Islamic State Regrouping in Iraqi, Kurdish Territories

Islamic State Regrouping in Iraqi, Kurdish Territories

The Islamic State has regrouped in Iraq and is conducting increasingly deadly attacks in territories across northern Iraq, taking advantage of the hostility between the central government and the Kurdish people, according to both Iraqi and Kurdish officials. The Iraqi government declared a final victory over IS last December after Iraqi forces drove its last […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 1, Day 3

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 1, Day 3

Tuesday is a leg day at the gym. These exercises build strength and explosion in your lower body and you’ll need both in Selection. These will also help your times with both running and carrying a rucksack. We’re going to go for heavier squats today with fewer reps, at other times we’ll go lighter and […]

US Top General in Afghanistan Claims Russia is Arming the Taliban

US Top General in Afghanistan Claims Russia is Arming the Taliban

The top U.S. general in Afghanistan has said the Russians are supporting and supplying arms to the Taliban, adding more fuel to the already tense relationship between the two superpowers. General John Nicolson said in an interview with the BBC that he’s seen “destabilizing activity by the Russians.”  He said Russian weapons are being supplied […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 1, Day 2

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 1, Day 2

Back to the gym today, with our Monday work out and then practice our shuttle run to build up some explosion and lateral quickness. Try to limit the time between sets to 30 seconds or less Training: More Preparation for the UBRR: 3 x 12 Flat Bench Presses 3 x 12 Incline Dumbbell Presses 3 x […]

Special Operation Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 1, Day 1

Special Operation Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 1, Day 1

How did everyone do on their UBRR Test from yesterday? If you passed but have some weak points, you now know what needs to be worked on. If you failed any portion of it, then you still have a lot of work to do. And know exactly what needs to get worked on. What we’re […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 17, Day 7

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 17, Day 7

Today we’re going to see where our fitness level is at by using a test using the new Special Operations Upper Body Round Robin (UBRR) Fitness Test. It measures functional fitness for the Special Operators much better than the traditional PT test. Pushups: (1min)      40 minimum +2 points for each additional rep. Sit-ups:    (1min)      40 […]

OSS Finally Recognized More Than 70 Years Later By Congress

OSS Finally Recognized More Than 70 Years Later By Congress

The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) was finally recognized by the U.S. Congress when the Congressional Gold Medal Act (S. 2234) was passed by the House of Representatives back in December and the Medal was officially presented on Wednesday. OSS was the World War II predecessor to CIA, the US Special Operations Command and the […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 17, Day 5

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 17, Day 5

Hopefully, the storm that is moving up the Northeast passed you by.  If your gym is open today it is a Chest and Triceps workout in the gym and then hit the trail for a 4-mile run. Remember to stretch well before and after and to stay hydrated. Mark your progress down in your workout […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 17, Day 4

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 17, Day 4

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 (90 minutes), and remember to hydrate throughout the march. Don’t forget to mark your progress in the workout log book and break in your second pair of boots. Training: More […]

Don’t Let the Elements Dictate Your Preparation For Selection

Don’t Let the Elements Dictate Your Preparation For Selection

“No Days Off.” That should be the mantra of all aspiring Special Operations troops. And we do what we can here to help those young people prepare. We post a daily workout program to help aspiring Special Operations candidates to properly prepare themselves physically for the various Selection courses. Being prepared physically will also carry over […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 17, Day 3

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 17, Day 3

Our last week of prep, Tuesday starts with Leg Day at the gym followed by a 4-mile run. Begin with pull-ups, then squats, lunges and the sled followed by a four-mile run. Leg Day is everyone’s least favorite day, make it your go-to day. Make sure you stretch well afterward and remember to hydrate. Training: […]

Turks, Free Syrian Army Forces Capture Afrin City

Turks, Free Syrian Army Forces Capture Afrin City

Turkish military forces and their Free Syrian Army (FSA) proxies continued their offensive in northwest Syria on Sunday and captured the city of Afrin. Operation Olive Branch has been steadily moving forward and the Kurdish fighters who had taken the city from the Islamic State were themselves removed by the Turks who consider the Kurds […]