Don't Make These Mistakes
(Insights from Stew Smith, Tactical Fitness Coach)

The path to a career in special operations and tactical professions is littered with recurring mistakes that candidates make before and during their journeys. Understanding these pitfalls can be the difference between achieving your dream and falling short at the first hurdle. 

Lack of Proper Preparation

Failing Before You Even Begin - Many candidates underestimate the significance of targeted preparation. Training for special operations or tactical jobs is not a generic process; it requires a precise focus on the fitness test that grants entry into the selection process. THEN, specific training in what is to follow during selection.

·         Without a deliberate approach towards the unique requirements of each selection process, candidates are doomed to face the staggering attrition rates that characterize special operations training pipelines. It happens every class - the rule of thirds:  1/3 will make it, 1/3 will fail or get injured, 1/3 do not even belong there as they are so ill-prepared, both mentally, physically, and specifically for what is to come. 

Ignoring Weaknesses

Assessment is Everything - IF you are not assessing regularly, you are just guessing. Many hopefuls fail to take a hard look at their own abilities. Without proper self-assessment, you're merely guessing at what you need to improve, and guesswork leads to failure.  See the Assessment Tool and see how you stack up against those who made it through!

·         It's essential to focus your training on your weaknesses while maintaining your established strengths. Smart and strategic programming, such as the programs below or any of the Seasonal Tactical Fitness Periodization programming, will help you improve weaknesses and maintain strengths. This helps structure training so you improve where you’re vulnerable without losing the edge in your strong suits.

See the Special Ops Section for these programs

Immaturity and Lack of Seriousness

         The journey to special operations is not for those still clinging to high school memories or adolescent mindsets. While some teenagers do pass, the dropout rate is highest among the youngest candidates who overestimate their readiness.

·        Mental maturity—patience, resilience, and responsibility—is just as important (if not more) than physical strength. If you're not yet fully grown physically, you may not be ready for the demands of special operations selection. Be serious about your training, nutrition, social / leisure time, and life in general. You can still have fun, but getting into trouble and jeopardizing your recovery (nutrition, sleep, smart training) is a fast track to failing to meet the standard in a job that requires exceeding the standard. 

      Success requires discipline in all things. Neglecting your nutrition, skipping recovery, or treating your training as a casual affair will sabotage your progress. Tactical athletes must treat their bodies as finely tuned machines, requiring careful fueling, maintenance, and rest.

Inadequate Research Into the Job and Recruiting Process

Know Before You Go - Too many candidates walk into a recruiter’s office with little knowledge about the job or the process. Preparation is more than physical training—it’s academic, logistical, and administrative.

·        Prospective candidates should read, watch, and listen to every resource available: books, podcasts, test guides, and more. They should also gather relevant paperwork, such as medical records and birth certificates, and fully understand what is required for entry.

·       Most importantly, the candidate should be able to crush the fitness test before even meeting with a recruiter. Entry exams, such as the PST, IFT, or AFT, serve as gatekeepers. Arrive unprepared, and your journey ends before it begins.

Believing Boot Camp or Basic Training Will Get You in Shape

·       Many assume that military basic training will whip them into shape for special ops selection. This is a costly misconception; basic training is designed to bring everyone to a standard baseline of being a sailor, marine, soldier, or airman, not to prepare you for the rigors of elite selection. You must arrive already conditioned for the challenge ahead. Let boot camp be your taper and add in extra workouts to maintain your fitness levels when you can.

Impatience with the Process  

·         There is no rush to the finish line. Candidates can join special operations programs well into their late twenties or even thirties. Going too soon—out of impatience or peer pressure—often leads to failure and regret. Take the time to build yourself into the best possible version before taking on the challenge. Just because you can join the military spec ops programs at 18, does not mean you should. It may take a few years to truly prepare to have a more successful chance of graduating.

A Bad Day Can Be Avoided with Water, Electrolytes, and Carbs

One of the quickest ways to end your special operations dreams is to show up for a full day of training dehydrated, unfed, and not ready to rehydrate with electrolytes and refuel with carbs throughout the day. You will either become a heat casualty or fail to meet the standards because you run out of calories to use as energy. 

Eating to stay warm and eating for fuel are essential with high-calorie, nutrient-dense foods that provide all the necessary macros (carbohydrates, protein, and fats). 

Mental Preparation

Phase One and Phase Two of Tactical Fitness / Spec Ops Prep aren't 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.

Take Action and Transform Your Life Today

The time to act is now! Imagine transforming into a resilient force, capable of thriving under any circumstance. By purchasing "The Never Quit Mindset Course", you’ll receive a life-changing program and immediate access to valuable insights that can be implemented right away. This is your chance to accelerate your success and become the mentally tough individual you aspire to be. Don’t miss out!