Chosen Soldier Audiobook By Dick Couch cover art

Chosen Soldier

The Making of a Special Forces Warrior

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Chosen Soldier

By: Dick Couch
Narrated by: Kevin Foley
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In combating terror, America can no longer depend on its conventional military superiority and the use of sophisticated technology. More than ever, we need men like those of the Army Special Forces---the legendary Green Berets. In Chosen Soldier, Dick Couch draws on nearly a year spent at Special Forces training facilities and offers an unprecedented view of the education of these men.

Following the experiences of one class of soldiers as they endure this physically and mentally exhausting ordeal, Couch spells out in fascinating detail the demanding selection process and grueling field exercises, the high-level technical training and intensive language courses, and the simulated battle problems that test everything from how well SF candidates gather operational intelligence to their skills at negotiating with volatile, often hostile, local leaders. Chosen Soldier paints a vivid portrait of an elite group, and a process that forges America's smartest, most versatile, and most valuable fighting force.

©2007 Dick Couch, Foreword copyright 2007 by Robert D. Kaplan (P)2011 Tantor Armed Forces Military Military Science Politics & Government Public Policy Special & Elite Forces Thought-Provoking Inspiring

Critic reviews

"Definitive . . . insightful . . . should be read by every American who despairs [about] current tumult." (Linda Robinson, author of Masters of Chaos)
Detailed Information • Insightful Content • Good Character Voicing • Comprehensive History • Operational Insights
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This is a great book following me progression of an ODA class preparing for there careers ahead.

Great book following the evolution of ODA

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Decently the most insightful book on (Army Special Forces) I've read. It was the most detailed with SFAS & the Q course.

Most Insightful!

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Dick Couch is a former Naval UDT and early SEAL who dives deeply into the training and operational capabilies of the U.S. military forces.

Dick Couch again

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If you’re looking for a book about Rambo this isn’t it. Couch follows SF candidates through their foundational Q course training, and at the end of the book visits with operational ODA’s in Iraq. He gives his brief but important two cents on how we’re doing at the end of the book. Note that language and SERE schools are excluded from the book, the latter being mostly classified. SF are a diverse group, and the crux of their operation is intellectual and social ability. Good book, will give you a good sense of how these guys come up.

SF a Unique Asset

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Exactly what I've been trying to find out about SFAS for years. Not at all hard to stay engaged listening to.

Perfect for someone trying to get details.

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Where does Chosen Soldier rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Better than most but the content can be a little dry at times especially in the first hour or so.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

To me, if the book is good and narrated in the proper way, I don't really even notice the narrator. That's the way it should be. I want to focus on the story being told, not the way it is being told. The narration of this book was massively distracting. He uses the most annoying voices. For any of the candidates under the age of 25, he uses a high pitched, fast paced scared little boy voice. For the senior NCOs and officers he uses a deep, gruff, barking voice. For the southerners, an annoying southern twang and for the Hispanic candidates an almost comical Hispanic accent. The candidate from New Zealand? Well, you can imagine how that voice sounded. Multiple times I found myself completely distracted from WHAT was being said by HOW it was being said.

Any additional comments?

Dick Couch is a great author and he has produced another great book with Chosen Soldier. I would highly recommend the print version but I honestly cannot recommend the audiobook. The ridiculous narration killed this one for me.

Interesting content, horrible narration.

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amazing book and extremely informative. I will definitely be looking into Mr. Couch's other works of literary genius.

Incredible

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If you like Robin Moore’s book the Green Berets then you will love this updated look at the program.

A great look at training the men of special forces.

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I’ve already listened to this book twice. It starts out giving an in-depth history lesson of Army SF as well as SOF as a whole then goes into each and every detail of SFAS and throughout all phases of the Q-Course. 10/10

Incredible book. Highly informative

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Dick was very thorough. He helped me understand the SF pipeline. Great help to anyone wanting to head down this route.

Thoroughly done

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