Special selection courses for MIL/LEO and other public service or governmental agencies are significant physical and mental trials. They bring subjects to their physical capacity and psychological boundaries. There is no guaranteed way to prepare because it is not purely physical. However, many attempt to train for these courses by trying to replicate the event and this leads to a high percentage of injuries or what some deem as “bad luck”. What must be understood is that selection is not a reflection of the job requirements but a selection for the attributes of the profession. It should be recognized that no matter your physical capacity, the proctors of these selection processes will push you past them. Therefore, before you allow another to test your boundaries, it’s best to come to as close as possible to understanding your own. 

There are various selections in different military branches and even civilian courses that look to accomplish the same goal: remove weak links, seek out those with mental resilience. Each selection has a varying degree of suck. Some are longer, some are pass/fail, almost all are not “healthy” and partaking in them will put you at risk in multiple ways. The selection course we are using as an example preparation is for BUD/s. This could be the most notorious and arguably the most difficult selection in the world. Even if you hit all of the standards we recommend, and are likely a good candidate physically and mentally, there is always an X factor to selection: luck. 

ATTN: if you are preparing for a specific selection, make sure you understand the requirements of that selection. This is NOT a generic program and cannot predictably prepare you for selections that have varying requisites.

This program is specifically designed to enhance your “luck” by removing the risks associated with preparation. Preventing overuse injuries is one way but also a great amount of time went into disseminating details in self care. Sprains, tears, fractures and other acute injuries are common, but more so are skin abrasions, infections, and immune crashes. These can all be protected against by teaching proper joint prep, tissue maintenance, and body awareness. One level that is rarely addressed and that we might consider one of the most important aspects of our program is the mental framework and state maintenance. 

The importance of mental framework cannot be overstated, very few will quit because of physical limitations. Rather, most will use their expectations with the layer of discomfort to rationalize and justify their inability to continue. 

This is an 8-12 week preparation program (with an additional 4-weeks if necessary). We assume you have the requisite physicality to start. This means no injuries or serious illness and you are of average health for military service. The program entails 6 days a week of training and 1 rest day. Important themes will be threaded throughout the training program, which means that this not just about “doing the work” but thinking about the work. The core focus is “time on feet”. This one aspect is probably the most overlooked when training for selection. This doesn’t just have to do with running but also walking and standing. It is hard to conceptualize just how much this obvious stressor plays a role in layering fatigue in those not used to it. Besides the “training” we will ask you to make adjustments in your daily habits like abstaining from sitting or including an above average amount of mobility in order to tolerate the volume.

This program is not meant to increase fitness in the average citizen but rather, to temporarily heighten the physical tolerance of someone who wishes to go into the highest form of public service. DO NOT TAKE THIS PROGRAM LIGHTLY, OR TRY AND FINISH IT WITHOUT A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF YOU PHYSICAL WELL-BEING.