To get through the course, being physically conditioned isn’t enough. If your mind is unprepared and unable to handle stress and discomfort, you will fail. In this OA guide, we’ll go over five strategies for getting into the mindset needed to crush your upcoming special forces selection.

The first step to getting mentally fit for selection is understanding that it will be one of the most challenging and uncomfortable things you will ever do. The next step is making a commitment that you won’t drop out of selection no matter what – regardless of pain, discomfort, or struggle.

By setting appropriate expectations and committing to accomplishing your goals, you eliminate the option of failure and decrease the chances that you will rationalize a reason to quit.

Special forces selection is full of discomfort. Between a lack of sleep, constant exercise, and screaming instructors, it is a shock to both your mind and body. The best way to start mentally preparing is to begin cutting down on comfort in the weeks leading up to selection.

Start by progressively detaching from civilian comforts like television, alcohol, and warm showers. Then, take this strategy further by waking up early, avoiding sugar, and eating simple meals with low seasoning. By the time you go to selection, your life should be boiled down to the bare essentials. Once you get there, you’ll be able to adjust much better than someone who is used to the comfort of being a civilian.

Selection isn’t fun. You will be cold, in pain, disoriented, and sleep-deprived. You will feel like everything and everyone around you is trying to make you fail. Fortunately, you can overcome these long stretches of discomfort by detaching your mind. 

For example, if you are in the middle of BUD/S Hell Week, don’t focus on the pain and cold. Instead, put your mind on auto-pilot – think about something else. Zoning out isn’t usually a good idea in the military, but being able to detach your mind from the immediate struggle can help you grind through even the toughest training evolutions.

 

Many people are not aware of how closely their minds and bodies are linked. Studies have shown that the way we move, stand, and even our facial expressions can make significant changes in the way we feel. When you find yourself struggling during selection, don’t show it. Stand up straight, keep your head high, and act as if you’re having the best day of your life.

Not only will this show instructors that you have mental fortitude, but this small posture change can also promote the release of serotonin – the confidence hormone – in your brain. There’s also nothing more badass than smiling while you’re freezing, sleep-deprived, and having the worst day of your life!

Setting long-term goals is an excellent strategy for strategic decision-making. But when you are cold, tired, and exhausted, long-term thinking can do more harm than good. During selection, there will be many times when you won’t be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Your entire world will be saturated with discomfort. When that happens, stop looking into the future and simply focus on taking the next step.

Suppose you are halfway through a 12-mile forced march. You have blistered feet, you are exhausted, and you're carrying a rucksack that seems to be getting heavier with every step. The worst thing you can do at this point is to think about the six miles you still have to march. Instead, find a tree, post, or landmark 30-50 yards away and exclusively focus on reaching it. Once you get there, pick another marker and repeat until your ruck is complete. Thinking about the miles remaining in your march won’t get you to the finish line any faster – so split up your struggle into smaller, more manageable tasks.

In selection, adaptability often makes the difference between success and failure. How well you can adapt and perform in dynamic, intense evolutions defines your capability as an operator. There’s only one problem: training your adaptability is nearly impossible. Becoming responsive and adaptable requires you to be caught off-guard by the environment – something that you can’t replicate on your own. That’s why we made OA Crucible Events. This full-day simulation will take you through the chaos, discomfort, and dynamic nature of special forces selection. Attending a Crucible event is a must for any aspiring operator. Get tickets for our next event now!