The Loadout Room
Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • 1A Gun to Ride the River With: The Smith & Wesson 686
        • The Tristar folding shotgun is ready for your wilderness adventuresThe Tristar folding shotgun is ready for your wilderness adventures
        • maxim defense cqb stock (8)The Maxim Defense CQB Stock: Short and Sweet
        • Perfecting your zero | A little help goes a LONG wayPerfecting your zero | A little help goes a LONG way
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • RIP-MVehicle Preparedness: Fast access to essential items | Grey Man Tactical RIP-M
        • Midland radioOverland Essential | Midland Radio MXT275 | GXT1000
        • ppGrab your gear and go | Here’s everything you’d need to build an adventure go bag
        • Scrubba Washbag: Keep your clothes clean in the fieldScrubba Washbag: Keep your clothes clean in the field
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stingerThe Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger
        • How to determine how long you have before the sun setsHow to determine how long you have before the sun sets
        • fireWilderness survival expert breaks down how to build a fire
        • 5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt5.11 Tactical Expedition Long Sleeve Shirt, SWAT Tested and Approved
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Shop

Don’t rely on gear to get you selected or succeed on a team

Don’t rely on gear to get you selected or succeed on a team

January 2, 2018 by Loadout Room Guest Authors Leave a Comment

Wars and battles were fought and won before the cool gloves that can work a smartphone. Special Operators are gear junkies. For that niche product line of tactical gear and clothing, SOF personnel are the ultimate consumers. It’s a kind of fashion for operators. Even the kind of gloves you buy and wear can distinguish you. In turn, some of the things you buy and wear become a personal statement. But, when you’re at selection it will not be the boots or gloves that fail you. You’ll do that all on your own. The gear makes it easier and can help you. Honestly, the SOPC Sole felt like a lifesaver for me. But, I wasn’t going to finish last in a ruck or in the bottom half. The gear cannot replace your training and preparedness.

I’ve so many guys approach gear like it’s an evangelical tool that can save them from themselves. But it won’t add a whole minute to your ruck mile time. Rucking mile repeats with your ruck is the best way to improve your overall time, as much as it sucks. Learning to “suck” is fundamental to being an operator. If you think you’re walking into a life akin to a professional athlete you’re both right and wrong. In the states, there are some elements of that lifestyle. However, you must be prepared to live as the people do of whatever country you inhabit.

We torched a wheelbarrow to turn it into a grill in Afghanistan. We were consistently air dropped frozen food but at no point had a freezer that could house them. Those are easily the best moments of my experience, the austere ones. But, if that’s not something you’re interested in, do not go to selection. Because once you’ve learned to not only embrace but love the “suck”. You can rightfully accessorize with flashy gear. By that time, you’ll know what you like and what you need, too.

Worry about the basics: shoot, move, communicate.


Originally published on Special Operations.com

Share This

Filed Under: Op-Ed Tagged With: gear, Selection, SOF, TEAM LIFE, TEAM ROOM

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

What’s Hot

Top 8 upgrades every Kel-Tec Sub 2000 owner needs: MCARBO parts review
Featured

Top 8 upgrades every Kel-Tec Sub 2000 owner needs: MCARBO parts review

Ammunition

The Reasons Why FBI Went to Back to 9mm

Why .45ACP is an outdated caliber
Ammunition

Why 45 ACP is an outdated caliber

Dogs

Tactipup Extreme Collar and Leash: Tactical dog gear, Perfected

What Do You Really Need in Your Trauma Kit?
Medical Gear

IFAK - What do you really need?

Email Newsletter

Sign up to receive email updates daily and to hear what's going on with us!

In Case You Missed It

Gear Reviews

A Gun to Ride the River With: The Smith & Wesson 686

October 9, 2019 Leave a Comment

Camping Gear

The MSR Pocket Rocket | Your little camp dragon

October 8, 2019 Leave a Comment

The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger
EDC

The Outdoor Edge ParaClaw: A concealed stinger

October 7, 2019 Leave a Comment

Gear Reviews

A plate carrier for the big boys: AR500’s Testudo Gen 2 is a good pick for large frames

October 7, 2019 Leave a Comment

Get it on Google Play

© Copyright 2021 Crate Club Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers