They are men and women, racially diverse and better educated that any force we have ever had. Lots of them have college degrees. Many have completed graduate degrees while in the service.
Truth is the over 70% of the population don’t qualify for military service based on education, health and other factors. The days when a judge pushed a troubled teenage boy into the military (as opposed to jail) have been over for a long time.
While the Marines we met were young, their age of Special Ops troops ranged from early 20’s to mid-50’s.
Many are married and dealing with the impact of overseas service that keeps them away from their families for four to six months at a time. As you heard them discuss deployment, I kept thinking about my son, Nicholas, and how hard it would have been to miss even a month of his childhood.
They aren’t cowboys or mavericks. In fact, they are reversed and deffential in their speech. They have a pride for what they do but speak carefully about the people they fight. You hear them talk about being “diplomats with a small “d.”
Morale is high, more “purposeful” than exuberant.
Special Operations demands bright, committed problem solvers. Today's military is competing with corporate America for the best talent. The regularly recruit leaders who could easily make more money elsewhere.
The folks I met certainly filled the bill.
You find yourself, over and over again, thanking them for their service.
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