Navy SEAL Veteran: How to Prepare For Military/Special Ops Training

Every military recruit wants to get to and through military training, especially at the start of their military recruit journey. The problem is, without the right guidance, most military recruits (especially special ops candidates) run into trouble faster than they like to admit. Luckily for you, here are the top three recommendations on how to overcome physical and mental unpreparedness every military recruit needs to know. Are you ready to join today?

#1: Underprepared to Get to the Training — PT Test Tips

The recruit needs to realize that acknowledging or pre-testing weaknesses require a level of maturity that many PT test and selection failures do not have. Periodization is the answer to preparedness. If you have enough time to periodize your training, you have enough time to prepare physically and mentally for any special ops program.

And that means If you do not strive to fix your weaknesses before you join the military, your weaknesses will be exposed in a few days of selection.

Being prepared physically and mentally spells the difference between success and failure, because you have to make it to the training in order to get through the training. If you do not know how to train properly for both, you will fail the challenges of your military training program.

One option is to check out the program Tactical Fitness for a complete periodized program and 12-point testing protocol that challenges all the elements of fitness: strength, power, speed, agility, cardiovascular endurance, muscle stamina, flexibility and mobility. Maximum Fitness is also a 52-week periodization training program.

#2: Do Your Research: Periodization Is Not Overwhelming

The #1 thing you need to understand is: Consider periodization as your fitness budget. Make six- to 12-week phases throughout the year to be a specific focus of all elements of fitness. In turn, training weaknesses and turning them into strengths will help you build true confidence in your abilities.

You can waste a lot of time thinking about mental toughness, but I am here to tell you that mental toughness comes from time working on fitness elements that are your weaknesses. When you do not feel like training, do it anyway. When we talk about getting prepared mentally for something, you can let the physical be the catalyst to your mental preparation as well. Doing things you may not be comfortable with will help you get more confidence when you no longer consider a specific fitness element a weakness.

#3: Sometimes You Have to Train for the Test

The quick idea on this is if you want to become a special operator one day, the acceptance to get to the training is competitive. That means the PT test to get to the training needs to be superior to your competition. If you cannot get to the training, you will not get through the training.

What's most important is to consider tactical fitness in three phases:

• Getting to the Training -- Ace the PT test.
• Getting through the training -- Getting specific to your selection challenges.
• Active Duty Fitness, maintenance and stress mitigation.

Don't neglect this because each phase of tactical fitness requires its own specific periodization program. Depending upon your weaknesses, this can require a few months or more than a year of training to get to and through the training. Maintaining your active-duty fitness will require a periodization program to stay mission ready and able as you age into your 30s and 40s.

At this point, ask yourself, "What are your weaknesses?" 

This article only touches the surface of all the things a military recruit will need to become successful with physical and mental preparedness. However, if you choose to ignore the advice just given in the article and related links, then you could be wasting your time and not have an enjoyable and successful experience through training.

Learning the right methods to get to and through military training make the effort of becoming physically prepared well worth the time. Do not be in a hurry to get to training; go when you are ready.

If you are serious about physical preparedness success and you really want to get to and through military training, check out the Tactical Fitness Series to help you with more details of running, rucking, swimming, calisthenics, lifting and overall preparedness for military and special-ops training.

Bottom line: Check out Tactical Strength if your weakness is strength, power and speed. This periodization program is the winter lifting phase we have tested for more than 20 years with amazing results. If you need more work with endurance (running/swimming) and higher repetition calisthenics for muscle endurance, then consider The Complete Guide to Navy SEAL Fitness.

Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and fitness author certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Visit his Fitness eBook store if you're looking to start a workout program to create a healthy lifestyle. Send your fitness questions to stew@stewsmith.com.

Want to Learn More About Military Life?

Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for fitness and basic training tips, or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox.