- Joined
- Nov 22, 2024
Gotcha. Still, I've listened and archived some of Mike Edward's videos. He's legit a bible schizo. Kinda sad.
Man, Marcus Luttrell is looking rough... only 49 years old.
Source
Navy SEALs, Delta Force, and SOCOM general - The most "Special" groups in the U.S. Military
- Thread starter Justtocheck
- Start date
Gotcha. Still, I've listened and archived some of Mike Edward's videos. He's legit a bible schizo. Kinda sad.
Man, Marcus Luttrell is looking rough... only 49 years old.
Source
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2022
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2024
New find
Republican Representative and former SEAL Derrick Van Order
"Van Order" is a cool name. He published apparently in 2015 "A Book of Man: A Navy SEAL's Guide to the Lost Art of Manhood". So I guess another manosphere SEAL.
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Finnish Air Force
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2023
Army Golden Knights (USASOC Parachute Team) at 2024 Army Navy Game
Navy Leapfrogs (SEAL Parachute Team)
Navy Leapfrogs (SEAL Parachute Team)
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2024
USASOC can't stop losing. RIP knees and back of that dude. And that SEAL parachute landing was legit badass.
By the way, the Army lost the game as well. I'm noticing a pattern.
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2021
“Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once”. That's just what a man who left his comrades to die age like decades later. The drugs he used to use probably doesn't help either.
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Finnish Air Force
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2023
Former US Army Ranger on his experiences fighting in Ukraine: "The worst day in Afghanistan and Iraq is a great day in Ukraine"
This poor guy appears shell shocked in interviews. He's got tics that look like what World War I veterans came back with.
This poor guy appears shell shocked in interviews. He's got tics that look like what World War I veterans came back with.
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2018
Been saying it for a while, but it's more like a jobs placement program. Standards are being relaxed to an insane degree while everything is fobbed out to civilian contractors and shit degrades and falls apart because most of the people, especially the leadership, know what the fuck is going on or how shit operates. There are dozens of meetings and shit, and about 80% or more are just rehashes, follow-ups, or straight repeats of what's already been said. You enlist, do at least 4 years, then get out and go back as a civilian for a lot more money and responsibility but even less of knowing what's going on.
That's one thing that surprised me when there were a lot of mercenaries going over to Ukraine. I'll admit I'm not a door kicker, but at the same time; Russia has dedicated artillery and air power. The worst we had in Iraq was in the early days, they'd try to rush the gates and be cut down by machine guns, and then quickly turned to just firing rockets and artillery at us every so often. Sure they wounded and even killed a few people by doing that, but it's not like we had sustained hours of carnage and just had to wait for everything to end; because if they hung around their firing position too long, the helicopters would go find them and kill them. So they'd literally just post up, fire some rockets, then drive away really fast; and the best I remember them doing was hitting the Fuel Farm on Al-Asad, and the command ruled it to just let it burn, and it burned for 2-3 weeks straight.
Go ahead and draw your battle lines; now have your other side have artillery, air power, MLRS, and other cool shit. This isn't Iraq or Afghan dude, this is fucking real war.
I remember when MMA/UFC was picking up, and there was a hot discussion about if it's applicable in a battlefield scenario. So we decided to solve the conundrum like gentleman Marines and had the two suit up and then start fighting; maybe 10 seconds in, dude grabs the multi-tool off his belt and starts stabbing the MMA dude with it. Right away, "That's not fair!" it's a fucking war, retard.
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- Joined
- Jan 8, 2023
If their book deals and motivational speaking roles don't pan out, I suppose SEALs could be really good stuntmen.
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2019
Clocks accepted if already posted
This came up in my recommended feed earlier today, and I thought it would be relevant to the thread. It was created and uploaded by Nate Cornacchia.
From the channel:
This came up in my recommended feed earlier today, and I thought it would be relevant to the thread. It was created and uploaded by Nate Cornacchia.
From the channel:
My name is Nate Cornacchia and I am a retired green beret out of 1st SFG. A decade of experience in Army Special Forces with multiple deployments and extensive combat experience in Afghanistan. My military combat honors include the Army Commendation Medal w/ Valor, Army Commendation medal with C device, and AAM with C device, all from operations in Afghanistan.
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2024
Why is Garand Thumb in the thumbnail? lmao he's not a killer, he's a breeder! And he never deployed (which, seeing how the GWOT went, was probably a good/smart thing)
AGM-136 Tacit Rainbow
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2024
Sargon's wife's son
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2019
Yep and that's why any martial art that doesn't have hit them with anything in general range that can be used as an improvised weapon as a fundamental principle is not real
Yep I had one of my friends come at me with his MMA fighting style as long as I could use a practice sword covered in black tint he looked like he had a skin disease afterwards.
And if you actually do know how to sword fight yes there is a disarming techniques yes there is grapples yes there is throws and yes there is throwing your opponent off balance however that's only used if someone gets inside of your guard.
And one of my favorite military science fiction books written by a former U.S. Army Ranger does this quote fair fights are for losers and dead people.
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2018
Granted I'm not into many sports, especially watching, because if I like something I'd rather do it; but the popularity of UFC/MMA only made a sub-class of wannabe bullies. I knew Judo for over a decade, but suddenly everything is Gracie Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and it's the best; why, well because MMA, and there seemed to be a massive surge of people wanting to learn, which I want to say is a good thing, but they seemed more interested in wanting to just be walking along the street and just fucking mount someone. So when it's Friday at lunch time (which means we're pretty much done for the day) and we start fucking around; yeah, do your MMA shit, but now throw on a flak kevlar, and other shit to weigh you down and hamper your movements. Now fight someone, and oh, they fucking stabbed you, because this is a warzone and not your fucking dojo or some random person you'd come across in a bar or whatever.
It seemed to have mostly calmed down since the early 2000's; but I remember for a good while, you couldn't fucking escape it and everyone wanted to try and be a billy badass.
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2022
I'm done linking Antihero Podcast because I don't want to boost the algo. And honestly I'm too technically inept to clip all of these, so you'll have to take my word for it. On the most recent Antihero live Brent said:
>there are no Delta liars that rise to the level of mentioning in an episode (cop co-host looked visibly fed up again and said "shrek" under his breath)
>they are still pretending Taylor Jolly is anonymous even though he's given interviews in other locations with his full name and commented on podcast episodes under his real name (if G Squadron's OPSEC is this bad, no wonder they got detained and questioned immediately upon entering Libya)
>said they will eventually do an episode about Logan Melgar but won't do one about Mark Leshikar
>insulted everyone else who responded to Benghazi besides David Halbruner and Taylor Jolly
One America News Network (q anon trump shill channel) interview with totally anonymous Taylor Jolly.
One America News X
>there are no Delta liars that rise to the level of mentioning in an episode (cop co-host looked visibly fed up again and said "shrek" under his breath)
>they are still pretending Taylor Jolly is anonymous even though he's given interviews in other locations with his full name and commented on podcast episodes under his real name (if G Squadron's OPSEC is this bad, no wonder they got detained and questioned immediately upon entering Libya)
>said they will eventually do an episode about Logan Melgar but won't do one about Mark Leshikar
>insulted everyone else who responded to Benghazi besides David Halbruner and Taylor Jolly
One America News Network (q anon trump shill channel) interview with totally anonymous Taylor Jolly.
One America News X
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2024
Respect. Thanks for the updates. No need to boost them up.
SOCOM and JSOC again waging war against the freedom of information the public deserves and needs to make informed decisions.
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2018
No different from when they "cut military spending"; but bring in contractors and other non-military personnel at an inflated cost. Not Military and not DOD Civilians, completely different; as they work on military bases, partake in safety briefs, are subject to background investigations, can often use base services like the gym and pay for the chow hall, and a whole host of other things related to the DOD, but not part of the military's budget somehow.
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2023
The whole time he was talking I thought of Grosse Pointe Blank:
This movie also has Dan Aykroyd in it btw.
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2024
Archiving locally the article "Women in leadership roles in SMU (Delta)" Just in case the archive is fucked with and to give people easier access. It's very well written and structured. (I'd bet it's retouched AI slop.)
It does reveal a lot about what Delta want people to think of them. Also, I find it's really petty that it was hidden if it was just to kowtow to the new administration.
Noelle Lemke
The Special Missions Unit (SMU) based at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, represents the pinnacle of U.S. military capability for conducting focused, specialized activities and operations worldwide in accordance with Joint Publication 3-05, Joint Doctrine for Special Operations, as designated by the president and secretary of defense.1 The organization comprises less than 1 percent of the U.S. Army and is characterized by an especially rigorous selection process together with intensive training that culminates in unparalleled operational effectiveness.
This article illuminates the experiences of women within SMU whose roles have become essential for dealing with the most complex challenges faced by the national mission force. Their work exemplifies the culture of excellence that characterizes these units, demonstrating how these attributes are key to overcoming the most demanding obstacles in national security. Examining some examples of women’s experiences in leadership positions illustrates how they both share and embody the core values of trust, adaptability, and commitment that define SMU culture and how their contributions have been key to overall SMU success. Quotes in this article are unattributed to protect the soldiers’ identities.
—An abiding guiding principle in the SMU selection process
The unyielding standards of Special Missions Unit selection—a commitment to excellence. Selection is based on rigorous and highly selective criteria. The SMU selection process focuses on evaluating candidates for risk, suitability, and compatibility to meet the high demands of the unit. Once selected, individuals undergo comprehensive training to immerse them in the unit’s culture, values, and mission.
Identifying and selecting candidates for SMU is resource-intensive, requiring significant time, effort, and funding to ensure that only the most qualified individuals are chosen. Selection is entirely unbiased, evaluating all candidates—regardless of gender—strictly on their performance, skills, and potential. Every candidate is “weighed and measured” equally during selection, upholding the unit’s unwavering commitment to meritocracy.
SMU employs a nuanced evaluation approach that distinguishes between operators and enablers. While operator assessment focuses primarily on attributes, enabler evaluation encompasses attributes and skills. This methodology challenges conventional selection paradigms by recognizing that superior qualifications alone do not guarantee organizational success. While performance is a primary discriminator, assessment boards take into consideration a more expansive set of criteria, including comprehensive evaluations of risk factors, organizational compatibility, and assessments of candidate suitability for integration into the SMU culture.
A Special Missions Unit (SMU) soldier takes reconnaissance photos during exfiltration training on Fort Liberty, North Carolina, in summer 2023. (Photo courtesy of SMU Public Affairs)
The selection process centers on identifying individuals with core attributes essential to organizational effectiveness. This “right person versus best person” philosophy culminates in a final board review in which candidates’ judgment, character, and moral compass undergo rigorous evaluation. This systematic approach ensures that selected personnel possess the capability and disposition to excel within the organization’s unique operational environment.
The assessment and selection process transcends the mere evaluation of technical competencies and cultural integration potential; it fundamentally instills a profound sense of humility in candidates. The process systematically examines essential attributes that define successful unit members through deliberate feedback mechanisms and structured introspection. This approach enables evaluators to assess operational capabilities and characteristics that contribute to long-term organizational success. A distinguishing feature of SMU is the philosophy that those responsible for selecting candidates are choosing their future replacements. This ensures that the focus is on identifying talent and nurturing and preparing the next generation of SMU operators and enablers. The process empowers individuals to grow autonomously, ensuring they are equipped to succeed in the most demanding situations.
—An SMU guiding principle
Forging elite teams: the journey from selection to integration in SMU. The journey of an operator or enabler within SMU begins with a rigorous training process that instills a deep sense of humility and self-awareness. At the heart of SMU’s success is its training course, which lays the foundation for the relentless pursuit of excellence in physical, technical, mental, professional, and operational dimensions. It ensures that the men and women chosen for this elite unit are not just capable operators and enablers, but individuals of the highest caliber, ready to face the complexities of the world’s most challenging missions.
This critical phase highlights both individual strengths and areas for growth. A dedicated cadre staff of senior NCOs, one field grade officer, and civilian contractors guide service members through this transformative stage, ensuring their development into inculcated unit members. The program’s effectiveness hinges on organizational trust. This crucial element is achieved by placing the best and brightest NCOs in leadership positions where their experience helps create an environment of credibility and confidence. Their presence ensures the training’s legitimacy and maintains its pivotal role in personnel development. By default, the training course is the most sacred part within SMU.
“Training is everything; everything is training” is a mantra instilled in new students by instructors who are seasoned former SMU veterans who have often spent over a decade coaching and mentoring operators and enablers in the foundational skills necessary to succeed, particularly during intensive firearms training. This mantra embodies the relentless dedication required to earn and sustain a position within the unit and is echoed throughout all phases of the training course. The values and attributes instilled during the training course are paramount to developing well-rounded, adaptable service members.
A Special Missions Unit (SMU) soldier fires an M320 grenade launcher at a heavy weapons range during the SMU training course on Fort Liberty, North Carolina, in spring 2024. (Photo courtesy of SMU Public Affairs)
Moreover, apart from the demand for high proficiency in the technical ability of soldier skills, SMU demands individuals who are exceptionally inquisitive, resourceful, imaginative, and situationally sensitive to the nuances of whatever environment they find themselves in. To that end, candidates must show the patience to work within strict operational constraints one moment but the audacity to act freely and decisively to the changing circumstances in the next. A personality profile that combines the ability to lead confidently yet follow with humility as a situation demands is paramount. Striking this balance is key to preserving the original vision of SMU and ensuring its continued excellence and adaptability in an evolving world.
Graduation. Upon completion of the training course, students earn the privilege of “crossing the hall” to join the elite ranks of the SMU, where they are swiftly integrated into their teams. In the high-stakes environment in which the SMU operates, trainee graduates must adapt quickly to a culture of trust, flexibility, and loyal commitment to their mission and new teammates. This transition marks the culmination of the rigorous training process and the beginning of their operational journey, where they will be called upon to contribute to some of the Nation’s most critical missions.
This training results in SMU personnel who stand at the forefront of the Nation’s most critical crises, embodying integrity, sound judgment, precision, humility, and credibility. They are entrusted to navigate the chaos by making the right call when it matters most.
The fusion of advanced technical proficiency, distinctive organizational culture, and refined leadership capabilities developed during this selection process ensures SMU personnel maintain their position at the apex of the Army’s elite forces. This comprehensive preparation enables operators and enablers to address the intricate challenges presented by contemporary warfare with agility and precision.
To advance the SMU mission, the contributions of women have become integral to the success of the most complex national mission force challenges. They do so by embodying the values that define the unit as a whole exemplifying the culture of excellence that defines SMU through trust, adaptability, and commitment to overcoming the most demanding obstacles in national security.
Women in leadership roles in SMU. The integration of women into leadership roles within SMU reflects the evolving nature of military service and the value of diverse leadership perspectives. Despite comprising a significantly small number of SMU personnel, women’s roles are assigned due to demonstrable skill, merit, and commitment to mission success, not gender.
Special Missions Unit (SMU) soldiers complete the Sergeant Majors Physical Training Challenge during the SMU training course on Fort Liberty, North Carolina, in spring 2024. (Photo courtesy of SMU Public Affairs)
SMU’s rigorous and unbiased selection process evaluates all candidates based on qualifications, potential, and ability to meet unit demands, regardless of gender. Selected women undergo identical training in leadership, strategy, and operational effectiveness, adhering to the same high standards expected of all candidates for selection.
As previously noted, SMU leadership demands more than tactical expertise; it requires adaptability, trust-building, and the ability to guide teams through complex, high-risk scenarios. Women in SMU accomplish their tasks by exhibiting the same standards of resilience, decisiveness, and strategic thinking as their male counterparts.
In leadership roles, women in SMU operate with precision and authority, prioritizing mission success and team welfare over being “the first” or “the only.” Their contributions are measured by mission impact and leadership effectiveness in high-profile situations, not gender.
These women leaders challenge long-standing military stereotypes, reinforcing SMU’s core values of integrity, trust, adaptability, and mission dedication. A collateral aspect of the demonstrated contributions they make to strengthen the unit, their success also inspires future generations of military women to aspire for the highest standards of excellence.
In SMU, effective leadership is about being the right person for the mission, and women are proving they meet this criterion.
—An SMU guiding principle
The path of one sergeant first class’s journey in the Army exemplifies a powerful blend of dedication, skill, and trust that culminates in selection for service with SMU. Beginning her career under the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest program as a Philippine native, she demonstrated resilience and ambition by pursuing opportunities such as Airborne School, which set her on a course toward SMU. Her selection as a disbursing noncommissioned officer and budget analyst within SMU highlights her remarkable ability to manage financial resources in high-stakes environments, where every detail can affect mission outcomes.
Her attention to detail—from handling minute discrepancies to larger strategic budgeting tasks—demonstrates her commitment to the Army’s core values of trust and reliability. The Army’s business strategy, centered on people and money, thrives on individuals like her, whose raw intelligence, critical thinking, and drive have safeguarded some of the Army’s most sensitive financial operations. Her efforts have earned her several awards, recognizing her as an indispensable asset to the organization.
Her story is a testament to the essential role finance plays in military operations, where resources must be meticulously managed to support the execution of lethal and complex missions. By embodying the principle of “money as a weapon system,” she has ensured that financial resources are used strategically and precisely, contributing directly to mission success and enhancing trust within her unit.
Similarly, the example of one major’s journey within SMU underscores a unique leadership style and adaptability in one of the Army’s most challenging environments. Encouraged by a fellow female warrant officer, she joined SMU in 2018 after a rigorous selection process, taking on a pivotal role in human resources (HR). Her work within SMU has gone far beyond traditional HR functions, requiring a combination of empathy, resilience, agility, and great resourcefulness as she has managed high-visibility personnel issues in an extremely high-pressure, rapidly changing, mission-driven environment where rapid resolution of personnel issues is expected daily as a matter of course by senior leadership.
To deal with the role, her philosophy is that effective “HR requires empathy, resilience, and agility” as a matter of course but also requires a deep understanding of the minute complexities of the unit and its unique requirements for handling personnel matters with extreme confidentiality and secrecy. She has achieved high success in her calling due in great part to her empathetic leadership style that emphasizes the human element in her work, with complete dedication to ensuring soldiers and officers are well-cared-for while also responding with urgency to meeting the HR demands of the mission. This balance of compassion and efficiency has allowed her to solve some of the most difficult and sensitive HR personnel challenges that exist anywhere in the military.
To meet the challenge, one of her greatest strengths is her ability to adapt to different environments, languages, and roles as she seamlessly navigates complex situations, delegating tasks to her team while building networks and acknowledging mistakes when they arise. Her adaptability and problem-solving approach make her an invaluable asset to SMU, where personnel management requires extremely informed technical expertise, diplomacy, tactical agility, and heart. As a consequence, her leadership ensured the smooth functioning of human resource operations within SMU and fostered an institutional environment of trust and collaboration that provided the solid foundation of trust that SMU personnel were receiving the best possible HR support possible, thereby enhancing in an essential way the unit’s overall morale and effectiveness.
—An SMU guiding principle
In another example, one SMU lieutenant colonel exemplified the possibility of long association with SMU and the ability to rise through its ranks. Her experience showcases a trailblazing career defined by leadership, grace, and the ability to overcome complex challenges. In 2016, as a captain, she faced the physically and mentally demanding selection process alongside all male candidates at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, finally emerging as the sole candidate selected. This initially demonstrated an unparalleled display of strength and capability in a setting where few women have ventured. The wisdom of the SMU selection was validated when her leadership became instrumental during the coalition forces’ aggressive push against the Islamic State, where she played a critical role in the logistical planning and execution to support successful operations.
Now a lieutenant colonel serving as the support element commander, she leads a battalion of personnel consisting of logisticians, mechanics, riggers, culinary specialists, and engineers. Her approach to leadership is marked by a deep confidence in herself and her team, recognizing the unique and vital contributions each member brings to mission success. Moreover, her success also stems from a commitment to respectfully challenging senior leaders, including sergeant majors and officers, stimulating them to think critically about emerging issues and the creative solutions needed for the future.
In rooms filled with decision-makers, she often finds herself advocating for logistics solutions to the overlooked pitfalls and risks that warfighters might have missed in mission assessments. Her advocacy, however, is grounded in her commitment to leading with grace, empathy, and dedication to education. As a personal rule, she believes in nurturing others to “think big” to help ensure that her teams and fellow leaders have examined closely as many aspects of a challenge as possible to equip them to habitually think critically in solving the most complex problems of modern warfare.
Her leadership style, characterized by her emphasis on grace and educational mentorship, has made her a powerful force within SMU. Additionally, in performing her role as a courageous, informed, and articulate professional logistician, she has established a high standard as a role model for women in leadership positions, paving the way for others to follow her example.
—Former SMU Command Sergeant Major
I was the first woman elected to serve in the Middle East’s Host Nation Sensitive Activities program. While I could write a satirical novel about the experience of being “the first” in outstations with no female presence, my story is less about gender and more about the organizational culture cultivated by a team of exceptional male NCOs and officers who adhered to high standards of professionalism.
My journey with SMU commenced in 2021 when I completed the Training Course and secured my position on the team. In an environment of uncertainty and chaos, I became the leader my organization required. Each deployment and mission tested my resilience, teaching me to navigate adversity while fostering relationships grounded in mutual trust and dedication.
As a master sergeant with fourteen years of service and over ten deployments in SMU, I have experienced unparalleled empowerment and encouragement. The men and women of the organization have entrusted me with high levels of responsibility and granted me the autonomy and resources needed to excel in addressing some of the Nation’s most challenging problems. Despite my position among senior NCO and officer operators, my soft-spoken contributions resonated profoundly within rooms filled with diplomats, ambassadors, and general officers.
Leading teams through some of the most complex and high-stakes situations in the Middle East has illuminated a fundamental truth about leadership: it centers on prioritizing the well-being of those you lead. This principle holds particular significance for women serving in elite units like SMU, where effective leadership fosters trust, support, and empowerment regardless of gender. My achievements have not been defined by being “the first,” but by a relentless commitment to my team and an organization that values trust, accountability, and grit. These experiences have deepened my understanding of SMU’s true essence as an institution where commitment, adaptability, and trust transform individuals into vital contributors to a larger mission.
Recognized challenges.
As one female SMU leader noted, “We’re not immune to problems, but our training teaches us to face challenges head-on, whether they’re on the battlefield or in our ranks. This mindset allows us to turn potential obstacles into opportunities for growth and improvement.” This ability to effectively manage and overcome gender-related challenges is a model for other military units and organizations striving for greater inclusivity and operational excellence.
[to himself, rehearsing] Hi! I'm a SOF dude, do you remember me? I'm not married, I don't have any kids, and I'd blow your head off ifsomeone paid me enough. I was given one brief of half-baked dodgy intelligence that you are a dangerous terrorist.
pretty much on point fwiw
It does reveal a lot about what Delta want people to think of them. Also, I find it's really petty that it was hidden if it was just to kowtow to the new administration.
Women in Leadership Roles in Special Missions Unit
Trust, Adaptability, and Commitment in Elite Military OperationsNoelle Lemke
The Special Missions Unit (SMU) based at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, represents the pinnacle of U.S. military capability for conducting focused, specialized activities and operations worldwide in accordance with Joint Publication 3-05, Joint Doctrine for Special Operations, as designated by the president and secretary of defense.1 The organization comprises less than 1 percent of the U.S. Army and is characterized by an especially rigorous selection process together with intensive training that culminates in unparalleled operational effectiveness.
This article illuminates the experiences of women within SMU whose roles have become essential for dealing with the most complex challenges faced by the national mission force. Their work exemplifies the culture of excellence that characterizes these units, demonstrating how these attributes are key to overcoming the most demanding obstacles in national security. Examining some examples of women’s experiences in leadership positions illustrates how they both share and embody the core values of trust, adaptability, and commitment that define SMU culture and how their contributions have been key to overall SMU success. Quotes in this article are unattributed to protect the soldiers’ identities.
Assessment and Selection
“We are not looking for the best person; we are looking for the right person.”—An abiding guiding principle in the SMU selection process
The unyielding standards of Special Missions Unit selection—a commitment to excellence. Selection is based on rigorous and highly selective criteria. The SMU selection process focuses on evaluating candidates for risk, suitability, and compatibility to meet the high demands of the unit. Once selected, individuals undergo comprehensive training to immerse them in the unit’s culture, values, and mission.
Identifying and selecting candidates for SMU is resource-intensive, requiring significant time, effort, and funding to ensure that only the most qualified individuals are chosen. Selection is entirely unbiased, evaluating all candidates—regardless of gender—strictly on their performance, skills, and potential. Every candidate is “weighed and measured” equally during selection, upholding the unit’s unwavering commitment to meritocracy.
SMU employs a nuanced evaluation approach that distinguishes between operators and enablers. While operator assessment focuses primarily on attributes, enabler evaluation encompasses attributes and skills. This methodology challenges conventional selection paradigms by recognizing that superior qualifications alone do not guarantee organizational success. While performance is a primary discriminator, assessment boards take into consideration a more expansive set of criteria, including comprehensive evaluations of risk factors, organizational compatibility, and assessments of candidate suitability for integration into the SMU culture.
A Special Missions Unit (SMU) soldier takes reconnaissance photos during exfiltration training on Fort Liberty, North Carolina, in summer 2023. (Photo courtesy of SMU Public Affairs)
The selection process centers on identifying individuals with core attributes essential to organizational effectiveness. This “right person versus best person” philosophy culminates in a final board review in which candidates’ judgment, character, and moral compass undergo rigorous evaluation. This systematic approach ensures that selected personnel possess the capability and disposition to excel within the organization’s unique operational environment.
The assessment and selection process transcends the mere evaluation of technical competencies and cultural integration potential; it fundamentally instills a profound sense of humility in candidates. The process systematically examines essential attributes that define successful unit members through deliberate feedback mechanisms and structured introspection. This approach enables evaluators to assess operational capabilities and characteristics that contribute to long-term organizational success. A distinguishing feature of SMU is the philosophy that those responsible for selecting candidates are choosing their future replacements. This ensures that the focus is on identifying talent and nurturing and preparing the next generation of SMU operators and enablers. The process empowers individuals to grow autonomously, ensuring they are equipped to succeed in the most demanding situations.
Training Course
“Selection is an ongoing process.”—An SMU guiding principle
Forging elite teams: the journey from selection to integration in SMU. The journey of an operator or enabler within SMU begins with a rigorous training process that instills a deep sense of humility and self-awareness. At the heart of SMU’s success is its training course, which lays the foundation for the relentless pursuit of excellence in physical, technical, mental, professional, and operational dimensions. It ensures that the men and women chosen for this elite unit are not just capable operators and enablers, but individuals of the highest caliber, ready to face the complexities of the world’s most challenging missions.
This critical phase highlights both individual strengths and areas for growth. A dedicated cadre staff of senior NCOs, one field grade officer, and civilian contractors guide service members through this transformative stage, ensuring their development into inculcated unit members. The program’s effectiveness hinges on organizational trust. This crucial element is achieved by placing the best and brightest NCOs in leadership positions where their experience helps create an environment of credibility and confidence. Their presence ensures the training’s legitimacy and maintains its pivotal role in personnel development. By default, the training course is the most sacred part within SMU.
“Training is everything; everything is training” is a mantra instilled in new students by instructors who are seasoned former SMU veterans who have often spent over a decade coaching and mentoring operators and enablers in the foundational skills necessary to succeed, particularly during intensive firearms training. This mantra embodies the relentless dedication required to earn and sustain a position within the unit and is echoed throughout all phases of the training course. The values and attributes instilled during the training course are paramount to developing well-rounded, adaptable service members.
A Special Missions Unit (SMU) soldier fires an M320 grenade launcher at a heavy weapons range during the SMU training course on Fort Liberty, North Carolina, in spring 2024. (Photo courtesy of SMU Public Affairs)
Moreover, apart from the demand for high proficiency in the technical ability of soldier skills, SMU demands individuals who are exceptionally inquisitive, resourceful, imaginative, and situationally sensitive to the nuances of whatever environment they find themselves in. To that end, candidates must show the patience to work within strict operational constraints one moment but the audacity to act freely and decisively to the changing circumstances in the next. A personality profile that combines the ability to lead confidently yet follow with humility as a situation demands is paramount. Striking this balance is key to preserving the original vision of SMU and ensuring its continued excellence and adaptability in an evolving world.
Graduation. Upon completion of the training course, students earn the privilege of “crossing the hall” to join the elite ranks of the SMU, where they are swiftly integrated into their teams. In the high-stakes environment in which the SMU operates, trainee graduates must adapt quickly to a culture of trust, flexibility, and loyal commitment to their mission and new teammates. This transition marks the culmination of the rigorous training process and the beginning of their operational journey, where they will be called upon to contribute to some of the Nation’s most critical missions.
This training results in SMU personnel who stand at the forefront of the Nation’s most critical crises, embodying integrity, sound judgment, precision, humility, and credibility. They are entrusted to navigate the chaos by making the right call when it matters most.
The fusion of advanced technical proficiency, distinctive organizational culture, and refined leadership capabilities developed during this selection process ensures SMU personnel maintain their position at the apex of the Army’s elite forces. This comprehensive preparation enables operators and enablers to address the intricate challenges presented by contemporary warfare with agility and precision.
The Tip of the Spear
SMU culture: trust, adaptability, and commitment. In SMU, trust, adaptability, and commitment are the cornerstones that enable the organization to address the Nation’s most sensitive and complex challenges. These attributes form the foundation upon which the SMU personnel operate, allowing them to navigate the intricacies of high-stakes missions. The synergy of trust, adaptability, and commitment empowers SMU to successfully execute some of the most challenging operations, relying on highly intelligent, humble, and resourceful team members to get the job done.To advance the SMU mission, the contributions of women have become integral to the success of the most complex national mission force challenges. They do so by embodying the values that define the unit as a whole exemplifying the culture of excellence that defines SMU through trust, adaptability, and commitment to overcoming the most demanding obstacles in national security.
Women in leadership roles in SMU. The integration of women into leadership roles within SMU reflects the evolving nature of military service and the value of diverse leadership perspectives. Despite comprising a significantly small number of SMU personnel, women’s roles are assigned due to demonstrable skill, merit, and commitment to mission success, not gender.
Special Missions Unit (SMU) soldiers complete the Sergeant Majors Physical Training Challenge during the SMU training course on Fort Liberty, North Carolina, in spring 2024. (Photo courtesy of SMU Public Affairs)
SMU’s rigorous and unbiased selection process evaluates all candidates based on qualifications, potential, and ability to meet unit demands, regardless of gender. Selected women undergo identical training in leadership, strategy, and operational effectiveness, adhering to the same high standards expected of all candidates for selection.
As previously noted, SMU leadership demands more than tactical expertise; it requires adaptability, trust-building, and the ability to guide teams through complex, high-risk scenarios. Women in SMU accomplish their tasks by exhibiting the same standards of resilience, decisiveness, and strategic thinking as their male counterparts.
In leadership roles, women in SMU operate with precision and authority, prioritizing mission success and team welfare over being “the first” or “the only.” Their contributions are measured by mission impact and leadership effectiveness in high-profile situations, not gender.
These women leaders challenge long-standing military stereotypes, reinforcing SMU’s core values of integrity, trust, adaptability, and mission dedication. A collateral aspect of the demonstrated contributions they make to strengthen the unit, their success also inspires future generations of military women to aspire for the highest standards of excellence.
In SMU, effective leadership is about being the right person for the mission, and women are proving they meet this criterion.
Trust
“Flexibility equals speed; our unit responds quickly to requirements.”—An SMU guiding principle
The path of one sergeant first class’s journey in the Army exemplifies a powerful blend of dedication, skill, and trust that culminates in selection for service with SMU. Beginning her career under the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest program as a Philippine native, she demonstrated resilience and ambition by pursuing opportunities such as Airborne School, which set her on a course toward SMU. Her selection as a disbursing noncommissioned officer and budget analyst within SMU highlights her remarkable ability to manage financial resources in high-stakes environments, where every detail can affect mission outcomes.
Her attention to detail—from handling minute discrepancies to larger strategic budgeting tasks—demonstrates her commitment to the Army’s core values of trust and reliability. The Army’s business strategy, centered on people and money, thrives on individuals like her, whose raw intelligence, critical thinking, and drive have safeguarded some of the Army’s most sensitive financial operations. Her efforts have earned her several awards, recognizing her as an indispensable asset to the organization.
Her story is a testament to the essential role finance plays in military operations, where resources must be meticulously managed to support the execution of lethal and complex missions. By embodying the principle of “money as a weapon system,” she has ensured that financial resources are used strategically and precisely, contributing directly to mission success and enhancing trust within her unit.
Adaptability
“Adversity shifted how I take care of people.”Similarly, the example of one major’s journey within SMU underscores a unique leadership style and adaptability in one of the Army’s most challenging environments. Encouraged by a fellow female warrant officer, she joined SMU in 2018 after a rigorous selection process, taking on a pivotal role in human resources (HR). Her work within SMU has gone far beyond traditional HR functions, requiring a combination of empathy, resilience, agility, and great resourcefulness as she has managed high-visibility personnel issues in an extremely high-pressure, rapidly changing, mission-driven environment where rapid resolution of personnel issues is expected daily as a matter of course by senior leadership.
To deal with the role, her philosophy is that effective “HR requires empathy, resilience, and agility” as a matter of course but also requires a deep understanding of the minute complexities of the unit and its unique requirements for handling personnel matters with extreme confidentiality and secrecy. She has achieved high success in her calling due in great part to her empathetic leadership style that emphasizes the human element in her work, with complete dedication to ensuring soldiers and officers are well-cared-for while also responding with urgency to meeting the HR demands of the mission. This balance of compassion and efficiency has allowed her to solve some of the most difficult and sensitive HR personnel challenges that exist anywhere in the military.
To meet the challenge, one of her greatest strengths is her ability to adapt to different environments, languages, and roles as she seamlessly navigates complex situations, delegating tasks to her team while building networks and acknowledging mistakes when they arise. Her adaptability and problem-solving approach make her an invaluable asset to SMU, where personnel management requires extremely informed technical expertise, diplomacy, tactical agility, and heart. As a consequence, her leadership ensured the smooth functioning of human resource operations within SMU and fostered an institutional environment of trust and collaboration that provided the solid foundation of trust that SMU personnel were receiving the best possible HR support possible, thereby enhancing in an essential way the unit’s overall morale and effectiveness.
Commitment
“Growth over hard times births excellence.”—An SMU guiding principle
In another example, one SMU lieutenant colonel exemplified the possibility of long association with SMU and the ability to rise through its ranks. Her experience showcases a trailblazing career defined by leadership, grace, and the ability to overcome complex challenges. In 2016, as a captain, she faced the physically and mentally demanding selection process alongside all male candidates at Fort Liberty, North Carolina, finally emerging as the sole candidate selected. This initially demonstrated an unparalleled display of strength and capability in a setting where few women have ventured. The wisdom of the SMU selection was validated when her leadership became instrumental during the coalition forces’ aggressive push against the Islamic State, where she played a critical role in the logistical planning and execution to support successful operations.
Now a lieutenant colonel serving as the support element commander, she leads a battalion of personnel consisting of logisticians, mechanics, riggers, culinary specialists, and engineers. Her approach to leadership is marked by a deep confidence in herself and her team, recognizing the unique and vital contributions each member brings to mission success. Moreover, her success also stems from a commitment to respectfully challenging senior leaders, including sergeant majors and officers, stimulating them to think critically about emerging issues and the creative solutions needed for the future.
In rooms filled with decision-makers, she often finds herself advocating for logistics solutions to the overlooked pitfalls and risks that warfighters might have missed in mission assessments. Her advocacy, however, is grounded in her commitment to leading with grace, empathy, and dedication to education. As a personal rule, she believes in nurturing others to “think big” to help ensure that her teams and fellow leaders have examined closely as many aspects of a challenge as possible to equip them to habitually think critically in solving the most complex problems of modern warfare.
Her leadership style, characterized by her emphasis on grace and educational mentorship, has made her a powerful force within SMU. Additionally, in performing her role as a courageous, informed, and articulate professional logistician, she has established a high standard as a role model for women in leadership positions, paving the way for others to follow her example.
Host Nation, the Men, and Me
“There are many high-risk things we do in the unit that keep me up at night. Your program is among the top three things we do in the unit with the highest risk. I never lose sleep over it because I know you are there.”—Former SMU Command Sergeant Major
I was the first woman elected to serve in the Middle East’s Host Nation Sensitive Activities program. While I could write a satirical novel about the experience of being “the first” in outstations with no female presence, my story is less about gender and more about the organizational culture cultivated by a team of exceptional male NCOs and officers who adhered to high standards of professionalism.
My journey with SMU commenced in 2021 when I completed the Training Course and secured my position on the team. In an environment of uncertainty and chaos, I became the leader my organization required. Each deployment and mission tested my resilience, teaching me to navigate adversity while fostering relationships grounded in mutual trust and dedication.
As a master sergeant with fourteen years of service and over ten deployments in SMU, I have experienced unparalleled empowerment and encouragement. The men and women of the organization have entrusted me with high levels of responsibility and granted me the autonomy and resources needed to excel in addressing some of the Nation’s most challenging problems. Despite my position among senior NCO and officer operators, my soft-spoken contributions resonated profoundly within rooms filled with diplomats, ambassadors, and general officers.
Leading teams through some of the most complex and high-stakes situations in the Middle East has illuminated a fundamental truth about leadership: it centers on prioritizing the well-being of those you lead. This principle holds particular significance for women serving in elite units like SMU, where effective leadership fosters trust, support, and empowerment regardless of gender. My achievements have not been defined by being “the first,” but by a relentless commitment to my team and an organization that values trust, accountability, and grit. These experiences have deepened my understanding of SMU’s true essence as an institution where commitment, adaptability, and trust transform individuals into vital contributors to a larger mission.
Challenges and Responses to a Mixed Gender Environment
While SMU exemplifies excellence in military operations, it is not immune to the organizational challenges in mixed-gender work environments. However, what sets SMU apart is its ability to recognize, address, and overcome these challenges more effectively than many other organizations.Recognized challenges.
- Physical standards debates. Discussions around physical fitness standards and their application across genders can create tension.
- Limited representation. The relatively low number of women in SMU can lead to isolation or added pressure on female members.
- Work-life balance. The demanding nature of SMU work can disproportionately affect women, especially those with family responsibilities.
- Open dialogue platforms. Regular forums are established in which members can openly discuss gender-related issues without fear of reprisal, promoting understanding and resolution.
- Performance-based evaluation. SMU emphasizes performance-based metrics that focus on mission capability rather than gender, reducing bias in evaluations and promotions.
- Flexible operational structures. SMU has developed more flexible operational structures that accommodate diverse needs without compromising mission readiness.
- Cultural shift. There is a concerted effort to shift the organizational culture from one of mere tolerance to active inclusion and appreciation of diverse perspectives.
As one female SMU leader noted, “We’re not immune to problems, but our training teaches us to face challenges head-on, whether they’re on the battlefield or in our ranks. This mindset allows us to turn potential obstacles into opportunities for growth and improvement.” This ability to effectively manage and overcome gender-related challenges is a model for other military units and organizations striving for greater inclusivity and operational excellence.
Conclusion
The role of women in SMU exemplifies how leadership transcends gender and is defined by the ability to prioritize the well-being of subordinates. Women in SMU have proven that success is not measured by breaking barriers but by a steadfast commitment to their teams and the values of trust, accountability, and dedication upheld by the unit. Their contributions highlight the essence of SMU as an institution where commitment, adaptability, and trust forge individuals into indispensable assets for a greater mission. Through their leadership, women in SMU continue to pave the way in operational excellence, demonstrating that authentic leadership is inclusive and impactful, driving the unit’s mission forward with unparalleled strength and resilience.[to himself, rehearsing] Hi! I'm a SOF dude, do you remember me? I'm not married, I don't have any kids, and I'd blow your head off if
pretty much on point fwiw
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- Nov 17, 2024
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