The Pic of the Day: The trait that makes the 75th Ranger Regiment special

As the premier special operations light infantry unit in the U.S. Army, the 75th Ranger Regiment takes pride in its unwavering physical standards that apply to all of its members—regardless of age or sex. Pictured from left to right: Colonel Brown (the new regimental commander), Command Sergeant Major Albaugh, and Colonel Tegtmeier (the previous regimental […]

Will the military dare replace a Civil War general with a Special Forces legend?

Recently, Stars and Stripes and several other publications have posted pieces on a proposal for renaming Fort Hood in Texas for Roy Benavidez, the Medal of Honor (MOH) recipient from Lindenau, DeWitt County, Texas. Benavidez was awarded the MOH for extraordinary heroism while rescuing several Americans during the Vietnam War on May 2, 1968.  Normally, […]

When terrorists attack, Aussie Commandos are ready

Within mere hours of a group of terrorists hijacking a passenger ferry in Sydney’s Middle Harbour, Australian commandos were already above and beside their target. Six rigid-hulled inflatable boats packed with operators whizzed toward the ship. In the sky, a flock of Blackhawk helicopters circled to fast-rope additional assault teams and provide critical aerial sniper […]

The Video of the Week: Do you have what it takes to join the 75th Ranger Regiment?

Recently, the 75th Ranger Regiment released a recruiting and capabilities video. As the military’s—and arguably the world’s—premier special operations light infantry unit, the 75th Ranger Regiment is an ideal place for competitive and ambitious soldiers to begin their career. Physical grit and mental stamina, however, are necessary not only to pass the Ranger Assessment and […]

SEAL Delivery Vehicles: The SEAL Teams’ secret weapon

Twenty years. That’s how long it took me to realize I’d done something unique, something different. I was young when I started my SEAL career at SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team Two (SDVT-2). I thought all the team guys at real SEAL teams must have known something I didn’t. They must have known there was no […]

The Pic of the Day: The face of the infantryman

A British Royal Marine, who serves with Forty Commando, Royal Marines, walks in formation during a patrol in the field near Stanage Bay, Queensland, Australia, July 17, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019. Exercises such as Talisman Sabre offer a uniquely complex and challenging multinational environment for forces to hone their skills.

American and EU commandos assess the regional SOF command concept

Frequent and realistic exercises that test war-fighters on symmetric and asymmetric war scenarios are the best way to prepare a force for a possible conflict. Force preparedness is crucial with the near-peer threats of China and Russia becoming ever more pronounced as the American military and its NATO allies shift their gaze from counterterrorism and […]

Prepping For Selection, the Right Way is the Only Way

This is the time of year when the Selection courses are in full swing and the guys…and gals who want to be part of Special Operations units are deciding to get ready and give it their best shot at becoming members in the best fraternity in the world. The US military has embraced Special Operations […]

The elite Air Force unit that inserts and resupplies Special Operators

One of the primary reasons America’s special operations forces (SOF) are so effective is the first-class support they get from all fronts. Even in the lowest tiers of the SOF structure, the operator-to-support-guy ratio is remarkable, averaging about one operator to every eight support personnel. The higher up within the SOF hierarchy you go, the […]

Ranger regiment testing new rucksacks for Airborne Operations

The 75th Ranger Regiment is working with the U.S. Army Operational Test Command’s (OTC) Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate (ABNSOTD) based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to put some new rucksacks through their paces during airborne operations. The Rangers are testing out three different rucksacks that are produced by Mystery Ranch Mountain Backpacks, a […]

Women and SOF selection, a former Special Forces instructor speaks out

Sometimes you read things in the news and are thoroughly amazed and awed by some of the fantastic things people think of and make happen. Other times you can read something and be thoroughly amazed and awed for the opposite reasons and wonder, “What the hell are they thinking?” Recently, the Pentagon has resolved to […]