Wrong as regards standards against SF Vietnam soldiers. Anybody familiar with Army Airborne training 1944 to 80’s will tell you it was tough: break area procedures, heart break hill, wind sprint formations during ground week that lost large components of the class. Those standards were dropped; Airborne & Air Assault schools are FAR less physically demanding than they once were.
That change would be an interesting study, especially from a rules of engagement point of view.
I was just re-reading the article and wonder if the Special Forces mentioned were not US. Could have been referring to the French?
You opine: “Airborne & Air Assault schools are FAR less physically demanding than they once were.”
Maybe the initial training is - but the subsequent and ongoing training - in Italy and Germany - isn’t - “have you heard of the 173rd”?
I wonder if you ever went through anything near the physical demand the soldiers went through - for 15 straight months high in the Hindu Kush
short clip - two hour climb straight up mountain to firebase - at minute marker:23 - you can see the valley far below - straight down. They had to make this climb, with packs, - most often under fire, constantly, on patrols to villages and valleys...and under fire - over 500 firefights - unheard of. “physically demanding”? (Puppy’s name “Airborne” - a touch of humanity.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6-3I9JHllc
Have you seen “Restrepo” or “Korengal”
Battle Co. 173rd AIRBORNE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_o9OhX_x3c
“Restrepo” named after the guy in opening in sunglasses - one of the first killed on that deployment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT_Auf_v9LQ
KORENGAL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pn7OZuILL4