Celebrating 4th of July the Special Forces way

Ah, life in the military is very rarely boring. You get to travel to some exotic — well, different — places and meet some of the most interesting types of people. But one time-honored tradition was celebrating the 4th of July, our Independence Day, while deployed outside of the United States. For me, there are […]

Coronavirus outbreak strikes Special Forces students

COVID-19 has now affected the Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg. U.S. Army Special Operations Command officials announced that 90 students, who were going through Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE) training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, have tested positive for COVID-19. According to a spokeswoman, officials became aware of the outbreak after an instructor became […]

An interview with Jake Lockett of SEAL Team on CBS and NCIS: LA

Recently, SOFREP had the opportunity to interview actor Jake Lockett. A trained pilot of Cessna 152 and VFR 172-class aircraft, Jake was considering a career in the Central Intelligence Agency or the military before the attractions of acting lured him to Hollywood. With an Aerospace Engineering degree from Texas A&M University, Jake worked at Boeing […]

Jump & Dive 2020: A fundraiser for the combat diver and freefall communities

The Combat Diver Foundation and the U.S. Military Freefall Association will be jointly hosting a virtual fundraiser to raise money for their respective causes. The “Jump & Dive Fundraiser” will take place on August 29. The event will include a livestream of the fundraising event, comments by notable Combat Diver and Military Freefall qualified leaders, […]

The Video of the Week: A Special Forces amputee still rocking it

The U.S. Army recently did a three-part piece on Warrant Officer Nick Lavery, a Special Forces operator with the 5th Special Forces Group and an amputee who has managed to stay operational despite his injuries. His story is an inspirational tale full of grit and perseverance.

From the Holocaust to America’s Special Forces

For most people, surviving the Holocaust in Nazi-occupied Europe would be the defining moment of their lives. Men like Major General Sidney Shachnow aren’t most people. The Lithuanian-born Shachnow survived a forced labor camp and went on to join the U.S. Army, serve in Vietnam, and lead the Army Special Forces’ ultra-secret World War III […]

Help keep Army Special Operations history alive

De Oppresso Liber – To Free the Oppressed Known as the quiet professionals, the Green Berets have been “freeing the oppressed” all over the world, for decades. Their extraordinary contributions in Vietnam alone, serve to remind us of their uniqueness as the ONLY presidentially appointed unit. Now, the Special Forces’ legacy is desperately calling upon […]

The Special Operations argument for a Civil Affairs tab

Symbols are important. Civilizations, organizations, corporations, and even an individual’s identity are built on and around symbols. They communicate values, demonstrate principles, express aspirations, declare intentions, assert purpose, affirm origins, and galvanize solidarity. Symbols are powerful because they instill pride, evoke camaraderie, and spur individuals to strive harder in their pursuits. The proud graduates of […]

Brains vs Brawn: A Green Beret and a Ranger meet

Green Berets rely on their problem-solving abilities to survive in combat. Much of SF selection seeks to assess this talent. The Special Forces qualification course itself develops and improves creativity. Many times, military problems must be solved with the application of force. Green Berets are not afraid to get their hands dirty, but they understand […]

The Iranian commando who became an American Green Beret

The first time Changiz Lahidji joined a Special Forces unit, his loyalty was to Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran. But he found himself guarding lavish parties in the middle of the desert, protecting the opulent ruler of Imperial Iran and his guests. It wasn’t exactly the life of adventure that John Wayne movies led […]