Operation Mincemeat, the Death of a Homeless Man Safeguards the Sicily Invasion

One of the more bizarre and successful military deception operations took place on April 30, 1943, during World War II by the British. Operation Mincemeat took place off the Spanish coast and convinced the Germans that the upcoming Allied invasion of Sicily was headed instead for Greece and Sardinia. This caused the Germans to funnel […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 9, Day 4

Time to head over to the gym for some shoulder and back work. As we mentioned in another post, these shoulder workouts help in rucking, especially once in Selection. Be sure to log the progress down in your workout log book. And because Wednesday is one of our rucking days, strap on a 45-pound minimum […]

“Saving Private Ryan” Re-released for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day

One of the biggest blockbuster war films is being re-released for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Normandy invasion of France. Steven Spielberg’s classic “Saving Private Ryan” is being brought back in 600 theaters nationwide for just two days, June 2 and June 5 at 3 and 7 p.m. on those days to commemorate the […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 9, Day 3

Tuesday is Leg Day at the gym, and a perfect way to shake off those rainy day doldrums. Begin with pull-ups and towel pull-ups for those who don’t have access to climbing ropes. Then squats with lighter weights with more reps, lunges and the sled followed by a three-mile run Training: Continue to prep for […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 9, Day 2

We’ll kick off our Monday and work week and crush those weekend cobwebs with a mini-UBRR test. Start off 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. The standard says 40-minutes but shoot for something better than that. Remember to stay hydrated […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 9, Day 1

It is time for our Sunday morning Rucksack march. Do a quick warmup of pushups and sit-ups before heading out for an 8-mile rucksack march. Head out over varied terrain and try to go as fast as you can without running. The standard is 120 minutes. Aim to lower that Stretch well both before and […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 8, Day 7

Saturday morning in the gym for shoulders and back work. Towel pull-ups are for those with no access to ropes. The only way to get better at pull-ups and climbing ropes….is to practice doing them until they are a strength.  Followed by a four-mile run in 32 minutes or less. Log your numbers down in […]

Lack Land Navigation Skills at the Special Op’s Level? Level 1 Refresher

On yesterday’s post, we talked about the Army’s junior NCO’s (E-4 – E-6) are exhibiting a definitive lack of Land Navigation skills where nearly a third can’t pass a Skill Level 1 map, compass, and protractor exercise at the Ft. Benning, GA NCO Academy. We’ll go back to the Basics, much of this you’ll have […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 8, Day 6

Friday means another Leg Day at the gym. Begin with some Squats – front, dumbbell goblet, and barbell to build up strength for carrying a rucksack. We’re going with a lighter weight and more reps here. Then some lunges and after the weighted sled push/Fireman’s Carry, finish the workout off by breaking things up a […]

Photo of the Day, SOCOM Inducts Four Into Commando Hall of Honor

USSOCOM held a ceremony on April 18 at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida and inducted four very deserving people into SOCOM’s Commando Hall of Honor. Leading the way was OSS and CIA trailblazer Virginia Hall. Hall will be the subject of a motion picture starring Star Wars’ Daisy Ridley in the near future. Virginia Hall, […]

Too Many Junior Army Leaders Can’t Navigate, A Bad Sign

A recent piece in MilitaryTimes stated that many of the young sergeants in most infantry and close-combat units don’t know how to maneuver their squads or do basic land navigation. For “soft skill” MOS’ that isn’t necessarily a show stopper, but for the infantry and combat arms types, that is a very bad sign that […]