An Operator’s Guide to Leadership, (Part 2)

How many of you have been in that team that we have fought or would have fought tooth and nail to stay in? You know, the team that you just cannot live without. The one that you look forward to going to work with every morning, where things just smooth seamlessly and everyone gets along. […]

Ranger School, Ranger Battalion, and Female Rangers…The Facts

There is a BIG misconception that a Ranger is a Ranger. “I have a Ranger Tab, I’m a Ranger!” Negative! You are Ranger-qualified. Not saying that those who graduate Ranger School shouldn’t be proud of their accomplishment, it’s a tough school. That being said, it is just a school. Ranger School is a 62-day leadership […]

Five Personality Traits of a Special Operator

People are always asking, “What do I need to do to become a Navy SEAL?” Or they say, “Those Rangers are all psychos and mindless killing machines; that’s not for me.” Or, perhaps someone thinks they have what it takes, physically, to be a Special Forces soldier, but they don’t know if they have the […]

The Cults of Special Operations

The units that make up America’s Special Operations community are now spread across all four branches and include upwards of approximately 80,000 personnel. Many are support and staff positions, but when we talk about the “tribes” of Special Operations we are really just referencing actual SOF-qualified troops, those who have been through RASP, BUD/S, SFAS, […]

Ballad of the US Navy SEAL Teams as Seen In The Lone Survivor Movie

Below is a personal favorite. I used a short key at the bottom to clarify a few terms. Enjoy- Brandon BALLAD of The US Navy SEAL Teams I’m a lover, a figther An American UDT SEAL diver. That’s a rootin tootin shootin paratroopin SCUBA diving demolition double cap crippin’ Frogman Last of the bare-knuckle fighters […]

Europe’s Finest Episode 1: JW FORMOZA

I would like to start off this new series of articles on Europe’s Finest SOF Units that usually escape the limelight – but whose responsibilities, actions and sacrifice are not inferior to those of the big names like SAS, GROM or KSK. In each episode, I will concentrate on one SOF unit, provide some background […]

How would our Special Operations Forces perform in North Korea?

With all the hype in regards to North Korea, it’s only necessary to have a discussion about how our special operations forces (SOF) would perform in the region if things actually did go south. While my background is specifically within the Army Special Operations Command, I can shed some light as to how our SOF units would […]