37 years ago, the Special Forces Regiment got its Tab

SF troops come from humble and austere beginnings. The original Special Forces troops were formed on Smoke Bomb Hill in 1952. Special Forces were created as former members of the OSS (Office of Strategic Services) were assigned with paratroopers and Rangers, with a sprinkling of former members of the Army’s 1st Special Service Force, to […]

Army rolls out alternative fitness test, but scores will still not count

The Coronavirus pandemic has affected readiness in all of the military services. For the Army, it has impacted everything from deployments, permanent change of station moves (PCS), and the implementation of the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT).  The Army is still rolling out the new ACFT, as planned on October 1, but the results […]

Op-Ed: Are Generals Mattis and Petraeus patriots or revolutionists?

The following Op-Ed was written by Fred Galvin (USMC retired). Generals Mattis and General Petraeus collaborated and published the U.S. Army’s Field Manual 3-24 on counterinsurgency operations (COIN) in 2006; it later became Joint Publication 3-24. The publication contained the lessons the generals learned from nearly 19 years of operations in Afghanistan and 16 years […]

Systemic racism is not alive in America

I was originally sent this power article by SOFREP reader Jerry “Ol’ Jer” Sullivan. I recognized its worth immediately coupled with the timing of both the D-Day anniversary and the ANTIFA-led riots that have derailed most peaceful demonstrations. I sent Major General James H. “Mook” Mukoyama, Jr.’s article immediately to a key person in SOFREP, […]

The Pic of the Day: A gym fit for warfighters

U.S. Army medic paratroopers assigned to various battalions within the 173rd Airborne Brigade fire notional rounds during a Best Medic Competition on Caserma Del Din, Italy, June 4-5, 2020. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army’s Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States Europe, Africa and Central Command […]

Would you go to school for a Bachelor’s of Tactical Sciences degree?

I have been thinking a lot about my training goals lately. Because I failed to maintain my EMT certification, I am currently in EMT class for the second time. This class was a big goal but is consuming a considerable amount of my time and training budget. I’ve cobbled together quite a few classes over […]

Special Warfare Museum to close permanently

In January, the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Museum closed in order to conduct a complete inventory. The Museum announced that once it reopened it would fall under the U.S. Army Special Operations Command and expand to include all of the ARSOF Regiments. Therefore it would also include Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations. Let the […]

Trump prepared to deploy federal troops to quell riots and looting

In an address to the nation from the Rose Garden of the White House, President Donald Trump warned that he will deploy federal troops across the country if the ongoing civil unrest continues. Trump’s warning to deploy federal troops comes after protests sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis turned violent and spread […]

Air Force suspends fitness testing

In an attempt to scale back exposure to Airmen and to further slow the spread of COVID-19, Air Force officials have now announced that all official fitness testing is suspended until Oct. 1. Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services, said in a signed memo, “Airmen remain our top […]

Less pull-ups, more intellect: The new approach to Special Operations recruitment

It is no secret that Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has a growing shortage of operators and is experiencing an ongoing struggle to meet training quotas. In previous articles, I have talked about the manning shortfalls within the Special Operations community and the dwindling number of people that are capable and willing to make it through […]

A different perspective on the state of the SF Combat Diver capability

As the President of the Combat Diver Foundation (CDF), I felt the need to comment on this story that was first reported by SOFREP and later re-reported by Business Insider. First a disclaimer: The Combat Diver Foundation has no official relationship with the many military commands, law enforcement agencies, or intelligence units that maintain a […]