version of SERE as well. They are all different. Not to be too critical, but I have been through two of them. The Air Force version was difficult, concentrated highly on evasion (for pilots), but was not nearly as difficult mentally, or physically, as the Army version. As for Delta, Special Forces, Rangers, SEALs, Marine Force RECON, and Air Force Combat Controllers (and para-rescuers)or any other special operations units... they have similar but different missions. Most people do not understand the complexity of it, nor the differences. It is like comparing apples to oranges, and very hard to measure one against the others due to their differences.
Posted: Aug 10, 2011 Craig

I am a raft guide and it is truly the best job ever! You get to see places that people only dream about :-) I love looking up out of the gorge knowing that the only way out is to keep going...there is no turning back!
Posted: Jun 25, 2011 Mar

Wow, way to miss all the other military Special Forces components. Each branch has their own and each are just as physically (and mentally) grueling out in the elements. Then there are plenty of career fields in each branch beyond Special Operations career fields that are not an easy A/C office job.
If there's one career field in the military that's up this alley (this article), it's the Air Force career field of SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape). These guys train all the people that need SERE skills--from pilots to Special Forces Operators and some you might not even think of.
You cannot just pick SEALs because they were in the news recently.
Posted: Jun 24, 2011 Adam

The PT portion, except for the swim, is the standatd Army pt test ( a new one has been designed). You forgot to include the US Army Special Forces (Green Berets) and Delta. For medical training, the SEALs train with the Army but do not recieve as extensive training as Army SF. Also, dive medical technician training is the same as the Army, and received at an Army training site. Yes, the SEALs are great at what they do, but for long range complex missions, call the Green Berets.
Posted: Jun 24, 2011 Carl Reiners

These instructors are awesome!
Posted: Jun 20, 2011 Tawnya Blair

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