A Spy and a Gentleman: John Ford, Oscar-winning Hollywood director

Most people remember John Ford as an iconic Hollywood film director and winner of multiple Oscars. Ford was known especially for his westerns for which he frequently used Monument Valley in the Arizona/Utah area as a backdrop. But during World War II, Ford went to work for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the forerunner […]

PHALANX: Meet the newest initiative of the 75th Ranger Regiment

In yet another move to increase its combat effectiveness and retention, the 75th Ranger Regiment rolled out the PHALANX program. The initiative is centered on three pillars: Human Performance (performance enhancement opportunities, holistic health assessments, world-class offsite care tailored to each individual) Career (mastery of Ranger fundamentals and competences, more time in key positions — […]

How Airmen prepare for Ranger School

Airmen aspiring to attend and complete the suckfest called Ranger School have to first complete an assessment course that evaluates their potential and prepares them for the real deal. The Air Force Ranger Assessment Course has been around for a few years. It is a three-week course that sharpens basic soldiering tasks, including land navigation, […]

Obese and Weak: Are Young Americans Failing the Special Operations Community?

Facing a concerning shortage in special operations personnel, the U.S. military grapples with the reality that, despite the high costs and rigorous standards of training, fewer young Americans are stepping up to join the elite ranks, possibly due to growing societal comfort and diminishing physical and mental aptitude.

Another one lost: Experienced Green Beret killed during Military Freefall training

A seasoned Special Forces operator was killed during Military Freefall training. Master Sergeant Nathan Goodman died on January 14 while conducting routine training with his unit in Eloy, Arizona. The causes of his death are under investigation. Assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group (3rd SFG), MSG Goodman was a veteran of eight deployments (four […]

Army refuses to restore Special Forces Tab to pardoned Golsteyn 

The U.S. Army is setting up another showdown over a pardon issued by President Trump to Major Matt Golsteyn. The Washington Post was the first to report, citing two different sources on the condition of anonymity within the Army, that Lieutenant General Francis M. Beaudette, the commander of U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), had […]

The Pic of the Day: Hooah, Sergeant Ives!

Sergeant Ian Ives, a recently wounded Army public affairs sergeant assigned to 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) was promoted to Staff Sergeant at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Nov. 21, 2019. Staff Sgt. Ives received the promotion while recovering from injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated during a combat patrol in Farah […]

USASOC turned 29 years old this week

Time flies when you are having fun, or in the case of the United States Army Special Operations Command, when you are employed so heavily, the years, never mind the days and months fly by. In 1989, USASOC was activated and although it wasn’t that long ago, the world, as well as the command has […]

The Pic of the Day: Special Forces and their nocturnal activities

A group of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Green Berets move towards a simulated target by boat at Stennis Space Center, Miss. The Green Berets participated in a joint training exercise with sailors from Special Boat Team 22. Service members trained in infiltration by river and hot extracts.

Fraying at the edges: Elite SOF aviation unit faces critical pilot shortage

According to a manning report, the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (160th SOAR), also known as Night Stalkers, is facing significant manning shortages. The report, first obtained by the Army Times, concerns the final quarter of Fiscal Year 2019. It reveals the following numbers of pilot shortages: With regard to the MH-60 Black Hawk […]