The Relentless Learner

The 707th Special Mission Group (707 SMG), under the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command (ROKA-SWC), is South Korea’s premier counter-terrorism unit. Originally established in 1982 to provide security for the president and the commander of the Special Warfare Command during a politically unstable period, the unit evolved into a full-scale counter-terrorism force as South Korea stabilized and prepared for the 1988 Seoul Olympics. A photo of 707th Special Mission Unit operators in training : Source Missions of the 707th Special Mission Group The primary missions of the 707 SMG include: Counter-terrorism operations: Neutralizing terrorist threats both domestically and internationally. Hostage rescue operations: Conducting deep infiltration missions to safely rescue hostages. VIP protection: Safeguarding high-profile individuals and responding to critical security threats. High-risk infiltration operations: Executing reconnaissance and demolition missions deep behind enemy l...

GIGN: France’s Elite Special Forces and Their Selection Process

The GIGN (Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale), or the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group, is one of the world’s most renowned police special forces. Known for its exceptional training and strategic expertise, the GIGN handles high-risk missions such as hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, and law enforcement operations. To join this prestigious unit, candidates must undergo a notoriously rigorous selection process. In this blog post, we will explore the history and roles of the GIGN and delve into the grueling selection tests candidates must face. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:GIGN25_Domenjod_140618.jpg History and Role of the GIGN Founded in 1974, the GIGN was initially established to respond to hostage situations and terrorism within France. The first members were a select group of police officers who had undergone specialized training. Their success and expertise led to the gradual expansion of the unit. Today, the GIGN plays a critical role in nat...

Which Special Forces Have the Toughest Push-Up Standards?

When it comes to elite military units, physical fitness is a critical component of their selection process. One of the fundamental exercises used to assess upper body endurance and strength is the push-up. Just like pull-ups, different special forces around the world have their own rigorous push-up standards that candidates must meet or exceed to qualify. In this article, we’ll compare the push-up requirements of some of the toughest special forces. Source : US Army Push-Up Requirements of Elite Special Forces Special Forces Country Minimum Reps Features French GIGN France 100 No time limit specified Russian Spetsnaz Russia 60 One set requirement Rangers United States 49 Must be done within 2 minutes British SAS United Kingdom 45 Must be done within 2 minutes United States Navy SEALs United States 42 Must be done within 2 minutes Australian Commando Australia 40 Fixed tempo JTF-2 Canada 40 No rest allowed Para SF India 40 Must be done within 1 minute ROK Special Warfare Command S...