Thanks to decades’ worth of cultural pressure on the international stage, most nations view the use of nuclear weapons in war as a reprehensible act. Today’s nuclear nations, by and large, ascribe to a model of deterrence: Put simply, our nukes stop them from using their nukes. Although posturing can get quite a bit more complicated than that, mutually […]
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Who’s more fit–US Marines or Royal Marines Commandos?
U.S. Department of Defense photo For the past few years, select members of the U.S. Marine Corps travel to the U.K. to participate in Royal Marines Commando training. True to the U.S. Marines’ institutional mentality to always adapt and improve, this provides them an opportunity to observe what works and how it can be implemented […]
What the Army does with its surplus M1911 pistols and M1 Garands
Image Courtesy of George Hand Have you ever wondered what happens to the Army’s surplus firearms? They’re made available for civilian purchase through the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP). The transferring of surplus rifles and handguns from the Army’s arsenal to the CMP began in 1996. Since then, more than 700,000 guns have been offered to the CMP […]
Lifesaver: Army tests new body armor in search of lightness and better protection for soldiers
An Army infantryman moves toward a mock enemy trench during a live-fire exercise at Fort Hood, Texas, February 9, 2019. (Department of Defense) The Army is edging closer to fielding its updated body protection system. The Soldier Protection System (SPS) has been in the works for years, and it promises to better protect soldiers. The best way […]
Watch “Big Mountain Heroes”, Healing Veterans Holistically
We all know or are ourselves in various stages of a love/hate relationship with the Veterans Administration. And most of us know that the vast majority of the VA is staffed with dedicated doctors that truly want to help our veterans. But that like any huge bureaucracy, that help is often caught up in an […]
Honoring the fallen: Air Force special operators (AFSOC) to ruck 830 miles
In a feat of extreme endurance, 20 operators from throughout the Air Force Special Operation Command (AFSOC) Special Tactics community will ruck an astounding 830 miles to honor their 20 Special Tactics brothers who have made the ultimate sacrifice since the War on Terror began in September 2001. The airmen will march from the Medina […]
“Never Quit Attitude” Even If Wrestling A Mountain Lion
Much of our writing here has to do with the task of passing Selection and becoming a member of our Special Operations community, the best brotherhood there is. And in our writings we will frequently use the much-used but very true catchphrases that we all use in Special Operations like “Never Quit”, and my personal […]
The Army has a new physical training test, and these are the fittest soldiers
After a rigorous assessment and selection process that lasted two days, the Army Warrior Fitness Team has filled its ranks with 15 members. The eight men and seven women come from across the Army and ranks. The primary objective of the team will be recruiting, while helping soldiers who are currently serving to improve their physical conditioning […]
Fire and Ice: Iceland’s elite “Viking Squad” SWAT Team
“Never walk away from your home ahead of your axe and sword. You can’t feel a battle in your bones, or foresee a fight.” — The Hávamál (Viking book of knowledge), circa 1000 A.D. Occasionally here at SpecialOperations.com we get article submissions from authors, that we believe that our readers will enjoy. And this one from Warren Gray, […]
Talos “Iron Man” Was Always A Pie in the Sky Option For SOCOM
Opinion: Coming back to reality was the first order of business for USSOCOM this winter. The command finally admitted that the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit or TALOS project was not even close to being a reality, which we reported after attending the SOFIC Conference in Tampa two years ago. The entire concept was flawed […]