The Pic of the Day: The face of the infantryman

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

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

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

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

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

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 […]

WATCH: How to pass Special Forces Assessment and Selection

WATCH: How to pass Special Forces Assessment and Selection

The journey to becoming a Special Forces soldier won’t be easy. Special Forces training is rigorous and highly selective, but the courage and strength you will gain as a candidate will stay with you your entire life. In addition to Basic Combat Training, soldiers must have completed Advanced Individual Training and U.S. Army Airborne School to […]

Is the M4/AR-15 an obsolete platform? An Australian SOF operator weighs in

Is the M4/AR-15 an obsolete platform? An Australian SOF operator weighs in

In 2015, when the Australian military was discussing its future combat rifle, there was an interesting debate about the merits of the M4/AR15 platform versus its competitors. More specifically, an Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) warrant officer with over 25 years’ experience in the SOF community offered some interesting remarks about why the M4/AR15 […]

Navy EOD operators honored for capturing underground ISIS headquarters

Navy EOD operators honored for capturing underground ISIS headquarters

On June 27th, two U.S. Navy explosive ordnance sailors received the Bronze Star for valor for clearing an underground headquarters compound that contained dozens of ISIS fighters. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Petty Officer Travis Holland of Colorado and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Petty Officer Christopher Greene of Arizona were crucial in […]

The WWI hero that pioneered US global intelligence

The WWI hero that pioneered US global intelligence

On the eve of the United States entering World War II, the U.S. was woefully unprepared—both militarily and in the realm of intelligence. The United States did not have a professional intelligence service, but that was about to change. President Franklin D. Roosevelt recognized the need for a professional global intelligence service. He was worried […]

Another 10th Special Forces Group soldier killed in action in Afghanistan

Another 10th Special Forces Group soldier killed in action in Afghanistan

A U.S. Special Forces soldier was killed “in action” in Afghanistan on Saturday, the Pentagon announced in a brief statement. That soldier is identified as Sgt. Maj. James G. “Ryan” Sartor, a 40-year-old from Teague, Texas, assigned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He was killed during combat operations in Faryab Province, Afghanistan. The sergeant […]