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Here’s a sample of the comments on this post.
I know a former 18Foxtrot, and what’s weird as hell is that he’s totally unlike what I expected. Guy wears Christmas sweaters and is a sweet, nerdy looking guy. Yet he served in two of the most extreme war zones in the world and is probably much harder than I am. I would have never guessed if he didn’t tell me.
Fucking strange, the sorts of guys that make it through.
The overall attrition stats dont tell the whole story, some cohort groups have very low drop on request rates while some fail to graduate a single candidate. I recall discussing this with a SEAL who told me about a class that had exceptionally cold weather and had two make it through BUDS. From the side of one who served as an evaluator it was interesting to see one group have a good vibe and great teamwork while another group of great individuals fail miserably there was a real “luck of the draw” in who you started with. They really should keep the drop rates to themselves though, what purpose does disclosure serve?
Metrics make the world go round and the fight for stable or increased budgets in the limelight.
Tim,
I believe it’s part of an initiative to improve graduation rates. Publishing the attrition levels would give future candidates an idea of what they’re getting into.
Interesting that the Marine Raider Regiment pipeline actually graduates more candidates than not through both the selection and training portions. Perhaps because candidates are better prepared in the first place?