Green Beret Papa Doc

"The dignity and stability of government in all its branches, the morals of the people, and every blessing of society depend so much upon an upright and skillful administration of justice, that the judicial power ought to be distinct from both the legislative and executive, and independent upon both, that so it may be a check upon both, and both should be checks upon that."
--John Adams, Thoughts on Government, 1776
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RAMSEUR, NC -- Papa Doc stepped out of the shadows, his camouflage cap covering his eyes as he confronted the sleeping Soldier on guard duty.

"Already dead," he drawled.

There is no room for mistakes, such as trading security for sleep, in the dense woods of sector 9124 near Asheboro.

Out here, Papa Doc is known as the hardheaded chief of the guerrilla forces, the natives of the fictional country Pineland. But in reality, he is retired Sgt. Maj. Willie McLeod Jr., one of several hundred role-players who take part in Robin Sage, the final test of the Special Forces Qualification Course.

Special Forces candidates have spent an entire year going through intensive language, cultural immersion and combat training. They have spent months away from their families. But passing Robin Sage and graduating from the course means getting to wear the green beret that candidates crave.

The Soldier caught napping at his post is one of 110 Special Forces candidates who had spent two weeks tracking targets, planning recon missions and living in this unforgiving wilderness.

The lessons learned in these woods keep Special Forces Soldiers alive in the real world.