How can one find his/her self worth in today’s world when it seems that if you weren’t SOF, you are just average?

Since many so called "below averages" have been KIA, that's a poor measure for so many of our heroes. I'm in the made it through 32 years almost getting killed a number of times camp. That I'd call being BLESSED.

It’s all about marketing. That’s how these guys get popular. They use their experience and titles as a marketing tool. You don’t have to be SOF in order to do something. I went to work for DECA and use that as a tool to reach other infantryman and pass along information. Plus it gives back to the military community.

Why would you ever base your self worth on anything the media said or some TV show or movie plays out? It’s sad you even consider it.

Self Worth, lays within your Spirit.

If you have to justify yourself by a MOS, tab, skill badge, or ASI, you've already failed. Being in any SOF unit seems glamorous according to the TV, but they do not show the shitload of support troops from across the services (except Coast Guard), who make these missions happen. No A Team, SEAL Team, MARSOC or anything will move two feet without the logistical, intelligence, and signals support of those behind the scenes. It's the same as in NASA. You'll know ALL of the astronauts names, ranks, branches of service. How many names of the women who crunched numbers to ensure correct mixtures, correct seam counts, correct set up and takedown of gear do you know of?

A Green Beret is no different than I am. Last time I checked, he puts his pants on the same way I do, laces up his boots the same way I do, and looks at the Army regs with as much disdain as I do. You could put the two of us in a ring and he very well could win. But it leads back to where both of us are the same, he won't quit, and neither will I. I'm gonna come back as often as health allows until I win, or I earn his respect. I'd rather earn the respect. It shows him we really are one team one fight. Anybody can "win".

Sp4 Byron Skinner. Going back to the day I never though much of anything that called itself Special Operations If you check out them MOS's on the Vietnam Memorial you will find that the most represented Army MOS is 11Bravo. In the the opinion of a mud Infantryman we are the ones who have to wade into the muck of war, take and hold land. We are the one who bleed out and die on the battle ground. The others we called back in the day 9 to 5 soldiers . While after a hardy meal of C Rats we went out for the nigh on night missions while the Green Beanies quaffed beers in the club and hit on the short time girls. Many of these super soldiers were more in danger of getting the clap then losing a body part to enemy fire. Of course when their tour was over the came home with more ribbons the is on a Latin American Police Officer. The old adage of 11B's don't get medals its their job. There is nothing average about somebody who voluntary enlist to stand 10 meters for a determined enemy who want to kill then, time and time over. We don't need a song to be a hero.

SGT Diaz,
I think it is up to the individual to find out his/her own self worth, and can you bring up to the table. I have served with SF units before as a combat cameraman where I found myself asking, what is my part in all this or mission? I had some thoughts about what if I was an "operator". But, I have never considered myself average because I knew I had a purpose.

One slogan the Army has hits the point here. ' "BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE." Nobody can ask more of you.

BE WHO YOU ARE. THAT SHOULD BE ENOUGH.

Don't gauge your self worth on things that are fleeting. If you have to link your self worth to your accomplishments then remember that there is a "best" in every field and strive to be the "best" in yours.
A word of warning from an old man who was at more than one occasion noted as the "best", everyone who was ever the "best" has been surpassed at some point by the new "best". Invest in your team mates and build strong friendships as it eases the blow when later down the road you become the guy who "was the best".
Even the super operators in the SF and MARSOC at some point will become the guys who "were the best". If you take care of your Soldiers and friends they will remind you in later years of when you "were the best" and at that point it will have been worth the effort and time you expended.