November 24, 1944, Tokyo Is Bombed for the 1st Time Since the Doolittle Raid

In 1944, the US knew what awaited them when facing the Japanese forces as they got closer and closer to the homeland of Japan. The prospects of a Japanese surrender were practically non-existent and the ferocity and bloodshed for tiny specks of islands as the Allies hopped from chain to island chain were much higher […]

Russians Will Reduce Troop Strength in Syria By the End of the Year

The Russians will begin reducing the size of their military forces in Syria significantly said Valery Gerasimov, the Chief of the Russian military General Staff. And he says that it could begin as early as the end of 2017. Russia’s military support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, notably through air strikes, has been crucial in […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation 11.24.2017

End of a short week and Leg Day at the gym. That will get all of that tryptophan from the turkey out of your system. Start with Squats – (front, dumbbell goblet, and barbell), then some Lunges and the Weighted Sled Push. Follow it all up with a five-mile run. Mark your progress down in […]

Possibly The Worst Thanksgiving Day Ever, Courtesy of SERE School

Back in the day, we were in a support cycle having come back from a deployment with the 7th Special Forces Group and myself and another guy got ourselves put in a short course the Weapons Committee was running for some reserve Heavy Weapons guys. It was early November and the weather was turning crappy […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation 11.23.2017

A very Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. From all of us at SOFREP we hope you all have a safe and wonderful day. If your gym is open today (luckily I have a key to mine) it is a Chest and Triceps workout there and then hit the trail for a 4-mile run. Remember to stretch […]

Military Retirement System Being Overhauled, Big Changes Ahead

The military is revamping its military retirement system with the biggest changes to it since the end of World War II. The new so-called “Blended Retirement System” (BRS) goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2018 and will affect many military members who have less than 12 years of service and those entering service from here […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation 11.22.2017

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 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 UBRR: 3 x 12 […]

Operation Ivory Coast, November 21, 1970, The Raid on Son Tay Prison

By November of 1970, there were 450 known American POWs in Vietnam and more than double that amount who were missing. Reports were surfacing of brutal conditions, torture, and starvation of American POWs. Operation Ivory Coast was the mission by US Army Green Berets flown in by Air Force Commandos to rescue the POWs at […]

Afghan Special Forces Free Captives in Raid in Helmand Province

Afghan Commandos from the 7th Special Operation Kandak liberated more than 15 people from a Taliban prison in Now Zad village, Now Zad district, Helmand province. The nighttime raid also led to the detention of several Taliban and the removal of IED making materials. The Afghan SF also had support from NATO during the raid. […]

ICC Wants to Investigate US Military, CIA for War Crimes

United States forces are being investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague as prosecutors there believe that there are sufficient grounds to believe that the US committed war crimes in Afghanistan in 2003-2004. Prosecutors believe there was a “reasonable basis” that U.S. forces had tortured prisoners in Afghanistan and at Central Intelligence […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation 11.21.2017

Warmer day on Tuesday starts with Leg Day at the gym followed by a 4-mile run. Begin with pull-ups and towel pull-ups for those who don’t have access to climbing ropes. Then squats, lunges and the sled followed by a four-mile run Training: Continue to prep for the UBRR 3 x Pullups 10 reps 3 […]