William “Wild Bill” Donovan Born Jan.1, Head of OSS, Forerunner of CIA

William Donovan was a man who many hats, he was a decorated soldier, diplomat, intelligence officer, as well as a lawyer. He’s best known as the founder and commander of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), which was the forerunner to both the CIA and the U.S. Army Special Forces (Green Berets). He is considered […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 8, Day 4

Shoulders and back day in the gym before heading off to do a 5-mile rucksack march. Conduct the ruck over varied terrain and remember to hydrate throughout. After unseasonably high temps yesterday and a muddy mess on the trail, the colder more typical January weather should have everything frozen back solid. It is a good […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 8, Day 3

Tuesday is Leg Day, time for building strength and endurance, begin with pull-ups and. then squats, lunges and the sled followed by a four-mile run in under 32 minutes which is the standard. If your gym has no sled, you can substitute a Fireman’s Carry with a training partner. How is your head after New […]

Egyptian Security Forces Kill 40 Islamist Militants After Bus Attack

Security forces for the Egyptian government have raided three Islamist militant hideouts and killed 40 of them in response to an attack on a tour bus near the tourist town of Giza where three Vietnamese tourists and their Egyptian guide were killed. The three raids killed “40 terrorists” in Giza and North Sinai, the statement […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 8, Day 2

A good workout is the best way to start Monday (and New Year’s Eve)  and the week off right. We’ll start with the basics of pushups, sit-ups, and crunches, then to the bar for V-ups, pull-ups, and dips before a 5-mile run in 40 minutes or less in a mini UBRR test. Remember to mark […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 8, Day 1

Time for our Sunday morning ruck march. Do a quick warmup of pushups and sit-ups before heading out. Stretch well both before and after the event. Remember to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated out there. Today would a great time to wear your second pair of boots for the Selection Course. Don’t wait […]

Special Operations Force Selection PT Preparation Week 7, Day 7

We’ll start the weekend and Saturday off right. It is time to go back to the gym for some shoulders and back work. Followed by a four-mile run. Log your numbers down in the workout notebook UBRR Training: More Preparation for the UBRR: 3 x 10 Lat Pulldowns, rear 3 x 10 Barbell Dead Lift […]

Perfecting an Exoskeleton for SOF Needs To Happen Now

Today’s military is much more technology-based than in previous eras but while the high-tech gadgets make the soldier’s job easier and much more lethal on today’s battlefield, it also weighs them down more than ever before. The price of having the technology at their fingertips is that, while all of that gear works and is […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 7, Day 6

It is Friday, so yes, you know it also means Leg Day at the gym. Begin with some Squats – front, and barbell. This builds up the strength in your legs that will help propel the rucksack. Then some lunges and after the weighted sled push or an alternative if your gym doesn’t have one. […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 7, Day 5

We are heading back to the gym today as we prep for the UBRR with a Chest and Triceps workout. This workout will build your upper body strength Then a 4-mile ruck march with 45-pounds minimum. Remember to stretch well before and after and to stay hydrated. Mark your progress down in your workout log […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 7, Day 4

Shoulders and back day in the gym before heading off to do the SOF (Special Operations Forces) Triathlon. A 3-mile run, a 3-mile rucksack march, and a 300-meter swim with fatigues and boots. Aim to go as fast as you can in each event. Get used to swimming with fatigues and boots. It is much […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 7, Day 3

Merry Christmas, we’re expecting most everyone to forego the gym this morning. But for those of us, like here, who have a key to the gym, we’ll post it up anyway. Tuesday is our favorite Leg Day at the gym, and we’ll begin with pull-ups, squats, and lunges to build up the strength in your […]