US Army Special Forces, also known as the Green Berets, are renowned worldwide for their professionalism, discipline, and efficacy in battle. To ensure that operators are action-ready at all times, the Green Berets have optimized their morning routine for productivity and performance.

You might not be a special forces operator yet, but you can start living and performing like one by beginning your day like a Green Beret. In this Operators Association guide, we’ll show you how.

Rise Early
Get up and get to work. You can’t conquer the morning if you sleep in till noon, so become an early riser. Optimally, you should rise at or before sunrise. By waking up early, Green Berets are organized and prepared for action earlier than their enemies, giving them the initiative in battle. Rising early also builds discipline by ensuring that Green Berets hold themselves to a higher standard.

To start waking up earlier, begin by going to sleep and waking up 30 minutes earlier than usual – shift back by a half-hour every two days. Waking up early does not mean you have to miss sleep. Your body needs rest to operate at peak performance. A great way to get 7 hours of sleep is to sleep from 2200-0500 – you probably aren't getting much done after 10 pm anyway.

Get Moving Immediately
Although you get a healthy amount of sleep, you’ll likely still feel tired in the morning. The best remedy for this is some good old PT! Green Berets aren’t the only military group that prioritizes morning training. Militaries worldwide use morning PT to build discipline, toughness, and ready their soldiers for action even if they are tired or sleepy. Starting your day with a workout gets your blood pumping, improves your fitness, helps you wake up, and prepares you mentally and physically to take on the day’s challenges.

Depending on what else you need to get done in the morning, your morning PT can be anything from a quick swim workout to a complete, hardcore training session from one of Operators Association’s workout plans (visit the Workouts tab to get started now)!

Get Small Chores Done Early
Another excellent way to utilize the extra time you’ve unlocked in the morning is to complete boring, menial, or routine tasks. Although you might still be tired and not in the right headspace for high-output work, you can use your morning to handle less demanding tasks like answering emails, creating a To-Do list for the day, or cleaning your living area.

These tasks are small and simple, but they are also the jobs that people often procrastinate on and fail to carry out. Hold yourself accountable for your responsibilities by getting them done early and with a high standard of performance. Not only does completing small tasks help you get them out of the way, but taking action and getting things done in the morning creates momentum for completing more involved work later in the day.

Establish a Routine
Creating and sticking to a routine is critical to long-term success – there’s a reason why militaries around the world incorporate Standard Operating Procedures whenever they can. By giving yourself an agenda to abide by, you automate and simplify your morning. You don’t have to spend any time or brain-power deciding what you should do next; simply look at your schedule and carry out your responsibilities.

A schedule can be as simple as a To-Do list, or as involved as a time-stamped calendar that includes meals, workouts, hygiene, and chores. As you adjust to a new, early-riser morning routine, start with a strict schedule that forces you to take action. As you get more disciplined with getting up early, you can start experimenting with different, more dynamic schedule formats that maximize your morning output!

The Secret to a Green Beret’s Success
Green Berets are some of the world’s most lethal and elite warriors. But what makes them so effective? One word: Accountability

Green Berets hold themselves and their teammates accountable for their actions. This includes developing physical and mental fitness, maintaining cleanliness and military bearing, and cultivating leadership. If a Green Beret is falling behind, his teammates will let him know and push him to improve. While you might not be an operator yet, it’s not too early to start holding yourself accountable for your development. The best way to do this is to surround yourself with other equally driven people on the same path as you.

Find your group today by becoming an OA Aspiring Operator. You will get instant access to over 200 exclusive podcasts, a 900+ member community, and a private accountability group with real operators where you can share your goals and be held accountable for your progress. Become an Aspiring Operator today!