Richard Gatling Applies for a Patent on His Gatling Gun, December, 1862

The Gatling gun is one of the most iconic early rapid-firing guns, a forerunner to the machine gun that revolutionized warfare. Gatling’s spring loaded, hand-cranked weapon was first used by Union forces during the American Civil War in the early 1860s, but it didn’t see widespread use by US forces until after the war. Dr. […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 2, 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. Make sure you are hydrating enough during the workout and do a good stretch before and after. No […]

SWC Is Always Under the Microscope, Now From the Outside

Opinion: By now, practically everyone associated with Special Operations Forces have heard of, read, and/or discussed the recent letter from a “concerned Green Beret” that blasted the command climate at the JFK Special Warfare Center and School at Ft. Bragg, NC. Titled “Careerism, Cronyism, and Malfeasance in SWCS: The End of SF Capability”, the letter […]

Israel Strikes Iranian Base in Syria Outside of Damascus

An Iranian military base near Damascus came under attack just after midnight Saturday by missiles from the Israeli military, according to Lebanon’s Al-Mustaqbal TV and the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya network. Twelve Iranian military personnel were killed in the air strike, Syrian sources claim that they intercepted and shot down two Israeli missiles. Arab media reports said Israel […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 2, Day 2

After the rucksack march of Sunday, we go back to the gym with some prep for the Upper Body Round Robin (UBRR) followed by a 3-mile run.  Set the pace for as fast you can and try to better the standard and the time of your last run. When doing the pushups, don’t worry about […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 2, Day 1

Time for our Sunday morning rucksack march, we’ll warm up with quick exercises and a stretch and then hit the trail for a 5-mile march over varied or uneven terrain. Make sure that ruck fits correctly and the same for your boots and socks. You can reference some of our earlier pieces for any information […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 1, Day 5

Back in the gym this morning before heading out for a run. But first today it is a back, and shoulders workout. Go heavy with the pulldowns and keep it under control, slowly pulling the weight up and lowering it back to the rack. Use strict form on the dumbbell raises and presses as well. […]

Niger Agrees to Grant Authority to U.S. Military to Arm Drones

Reports from CNN earlier this week are saying that the government of Niger has granted the US military the authority to arm its drones in Niger. US military officials had been seeking the authority to arm its drones for months prior to the ambush of a US Special Forces unit that left four soldiers dead. […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation, Week 1, Day 4

Continue to prep for the UBRR and focus on some speed work today with some shorter runs for time. Speed work will help with your endurance and explosion. Work on the perfect form when doing your exercises. The cadre at Selection are meticulous at grading form, especially with pushups. The time to get it right […]

Some Basic Survival Skills Everyone Should Know

We live in a techno-centric age. Everything is at our fingertips. We have cell phones that can navigate our roads from point A-to-point B. Our phones also have GPS grid coordinates at the quick typing of an app, that can pinpoint your exact location.  But what happens in the event of an emergency and you […]

Convicted War Criminal Dies After Drinking Poison in Court

In a shocking turn of events that played out on live television, Slobodan Praljak, drank poison in a courtroom and died later on Wednesday, after the convicted war criminal interrupted a courtroom hearing to declare his innocence according to Croatian state media. Praliak, loudly proclaimed his innocence in front of the International Criminal Tribunal and […]

US Denies Special Operations Soldiers Killed Somali Citizens in August

AFRICOM, the United States’ command in Africa, has disputed claims that Special Operations soldiers killed any civilian during a raid conducted in August. The PAO office for the command released a statement on Wednesday, which was the first public statement concerning the allegations that first surfaced in the Daily Beast. AFRICOM’s two-paragraph statement referred to […]