Why Do Most Think Special Ops Selections are Impossible?
Yet the Majority Still Underprepare?
Have you ever wondered why attrition rates are so high in special ops jobs? Well, first, the numbers are relatively small compared to most units, so the number of graduates selected into these professions is smaller. Second, training is hard, requires specific preparation, and a Never Quit Mindset / Attitude. Thirdly, you must want it bad enough to endure serious discomfort through selection (and beyond).
In fact, did you know that it takes nearly 1000 candidates to get 250 SEALs into the community (on average)? Other special ops units have similar percentages, some larger/some even smaller. Is the training that hard? Why is it impossible for so many?
There will be days like this...Many
Entering the world of Special Operations, whether it's Army Special Forces, Naval Special Warfare, Ranger Regiment/Battalion, Air Force Special Warfare, Recon/MarSOC, or any other special tactics unit, is often seen as an insurmountable challenge. The reputation of these programs precedes them, marked by stories of grueling selection phases and relentless physical and mental demands. Many aspiring candidates approach the process with a mix of excitement and anxiety, unsure whether they have what it takes to succeed. Most simply show up unprepared and overconfident, only to realize quickly that they messed up their prep. Usually, weaknesses are exposed within the first few days of training. Then the mind starts to take a role in the decision-making process.
- Attrition rates typically range from 50-90%, depending on the program, reflecting not only the difficulty but also the high standards and expectations for those who serve in these roles. This should be a sign to any candidate that preparation matters. The problem is that almost everyone is preparing as they did for an upcoming season of sport. It is not the same as a few months of running before high school soccer season. This preparation to be an above-average candidate may take over a year (or longer). And it all depends on your strengths and weaknesses going in. Your athletic and manual labor histories both matter and develop skills you can take with you, but the biggest challenge at these schools is that they identify a weakness and exploit it. Assess yourself so you can turn any weakness into less of a weakness – maybe even a strength.
-
Are you good at everything?
-
I also once believed SEAL training was impossible. I was not in great shape. I would say I was in basic military shape, but not special ops shape. I went to my first group PT led by a Navy SEAL and got my butt handed to me by a 40-year-old man when I was a 19-year-old three-sport athlete. Looking at the long road ahead of me JUST to become an average candidate, I doubted I could get ready in a year's time. I was right. It took two years to become a competitive candidate. This experience taught me that persistence and a willingness to adapt were just as important as raw talent or athleticism.
The field is where the butt-kicking was - Now my favorite place!
-
I saw the results of daily workouts / consistent, focused training. I was no longer getting crushed by PTs and runs. I could swim, do pool skills, and not come close to drowning. The work was paying off, but I was still not ready. Progress came in waves, and each milestone built my confidence to push even further.
- I focused on winning events or, at least, being in the top 10% of the class that always won timed runs, swims, obstacle courses, and other tactical events. In fact, I saw those who were just trying to survive have the most difficulty with quitting when things got difficult. You never want to strive for the minimum standard; you strive to win, which is what I realized I needed to do. Setting my sights higher helped me develop a competitive edge and a mindset that never thinks about quitting.
Ultimately, the journey through Special Operations selection is more than just a test of physical endurance; it is a transformation of mindset. You start off motivated to do this as a profession. The motivation must evolve into the formation of good habits. These habits become your discipline, and you choose to train and prepare EVEN when you don’t feel like it. This finally evolves into mental toughness and resilience.
The greatest lesson I learned is that preparation and mental toughness go hand in hand, as do a positive attitude and self-belief. By continually striving for excellence and refusing to settle for mediocrity, candidates can overcome the seemingly impossible. Remember, it's not about surviving, it's about competing.
Never Let Fear of Failing and Doubt Own You Again
New Book / eBook / Audio Book /
Video Course
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
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 -
-
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 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.
More Training Programs on Other Tactical Professions
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
-
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