News

December 2007
By Robert Ord, NavySEALs.com

To counter today’s global growth of terrorism that threatens the major democracies and vulnerable countries of the world, the United States Special Operations Command’s operational requirements continue to demand an increasing amount of highly motivated, skilled, educated and trained U.S. military warriors to backfill and replace those on the front lines. According to SOCOM’s “SOF Truths:” Humans are more important than technology, Special Operations Forces can not be mass produced and Quality is better than Quantity. Thus developing the right force is a result of selecting the right personnel and providing them with the best training and equipment possible. That is our mission too.

Acting on this call to duty, U.S. Tactical, creators of the Naval Special Warfare / Special Operation Mentor Program and NavySEALs.com, have begun to work with a wide range of individuals that are eager to make a difference as special Ops warriors. U.S. Tactical is training, motivating, and mentoring them prior to entry into one of the US military’s elite SOF training pipelines. To accomplish this U.S. Tactical first fully embraced the training principles of CrossFit by affiliating and opening our Encinitas CrossFit Center (www.training.ustactical.com). Then we fused much of the Navy SEAL physical training regimen with CrossFit exercises to make a wickedly challenging program that builds the foundation to succeed at SOF training schools, while broadening an individual’s confidence in what they are capable of. For US Tactical, mission success is directly linked to the passing rates of those that undergo the rigorous Pre-SOF Training.

The importance of Physical Preparation
While there is often friendly and spirited debate among SOF Warriors from different branches of the military about whose training is the toughest, what’s not in question is the fact that if you arrive at the front door of any one of them unprepared, you won’t be staying long. A recent study at the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training School (BUD/S) showed that swim and run scores from the introductory Physical Screening Test (PST) directly correlated with overall passing rates.

The following statistics were compiled from previous BUD/S classes and gives the percentage of candidates who started BUD/S and graduated based on their PST scores.
Run Time % Graduated
Greater than 11:05 8.9%
10:13 – 11:05 18.7%
9:52 – 10:12 27.9%
Less than 9:51 41.5%

Swim Time % Graduated
Greater than 10:52 10.2%
10:12 – 10:52 19.5%
9:43 – 10:11 25.3%
9:02 – 9:42 33.6%
Less than 9:01 43.3%

Combined Run and Swim Scores % Graduated
Run less than 9:33 and………..
Swim less than 10:11 55.2%

Run less than 9:51 and……….
Swim less than 10:11 48.6%
Swim greater than 10:11 29.7%

Run 9:52 – 10:12 and………..
Swim less than 9:57 37.8%
Swim greater than 9:57 18.2%

Run 10:13 – 11:05 and………
Swim less than 9:57 29%
Swim 9:43 – 10:52 18.1%
Swim greater than 10:52 9%

Looking Past the Numbers

One look at the stats will tell you it’s obvious that physical conditioning is an important factor in what it takes to succeed. Interestingly though, from these numbers it also shows that, at best, it only gets a candidate half way there. To be successful in any SOF training program, and to be a good Operator in the field, there is a less tangible element that must be present, commonly called “heart” or “spirit.” This is what differentiates true warriors from posers.

The Samurai called it Kokoro, loosely defined as “indomitable spirit” - the refusal to accept defeat. It represents the inner warrior, forged through intense training under masterful instruction. U.S. Tactical’s Mission is to build Kokoro in pre-SOF candidates by providing elements of the Navy SEAL training regimen fused with the world-class strength and conditioning of CrossFit. The result is an extremely rewarding and challenging training program that builds fitness across all competencies while broadening an individual’s confidence and maturity.

U.S. Tactical Pre-SOF Training Overview

U.S. Tactical Pre-SOF trainers are more Coach and Mentor than “Boot Camp Instructor”. The goal is to assist individuals to develop all the qualities of the SOF Warrior. When they experience the full force of the elite training pipelines, under stressful conditions and imperious instructors, they will have the tools and experience to overcome any challenge. The Pre-SOF training continuum is comprised of two main blocks of Selection and Preparation.

Selection:

The first phase of Selection consists of indoctrination into the primary elements of the training to come, specifically difficult CrossFit workouts, long runs and swims, as well as some of the preliminary elements of “Kokoro”. For some, Indoctrination is a shock, while for others that have been doing CrossFit, it often simply means shifting training focus somewhat.

In the second phase of Selection, the main objective is to reveal the warrior within by pushing training to the limit and requiring more out of the trainees than they ever thought they were capable of. This requires more than just difficult workouts, although these are in no short supply. It also includes homework assignments, memorization, teamwork, and a strict adherence to a code. Trainees are evaluated at all times, and pushed hard to reach deep within. No matter the athletic ability of the individual, if there are chinks in the armor because of pride, selfishness, arrogance, or any number of other weaknesses, they are brought to the surface and faced head-on.

At the conclusion of the second phase of Selection, trainees face a panel of professionals that evaluate the training record and interview the candidate. Upon a favorable review, the candidate can continue on to the next segment of training. Candidates that do not get the go-ahead may be invited to repeat Selection or asked to leave.

Preparation:

In the first phase of Preparation the tempo that was held during Selection is increased by adding the element of focused in-water training, both in the pool and the ocean. CrossFit workouts now often incorporate swimming, and long ocean swims with fins are a norm. Trainees master the combat swimmer sidestroke and are introduced to elements of hydrographic reconnaissance, tides and currents, and breath-holding.

In the second phase of Preparation, the time and energy that went to the water now go to the land. Specialized training in this phase focuses primarily on developing competency in running short and long distances fast, although there is also time devoted to humping with ruck-sack and land navigation. As with all phases of training, CrossFit workouts and still enter the “hopper” on a regular basis.

The Stamp of Approval

At U.S. Tactical, a candidate who makes it through Pre-SOF Selection to Preparation, probably has what it takes. If the candidate makes it through Preparation they receive the U.S. Tactical “Stamp of Approval.” Our first trainees both received the Stamp of Approval and are pursuing their dream to become SEALs. These pioneers of the U.S. Tactical Pre-SOF Training program contributed significantly (and often unwillingly) to the development of what is now the most comprehensive pre-SOF training available.

In the case of the trainees, both arrived to the program in decent shape as a result of a long history of exposure to CrossFit and Olympic Weightlifting. However, by every measure, both candidates increased their output significantly by shaving considerable time off of both the swim and run portions of the PST and adding marked improvement in their strength and stamina in all other areas, including push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. More important than PST scores however was the discovery of the kokoro required to meet the challenges of the program, which will continue to mature as they develop as individuals and warriors.

Robert Ord is the Director of Training at the U.S.
Tactical CrossFit Training Center in Encinitas, California,
where he oversees all CrossFit training at the center
as well as the online training and mentoring provided
by NavySEALs.com. Initially trained by the Navy as a
corpsman and deep sea diver, Rob chose the path of
Special Operations by volunteering for duty with SEAL
Delivery Vehicle Team One, where he worked as a diving
medical technician in numerous platoons and other
capacities. He is still a member of the Naval Reserves
at the Naval Special Warfare Command but has also
had the opportunity to work with the Special Boat
Teams, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Detachments,
Marine Corps Units, and Deep Sea Diving Commands.
He worked as a consultant and contractor with the
Navy in its efforts to find and effectively prepare future
SEALs, Special Warfare combat crewmen, explosive
ordnance disposal technicians, and Navy divers before
devoting his full time to the U.S. Tactical CrossFit
Training Center.