KUALA LUMPUR: Watch what it takes to be a Special Forces member in History’s new four-part series, Asia’s Special Forces With Terry Schappert.
Host Schappert, an ex-Green Beret with a military career spanning 23 years, will reflect on his past experiences and discuss the parallel training regimens that make some of Asia’s Special Forces truly the best of the best.
These include Malaysia’s Grup Gerak Khas (GGK), the Philippines’ Marine Recon and Scout Rangers, Thailand’s Marine Recon, Sri Lanka’s Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol and Taiwan’s Marine Recon.
Schappert, who hosted History’s Warriors in 2009, certainly knows a lot about pain and determination.
After three days of cramping up from heat exhaustion, he had to build a raft with his rucksack and swim across Panama’s Chagres River at 2am as part of his jungle reconnaissance course.
His gruelling Rangers school training was done during wintertime, while his physically punishing Special Forces selection stint was done during the summer heat.
“You’re constantly hungry, tired and never comfortable while training with the elements and deprivation,” said Schappert during an interview.
Never give up, never surrender
‘Misery’ is obviously a key word. So what kind of mindset and preparation does a recruit for the Special Forces need?
“Know what you’re getting into beforehand and also get ready physically,” Schappert replied without hesitation.
For him, preparation is most important.
“Do the requisite training first, because even regular military guys who go in blind will get crushed,” he said.
As for the mental part, there’s no such thing as quitting.
“I signed a mental contract with myself that stated only two results of going through my training: I’ll graduate, or I’ll be taken out on a stretcher, or I die,” he added.
Schappert said that the unbreakable spirit and drive of recruits are what viewers will see in the series.
“You’ll see these guys really working hard and refusing to quit and that’s the best part of it,” he said.
The series features the search for a specific kind of person: mentally and physically tough, who will not quit and will not stop solving problems when things get bad.
An emotional journey
“If you’re from Malaysia, you’d want to watch the GGK episode, because you’re going to be very proud and honoured that these guys are representing you and fighting for you,” said Schappert.
He added that the most important and interesting reason to watch are the human stories.
“You’ll see young men making a decision to do something that most people will never attempt.
“It covers the drama and pain, as well as the reward and soaring emotion of those who pull through in the end,” he said.
In spite of the advancements of technology, Schappert explained that the human element will continue to play an important role.
“You could have the best tech and be great on a computer, but if you’re not mentally and physically tough, in addition to being an adapter and problem solver that won’t quit, you’re not going to make it,” he said.
He added that he always counts on tech failing.
“What I count on not failing is the man,” says Schappert, who is an expert on small arms, demolition, conventional and unconventional military tactics and combat medicine.
Not a badass
When asked what a professional badass like himself does to relax, he burst out laughing.
“First off, I’m not a badass and anybody that actually tells you he’s a badass is not a badass,” he said.
Schappert is a certified scuba instructor, who trains in martial arts and reads a lot. He is also a licensed paramedic, speaks several languages and has a degree in anthropology from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
“I’m involved in dog rescue and have two big rescue dogs at home where I live on the beach, so I spend a lot of time walking them, thinking and talking to myself,” he said.
Entertainment and humour
On how he views the depiction of the Special Forces on the big or small screen, Schappert said:
“They try to get it right, but they tend to glamourise it too.”
Explaining that TV and movies need to make things look cool since it’s a visual medium, he admitted that the things he finds interesting, like planning and rehearsing of operations, will not translate well to the screen.
“For me, let the film people do what they do, as long as it’s entertaining
“I think what people don’t realise is what a good sense of humour we have.”
“We laugh a lot because when you deal with what we deal with on a daily basis, you have to be able to laugh,” he said, before adding, “You don’t really see this aspect in the movies.”
Asia’s Special Forces With Terry Schappert airs on January 22 & 29 at 9pm and 9.30pm on History (Astro channels 555 and 575).