Army recognizes top ten operators from across its special operations community

On June 7, the Army Special Operations Command recognized ten soldiers and civilians from across its special operations units for their distinguished service. Brig. Gen. Harrison Gilliam, the deputy commanding officer of the U.S. Army Special Warfare Center and School, inducted five soldiers into the Special Forces Regiment, two soldiers into the Civil Affairs Regiment, […]

The Marine Corps just launched two non-spec ops train and advise units

In an attempt to stay relevant in the Foreign Internal Defense (FID) arena, the Marine Corps activated two new units to represent it. On June 7, Marine Corps Advisor Companies (MCAC) Alpha and Bravo were established in a ceremony that took place at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington D.C. The two new outfits, which belong to […]

America to begin working with Indonesian Special Forces again, but should we?

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan was in Indonesia last week and met with officials in an attempt to normalize military-to-military relations between our nations. A particular area of contention is Indonesia’s Special Forces unit called Kopassus, which is accused of human rights abuses. Due to the Leahy Amendment, U.S. military forces cannot work with […]

‘Murphy’s Law:’ Culture shock crossfire in Iraq

An excerpt from the new book, “Murphy’s Law: My Journey from Ranger and Green Beret to Investigative Journalist“ When we took that platoon into Mosul, it was a clusterfuck. The Iraqis left their breaching equipment on the Humvees because it was too heavy and they didn’t want to carry it, so our senior Charlie, Mike, […]

SOF Video of the Day: SEAL students in the surf

Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUDs) students participate in Surf Passage at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Jan. 21. Surf Passage is one of many physically demanding evolutions that are a part of the first phase of SEAL training. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Russell/Released Learn more about Navy SEALs Surf Passage training in […]

SOF Video of the Day: Hopping a ride in a CV-22 Osprey

Members from the 3rd Special Forces Group watch as a U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey lands Feb. 26, 2018, at Melrose Training Range, New Mexico. At Emerald Warrior, the largest joint and combined special operations exercise, U.S. Special Operations Command forces train to respond to various threats across the spectrum of conflict. U.S. Air Force […]

SOF Video of the Day: The Joint Special Operations Forces Medical Element (SOFME)

A Joint Special Operations Forces Medical Element (SOFME), which includes Flight Surgeons, Physician Assistants and Independent Duty Medical Technicians (IDMT) and their augmentation team, Public Health, Bio-Environmental and Administrative Personnel, conduct a medical scenario during Emerald Warrior 18. Combined Joint Special Operations Forces participate in Emerald Warrior 18 in the Special Operations Air Component, at […]

Lawmakers debate major changes for US special operations forces

The winds of change are blowing through the United States’ Special Operations Forces (SOF) as lawmakers debate significant changes to the mandate of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). According to a March 2019 report by the Congressional Research Service, USSOCOM is trying to pass an amendment to the Unified Command Plan that would greatly […]

SOF Video of the Day: Force Recon doesn’t request permission to board

Force Reconnaissance Marines assigned to Force Reconnaissance Company, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force along with British Royal Marines with J Company, 42 Commandos and Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5 (EODMU-5) conduct special insertion and raid training on the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) moored […]

SOF Video of the Day: HALO jumping with US Air Force Special Tactics teams

Airmen of the U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Training Squadron prepare to conduct a high altitude, low opening or HALO, mission near Fort Walton Beach, Fla., March 16, 2010, during Exercise Emerald Warrior 2010. U.S. military servicemembers participated in the U.S. Special Operations Command-sponsored, 19-day joint training exercise at multiple sites along Florida’s Gulf Coast. […]

Tunnel-mapping tech may be the most important special operations gear of the 21st century

Recently, NEWSREP Editor-in-chief Jack Murphy reported on the U.S. military’s standing plan to infiltrate Iranian underground bunkers housing integral elements of the nation’s nuclear apparatus. If war between the United States and Iran were ever to come to fruition, these facilities (commonly referred to as hardened and deeply buried targets, or HDBTs) would be among […]