A Day in the Life: Preparing for SOF Conditioning

As a believer in everything Crossfit I have but one gripe. Before I divulge, I will first preface my gripe. I am a 25 year old ex infantry Marine Sergeant. I have been out of the Corps for two years. I am now currently enlisting into the Army as an infantryman with being a Green Beret as my real goal and motivation in re-enlisting. My belief in the Crossfit doctrine is my strenght and weakness. I have scouered the back issues of the Crossfit journal and have found many articles related to BUDS preparation, but none specifically for Special Froces preparation. This is definately a sorry gripe, but BUDS and SFQC are quite different. I plan to continue my regular WOD's, and incorporate some Army suggested workouts, but would love to see a SF focused article. I am sure I am not alone in this sentiment as more and more Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen have come to rely on Crossfit as their fitness program of choice. I am positive that I am not alone in this and any effort to address this issue would be met with resounding enthusiasm and gratitude.

Thomas,
Check out the following articles:
Pre-SOF Phase 5
The CrossFit Insurgency (about 1SFG)
and Combat Gymnastics

I think you can learn a lot from the Pre-SOF articles (even though it puts a focus on BUD/S), and like everything CrossFit don't look for specialization to a specific program. You can take everything it offers, across a wide breadth, and add events for what you are trying to accomplish.

My suggestion is to combine standard WODs and CrossFit Endurance WODs, do everything in uniform, and love your ruck. Good PT is good PT whether it is for SEALs/Rangers/PJs/SF...

I am not a Green Beret. But if my qualifications will make my suggestions carry more weight (it shouldn't matter thought) I am an Army Infantry Officer, Ranger Qualified, and have just had a soldier return from SFQC with the latest info. I learned about CrossFit while attached to 1SFG for training purposes and have been sold on it since.

The only thing I would add is plenty of Ruck and LandNav stuff. Link up with an SF recruiter on your post and they should have a prep course at a minimum during PT hours.

This doesn't help with the request for more Green Beret articles! But hopefully you have something to get you started.

thomas,

Whats a good ruck or backpack for weighted runs, Im making a 50lb sandbag and I'd like to use a decent pack for running that'll hold up. Should I go cheap or should I go all out and train on something I plan to use in the field.

Sorry this comment was meant Steven P.

Whats a good ruck or backpack for weighted runs, Im making a 50lb sandbag and I'd like to use a decent pack for running that'll hold up. Should I go cheap or should I go all out and train on something I plan to use in the field.

Check out Chosen Solider by Dick Couch. It details the Special Forces training in depth, and from it you should be able to gather what you need. He, like the comments above, places great emphasis on the ruck, but also much on strength-Crossfit is perfect. Couch also has some great books on SEAL training, such as The Warrior Elite, and The Finishing School.