Start Me Up!

Regardless of when I actually start into the SF pipeline, life has already changed. Those guys are professionals in every sense of the word. Professional doesn’t speak to your clothes or your mannerisms or to expensive tastes.  It defines dedication to your job, tireless work ethic, and a lifestyle that should be above reproach…..or rather those things define what a profession is. I’ve learned one week into my vacation exactly what that means.  That means that the junk food and wasteful eating is over.  That means I’m training to have 12 of the best men in my charge, and I am expected to be at the top of my game.  It means that I am expected to become a scholar in my art, remain a trusted comrade in battle, and be able to overcome any physical challege we encounter. Of course, I knew all of this before I signed up. I am excited and thrilled to continue on.

I spent months training my body to ran a marathon, excel at rucking, carry heavy loads on my back, and endure the demands of soldiering. I spent months keeping myself healthy….and for those that have no idea, it takes one week of bad eating and sugary drinks to turn that machine into something worn and tired.

You see, after eating healthy for so long, your body will not react well to anything it considers a poison. Soft drinks (even no carb, low cal stuff), sweets, etc., will make your system clog and sludge. Sure, you won’t throw up or shut down…but you’ll feel nauseas….you’ll feel bloated…you’ll feel tired and like crap. And all it takes is one week for your body to adapt. After that week, it’s painful to get the machine oiled and running again.  Not impossible of course…just painful. Muscles atrophy, joints get tight, legs feel like jello, feet feel like lead weights and lungs no longer hold the oxygen they used to. And don’t even get me started on the GI/bowel problems that will begin to happen. It’s just a tad bit uncomfortable.

After one week of wasting my body on vacation (and this is without smoking and alcohol mind you), I wonder….how can people live that way day in and day out? I can’t imagine feeling like that all the time.

I felt at the top of my game when I was in shape. I felt wonderful and great and alive. And I will return to that state and stay there, because lives will depend on me.

No more ingesting poison, no more destroying my insides. The stakes are too high.

I completed SFAS and was selected to continue in the Special Forces pipeline. Thanks for all the support and encouragement! — Viper