Always Faithful, Always Forward: The Forging of a Special Operations Marine

This is not a book about the exploits of MARSOC, nor is it written to be a thriller. This is a book about the training of these exceptional men. As such, the above review is highly inappropriate, and detrimental to the writing of this author as well as insulting to the determination and heroism of these men. While everyone is entitled to their opinion, judging this work as something it is not, and reviewing it as such, is shameful. The first review is based more on the reviewer's misguided judgement in purchasing this work, than it is on the work itself. If he had actually read the book in the context it was meant to be read, as someone interested in the training of those on the tip of the spear, or if he were actually interested in this topic, he would have seen this work for what it is and respected it as such. Military training is not the action packed, sexy stuff of movies, it is arduous, and demanding, and those who endure it should be shown the utmost respect. This book is excellent, and the author did a wonderful job portraying these warriors and their history. To the above reviewer, next time, it would behoove you to stick to reading about fictional characters, and their outlandish exploits, as I am sure you won't be disappointed with that genre. Furthermore, as a matter of integrity, Sir you should correct your review and give this author and these men the respect they deserve.

I've read all of Dick Couch's non fiction works about Navy SEAL training, Army Special Forces training, and Army Ranger training. All are in-depth and excellent accounts of the schoolhouses that teach the basic arts of special operations in our modern military. From the very beginning to the end, you feel as you are a part of the class with the students you are reading about. One thing I noted as interesting about this work in particular compared to the others he's written is nothing is written about the Assessment & Selection portion of training due to the command's request. He begins with a brief history of the Marine Corps and the short history of special operations heritage within the Marine Corps. Informative and good stuff. The rest is about the first phase of A&S, ASPOC, and the rest is about ITC. I know guys who have been to this training I learned stuff here that I did not previously know. It's an excellent book and I highly recommend this book as mandatory reading for any Marine considering putting in a package for MARSOC.

As usual, Mr Couch has written a book that provides excellent insight into one of the US SOF units, in this case MARSOC.This is a continuation in his series of books covering the US Navy SEALs BUD/S and SQT, US Army RANGERS RASP, and US Army Special Forces SFAS and Q Course.I give it 5 out of 5 stars for providing insight into the newest addition to US SOCOM forces.As an NCO/instructor working on an Assessment Program, I have found all of Mr Couch's books to offer me good value and insight.The only small ding I can give is that very little of the A&S course is actually covered, which is a bit disappointing in order to prevent future candidates attempt to prepare for the ambiguity.However, the focus on the preparation course prior to A&S was something I did not know about, but found very useful.I would rate Mr Couch as the best open source author of US military SOF Assessment & Selection programs.Great book!

While trying to do research for a future project that had a modern Marine Raider as the protagonist, I realized that my knowledge of the unit was less than my knowledge of most other American special operations forces. My knowledge of those other units comes from having grown up reading every single article, book (fiction and non-fiction), and encyclopedia entry on SOF that I could get my hands on. My Google-fu was coming up short, with scant, contradictory details. It was in that moment that I'd decided it was time to return to my roots and pick up a book.In picking up Dick Couch's ALWAYS FAITHFUL, ALWAYS FORWARD, I couldn't have made a better choice.Couch--a retired Navy SEAL, former CIA paramilitary operations officer, and well-respected biographer of American SOF units--was granted access to the training of MARSOC Individual Training Course 1-13. Couch follows prospective critical skill operators from their MARSOC recruitment briefing, through the prep course, through assessment & selection, and then every step of the way through the ITC (as classifications allow).It is a gold mine of information, particularly to students of SOF and to thriller authors such as myself. In it, we not only see the constitution of a Marine Special Operations Team and their qualifications, we also see specifically the kind of person that the Raiders are looking to fill their ranks. We also learn the story behind how the Marine Corps--who'd initially declined to join USSOCOM in 1987--got up to speed and built an outstanding SOF unit that is notably well trained in foreign internal defense and special reconnaissance.I know that I will be referring to that book multiple times in my research, and it makes me want to buy the rest of his non-fiction SOF books to see what I missed in my initial research over the years regarding other units.I cannot recommend ALWAYS FAITHFUL, ALWAYS FORWARD with enough enthusiasm. It is the best non-fiction book I have read in years. I breezed through it in the span of a day and change. If you're into learning about SOF, are an active-duty Marine considering service with the Raiders, or are just a thriller author like me looking to bring additional authenticity to your work, you need this book in your life.

I have read nearly all the non fiction of Dick Couch and this book is another great read. You feel like you are experiencing the SOF training.MARSOC is very new in SOF so this was a bird's eye view into a world that not many have written on.

This is another of the books in my list I brought to my vacations in Southamerica, I've read a few pages already and have the taste of the great story behind, can't wait to read it....I'm excited....about the delivery of the book, was awesome, right on the spot ETA calculation, great joib and thanks!!