It was with great interest that I read Brandon Webb's piece about his travel to Bogota, Colombia. Having spent time there during the heyday of the Medellin/Cali Cartel, I was really interested in how much the city has changed. Bogota is beautiful and huge. I had heard from other SF guys who were there recently or had families there (quite a few SF guys married Colombian women) … [Read more...] about US Special Forces in Colombia – Storming a Dunkin’ Donuts in Bogota
Steve Balestrieri Articles
How CIA Predecessors Were Assessed and Selected
Back in World War II, the United States was woefully prepared to enter the war, especially in the field of intelligence operations where they didn’t have a national, professional intelligence service. But that would change very quickly. After President Franklin Delano Roosevelt appointed General William “Wild Bill” Donovan to head up the fledgling Office of Strategic … [Read more...] about How CIA Predecessors Were Assessed and Selected
Green Beret Remembers Navy SEAL Michael Murphy, Hero of Operation Red Wings
On June 28, 2005, in one of the bloodiest days in the history of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and the Navy SEALs, SEAL LT Michael Murphy performed heroic actions to save his men at the cost of his life. His conduct resulted in him being posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Murphy was killed in action while taking part in a kill-or-capture mission in … [Read more...] about Green Beret Remembers Navy SEAL Michael Murphy, Hero of Operation Red Wings
Green Beret Remembers SEAL Michael Monsoor, Killed In Action September 29th, 2006
Selfless Courage Under Fire On the 29th day of September 2006, Michael A. Monsoor, a Navy SEAL, would distinguish himself to be a true selfless hero and willingly gave his life to safeguard his fellow SEAL operators and would later be presented the Medal of Honor. Monsoor lost his life during operations against insurgents in Ar Ramadi, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi … [Read more...] about Green Beret Remembers SEAL Michael Monsoor, Killed In Action September 29th, 2006
Conquering Fear is the Biggest Obstacle in Special Operations Training
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.” - Mark Twain We all have fears, and for some people, those fears can be debilitating. For a Special Operations trooper, giving into fear can be a killer or at the very least a quick trip out of the training pipeline. Some of the many common fears are those of the dark, of heights, the water, claustrophobia, … [Read more...] about Conquering Fear is the Biggest Obstacle in Special Operations Training
Advice From a Green Beret: Rucking and Special Forces Selection…. Getting Back to the Basics
I’ve been getting messaged again lately, and once more, many of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) candidates’ questions center around rucking and being able to tote the big pain pill. Several have mentioned that they are a bit shorter than the average candidate and have issues with maintaining their speed without running. So, let’s take a step back in time, get back to the … [Read more...] about Advice From a Green Beret: Rucking and Special Forces Selection…. Getting Back to the Basics
Preparing for Special Operations Forces Selection? Train Out of Your Comfort Zone
One of the hardest things for anyone to do is break out of their comfort zone. That also holds for training. However, this comfort zone can and will lead to stagnation, both personally and professionally. But we have to fight against it when preparing for Selection. Look, we all have our favorite watering hole, restaurant, etc. We stick with a routine because we're … [Read more...] about Preparing for Special Operations Forces Selection? Train Out of Your Comfort Zone
A Green Beret Shares Six Tips to Passing Special Forces Assessment and Selection
I know what you’re thinking: "Here’s this FOG (F***ing Old Guy) preaching again about being in the last hard SFAS class." Okay, first, let’s dispense with the myths and get right to the crux of the matter. Every Special Forces guy you will meet, regardless of the era, went through the last hard class, and every class since or before his was an absolute cakewalk. It is true. … [Read more...] about A Green Beret Shares Six Tips to Passing Special Forces Assessment and Selection
Wagner Mercs Get a Second Film Celebrating Russian Involvement in Mozambique
The Wagner Group is normally in the news for all the wrong reasons, but for the second time this year, a film by the production company Aurum is depicting the Russian mercs in a totally different light, as “Russians saving Africans”. The new film titled “Granit” is slated for release in Russia on January 4. While showing Russian mercenaries as heroic defenders of Africans … [Read more...] about Wagner Mercs Get a Second Film Celebrating Russian Involvement in Mozambique
Save the Children Staffers Among 35 Massacred by Myanmar Army Troops
A deadly attack by government troops in eastern Myanmar on civilians carried out on Christmas Eve included two Save the Children charity staff members, the non-profit organization said on Tuesday. "With profound sadness, we confirm two of our staff are among the burnt bodies found in Myanmar after an attack by the military on Xmas Eve. Both new fathers working on education … [Read more...] about Save the Children Staffers Among 35 Massacred by Myanmar Army Troops
Israeli Airstrike on Port in Syria Causes “Massive Damage”
An Israeli airstrike in the Syrian port of Latakia during the early hours of Tuesday morning hit the port's container facility in the second attack on the port this month. "At around 3:21 am [0121 GMT], the Israeli enemy carried out an aerial aggression with several missiles from the direction of the Mediterranean ... targeting the container yard in Latakia port," the Syrian … [Read more...] about Israeli Airstrike on Port in Syria Causes “Massive Damage”
Are Terror Groups in Gaza Conducting Joint Exercises Preparing For A Renewed War On Israel?
With tensions ratcheting up between the Israelis and the leaders of the Palestinian groups in the West Bank and Gaza, yet another wave of violence appears imminent. Hamas officials have been vowing renewed violence for weeks as they have criticized Egyptian mediators who have been trying to hammer out a peace agreement. “We are considering options for an escalation with … [Read more...] about Are Terror Groups in Gaza Conducting Joint Exercises Preparing For A Renewed War On Israel?