Always Faithful, Always Forward: The Forging of a Special Operations Marine

A former Navy SEAL who led the only successful rescue of POWs from the Vietnam War describes the journey of a group of Marine candidates hoping to qualify for special operations, detailing their psychological testing and intense military training.
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 commandto 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.Always Faithful, Always Forward follows the journey of a single class of Marine candidates from their recruitment, assessment, selection, and finally the lengthy training regime that qualifies them as Marines Special Operators. 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.Retired Navy captain Dick Couch has been given unprecedented access to this new command and to the individual marines of this new and unique special-operations unit.Always Faithful, Always Forward chronicles the history, development, and current training cycle of the warriors of the Marine Special Operations Command.
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.