Mattis, Thomas Trying to Set The Record Straight on Niger

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is calling out the senior leadership of the Pentagon and Africa Command for placing all of the burden of the ill-fated Niger mission where four Special Operations soldiers were killed on the team leader and the most junior officers and NCOs while absolving the higher command of any blame, despite the […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 5, Day 2

Happy Monday, we’ll do a small prep for the UBRR (Upper Body Round Round) by doing a pre-test on the Pushups, Sit-ups, Crunches, and V-Ups two times. Go thru the entire cycle and then do it again and see where your fitness level is. Ensure your form is very strict with the push-ups as that […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 5, Day 1

We’ll kick off things today with our Sunday morning rucksack march. A warmup of pushups and planks followed by a fast-paced 5-mile ruck march with a 45-pound minimum to start the day right. The ability to carry a rucksack is of paramount importance in Special Operations. Remember to stay hydrated throughout the ruck and to […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 4, Day 7

Shoulder and back exercises this morning in the gym before a run to top things off. If you have access to any ropes, you should start incorporating rope climbing into your workouts. If not towel pull-ups are the next best thing. Mark down your progress in your workout log book and remember to stretch well […]

The global influence and effect of American SOF

The United States doesn’t just possess some of the world’s top special operations units, but, more importantly, it leads the way when it comes to SOF doctrine and development. Earlier this month, the Netherlands established its own Special Operations Command (NLD SOCOM) in order to better face current and future threats. The NLD SOCOM is modeled […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 4, Day 6

Friday is Leg Day at the gym which should become your favorite day of the week. The weighted Sled push and the squats help build up power and speed. The lighter weight dumbbell squats will also build up endurance. A 3-mile run to finish the workout. Aim for a better time than the standard which is […]

Artificial intelligence and augmented reality: How SOCOM plans to dominate the modern battlefield

The United States Special Operations Command is always looking for ways to give its soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen an advantage over current and potential enemies. To that end, SOCOM has been partnering with several industry sectors to design, develop, and produce ground-breaking equipment. More specifically, SOCOM wishes to incorporate artificial intelligence and augmented and virtual […]

Special Operations Candidates, Get Your Mind Right

Opinion: I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say to me or comment in my presence about what they “think” it takes to become a Navy SEAL or Green Beret. Most often, these people are unaware of my profession and it is always with a sense of amusement that I hear their […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 4, Day 5

Thursday is another UBRR training day followed by a 4-mile rucksack march. Are you keeping a log of your times on your runs and rucks? You should mark down your workouts and especially your times on the runs and rucks. You should notice a marked improvement as we progress. Ensure you stay hydrated as well […]

Watch: Russian SOF get new boats. But will they make any difference?

The Russian special operations forces (Spetsnaz) have been issued a new special operations craft. Designated as Project 02800, the boat is manufactured by a company called Trident Aluminium Boats. The company, among other products, produces motorboats and rigid inflatable boats for commercial use. According to Russia Today, a state-owned news agency, the new special operations […]

Special Operations Forces Selection PT Preparation Week 4, Day 4

Wednesday is Shoulder Day in the gym along with some speed work. The sprints here will help with your overall cardio fitness, build some explosion, and will serve you well with your endurance. It is also a functional part of your job in Special Operations. There will be plenty of times where you’ll have to […]