soldiers lifting weight

No Amount of Training Will Make Selection Easy

ByDave

I often share how the top 25% of ruckers at US Army Special Forces Assessment and Selection have a 67% selection rate.

And I use this to illustrate the importance of physical preparation which can easily double your chances of getting selected.

But many misunderstand this data and assume that if you’re a great rucker, strong, or surpass the numbers I recommend for selection, it will be easy.

But this could not be further from the truth.

This is a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of selection.

Selection is Hard – No Matter How Fit You Are

The truth is no amount of physical preparation will make selection easy.

I don’t care who you are. Having a 70-lb ruck on, day after day, all day will make you question your goals.

Even the fittest candidates I’ve worked with – those who shared they were in the top 10% performers, tell me the aspects of training they wish we focused on more – for some, it’s more time on their feet, and others being bigger and stronger.

But this is by design. Selection is designed to find your weaknesses, exploit them, and make you quit.

Selection is designed to find your weaknesses, exploit them, and make you quit.

So, what are you going to do about it?

So, what are you going to do about it?
It’s at this point where you need to be introspective and ask, “Am I willing to tap into that level of grit?”

Because no amount of physical fitness allows you to bypass hitting full-body failure and pushing through even when you think you can’t.

But, I don’t want this to paralyze you and cause you to overthink. Instead, control what you can.

Here’s what you can do now:

  1. Train
  2. Eat
  3. Sleep
  4. Repeat

Also, if you haven’t already, go check out the 4-Step Framework for Mental Toughness.

I'm a coach with a passion for helping athletes dominate the toughest selection courses in the world. Over the years, I've trained well over 100 athletes for Special Operations selection courses, including SFAS, RASP, Air Force A&S, BORTAC, SWAT, and MARSOC A&S. My mission is to bridge the gap between traditional performance training and the unique demands of tactical and military athletes.

I got my start coaching hybrid athletes, blending strength, endurance, and hypertrophy training to achieve peak performance. As I worked with more tactical and military athletes, I realized there was a need for a specialized approach tailored to the grueling physical and mental challenges of SOF selections. This realization drove me to focus on prepping SOF candidates for success, combining cutting-edge research, proven training methodologies, and real-world experience.

Whether you're preparing for selection, seeking to level up your fitness, or simply curious about what it takes to thrive in these elite environments, I hope you'll find the information I share helpful.