Special Operations troops need their Armed Overwatch program now

Special Operations troops need their Armed Overwatch program now

Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is working through the Air Force Special Operations (AFSOC) to purchase up to 75 “armed overwatch” planes that will conduct intelligence, reconnaissance, and Close Air Support (CAS) missions. SOCOM’s armed overwatch aircraft is envisioned to operate in close conjunction with special operations troops on the ground. The versatile aircraft can scout […]

Air Force revamps Special Operations officer career fields

Air Force revamps Special Operations officer career fields

As with the recent revamp of its enlisted Special Operations career fields, the Air Force created a new specialty code that will now encompass its three officer SOF jobs. Combat Rescue, Special Tactics, and Tactical Air Control Party officers will now fall under the same Air Force Specialty Code (19ZXX), which is the Air Force […]

Steve Balestrieri: Why I joined the Army’s Special Forces

Steve Balestrieri: Why I joined the Army’s Special Forces

Editor’s note: What a better way to celebrate the Military Appreciation Month than with some “Why I Joined” stories? May is here and spring is in the air unless you live in New England where it feels like March. However, May is National Military Appreciation Month. During the month, there are several days set aside […]

Breaking down the British elite forces: The Royal Marine Commandos (RM)

Breaking down the British elite forces: The Royal Marine Commandos (RM)

In a recent series, we examined the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) spectrum. In this series, we’ll review the elite components within the conventional British forces. We will start with one of the U.K.’s most renowned units: the Royal Marines, an elite amphibious commando force of the Royal Navy. The Royal Marines (RM), or Bootnecks […]

‘Who’s Your Daddy?’ Special Forces trolling taken to an art level

‘Who’s Your Daddy?’ Special Forces trolling taken to an art level

There are times when you just should be realistic and just admit defeat. And when you are in a conventional National Guard unit, don’t get into a war of psychological operations with Special Forces guys. It is a losing proposition.  So, to quote the beginnings of the old “Lone Ranger” television series: Return with us […]

Learn to live and thrive like a Navy SEAL

Learn to live and thrive like a Navy SEAL

Across the ages, every great society has celebrated and revered a great warrior tradition and passed on the stories of these heroes in folklore. We can look back to the Spartans, Roman legions, Vikings, medieval Knights, Samurai, or Aztecs, and each time we will find that a strong warrior class coincided with a strong nation. […]

The big ugly elephant in the room: Standards in Special Operations

The big ugly elephant in the room: Standards in Special Operations

Let us talk about standards… Oh no. Standards! Not that dirty word again. But it is a very important one. We’ve written about the standards in the Special Forces courses, both regarding Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) and the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) a couple of times. Yet now is a good time […]

Op-Ed: Army Arctic Tab, everyone gets a trophy

Op-Ed: Army Arctic Tab, everyone gets a trophy

This past week SOFREP’s Steve Balestrieri wrote about the newly redesigned Artic Tab and how it spurred controversy. The controversy ultimately comes from egos, a feeling that everyone needs a trophy. Let us be honest; how many tabs does the Army need? The Arctic tab is earned by completing either the Cold Weather Leaders Course […]

Mental health & the quarantine: The unseen wounds of the Pandemic

Mental health & the quarantine: The unseen wounds of the Pandemic

The impact of the COVID-19 on Individuals and Communities has taken its toll. The COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak has the potential to increase stress and anxiety, both because of the fear of catching the virus and because of uncertainty about how the outbreak will affect all us socially and economically.  The pandemic is presenting every level […]

Working with Shayetet 13, one of the world’s top Naval Special Operations units

Working with Shayetet 13, one of the world’s top Naval Special Operations units

On any given day, there’s a decent chance you’ll hear something about Israel in the mainstream media. It’s a hotbed of conflict and religious extremism. No matter how you look at it, Israel is in a constant state of war. My co-worker, Steve Balestrieri, just published an article about Israel possibly “removing” a Syrian General. […]