Prevent Main Factor in Back Pain One of our readers, Nick, wrote me that he had had slowly increasing lower back pain despite exercising regularly. He ran, he stretched, he did abdominal exercises. Nick’s doctor told Nick to give up running and take up low impact activity. Giving up running made Nick miserable but he did it. […]

General Tips 1.  Pace Aim to finish the day walking the same speed at which you started. Think rhythm and flow. Tortoise rather than hare. 2.  Pack Adjustments Regularly make small adjustments to your pack’s harness, hip belt, shoulder and stabilizer straps. Alternate the weight of the load between your shoulders and hips. By fine-tuning your load in […]

Whether you are starting to work out for the first time or you are an avid athlete, muscle fatigue is a normal side effect of exercise that may put a damper on your routine. Fatigue is your body’s way of adapting to a fitness regimen and making you aware that you have reached your metabolic/psychological […]

Every year candidates prepare for military, police, fire fighter and special ops selection programs, and every year there are failures due to someone not mastering certain events. As the long list below details, the reasons can range from injury to lack of mental toughness: Extreme hot / cold temperatures Being comfortable with discomfort Lower extremity […]

Why Candidates Quit During Selection or the Pipeline: Physical /? Mental Toughness Failure: I have discussed this term “mental toughness” and tried to define it many ways, but it is critical in your success in any of these programs. You have to understand that the physical challenge gets so overwhelming that you have to dig deep […]

The Importance of Special Operations Forces Today and Going Forward In the post-9/11 period of war and subsequent military drawdown, Special Operations Forces (SOF) appear likely to grow in numbers, funding, and importance—but not necessarily in general understanding. One of the most flexible and useful instruments in America’s national security toolbox, SOF are regularly referred […]

A simple video with some good points. (credit Capt Berz)

Basic Rappel Seat. Although you may or may not use this at selection, it is a fundamental knot that you will use in almost all of your challenges in the future.  In addition, it is a good tool to have in your field craft knowledge bag!