tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1809147123586380027.post3616736973639759608..comments2014-04-20T10:10:42.809-07:00Comments on LDS SOF Handbook: LDS SEAL's?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14506684363455171079noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1809147123586380027.post-68682158962873546772014-02-18T06:08:44.748-08:002014-02-18T06:08:44.748-08:00This is a tough one to respond too since I really ...This is a tough one to respond too since I really don't know all the circumstances.<br /><br />I will say that to choose the life of Special Operations Forces is an extremely harsh one, and not one to be taken lightly. The realities of military life are hard on the individual and even harder on a family. It is a concern that he is already married, and has a young child. If he is a college grad and an RM that means he's likely a bit older as well (closer to 24 or 25) and unless he did ROTC in college he would be entering the military as an enlisted man...the bottom of the totem pole very literally.<br /><br />A few realities about being a SEAL: <br />- only about 15% of those who try actually make it. The rest still belong to the Navy and will be put to work as sailors doing very 'un-glamorous' work. You don't just get to try out for the SEAL's and then if you fail you can do something else. You are property of the US Navy.<br />- If he did do ROTC and is a commissioned officer in the Navy, he gets one shot to make it in the SEAL teams. That's it. If for some reason he fails, he will never get to try again and he still belongs to the navy and will have serve somewhere else.<br />- If he does make it through BUD/s (which is about two years) he still has to prove his worth on the teams. Becoming a SEAL is a very lengthy process and involves a lot of very hard physical and mental work.<br />- The realities of being a SEAL place them in very dangerous situations and he has to realize that he will very likely be required to take another human being's life. This is a harsh reality that many don't realize when they dream of being in special operations forces.<br />- These dangerous situations also put his life in constant peril. There are good odds that he may not return from deployment. Another harsh reality that he needs to face...that of widowing his wife and child.<br />- Divorce rates are very high among the teams.<br />- Pay is very low.<br />- He will be gone for VERY long periods of time and often his wife will not know where he is or when he's coming back.<br />- The 'action' part of life as a SEAL is limited. When they are deployed, boredom is often a bigger problem than too much action.<br /><br />All that said, there are people that make it work. The LDS men I know in the military who have made it work have incredible wives who fully support them. Still it is very hard on them. <br /><br />I also look at all the men who lead our Church who served in the military as well (Pres, Monson included) and how much time they spend away from their families in Church Service...serving in a leadership position in the Church can be pretty demanding and those general authorities can be away for very long periods of time (In Pres. Monson's case I've heard his kids talk about how they almost never saw their dad when they were growing up)...does that make them neglectful fathers? I personally know of families that were broken apart because dad served too much in church callings and the family came to resent it. <br /><br />Ultimately it's up to individuals to decide what is the best course to pursue in life. I'd encourage this young man to take a hard and unemotional look at what he'd be choosing. The Navy even offers mentors and advisers to people who think they may want to pursue this kind of thing. In the case of SEAL's they will actually try and talk him out of it...because if they can...then he isn't the kind of person that should be a SEAL anyway. Ultimately if he decides (with his wife) that this is the best thing for them to do then it's up to us as family, friends and fellow church members to be as supportive as we can to that family.<br /><br />Hope that help's a little bit.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14506684363455171079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1809147123586380027.post-71385574765769864902014-02-17T14:34:10.199-08:002014-02-17T14:34:10.199-08:00We have a close relative married to a young man (R...We have a close relative married to a young man (R.M. / college student) with a wife and small baby with a STRONG desire to be a Navy Seal. Statistics would indicate marriage and family life would be faced with extreme challenges (high divorce rate, etc.). Any information, experience or thoughts on that? Seems incongruent to me with Church teachings on a father being in the home, supporting his children as they grow and develop, Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1809147123586380027.post-26585620629652925762013-08-20T14:58:02.378-07:002013-08-20T14:58:02.378-07:00Cameron...I posted a response to your question at ...Cameron...I posted a response to your question at the link below: (it was too long to put in this section)<br /><br />http://ldssofhandbook.blogspot.com/2013/08/i-received-and-email-from-young-man.html#more Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14506684363455171079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1809147123586380027.post-65413422771817967422013-08-19T14:48:36.122-07:002013-08-19T14:48:36.122-07:00Wow i really love that!!!! You are truly an inspir...Wow i really love that!!!! You are truly an inspiring man! Ive never meet you but i can tell you are a amazing. I have had the hardest time lately trying to decide my future and my question is military or not military? I plan to serve a full time mission and i have recieved my eagle. But now my question is do i serve my country. I want to become an elite warrior but i cant decide which branch of military to join. I debate every day in my head between air force navy and army! I have looked into all of them so much! What is your personal view of which is best to join? I know about all of there sf and how different they are but i would be fine with any of them. What i need to do is pray to god and get an answer from him and im going to be getting my patriarticul blessing soon so i hope that will hint something. Thanks for being a goodperson and believing in god and are country! Its good to know that there are some good people out there still. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16105859136432297642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1809147123586380027.post-81965237020595965442013-08-19T06:51:05.020-07:002013-08-19T06:51:05.020-07:00To answer your question specifically...NO I am not...To answer your question specifically...NO I am not a member of the US Armed Forces. I do work in the company of America's finest in my full time job, and have had the opportunity to rub shoulders with all kinds of men and women who do serve. This blog is a result of my direct involvement with some Navy SEAL's in particular who so impressed me that I began to study warriors and what makes a man sacrifice to become such. Since that time I've been privileged to work with many different warriors, and all of them were amazing.<br /><br />In my association with LDS men who are also in the military I've asked what advise they would give a YM wanting to serve and this is what they've said. First, do everything that you can to become an Eagle Scout (this will directly affect your military experience). Then make every effort to be worthy to serve a full-time mission for the Lord. Then go on that mission. Then, if you have the desire to serve in the Military you will be MUCH better off and excel more in that service. <br /><br />Ultimately it is a very personal decision, between you and the Lord. Even in his last Conference talk, President Monson referred to the fact that there are many opportunities to be missionaries in his last conference talk:<br /><br />"Brethren, as you plan with purpose your lives, remember that your missionary opportunities are not restricted to the period of a formal call. For those of you who serve in the military, such time can and should be profitable. Each year our young men in uniform bring many souls into the kingdom of God by honoring their priesthood, living the commandments of God, and teaching to others the Lord’s divine word.<br /><br />Do not overlook your privilege to be missionaries while you are pursuing your formal education. Your example as a Latter-day Saint will be observed, weighed, and ofttimes emulated.<br /><br />Brethren, whatever your age, whatever your circumstance, I admonish you to plan your life with purpose."Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14506684363455171079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1809147123586380027.post-30547956077426638192013-08-16T12:06:31.436-07:002013-08-16T12:06:31.436-07:00Were you or are you involved in the military in an...Were you or are you involved in the military in any way?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16105859136432297642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1809147123586380027.post-73031163781623780352013-08-12T14:07:51.631-07:002013-08-12T14:07:51.631-07:00Glad that you enjoyed it Cameron. Good luck in yo...Glad that you enjoyed it Cameron. Good luck in your quest to become a spiritual warrior as well as the "Real Deal". I have the highest admiration for the men of the US Military. I hope this site can continue to be useful to you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14506684363455171079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1809147123586380027.post-5133953507829822712013-08-11T21:27:54.883-07:002013-08-11T21:27:54.883-07:00I love this! I want to be in the military and be a...I love this! I want to be in the military and be a warrior but I know I must become a real warrior through the LDS church before I can become an American warrior!! I love are country but I love god and are church even moreAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16105859136432297642noreply@blogger.com