Always Faithful, Always Forward: The Forging of a Special Operations Marine
- Narrated by:
- Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Release Date:06-03-14
- Publisher: Tantor Audio
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Publisher's Summary
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.
The assessment, selection, and training regimes are a combination of psychological testing and intense military training as well as being a physical and professional rite of passage. MARSOC Marines must be efficient, agile, independent, and prepared to live hard in the field. They are warriors trained in the full range of military skills, as well as teachers who can train locals to defend their communities and lead them in battle. But above all, they are Marines. Their ability to leverage their numbers by embedding with the locals and to live in remote locations has, in their short history, made them a valuable force and one with great utility in remote reaches of the world.
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.
©2014 Dick Couch (P)2014 Tantor
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What Members Say
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"Disappointed"
This was the worst SOF book I have ever listened to, to me the title sounded like it would be more about actual operations, not Dick Couch's love affair with MARSOC training. I struggled through this book thinking it would get better, never did.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful -
"This Book is best for enlisted men only!"
The book repeats over and over how flexible the U.S. Marines are and while doing so throws around with acronyms that a non military reader can only guess what is being said. In addition this book is about how the special units of the Marines get trained and not their adventures in the field. This makes for a very boring read.
6 of 7 people found this review helpful -
"Could not finish."
As with the other one star reviews, I could not finish this book. it's not interesting to me. You have to really be into Military protocol and lingo. Also, it's not even a story. For those of you who love it....Thanks for your service! Sincerely.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful -
"Essentially a Textbook"
This is recommended reading for anyone who aspires to join the Marine special ops. For others, it's like reading a textbook. No story or character development, but everything there is to know about special ops training.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful -
"great read!"
If you like the military you will like this book. It gives you a great look at the building of a marine as an individual.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful -
"A Story for military buffs indeed"
A great look inside Marine SOF with as much detail as permitted by law. if you liked his other books you will this one as well. if it's your first try of Mr Couchs books you will not be disappointed.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful -
"A good textbook"
Couldn't finish it. I'm sure there is some interesting stuff, but not what I was expecting. It's a history textbook, not very engaging.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful -
Jose 01-28-15Jose 01-28-15 Member Since 2014Illustrator, graphic designer, veteran. I like Military history and memoirs.
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"AFAF Review"
Outstanding insight into the operational capabilities, training, and selection of MARSOC Marines. As a former Marine I highly recommend it.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful -
"too technical and difficult for me"
What did you like best about Always Faithful, Always Forward? What did you like least?I like the topic
What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)I didn't get that .
What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?I like the voice, which is one of my choosing criteria, but the reading was very technical and I did not find enough processing time or white space on the pages.
Do you think Always Faithful, Always Forward needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?Those who have served in the military might appreciate follow-up, but not for me at my level of abbreviations
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Great book, but ..."
I Really enjoyed the whole book until the author came Out with his sexsist aproach to women.
Therefore I Can not support this book.
Regarding the history and main Part the book US Well written and if You Enjoy the Topic you should just skip the last chapter1 of 4 people found this review helpful
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