Chosen Soldier Quotes

“We are an impatient culture and an impatient electorate.”
― Dick Couch, Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior

“We have to work extra hard, because we in America are very ethnocentric--we think our culture is superior. Why's that? It's because we've got moon rocks, and nobody else has moon rocks.”
― Dick Couch, Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior

“Interestingly, when they are on our side, we usually refer to them as guerrillas or partisans or freedom fighters. When they, the men in the hills, oppose a government we support, we call them insurgents.”
― Dick Couch, Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior

“Muzzle control has to be a religion. You cannot point that weapon at one of your brothers-or yourself. Know where you barrel is at all times, and know the condition of your weapon-loaded or unloaded, bolt forward or to the rear, round in the chamber or not, safety on or off. Keep your finger off the trigger unless you're going to kill something.”
― Dick Couch, Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior

“Know where your barrel is at all times, and know the condition of your weapon—loaded or unloaded, bolt forward or to the rear, round in the chamber or not, safety on or off. Keep your finger off the trigger unless you’re going to kill something. This is basic; you have to do the basics right—we won’t move to the next block of training until you get this one right.”
― Dick Couch, Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior

“You may need help or information from some nongovernmental organization, and the local person heading that NGO may be some West Coast, liberal-educated, no-leg-shaving, Birkenstock-wearing female uniform-hater. And you gotta deal with her.”
― Dick Couch, Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior

“You can get into trouble really fast because it’s often not what you say or mean, it’s what they hear and understand. And be careful not to take offense when they mean no offense.”
― Dick Couch, Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior

“When it comes to a fight, you need all your skill and professionalism, but if you want to win that fight, you have to bring a controlled rage as well. We’re training to be warriors.”
― Dick Couch, Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior

“It’s more about what this training teaches a man about himself than a skill he’ll take with him into the groups or into combat,” Captain Shields added.”
― Dick Couch, Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior

“I am a member of my Nation’s Chosen Soldiery.
I serve quietly, not seeking recognition or accolades.
My goal is to succeed in my mission—and live to succeed again.”
― Dick Couch, Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior

“Real bullets are for keeps, and concealment is not necessarily good cover.”
― Dick Couch, Chosen Soldier: The Making of a Special Forces Warrior