An Israeli special operator’s top unwritten rules of close-quarters combat

An Israeli special operator’s top unwritten rules of close-quarters combat

This series of articles isn’t meant to offer concrete, hard-and-fast rules about close-quarters combat. Like anything in life, there are dozens of paths to this destination—it’s efficiency and safety that make the difference. These ‘rules’ are more a reminder of things that many forget or are simply not aware of. In this series of articles, we will […]

ISIS death toll from MOAB strike in Afghanistan rises to 94 according to local reports

ISIS death toll from MOAB strike in Afghanistan rises to 94 according to local reports

Last Thursday, the United States deployed its largest non-nuclear weapon against an underground ISIS stronghold in Afghanistan.  The MOAB, or Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb (also known as the GBU-43/B) was dropped from the back of an Air Force C-130 at just after 19:30 local time and was intended to destroy the underground structure, eliminating […]

A Navy SEAL’s Guide to Cuba

A Navy SEAL’s Guide to Cuba

The article below was written by Brandon Webb, former Navy SEAL and Hurricane Group, Inc. CEO, and was featured in Men’s Journal. He discusses his recent trip to Cuba and also gives tips on traveling to the once forbidden island.- Desiree I’ve always been fascinated by the small island country that’s swimming distance from Key West. Tropical […]

Wild West culture of drug use on operations permeates SEAL Teams

Wild West culture of drug use on operations permeates SEAL Teams

Sources within the Special Operations community have described a situation to SOFREP in which SEAL Team Six operators are routinely high on drugs while conducting highly dangerous direct action missions while deployed abroad.  Operators are known to abuse methamphetamine and other uppers on a regular basis during combat operations.  The use of cocaine and methamphetamine is […]

Selection for British SAS: Life in the thick of the trees (Part 4)

Selection for British SAS: Life in the thick of the trees (Part 4)

Read Part Three HERE. This was it—the Trees Phase of selection. We were just above the canopy and traveling at speed, contouring the tops of the trees. The vastness of the jungle was immense; before we were airborne for 10 minutes, all you could see was trees. Clearings came and went, bends in rivers were just visible sometimes, […]

Texas A&M Galveston Corps of Cadets selects openly gay cadet commander

Texas A&M Galveston Corps of Cadets selects openly gay cadet commander

Since 1876, Texas A&M University has been unleashing a steady arsenal of driven people into service. Former alumni include James Earl Rudder, the historic commander of Allied forces during the battle for Pointe Du Hoc during the Normandy invasion; Texas Governor Rick Perry; and an incredible seven Medal of Honor recipients. At the newer Galveston campus, cadets […]

Pitfalls of the private contracting circuit

Pitfalls of the private contracting circuit

Prevention is better than a cure. Six ex-British soldiers are being held in India for not having the correct paperwork with company weapons whilst working on a floating armoury. The company who was responsible for them and their ship is nowhere to be seen in defence of the men who now languish in squalor. I am […]

Former Navy SEAL Sniper Instructor reviews the Barrett MRAD Rifle

Former Navy SEAL Sniper Instructor reviews the Barrett MRAD Rifle

My first impression of the Barrett MRAD (Multi-Role Adaptive Design) straight out of the box was that Barrett had designed a beautiful rifle.  The rifle I received for my evaluation was a bolt-action chambered for .338 Lapua Magnum. The concept behind Barrett’s MRAD system, is that it provides the shooter with an adaptable modular shooting […]

The story of the Marine Recon Paddle

The story of the Marine Recon Paddle

You may have seen a paddle displayed proudly in the home or office of a former Recon Marine. So, what’s the deal with these paddles? Every Recon Marine is presented with a paddle from his peers when he leaves the unit or the Marine Corps. The history of this tradition stems from the days of […]