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Latest Specialoperations stories, analysis, and updates from SOFREP.
Like many of us, I had issues with occasional lower back pain while in the military. Eventually, suffering a major injury that required surgery, that was in no way related to the normal workout routine that the Army conducts with soldiers doing PT. However, it wasn’t until many years later, I was doing some physical […]
Book Review On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands was a quiet place as the sun came up. Many of the sailors along Battleship Row were feeling the effects of being on liberty ashore drinking which ended at midnight. At dawn, there was a sleepy, Sunday feel to the morning, not much […]
When we write about preparing for the rigors of Selection and the qualification courses here in Special Operations.com, one specific area we don’t write about often is proper nutrition. It is an oversight on our part and it is for two very good reasons. Number one, I am not a nutritionist and have no training […]
The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall. Vince Lombardi When we write here at SpecialOperations.com and have discussions with aspiring candidates for the various units, we tend to deal only with the positive. It is par for the course, by and large, the vast majority of us […]
Rucking is one of the biggest discriminators for Special Operations Selection. It, along with Land Navigation are two of the biggest problem areas that candidates face when attempting to enter into one of the units in the military. And now with Special Operations open to women, they face the same issues that men face. In […]
Sleep. We all crave it, especially on weekends. But do we ever get enough of it? If you are like the majority of most Americans, the answer is no. And when you are going thru Selection, it is a fair bet that you will not be enjoying the eight hours of slumber that doctors say […]
Michael Thornton was a Navy SEAL and was awarded the U.S. military’s highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions during the war in Vietnam. He was decorated for saving the life of his senior officer, Lieutenant Thomas R. Norris, who also a recipient of the Medal of Honor in another combat action in […]
One of the most common mantras you will hear in Special Operations is the absolute must of being known as a team player. The very essence of a successful special operation is with a team working together to accomplish their mission. With it, the missions don’t get accomplished and the units fail. And yet the […]
As a member of a Special Operations unit, you can be tasked with damned near anything and probably will. The best indicator of having a skill is the fact that you can teach it to others. As we wrote here some time ago, “Teaching is An Art in Special Forces”, and some of the best […]
The Marine Corps took its time to become part of SOCOM but now their MARSOC units are not only part of the SOCOM umbrella but growing in both size and influence. The Corps keeps a pretty tight lid on their operators and their training. We visited their booth at the annual SOFIC event in Tampa. […]
This piece is meant to help prospective candidates prepare for SOF selection with their 12-mile rucksack march. And hopefully for those that followed it and conducted it, (it was a cold 40 degree, rainy morning here), followed our normal rucksack marching tips. Wearing the correct boots and socks, having the correct and comfortable clothes on […]
On this day in 1983, members of the 1st and 2nd Ranger Battalions, 82nd Airborne Division, Marine Corps 8th Marine Regiment, US Army Delta Force and Navy SEAL commandos invaded the island nation of Grenada. The small island, located about 100 miles north of Venezuela, was under strife after Prime Minister Maurice Bishop was placed […]
Praesidus builds rugged, American-assembled watches inspired by historic military timepieces. Designed for accuracy and tested for endurance, each watch is made for outdoor explorers, everyday adventurers, and anyone who needs reliability when it matters.
SIG Sauer is a world-class firearms manufacturer trusted by military, law enforcement, and responsible civilian shooters, delivering precision-engineered weapons, optics, and training systems while maintaining a strong commitment to veteran hiring, American manufacturing, and the professionals who rely on their gear when it matters most.
FightCamp is an at-home boxing and kickboxing training system built around real technique, structured programming, and measurable performance. Members train with fighters and professional coaches while using connected punch and kick trackers that record volume, speed, and power in every round. The result is training that builds conditioning, skill, discipline, and resilience — all from home, on your schedule.
Essential Provisions Field Fuel® meals [ready-to-eat] & sports nutrition products have been developed with the cleanest, high-quality nutrient and energy-dense ingredients available. Research has shown that the whole food nutrients contained in our products have the ability to help.
Have you ever tried to wear a fleece hoodie in bad weather? We don’t recommend it. That’s why we founded BÆRSkin in 2019 – to create the world’s best outdoor gear that’s just as comfortable at home as it is durable outdoors. “Bad fitting, bulky, and boring” is how we felt about 1000’s of regular fleece hoodies we tested.
If you’re 21 or older and use nicotine or tobacco, charge ahead with Black Buffalo, America’s only credible smokeless tobacco alternative. Black Buffalo dips just like the real thing without the tobacco leaf or stem. Find Black Buffalo in Wawa, Circle K, Sheetz, Love’s, Pilot, Racetrac, and many more retail locations across the United States.
Stay Locked In. No Matter What. NEORON is a brain-boosting beverage built for the mission: sugar-free, crash-free, and engineered for clean, tactical focus through long hours and high-stakes operations. Made for those who grind, stay sharp under pressure, and refuse to fold—if failure isn’t an option, NEORON has your six.
Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.
