The Pic of the Day: Pumping those rounds like nobody’s business

U.S. Marines assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) 19.2, fire Mossberg 590A1 12-gauge shotguns during a non-lethal weapons range in Kuwait, April 25, 2020. The SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a crisis response force, prepared to deploy a variety of capabilities across the region.

Nick Coffman: Why I enlisted in the Marine Corps

Editor’s note: What a better way to celebrate the Military Appreciation Month than with some “Why I Joined” stories? Growing up I liked to play what I knew at the time to be the so-called army. I thought it was all just one big army and knew no branch distinction. I would pretend to sneak […]

Tactical Made Shooting Gloves – Gear review

I have had a tumultuous history with shooting gloves. I was never a huge fan of the issued gloves we were forced to wear as Marines, but I certainly saw the necessity. As a machine gunner, I dealt with guns and barrels hot enough to light cigarettes off of. In the years following my departure […]

The Pic of the Day: Trying not to lose them gains

U.S. Marines conduct individual physical training (PT) at the High-Intensity Tactical Training (HITT) centers at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan April 23, 2020. The HITT centers re-opened on Okinawa after a thorough deep cleaning and new safety guidelines in place to include: social distancing, wiping down of equipment before and after use, no spotting each others […]

The Pic of the Day: Combat PT during COVID-19

U.S. Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, work together through an obstacle course during a company-wide squad competition on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, April 16, 2020. 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines conducted the competition in order to train and remain tactically proficient while mitigating risks of the COVID-19 environment.

The Pic of the Day: Secretary of the Navy makes an exit

An F-35B Lightning II assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 (Reinforced) takes off from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America, flagship of the America Expeditionary Strike Group, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations […]

Testing my mettle to earn my medal: A Ragnar Trail experience

Editor’s note: One of our friends and readers at SOFREP, Heath Hansen, has frequently contributed to our site with his experiences. Here is another story of his, and you’ll no doubt enjoy this one as much as his other fine work.  November 1st, 2017. I get a call from my buddy — my buddy rarely […]

DIY Coronavirus masks, the Marine Corps way

Editor’s note: This article was written by Alex Hollings. It was originally published on Sandboxx.com. Make sure to follow them on Facebook. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper recently issued orders for service members to wear cloth masks in places and situations when social distancing isn’t feasible, as a part of a force-wide effort to curb the […]

The Pic of the Day: Marine recruits slide for their lives

Recruits with Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, participate in the Slide for Life obstacle during the Confidence Course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, March 31, 2020. This obstacle required great physical endurance for recruits to keep their grip on the cable and make it through without failing, a rigorous test in training […]

How the Coronavirus is affecting Special Operations training and selection courses

The Coronavirus pandemic has forced Special Operations units to improvise when it comes to their training and selection programs. The Naval Special Warfare Command (WARCOM) has suspended a number of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) and Basic Crewman Training (BCT) classes; the former course is the first major hurdle to those aspiring to become Navy SEALs, […]

The Pic of the Day: Is that rust on your weapon, Marine?

A new Marine with Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, executes a drill movement during their battalion commander’s inspection at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, April 1, 2020. Marines are tested on how good they look in uniform, know their Marine Corps history, clean their rifles, and how confident they are.