In this week’s episode of Underground Strategy, Max and Tony tackle the evolving dynamics of military recruitment and selection processes, providing a unique perspective shaped by their personal experiences and years of observation. As the holiday season approaches, the duo reflects on the spirit of Christmas creeping into their routines—lights, advent traditions, and thoughts of thoughtful gifts (books, anyone?) make their way into the conversation, adding a lighter touch before diving into the week’s topic.
As global conflicts intensify and armies worldwide face mounting pressure to scale up recruitment, the conversation delves into how modern militaries are adapting their strategies to balance the demand for manpower with the need to maintain operational excellence.
Max reflects on his time in Swedish special operations, sharing insights on the psychological and physical demands of special forces selections, where mental resilience often outweighs brute physical strength. Tony adds his perspective, discussing how military psychological evaluations can sometimes reveal more about a recruit’s potential than their ability to run a perfect 10K or perform dozens of pull-ups. They highlight how soft skills and technical expertise—like cyber warfare capabilities and drone piloting—are increasingly prioritized alongside traditional physical requirements.
The discussion naturally ties into the broader context of modern warfare, with Ukraine serving as a poignant example of how military requirements shift as the need for personnel grows urgent. Max and Tony explore the complex dynamics at play, where outdated perceptions of “fighting fit” clash with the reality that adaptability and specialized skills are just as critical on today’s battlefields.
Interwoven with personal anecdotes, including Max’s experiences with Ranger school and Tony’s insights from South African military selection, the episode paints a vivid picture of the challenges and rewards of navigating military recruitment in an era defined by rapid technological advancement and global instability.
This is a must-listen for anyone curious about the behind-the-scenes realities of building effective and diverse military teams, where the right mindset and technical know-how are as important as physical readiness.
Don't miss out on the part where Max talks about the Spanish legionnaire ceremonial uniform... to be honest Tony digs it and we can see why.
Links:
Number 788 on Amazon - https://a.co/d/is4FcIx
Botha, Smuts and the Great War / https://amzn.eu/d/4axoL9a
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