Combined Special Operations raid kills two ISIS leaders in Syria

On May 17, a combined Special Operations raid killed two regional Islamic State leaders in eastern Syria. The assault force was comprised of a U.S. Special Operations element and a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) partner force. In a press release, Operation Inherent Resolve identified the two ISIS leaders as Ahmad ‘Isa Ismail al-Zawi, AKA Abu […]

Honoring the Niger Special Forces team this Memorial Day

Inconvenient fact: If you peel back the onion and focus on the facts, you will see that the most vocal military veterans on the internet, the ones who scream the loudest, triggered by their own insecurities as they fall into full Budweiser induced retard mode, likely didn’t serve so well. And some didn’t serve at […]

The Special Operations world of Sub-Saharan Africa: South African Recces

You can read part one here. Langebaan — Western Cape Province, South Africa. It has a predominantly white population of slightly over 8,000 and is located approximately 120 km north of the iconic city of Cape Town. Langebaan boasts of an ecosystem that is the epitome of natural serenity and the lagoon waters of its […]

The Pic of the Day: Navy SEALs love the snow

Navy SEALs demonstrate winter warfare capabilities during an exercise in Alaska. SEAL candidates go through the Special Operations Forces Cold Weather Maritime Training Facility (SOFCWMTF) during the SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) course, which comes immediately after the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) selection process. They spend approximately a month in Alaska learning about arctic warfare, winter […]

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 […]

Darn Tough: Finding the right sock for Rucking is incredibly important

One of the most frequently asked questions we get, from those of you who are about to embark on a career in Special Operations, concerns rucking and how to best prepare to hoist the big green pain pill around our southern military bases.  We have written countless times about proper fitting boots and socks and […]

SOCOM’s ‘Hyper Enabled Operator’ concept progresses

One of the more interesting items to come out of the recent vSOFIC (virtual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference) in Tampa last week was that the Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM) concept for a Hyper Enabled Operator (HEO) is progressing. The two-year program, built off a failed concept program, is designed to give special operators enhanced […]

What the 2020 Raider Ride means to this former operator

Editor’s note: The author is a former Marine Raider and Scout Sniper. He wrote this in support of his MARSOC brothers who have been wrongfully charged with manslaughter. Please read and support their cause. “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream” –MLK Jr Quoting Amos Please bear with me a […]

The Video of the Week: Greek Navy SEALs

In the following video, Hellenic Navy SEALs conduct training somewhere in the Aegean. During the exercise, the SEALs honed their over-the-beach, quick-reaction, close-quarters-combat, and sniper capabilities.

The Special Operations world of Sub-Saharan Africa

It is common knowledge that warfare has greatly evolved in our times: from the strategic to the operational and tactical levels, from training and equipment to mission statements and structure. Indeed, literally every facet of warfare has seen close to a complete doctrinal overhaul. A good number of countries across the globe have firsthand experienced […]