Do Not Miss Out On What a
Majority of Spec Ops Candidates Fail to Do
(Train Specifically to Get Through BUD/S, Selection, etc..)
Many people focus simply on getting accepted into difficult programs but never consider that they should also be preparing themselves for the challenges of getting THROUGH the training. This requires specific focus and ALWAYS a level up in effort levels. Believe it or not, most people do not know, understand, or have ever experienced what they need to do to prepare themselves. Here's why I say that...
Most Spec Ops Candidates Think They Are Ready Because:
- Often military / spec ops candidates will hear from the recruiter / mentor and other candidates that they must ace a fitness test to get a contract THEN they ship off to join the military. While that is true, you absolutely need to ace the fitness test to get TO the training, there is a whole new phase of fitness most people (80-90%) fail to prepare adequately enough for - Phase Two of Tactical FItness - Getting THROUGH the training and graduating.
- Yes, you must prepare yourself to graduate. And to be frank, Navy Boot Camp and BUD/S Prep is not enough to prepare you for the challenges of ANY spec ops program - specifically BUD/S. This means longer runs, longer swims with fins, preparing for load bearing of log and boats (lifting weights), and rucking.
- If the BUD/S candidates had to take a PST immediately after boot camp in order to ship to BUD/S Prep, a significant number would fail to meet the standards to get into BUDS. If you go into boot camp with only a max effort level barely passing PST score, you will be failing after 10 weeks of the de-conditioning that takes place at Navy Boot Camp (comparatively speaking).
- The PST has to be so easy for you that you will not fail it on a bad day, after a workout, or even while ill. That is the type of conditioning and toughness that has to occur well beyond just passing the PST.
I used to believe I was ready like this too. Here's exactly what I mean:
I have not only seen this happen with my own eyes for decades, I was one of those people at 18 years old myself that thought my physical ability as a three sport athlete in high school was more than enough to crush PT tests and my first military training. I busted my butt in all ways (academically, athletically, academic test taking prep, working out for sports, leadership roles) in order to get accepted into the Naval Academy. My goal was to play football and become a pilot at that age. Well - long story short, I did neither and failed my first fitness test and chemistry test. I was on the fast track of failing out of the 4-year program.
- However, I soon realized I needed to UP MY GAME. I found good role models, people to emulate, and took advice from anyone willing to give it. Though I failed to make the football team, I did start playing rugby and had a great source of upper-class leaders on the team to learn from as they were crushing school, physical mission, sports, leadership, and were preparing themselves for their next challenge to become Marines and Navy SEALs largely.
- If I had not made this decision to work even harder than I did to get accepted TO the Naval Academy, I would have never would have made it THROUGH the Naval Academy.
Then something happened that changed my mind completely:
- My personal change from pilot to SEAL candidate occurred largely because of the people who were going after these jobs. I wanted to be like many of my teammates and push myself even harder than I was. I wanted to UP MY GAME another level and serve with those same type of people. I knew that was not going to happen if I just focused on a fitness test. I took that TO and THROUGH mentality with me for the next challenge – getting accepted to attend BUDS after graduating from the Naval Academy. Once again, getting TO the training is just the start of a longer road of training to be fully prepared and ready to get THROUGH the training. It was a long journey, and I would do it all over again as it has made the difference in everything I have done since.
This is what MOST candidates do not understand - There are THREE phases of tactical fitness.
First, you must work hard to get accepted into any tactical profession. Usually that means a variety of tests from physical, medical, academic, psychological, and even personal history checks. It is quite an ordeal to get accepted into these jobs, so you do have to prepare for those challenges. Getting TO the Training.
Second, once accepted you also have to have a solid physical foundation to endure the physical challenges of boot camp, basic training, academy, and especially spec ops selections like SEAL training. You will be an attrition statistic IF you skip this phase of training. Getting THROUGH the Training.
Then there is the operator phase (Phase 3) – You made it BUT...You have reached your goal, but the work never stops. It is just different. You will need to maintain your physical abilities but be in a constant state of learning new tactical skills which will come down to how well you mitigate stress and learn to recover from the day-to-day challenges that is being a tactical professional.
There are always two sides to a coin of preparation for any challenge - getting the opportunity to pursue your goal and achieving your goal. The front side of the coin everyone knows and focuses on usually for too long that they neglect to concern themselves with the backside of the coin that needs even more attention. Getting TO then THROUGH the challenge requires an exponential level of increased efforts. If you arrive to your challenge unprepared with weaknesses, they will be exposed in the first week. You do not want to go that route - trust me.
The most important thing to get with this is to know and fully understand that with any dream or goal you have in front of you, there are always three steps to becoming what you aspire to be. Getting accepted TO the program. Getting THROUGH the program. And continuing to grow as an active member of that program. You never stop leveling up on a challenging journey and goal achievement (and maintenance). Understanding these three phases will make the difference between success or not.
Remember - the PST will only guarantee you get TO the Training....Getting THROUGH BUD/S requires much more: See How This Candidate Built Himself to get GOOD at everything:
See what is "good enough" - PST Type Scores for Spec Ops Training:
How about your durability-strength numbers? (click)
Training is What We Do:
Need Programming for Fitness Tests and Beyond? We are all about getting you TO and THROUGH your future training program. See how that works.
Where to Find More Information About Optimal Performance Training Programs
When you start training again, consider the seasonal tactical fitness model. I call it A WAY to train and obviously not the only way to train. But it offers the opportunity to never neglect your weaknesses, helps with flexibility and mobility, but will also put you at a level of physical abilities where you are happy with your overall ability to do just about anything. We have a system where the seasons dictate our training. When it is nicer outside, we tend to run and do more calisthenics. When it is colder and not so nice, we lift more, run less, and still maintain our outdoor activities with shorter runs and rucks. Check it out: Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization System.
These Seasonal Tactical Fitness BLOCK Periodization programs will walk you through 4 x 4 weeks cycles with 16 weeks of each season in two programs. (32 total weeks)
Increase Strength & Crush the PST / PAST
3 Weeks Strength - 1 Week PT / Cardio Focus
(16 weeks)
Books and eBooks Available (All Levels of Fitness)
The Specific Military / Special Ops Physical Fitness Workouts
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 1
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 2 - 3
Navy SEAL Workout Phase 4 Grinder PT
Navy SWCC Workout
Army PFT Workout (Prep For Rucking, OPAT, ACFT)
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
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 actually works for you? We can tailor it to your personal goals and help you integrate it into your day using the equipment you already have. Let us be your training partner and coach.
Don't Stop in your 40s-50s and Beyond!
I have a Full Series for 40 and Over - About when things feel like falling apart. These programs can make a life-changing difference.
The Tactical Fitness Over 40 Series Introduces What We Call Mobility Day!
These programs are not just for people over 40. If you want to become or remain an asset rather than a liability, this well-rounded training can help. We have people younger than 40 and over 50-60 doing this level of workouts as they progressively build from beginner to advanced (left to right).
The Latest Program: The Ageless Athlete-50+
I spent my 54th and 55th years writing this new program. It consists of a beginner plan, an intermediate section, and an advanced workout, which I completed personally this year.
Training for ANY goal is not just physical—it’s mental. Visualize success, manage stress, and cultivate the mental and physical resilience necessary for both the test and the challenges ahead. The Never Quit Mindset Course, Book, eBook, AudioBook
Discover the Never Quit Mindset While Building Physical Toughness.
Book, eBook, AudioBook
In a world where readiness can mean the difference between life and death, Stew Smith’s tactical fitness collection provides the roadmap to unlock your full physical and mental potential. Be an asset in situations and not a liability. Whether your goals are to serve, protect, or simply live life to the best, these programs offer a proven, adaptable, and inspiring path forward.
Choosing Stew Smith’s tactical fitness collection is not just buying a set of workouts—it’s embracing a philosophy of disciplined excellence, resilience, and lifelong health. The reasons to invest are as diverse as the challenges you’ll face—and as enduring as the results you’ll achieve.
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
(NEW - Consulting Call) - Need personal help adjusting workouts? Worried if you are on the right track? Let Stew help.
- 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 - YouTube, TikTok, Instagram
- Live QA / CSS Critiques Mon / Tues 9am (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram)
- 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.
- Tactical Fitness Course - 80 minutes to learn how to get TO and THROUGH spec ops selection programs.
- 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.