Stack the bodies and screw the rest: The issue with SOF

After months of investigation, the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has finished its comprehensive review into the professionalism and ethical issues in the Special Operations community. The 69-page report found that Special Operations units are too focused on being lethal on the battlefield and deploy as much as possible. As a consequence, what might appear […]

Top Crossfit Athletes try Special Forces training

SOF operators are renowned for their superb physical condition. The physical requirements of the profession are often equated with those found in professional sports. After 9/11, SOF units became the go-to option for policymakers. This highligthed the need for a larger, more effective force. Thus, SOF units began implementing techniques from professional sports teams to […]

The Pic of the Day: US Special Forces in Syria

Members of 5th Special Forces Group (A) conducting 50. Cal Weapons training during counter-ISIS operations at Al Tanf Garrison in southern Syria. Surrounded by desert, the Al Tanf base is located near the Iraq-Syria border. It has been used by U.S. Special Operations Forces as a training site for anti-ISIS forces. Its location has made […]

The Pic of the Day: Who said Generals don’t get their hands dirty?

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James Jarrard, left, the then-commander of Special Operations Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, provides assistant gunner support to a member of the 5th Special Forces Group during counter-ISIS operations in southern Syria. Maj. Gen. Jarrard is currently the commander of the 25 Infantry Division.

Turkey attacks compound of elite US-led Kurdish counterterrorism unit

A compound that houses elements of the elite Kurdish Yekineyen Anti-Terror (YAT) unit was bombed by Turkish forces in the early stages of the invasion of Northern Syria. YAT is a counterterrorism unit created and trained to hunt down Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists. U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) are training, advising, and operating with the […]

The Pic of the Day: Green Berets and Screaming Eagles raid together

Soldiers of C Troop, 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, conduct a blank-fire raid on a building in the Fort Campbell training area on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. The soldiers spent two weeks training with Green Berets from 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), on various battle drills, mission planning […]

Book Review: SOG Chronicles by John Stryker Meyer

This is the most horrendous combat story I have ever read. Just to put that in contest I have read about 1500 of them, in the course of editing around 200 and writing seven. I have heard but not read two that rival it, either on the phone or leaning on a bar. I mention […]

Studies and Observations Group’s ‘Q’ named honorary member of Special Forces Regiment

James Bond had “Q.” SOG had Baker. Ben Baker. During the Vietnam War’s eight-year secret war conducted in Laos, Cambodia and N. Vietnam under the aegis of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (SOG), the Green Berets turned to Counterinsurgency Support Office (CISO) Deputy Commander Conrad (“Ben”) B. Baker for everything […]

Replaced? Security Force Assistance Brigades vs. Special Forces

The U.S. Army recently announced it would be standing up six security force assistance brigades (SFABs), designed to provide the Army with units specifically trained to work as military advisors. As part of their training pipeline, these advisors will likely receive cultural and language training to facilitate working with their partner forces. They will have […]