Having the discipline to train on your own is important as you prepare for challenging military programs. You need that ability to dig deep and push yourself when no one is watching. However, having workout partners can help you work on weaknesses, push your perceived limitations, and keep you focused on showing up even when you don’t feel like it. Both are important. Here is a question from a future Army Special Forces soldier curious about training in groups or alone:
I am joining the Army with the goal of becoming a Special Forces officer. How does training alone differ from training with other people, and how does it affect your mentality? Thanks, Will
Training alone and training with others offer distinct advantages when preparing for military physical events. Do both if you can; if you cannot, prior team experience in sports and other activities can be helpful if you are doing your physical preparation on your own. While it is great to have a group of like-minded friends who train hard for specific goals, finding one is not easy. I often trained alone before I joined the military, and my only team experience came from playing on sports teams in high school and college.
You will be working in groups. Either squads or platoon-sized group training emphasizes teamwork, communication and camaraderie. These are essential skills in military environments, where collaboration and trust are critical. It also provides accountability, motivation and support, helping individuals push through challenging workouts and maintain a consistent routine. In training, you will have significant team-oriented components in which you must work together to solve problems under physical stress and little sleep.
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On the other hand, training alone builds self-discipline, resilience and mental toughness. It forces you to rely on your own motivation and discipline, which is vital for situations in which you must perform independently or overcome challenges without external encouragement. In Army Special Forces programs, you will have many individual events that include long rucks, land navigation and even some other special ops selections, which are individual efforts and tests. Developing this internal drive ensures you can maintain peak performance even when no one is watching or cheering you on.
Neither approach is inherently better. Mentally, you must be able to navigate both types of training. In your preparation, a balanced strategy that incorporates both individual and group sessions will help you the most. Whether you develop teamwork skills in sports, the band or other activities, candidates with teamwork and leadership experience thrive in demanding group situations. Being a self-starter is also needed for your future success in the military and beyond. Ultimately, blending these methods creates a well-rounded, adaptable individual ready for the challenges of military training.
Check out the Military.com Fitness Section for more ideas on training, building discipline, teamwork drills, and specific training for any special operations group. Remember, Iron Sharpens Iron, so work hard to find like-minded groups, but training on your own, even when you don’t feel like it, requires self-discipline.
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