Thanks for Choosing to Serve!
Now, Are You Ready?
Throughout the decades of writing about military fitness, I have observed recruitment ebb and flow in response to various situations. After 9-11, people wanted to serve at above-average rates as a call of patriotism and to defend against future attacks. When the economy suffers and unemployment is high, recruitment tends to increase. When the economy is strong, recruitment tends to decrease. A 20-year war did not help recruitment (final 10 years). COVID hurt recruitment. The Army has also implemented recruiting policies and initiatives over the last three years to help bolster increased numbers. In 2025, there could be a variety of reasons, ranging from the "Trump Bump" to young Americans struggling to earn a living wage and seeking educational and training benefits. Regardless of the cause, the Army has already met its fiscal 2025 recruitment goals of over 60,000 recruits, either through the delayed entry program or Basic Combat Training. The Navy is on pace to meet its recruiting goals as well. The FBI has had similar fortunes.
The Army has started to reap the Benefits of Recruiting Changes Since COVID.
The increase in recruits—evidenced by the jump from 55,000 to 61,000—can be viewed as a clear indicator of growing interest in military service among young Americans. If you’ve been contemplating a path that combines personal growth with a sense of purpose, now is an opportune moment to consider what the Army offers. The statistics reveal an encouraging trend, with the Army reporting a daily average of contracts exceeding last year’s figures. It’s a testament to a renewed commitment to service among your peers.
If you want to serve, be physically prepared to serve well. See Army Combo Training
Right now, your best option is to make today DAY 1, not one day. Get started building your foundation of strength and fitness so you can create a more durable body with the work capacity to handle long days of training and selection programs with very high attrition rates. Start training today and be consistent about it for many months..
This means a shift in thinking about not creating your workouts, which might have been effective in high school sports or bodybuilding. This is tactical fitness, not sports training or aesthetic fitness, and preparing for the long days of Army running and rucking and especially special operations training requires you to excel in every aspect - strength, power, speed, agility, endurance (run/ruck), muscle stamina, mobility, flexibility, and grip.
As you reflect on your future, consider the impact that joining the Army could have on your life. Here lies an opportunity for personal, physical, and professional development, wrapped in the fabric of duty and honor. The time is now to step forward, prepare for the mission, and contribute to something profound. Embrace the potential that lies ahead—you might find your calling. Check out Stew Smith Fitness for more running, rucking, Army fitness test prep, and more. If you want to serve in programs like Army Rangers, Special Forces, Airborne, or Infantry, you need to be physically prepared to carry the load. Get strong, get fast, and be durable under heavy rucks.
Time to Get Ready!
You stand on the brink of something extraordinary—the chance to serve your country while developing the skills that could shape your future. As the Army sets ambitious goals and exceeds them, consider what role you want to play in this exciting transformation. Visit Stew Smith Fitness to learn about comprehensive training programs designed to help you excel in your Army journey. This is your moment—embrace it and start training for a rewarding career today!
There is More to StewSmithFitness.com Than You May Know
Who is Stew Smith? Coach, Trainer, Author, Podcaster
I'm the former Navy SEAL that special ops candidates go to for books, ebooks and online coaching to prepare themselves to get to and through intense tactical assessment and selection programs and qualify for service in their chosen tactical profession. See More at StewSmithFitness.com
Quick Summary: Here is a list of what we do at StewSmithFitness.com
- FREE Fitness (all topics) / Mindset Articles and Workouts - Latest info on training for any goal! (over 1000)
- eBooks, Books and eBooks in PRINT (over 40 options)
- Spec Ops Swim Critiques on social media -
- Live QA / CSS Critiques Mon / Tues 9am -
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Podcasts (over 200)
- Stew Smith Fitness APPs - Triad version, Pushup Push APP, Pullup Push APP, FBI workout APP
- FREE Navy SEAL Exercises Apps - iPhone, Android
- Membership Site - Get access to 100s of weeks of training programs and unpublished workouts we are currently doing each week. Constantly updated weekly with new articles, videos, and workouts of the week.
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Tactical Fitness Course - 80 minutes to learn how to get both TO and THROUGH spec ops selection programs. Plus the Never Quit Mindset Course
- Online Coaching - Get personalized programming designed for your goals, abilities, time per day, days per week, equipment/facilities...etc.
Dive deeper into Tactical Athlete training and mental toughness by exploring Stew Smith Fitness Programming for the Tactical Athlete online store. Uncover the strategies and techniques elite forces use to push past physical and mental barriers. Visit https://www.stewsmithfitness.com now and equip yourself with the tools for success for many special ops-level selection programs in the military and police world.
Books and eBooks Available (All Levels of Fitness)
Army PFT Workout (Prep For Rucking, OPAT, & Updated AFT 2025)
Army Special Forces / Ranger Workout
Army Air Assault School Workout
Army Airborne Workout
Advanced Running Program - Special Ops Supplement Plan
USMC RECON / MarSOC Workout
USMC OCS / TBS Workout
USMC IST and PFT
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 1
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 2 - 3
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 4 Grinder PT
Navy SWCC Workout
The Combat Conditioning Workout
Air Force PJ / CCT Workout Battlefield Airman Prep Course
The UBRR Upper Body Round Robin Workout / Spec Ops version
The Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer / Navy SAR Workout
The Service Academy Workout (West Point, Navy, Air Force Academy)
The Navy, Air Force, Marine Corp Boot Camp Workout
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The Law Enforcement Physical Fitness Workouts
The FBI Academy Workout | FBI Workout Vol 2
The DEA Workout
The FLETC Workout - Ace the PEB
The PFT Bible: Pushups, Sit-ups, 1.5 Mile Run
The Fire Fighter Workout - Ace the CPAT
Calisthenics and Cardio
Online Coaching Options
Online PT CLUB - Premium Coaching -
Do you need a program that works for you? We can customize it to your personal goals and help you fit it into your day with the equipment you have available. Let us be your training partner and coach.
Many people ask me what the difference is between the Premium Program and the Online PT CLUB Coaching. The people on either program receive personalized training from me - Stew Smith - to best fit your abilities, goals, time per day, days per week, facilities, and equipment. We communicate regularly about your progress and your feedback helps me create the next week plan for you. There is no template workout and see you later. These programs are created 1 week at a time with YOU and ME in communication to figure out how best to create the next week.
Tactical Fitness Course - Getting TO the training does not guarantee you get THROUGH the training. Learn about the two phases of tactical fitness you need to develop thoroughly before getting to BUDS. Check out the Online Course - Getting TO and THROUGH Special Ops Selection.
Member's Only Content / Services Program!
If you want access to years worth of workouts, favorite workouts of the week, free fitness APP, closed Facebook Group, video / picture library of exercises, and more access to LIVE Q/A sessions check out the Stew Smith Fitness Members Section.
The dashboard below has the links to all the information, archives, videos, and links to workouts, podcasts, live Q and A lessons.
Consider this! - A Membership Program and Gain Access to Exclusive Content
(click for Fitness Club Dashboard - members only)
At StewSmith.com - List of Products and Services
- FREE Articles
- Podcasts and Swimming Videos at Youtube.com page
- eBooks
- Books and eBooks in PRINT
- Stew Smith Fitness Club membership site
- Online Coaching