Special Operations Warrior Foundation: A noble cause worth supporting

One of the constant reminders of the cost of endless wars is the human toll they exact. This is not just confined to soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, but to their families too. Every time a warrior is either killed or seriously wounded in battle, his or her family is left to pick up the […]

Terrorists still number 1 on Special Operations Command’s target deck

Army Gen. Richard D. Clarke, the commander of SOCOM, addressed attendees virtually on last Tuesday during the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC). He stated that the number one priority for SOCOM operators remains the countering of Violent Extremist Organizations (VEOs). He emphasized that extremism is a “generational issue.” Nevertheless, General Clarke, speaking to the […]

Operation End Run: Merrill’s Marauders Raid Myitkyina Airfield

After the U.S. troops had been driven out of Burma by the Japanese in 1943 during World War II, the Americans decided that they needed a “Long Range Penetration” mission behind Japanese lines. The plan was to disrupt and destroy the enemy’s supply lines and communications while attacking the enemy behind their forces while also […]

SOF Industry Conference 2020 going virtual

The Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) in Tampa, FL is always a big draw. In 2019, the conference had a record of 16,000 attendees. In the conference, the United States’ Special Operations Command (SOCOM), hosts hundreds of vendors (440 last year) wishing to do business with the military’s special operators.  However, due to the […]

A Ranger’s Glock 34 handgun

“Synergy” -noun 1. The interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements, contributions, etc. This is a term that expertly describes this Rangers Agency Arms Glock 34 build. I know my way around Glocks. They’ve been my sidearm of choice since ’93 when […]

The big ugly elephant in the room: Standards in Special Operations

Let us talk about standards… Oh no. Standards! Not that dirty word again. But it is a very important one. We’ve written about the standards in the Special Forces courses, both regarding Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) and the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) a couple of times. Yet now is a good time […]

A Green Beret’s take on the Salomon XA Forces Mid-Boot

Okay, so anyone who knows me or has read any of my articles in the past knows that I am and have always been a huge Merrell fan. Owner of too many pairs to count, Merrells are my go-to boots for anything. But that may be subject to change. I like to scan and read […]

What goes on during Ranger Assessment and Selection

The Ranger Assessment and Selection Program 1, (RASP 1), is an intense, eight-week course designed to test a Soldier’s physical and mental strength under extreme conditions. Candidates must earn the right to don the tan beret and become a member of the 75th Ranger Regiment. RASP 2 is designed for officers and senior enlisted Soldiers […]

Writing tips for aspiring veteran writers

It’s no secret that veterans and military-affiliated folks have built their own entire ecosystem on the internet. Like any other corner of the web, it’s simply like-minded people who share history and/or interests. Like almost any other thing on the internet, it can threaten to be an echo chamber that only reinforces certain views or […]

German police arrests four ISIS terrorists plotting to attack US bases

German law enforcement officers arrested four Islamic State sympathizers who were plotting to attack U.S. installations and personnel in the country. The four men came from Tajikistan. Identified only by their first names and the first letter of their surname (Azizjon B., Muhammadali G., Farhodshoh K., and Sunatullokh K.), they age between 24- and 32-years-old. […]

75th Ranger Regiment Chaplain speaks out

Chaplain (Major) Erik Alfsen, the Regimental Chaplain of the 75th Ranger Regiment, speaks out about the current pandemic but also about how to overcome adversity. His thoughts on the Stockdale Paradox are intriguing.