We repeat these old adages constantly until they reach the point of almost being clichés at times, but two of the most cardinal rules to follow if you’re looking at a career in Special Operations are being a self-starter and being a team player. If you fail at either one of those, either in Selection or a qualification course, you won’t last long in the Special Operations … [Read more...] about In Special Operations, Be a Self-Starter and a Team Player
Steve Balestrieri Articles
October 3: An Important Day in the History of the 3rd Ranger Battalion
Several important days in the history and lineage of the 3rd Ranger Battalion happened on October 3rd. The U.S. Army Rangers date back to the Colonial Days before the American Revolution, when the British raised a company of New Hampshire woodsmen who became an independent Ranger Company under Major Robert Rogers. "Rogers’ Rangers" were greatly valued by the British … [Read more...] about October 3: An Important Day in the History of the 3rd Ranger Battalion
Night Stalkers: The Elite Aviation Unit That Flies Delta and SEAL Operators
What do nearly every successful mission by Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, Marine Raiders, and Green Berets have in common? They’ve probably been carried to and from their missions by members of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), with the abbreviation of 160th SOAR (A). The 160th SOAR, commonly known as the “Night Stalkers,” are the US Army’s best aviators … [Read more...] about Night Stalkers: The Elite Aviation Unit That Flies Delta and SEAL Operators
Attempting Special Operations Selection as an Older Candidate
I've recently heard from several individuals who are preparing to enter Special Forces Selection. This isn't something new: I've gotten emails from people ever since I began writing here. However, what's different about these latest candidates is that they are slightly older than the average candidate. They range from 32 to the mid-30s; there is even a potential candidate who … [Read more...] about Attempting Special Operations Selection as an Older Candidate
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
How To Conquer Special Forces Selection
It's the middle of Summer, and anyone going through a Selection course right now has to dig in extra deep and question why they want a shot at becoming members in the best fraternity in the world. The US military has embraced Special Operations Forces after many decades of hating on “elite units,” and the services have a unified command structure to ensure they all work well … [Read more...] about How To Conquer Special Forces Selection
Special Operations Forces: People Are The Number One Asset
After more than two decades of war, U.S. Special Operations Forces are still at the tip of the spear, leading the fight in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, and countless other places every day. Despite this, young people still flock to Special Operations units in each branch to attempt a selection course to get into one of them. Unlike their conventional brethren, who, after … [Read more...] about Special Operations Forces: People Are The Number One Asset
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 in to 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, … [Read more...] about Conquering Fear is the Biggest Obstacle in Special Operations Training
Mastering Navy SEAL Training: The Drownproofing Test
If you aspire to be a member of the special operations community, you will face challenges at every turn. A special operator has to be comfortable in any environment, on land, in the air, and in the water. Be at Home in the Water A former BUDS (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) graduate told me that the water is home for candidates going into Naval Special Warfare. “The … [Read more...] about Mastering Navy SEAL Training: The Drownproofing Test
“Musta’ribeen!” The Word Every Terrorist Fears in the West Bank
Somewhere in the West Bank or in an Arab-Israeli town in Israel, a protest is unfolding. Protesters, their faces covered with checkered keffiyehs or balaclavas, chant against the Israeli army. They soon start throwing rocks at the Israeli troops. Their accents, mannerisms, and expressions are those of any Palestinian. But these aren't the run-of-the-mill Palestinian … [Read more...] about “Musta’ribeen!” The Word Every Terrorist Fears in the West Bank
Advice From a Green Beret: Rucking and Special Forces Selection
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
US Special Forces in Colombia – Storming a Dunkin’ Donuts in Bogota
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