Islamic State Fighters Fleeing Raqqa as the Battle Nears the End

Islamic State Fighters Fleeing Raqqa as the Battle Nears the End

U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), have agreed to a proposal with the Islamic State that allows Syrian jihadists to leave the city of Raqqa in exchange for the release of civilians held captive by the ISIS group. A statement released by SDF stated ISIS fighters are fleeing as the SDF has nearly totally captured Raqqa. […]

State-Backed Iraqi Militias Attack Kurdish Positions in Kirkuk

State-Backed Iraqi Militias Attack Kurdish Positions in Kirkuk

Iraqi Kurdish officials said on Monday that federal forces and state-backed militias had launched a “major, multi-pronged” attack aimed at retaking the disputed northern city of Kirkuk that is held by the Kurdish peshmerga forces. One local Iraqi Kurdish commander said federal forces had seized an oil and gas company and other industrial sites south […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation 10.16.2017

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation 10.16.2017

A Monday morning pre-test of the Upper Body Round Robin (UBRR) with many of the exercises that will be tested. Always go for perfect form when doing the pushups, it will be an area that is always looked at hard during the PT tests in Selection. After the exercises, a three-mile run as fast as […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation 10.15.2017

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation 10.15.2017

It is time for our Sunday morning Rucksack march. Do a quick warmup of pushups and sit-ups before heading out. Head out over varied terrain and try to go as fast as you can without running. The standard is 120 minutes, maximum. Your goal should be to come in much quicker. Stretch well both before […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation 10.14.2017

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation 10.14.2017

Back in the gym this Saturday morning for a shoulder and back workout. Towel pull-ups if you have no access to ropes or climbing ropes if they are available. Followed by a four-mile run. Log your numbers down in the workout notebook Training: More Preparation for the UBRR: 3 x 10 Lat Pulldowns, rear 3 […]

Friday the 13th, 1307, the Knights Templar Are Arrested And Executed

Friday the 13th, 1307, the Knights Templar Are Arrested And Executed

The Order of the Knights Templar traced their lineage back to the First Crusade. The history and fascination about who they were and their military prowess, wealth and ultimate demise has been a never-ending source legend in both books and film. After the initial Crusade to take the city of Jerusalem back from the Muslims […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation 10.13.2017

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation 10.13.2017

It is Friday the 13th so that must mean that it is Leg Day at the gym. Starting with Squats – (front, dumbbell goblet, and barbell), then some lunges and the weighted sled push. If your gym doesn’t have a sled, you can substitute a Fireman’s carry.  And then finish the workout with a five-mile […]

More Rucking Tips, Revisiting the Hills With a 45-lb Ruck

More Rucking Tips, Revisiting the Hills With a 45-lb Ruck

About six months ago in our SFAS training tips, we hit the trails with our rucksack and were hitting the hills as they present issues that as a Selection candidate that you will encounter in the various courses that the services will offer. With the rain, we had in the area as the remnants of […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation 10.12.2017

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation 10.12.2017

Thursday morning is a Chest and Triceps workout at the gym before heading out for a 5-mile run. Flat and Incline Bench Presses as well as Flies, Pushups, Pushdowns, and Dips ought to have your triceps feeling the pump. Then a 5-mile run over varied terrain in 40 minutes or less. UBRR PrepTraining: More Preparation […]

Hackers Steals US, South Korea War Plans for Crushing North Korea

Hackers Steals US, South Korea War Plans for Crushing North Korea

Computer hackers believed to be from North Korea, hacked into a South Korean defense department site and stole a large amount of classified military documents, a South Korean spokesman said on Wednesday. The documents supposedly include the United States and South Korean war plans to wipe out the North Korean leadership. Democratic Party representative Rhee […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation 10.11.2017

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation 10.11.2017

Wednesday is a back and shoulder day at the gym followed by a 6-mile rucksack march. Look to better the time that is the standard which is 90 minutes and remember to hydrate throughout the march. Don’t forget to mark your progress in the workout log book and stay hydrated. Training: More Preparation for the […]

The Achille Lauro Hijacking Comes to a Close October 10, 1985

The Achille Lauro Hijacking Comes to a Close October 10, 1985

From its very beginning the cruise liner Achille Lauro seemed to live a cursed existence. The keel for the ship was laid in 1939. It suffered an onboard explosion in 1965, the ship caught fire in 1972 and then collided with a cargo ship in 1975, the ship caught fire once again in 1981. And […]