The Definitive Spec Ops Resource
THE DEFINITIVE SPEC OPS RESOURCE FOR FITNESS AND SELECTION
Monday is Fun-day! Special Operations Selection is not easy and demands a lot of upper body strength and stamina. Let’s get the week off to a good start.
Training:
More Preparation for the UBRR:
Warm Up – 3 x 25 meter shuttle run
Stretch well after completion
So, you’ve volunteered to be in Special Forces and you’re getting ready to go to SFAS. This is the time to prepare yourself for the grind that is to come. There are certain tips, such as the PT program which will help you attain the level of physical fitness that you’ll need to not just pass the course but to excel where the course isn’t as tough as you’ll see other people struggling.
Now, we get to the elephant in the room, the Land Navigation course and many students fail at either SFAS or the SFQC because they failed the land navigation course. The course is tough, it is the toughest individual land navigation course you’ll find in the US military.
In previous segments, we touched on Map reading and the importance of your pace count. Now we’ll move on to the next step in finding your way around Hoffman. That begins with orienting your map and then plotting your start point on the course.
Prior to Starting Out:
Orienting the Map – This makes map reading and using the available terrain features much easier to read. What does it mean to have the map oriented? The schoolbook answer is: A map is oriented when it is in a horizontal position with its north and south corresponding to the north and south on the ground. In layman’s terms, it means when you’re holding the map in front of you, the terrain matches up exactly as it is shown on the map.
It makes it much harder to try to read your terrain features upside down or sideways. If you are using an Army lensatic compass, remember that a compass measures magnetic North. So, don’t forget your declination diagram which is located on your marginal information at the bottom of your map. Most military issue maps take the guesswork right out of it and tell you how to convert the declination of azimuths from grid to magnetic and from magnetic to grid next to the declination diagram.
It sounds simple but many people mess this up and start off on the wrong foot. Don’t be Ned the Navigator. Take your time and do it right the first time.
With the map in a horizontal position, take the straightedge on the left side of the compass and place it alongside the north-south grid line with the cover of the compass pointing toward the top of the map. This procedure places the fixed black index line of the compass parallel to north-south grid lines of the map.
Keeping the compass aligned as we said in the last paragraph, rotate the map and compass together until the magnetic arrow is below the fixed black index line on the compass. You’re close but not there yet!
Now rotate the map and compass in the direction of the declination diagram.
If the magnetic north arrow on the map is to the left of the grid north, check the compass reading to see if it equals the G-M angle (if memory serves me well it is 8 degrees for the Hoffman area) given in the declination diagram. Voila! The map is now oriented. Take your time and try to pick out the terrain features as they lay out in front of you. Just be advised, in the Hoffman area, the terrain features aren’t as distinct and are a bit harder to distinguish.
In certain areas, you’ll be able to orient your map using terrain features. And when the terrain allows, it is quicker and easier to navigate using the available terrain. If you’ve ever navigated in the mountains, you’ll find this is much easier and you’ll find that this way is much more preferable than dead reckoning. And it definitely comes in handy when having to call for fire in a jiffy…(that is for another time perhaps)
Creating a Start Point – Now the map is oriented in the direction that you’re going to be walking and the next thing is you must create a starting location. The starting point is where you are standing at. Now pull out your handy, dandy Army protractor. But wait.
Don’t lose your protractor, always keep it secured inside your map case until you need it and ensure it is in there before taking off and hitting your points, especially at night! Nothing worse than losing a protractor during land navigation. While you can get by without one, it makes things unnecessarily much harder. So, take the few seconds to check.
Now read the grid lines to the right and up and make sure that you’re using the 1/50,000 scale for the map, which is in the upper right corner of the protractor. That will automatically ensure that the protractor is facing the right way and isn’t flipped over.
Remember a four-digit grid, gets you to within the grid square or 1000 meters. A six-digit grid to within 100 meters and an eight-digit grid gets you within 10 meters. A good rule of thumb to remember is to forget about where the plastic is cut out of the protractor. Always align the 0’s and check it twice. Ensure you plot it twice to get the exact spot.
Now we have a starting point, and the next time out we’ll look at plotting and plan a route.
Photo courtesy DOD
Training:
More Preparation for the UBRR:
Warm Up 1-minute Alternating (30 seconds each) Mountain Climbers, Spiderman plank
Stretch well after completion
Training:
Shoulders and Chest Day:
Stretch well after completion
So, you’ve volunteered to be in Special Forces and you’re getting ready to go to SFAS. This is the time to prepare yourself for the grind that is to come. There are certain tips, such as the PT program which will help you attain the level of physical fitness that you’ll need to not just pass the course but to excel where the course isn’t as tough as you’ll see other people struggling.
In the first two segments, we talked about the fitting of your boots, socks and dealing with hotspots and blisters. Taking care of your feet is paramount in Special Forces and once you get it down, everything will be a little less hard.
Now, we get to the elephant in the room, the Land Navigation course and many students fail at either SFAS or the SFQC because they failed the land navigation course. The course is tough, it is the toughest individual land navigation course you’ll find in the US military.
But the course if far from impassable, thousands of soldiers have passed it and thousands more will continue to get a first time go….the magic word everyone wants to hear. It just takes some hard work, patience and the ability to keep a cool head once you experience the draws and lack of terrain features in lovely Hoffman, NC.
But before we get into the tips and some experiences that many of us have come across, the first thing a candidate MUST do is to come to SFAS prepared. I know, I know, “how many times have we heard that?” But it’s true.
This is another area where the better prepared you are the odds of you passing the Land Navigation course increase tenfold. It begins with Map Reading; become an expert in this necessary skill before you show up at Ft. Bragg. There are plenty of manuals, study guides, and civilian orienteering clubs out there that will get you to where reading a map is a snap and a second nature to you.
This was always my block of instruction at Camp Mackall and at that time is wasn’t overly detailed. It was more of a refresher for skills you were already supposed to know. Those who came from Light Infantry or Ranger Bn. backgrounds were already well-versed in it and if you have any of those type guys in your unit before selection, seek them out and have them help you.
Know map reading to the point that you could teach a class on it before you arrive at SFAS because all of those skills will be tested. Some of (but not all) of the skills you should be intimately familiar with include:
These are just some of the skills you need. If you look at these above-listed skills and aren’t a whiz at everyone (these are just the basics) then you aren’t ready for SFAS and the Land Nav course in Hoffman.
Next up, so you are a map reading whiz now and can whip out a map and be ready to plot yourself and where are you going to. You’re going to need a couple of items that seem trivial but are extremely important.
Invest a nice map case, one that will keep your maps dry and allow you to make some marks on the clear portion with a grease pencil to make any notes to help you along. And…I can’t stress this enough, secure your map case to your body. It sounds stupid and infantile, but far too many candidates fail land navigation because they lose their map in a draw and the Hoffman draws are legendary for stealing maps.
My favorite map case had a built-in loop that I kept inside my shirt snapped to a D-ring on my shoulder. It was easily accessible and kept it away from those nasty thickets that would tear it away from my thigh pocket. But that is just a personal preference.
And since you aren’t tactical, be smart. Fold your map with the area that you are working in, right on top and easily found. Nothing wastes more time than fumbling with a map under a poncho with a red lens flashlight.
And while you’re at it, dummy cord your weapon to your body as well, ditto for the maps. Every class, some tired candidate will stop to do a map check and walk off with his weapon, oops. C-ya guy, better luck next time!
Invest in those Ranger beads that allow you to keep your distance locked down. Or you can tie one on your own using 550 cord. Those little things come in handy and when you get tired, it is easy to forget the distance traveled.
In our next segment, we’ll get down to the nuts and bolts of Land Nav.
Photo courtesy of DOD
In just a few days, Special Forces candidates will descend upon 15 North Carolina counties to take part in “Robin Sage”, the final test of the Special Forces Qualification Course.
Special Forces candidates will attempt to free the fictional country of Pineland by entering the area of operations, linking up with a guerrilla force and helping them conduct UW operations and overthrow the government.
Ft. Bragg soldiers will take part playing the part of opposing forces as well as friendly guerrilla freedom fighters also known as the Pineland resistance movement.
The exercise’s fictional country of Pineland spans Rowan, Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Guilford, Hoke, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond, Scotland, Stanly, and Union counties.
Throughout the exercise, Special Forces candidates and Robin Sage role players not only conduct training missions such as controlled assaults and key-leader engagements but also live, eat and sleep in civilian areas.
All Robin Sage movements have been coordinated with public safety officials in the towns and counties hosting the training. Residents may hear blank gunfire and see occasional flares. Controls are in place to ensure no risk to people or property.
Residents with concerns should contact local law enforcement officials, who will then contact exercise control officials.
Robin Sage is the final rite of passage for Green Berets and has been since 1974. Civilians from the area take an active role in the operations and act as role players throughout the exercise. Many know the area of operations and can navigate without the use of a map across large areas in the exercise. Their dedication and assistance is invaluable to the Special Forces candidates and provides a valuable lesson for future SF operators.
Upon the successful completion of Robin Sage, soldiers will graduate the Special Forces Qualification Course, don their Green Berets for the first time and move on to their initial assignments in the Special Forces Regiment.
To read the entire article from Salisbury Post, click here:
Photo courtesy DOD
Read Part One HERE
So, you’ve volunteered to be in Special Forces and you’re getting ready to go to SFAS. This is the time to prepare yourself for the grind that is to come. There are certain tips, such as the PT program which will help you attain the level of physical fitness that you’ll need to not just pass the course but to excel where the course isn’t as tough as you’ll see other people struggling.
In the last segment, we talked about getting your boots fitted correctly, ensuring your socks are placed properly and toughening up your feet for the many miles which are to come to prevent blisters.
Well, now we deal with the unfortunate and very case of what happens despite your best intentions. Everyone at one time or another is going to get either hotspots or blisters and probably both. During your train-up prior to selection is the best time to get those and learn how to prevent them in the future.
Hotspots: As you progress in the rucking during your training, you are going to feel contact points on your feet that will begin to burn or ache….these are hotspots. These are the first onset of blisters forming on your feet.
Stop immediately and remove your boots and socks. A good rule of rucking during your train-up phase should be to stop every hour. And not just catch your breath. Take off your boots and socks and examine your feet. If everything is good to go, then you can change your socks if need be and re-powder your feet and drive on.
However, if your feet are developing hotspots, they have to be treated asap. If you need moleskin, this is the time to put it on. Dry and powder your feet and then put your socks and boots back on and continue. If you choose to ignore the hotspots then you’ll end up with something more painful.
Blisters: The bane of any light infantryman and especially to those who are going thru SFAS. Blisters are pockets of fluid between the layers of the skin where a lot of friction occurs. Everyone invariably gets them at one time or another. If they happen in the train-up to selection, all the better since the feet will toughen up after some time under the ruck.
What to do when a blister occurs? If it hasn’t popped, then leave it be, place moleskin over the blister, ensuring that you leave some room around the blister to properly cushion it. Those are the easiest to care for. However, if it is too big and painful or the skin is already torn around it, then further action must be taken.
If the blister is large and not broken, you can drain it by gently sticking it with a needle Be sure the needle is sterilized and don’t get too aggressive with it. Once the fluid is drained out of the blister, apply moleskin and cushion it the best that you can.
If the skin is torn badly, cut it away carefully, clean the wound as best you can and cushion it with moleskin. If the skin flap isn’t cut too badly, an old trick I learned from an EMT is to apply some Superglue to the cut and it will bond it right back together. And be prepared for it to burn like hell. Superglue works wonders if you have a clean slice of a cut elsewhere on your body. Again, it will burn like all creation but it will seal up the cut and allow you to drive on.
During my time out at selection, the medics used to treat the candidates’ feet with tincture of benzoin. And it was some stinky, painful stuff there. Trust me you don’t want to go through that treatment.
Treat blisters immediately. If blisters are not taken care of properly and quickly, you’ll automatically compensate for the pain in your feet and it will change your gait. And once you change the way you walk, it opens up an entirely different can of worms. Other injuries can occur, including shin splints, stress fractures, tendinitis in your Achilles and hip and back pain.
It is much easier to just treat the blisters as they occur and let your feet toughen up gradually. A properly treated blister will allow you to continue your training without missing any time. Let it linger and you will lose days possibly weeks of valuable prep time.
After that, it is simply strapping on your boots and ruck and ruck and ruck some more. Once you get into a rhythm with it, it gets easier and the miles will get eaten up like a bowl of ice cream on a warm summer day.
Proper fitting boots and socks and the correct preventative maintenance of your feet will allow you to ruck on for miles with no worries. Back during my time in Panama, we had back-to-back long rucks during our certification. One night we moved 20 miles and after training all the next day, we moved 16 more miles that night. We stopped occasionally to change socks because even at 2 a.m. in Panama it is hot. We’d dry out our feet, and even changed uniforms as they were soaked.
After approximately 40 miles between the rucks and training during the day, no one on the team had a blister. Were our feet sore? You bet. But no one was any worse for wear.
In our next segment for SFAS, we’ll hit the big elephant in the room….Land Navigation.
Photo courtesy of USAF
Hey Ruckers,
Last weekend a small cohort of about three guys showed up. There were more but the early time and travel restriction kept some of you from making IT. But, there’s much more to come, every week in fact. I’ve set up a meetup.com page for the group.
Here: https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-soChnNNb/events/237475348/
Please visit and sign up! Even if you aren’t in DC – I may be traveling some and can organize ruck marches as I travel the country.
Last week was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed the March. The National Mall is a beautiful sight first thing in the morning, and there’s a sense of accomplishment rucking 5+ miles before 9 am.
Here’s a breakdown of our movement:
Total distance: 5.38 miles
Pace analysis:
1: 16’01”
2: 15’09”
3: 14’59”
4: 14’13”
5: 14’52”
5-5.38: 15’12”
In all, it was about 9,700 steps, and I was in a fat burning cardiovascular state the entire time. Rucking is good conditionally and for those of you on the fence, good for your beach body.
As you can see from here, it took us a minute to get going and round off a 15 minute pace. You have to settle into rucking, and it’s tough to come out swinging right out the gate. Plus, it was cold and very early in the morning. Although, quite a few runners were scurrying all around D.C. The level of fitness in the city is impressive and motivating.
Also, Rucking kind of sucks – and it seems to suck more as the day progresses. I felt good about the effort and being in a small group it was easier to ruck and maintain the right pace. On the topic of speed – we kept a 15:05 minute per mile pace. I had a 45lb. Pack and wore Nike SFB’s. After that, I went to a grad school class for the rest of the day. Frankly, that was the best part of my day because listening to a professor on a Sunday isn’t something I’d usually opt to do. So, thank you – whoever is coming tomorrow in advance – and to the fellas who came last Sunday.
Featured image courtesy of Core Performance.
Hey, Everyone, My name is Norwood and I’ll be contributing to this site. I’m an ex-Green Beret and write at SOFREP.com. There we began a SOF Selection PT Prep program but felt that it might be best to host those workouts, here. So, I’ll be focusing on a few things in my writing.
– Selection Preparation – both mentally and physically.
– PT and Rucking Gear, as well as tactical equipment (in that order).
– Hosting Sunday Ruck Marches and broadcasting them in the DC Metro area.
– Interviewing other SOF selection graduates for advice and tips.
– Interviewing SOF operators about life in SOF.
I hope you guys like the work and writing and I look to forward to helping where I can.