Courtesy of Tactical Life
In 1991, Brian Searcy was on a desolate section of the Appalachian Trail facing the trial of his life. The final phase of “selection” for Delta Force was a 40-mile ruck march over the rough mountainous terrain. Without knowing the time requirements, the candidate had to hit multiple RV points while carrying a 45-pound rucksack plus a 7-pound rifle. The rule was “Don’t be late and don’t be light!” Within the community, it is known as “the long walk.”
Searcy enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves while in high school and attended basic training and airborne school between his junior and senior years. He had six military jumps before his 18th birthday. He then volunteered for Special Forces and graduated from the “Q” course at the age of 19. Searcy spent the next four years assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group and was involved in counter- narcotics and counter-insurgency operations in Central America. From there, he assessed for Delta and spent the next 16 years in “The Unit.”
As a result of this article, I have had the opportunity to get to know Brian over the last several months. He is very unassuming, laughs easily and does not take himself too seriously. I asked him to email me some thoughts about his unique career. To quote that email, “I was fortunate to work with the most dedicated, capable and professional group of individuals I’ve ever seen concentrated in any organization…I’ve never seen any other organization that has the sheer depth of talent at all levels. I’ve never worked so hard to be so mediocre in my life, as when I was with the Unit.”
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