PSYOPS Assessment & Selection Training Plan
$69.00
- 8-Week, 5 days/week sport-specifically designed to prepare athletes for the fitness demands of the U.S. Army PsyOps Selection.
- Intense often 2x/day training program with high levels of volume and stress.
- This plan is “sport specific” to the specific fitness demands you’ll face at PsyOp Selection – specifically rucking, running, calisthenics-based “smokers,” grip strength, etc. It includes a taper into selection
- This training plan is one of the 200+ Plans included with an Athlete’s Subscription.
Description
PsyOps Selection and Assessment Overview
This is a sport-specific 8-week program is specifically designed to prepare athletes for the U.S. Army PsyOps Selection and Assessment. The plan includes a 1-week taper and is designed to be completed the 8 weeks directly prior to your selection start week.
This is a very intense, 6-day a week training program with high levels of volume and stress. Be safe and smart about your training as you work through the program and don’t be afraid to cut down sessions, or if necessary take an extra rest day if needed.
This is Version 2 of the plan, updated April 2024 to include the switch to the ACFT.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This program gets progressively harder each week, until week 8, when the training tapers down into the start of the selection. Don’t skip ahead!! The plan is designed to build upon itself. If you have to miss a training day, start up back where you left off.
To successfully complete this program you’ll need to make training for selection a priority during your work day.
Ruck Intensive
This plan is “sport specific” to the specific fitness demands you’ll face at the PsyOps Selection and Assessment – specifically rucking, running, work capacity “smokers,” grip strength, etc. You’ll ruck 2 days/week and run 3 days/week. It also includes:
- Testing and progressive training for the ACFT
- 5-Mile Run Assessment and focused progression.
- Focused progression for the 12-Mile Ruck.
- 2-A-Day programming.
- Extended, multi-modal work capacity events
- Grip strength training.
The plan includes 48 Total Training Sessions. It is intended that you’ll train Monday-Thursday with a long ruck on Saturday. Friday and Sunday are rest days.
Weekly Training Schedule
- Monday: ACFT Work & PM – Ruck Run Intervals
- Tuesday: Work Capacity, Chassis Integrity
- Wednesday: 2-Mile Run Intervals for 5 Mile Run Improvement
- Thursday: ACFT Progression
- Friday: Rest
- Saturday: Long Ruck
Assessments
The plan includes 4 specific assessments and follow-on progressions. You’ll take these assessments multiple times over the 8 weeks: The progressions are percentage based on your assessment results, automatically scaling to your current level of fitness.
- ACFT – 3RM Dead Lift, Plank, SPT, 2-Mile Run, ect.
- 8 Mile Ruck for Time – 45# Ruck, 10lb Rubber Rifle or Sledge Hammer, Full Cammies/Boots
- 5 Mile Run for Time, shorts and t-shirt
- Multi Modal Work Capacity
Uniform for Ruck and Runs
- 8 Mile Ruck Assessment and 2-Mile Repeats – Full cammies, boots, 10 pound rubber rifle, sledge hammer, or dumbbell, 45# ruck plus water
- 5-Mile Run, 2-Mile Run and their interval repeats – Shorts, t-shirt, sneakers
- Long Saturday Rucks – Full cammies, boots, 10 pound rubber rifle, sledge hammer, or dumbbell, 45# ruck plus water
COMMON QUESTIONS
What equipment is needed to complete this program?
- Stop Watch with Repeating Countdown Timer – Timex Ironman is best.
- 60# Sandbag
- Same ruck you will use at selection, 45# of filler, 10# Rubber Rifle (No rifle? Use a 10 lb sledge hammer or a 10# dumbbell)
- Step Up Bench at 16-18”
- Pair of 25# Dumbbells
- Pull up Bar
- Highly Recommended – GPS-enabled Stop Watch with repeating countdown timer (Garmin Forerunner 10 is recommended ) A GPS enabled watch will make measuring run and ruck distances much easier.
What if I miss a day?
Don’t skip ahead. Start where you left off. The plan is progressive, and its training sessions designed to be completed in order.
What if I have less then 8 weeks before I start the Selection Course?
Still start at the beginning of this training plan anyway. Skip ahead to Week 8 in this plan the week directly before Selection begins in order to deload.
What if I can’t handle the training volume at first?
Building stamina and resilience is a key training goal of this plan, and physical and mental stamina is also key to completing the Selection course. If you can’t handle the training volume at first, its better to cut training sessions short, rather than take unscheduled rest days.
What if I can’t make the prescribed reps for the bodyweight exercises, or the prescribed interval times for the rucks or runs?
Do your best, and be sure to do the total number of rounds, even if you can’t make the reps or the time. Don’t quit.
Unfamiliar Exercises?
CLICK HERE to see unfamiliar exercises.
More Questions?
Email coach@mtntactical.com
Good Luck!
Rob Shaul, Mountain Tactical Institute
DISCLAIMER
Before beginning any exercise program, consult with your physician to ensure that you are in proper health. Physical training contains inherent risks including, but not limited to, muscle strains, tears, physical and bodily injury up to and including death. This training program is not meant to provide medical advice; you should obtain medical advice from your private health care practitioner. If you are unable to assume these risks then you should not engage in this training program. No liability is assumed by Mountain Tactical Institute, Inc, its owners or employees, and you train at your own risk. Mountain Tactical Institute makes no warranty, express or implied, of any kind in connection with this training program.
Required Equipment
- Stop Watch with Repeating Countdown Timer – Timex Ironman is best.
- 60# Sandbag
- ALICE Ruck or same ruck you will use at selection, 45# of filler, 10# Rubber Rifle (No rifle? Use a 10 lb sledge hammer or a 10# dumbbell)
- Step Up Bench at 18”
- Pair of 25# Dumbbells
- Pull up Bar
- Highly Recommended – GPS-enabled Stop Watch with repeating countdown timer (Garmin Forerunner 10 is recommended ) A GPS enabled watch will make measuring run and ruck distances much easier.
Sample Training
SESSION 1
Obj: Assessment (APFT #1)
Warm up:
3 Rounds
2x 4-Square Drill
8x Squats
8x Push-Ups
8x Sit-Ups
Instep Stretch
Rest 5 Minutes
Training:
(1) 2 min. Max Push-Ups
Rest 5-10 Minutes
(2) 2 min. Max Sit-Ups
Rest 5-10 Minutes
(3) 2 Mile Run (timed)
RECORD YOUR SCORES
*******************
SESSION 2
Obj: Assessment
Training:
(1) Run 5 miles for Time
RECORD YOUR TIME
******************
SESSION 3
Obj: Assessment
Warm up:
3 Rounds
2x 4-Square Drill
8x Squats
8x Push-Ups
8x Sit-Ups
Instep Stretch
Training:
(1) 20 Minute AMRAP
30x Step Ups @ 16-18”
8x Sandbag Clean and Press 40/60#
5x Scotty Bob @ 15/25#
200m Run with Sandbag
RECORD FINISH TIME
******************
SESSION 4
Obj: APFT Work
Warm up:
3 Rounds
3x 4-Square Drill
8x Squats
8x Push-Ups
8x Sit-Ups
Instep Stretch
Training:
(1) 6 Rounds, every 75 sec
30% of max reps Push-ups
(2) 6 Rounds, every 75 sec
30% of max reps Sit-ups
(3) 8 Rounds
Run 400m at Interval Pace based on SESSION 1 2-mile Run Time using the MTI Running Calculator
Rest 2 Minutes between runs
(4) 3 Rounds
Lat + Pec Stretch
Instep + Hip Flexor Stretch
Foam Roll legs/Low Back
*******************
SESSION 5
Obj: Rest Day
*******************
SESSION 6
Obj: Ruck Assessment
(1) 8 Mile Ruck Run for Time, Flat Course
Load - 45# + 10 lb Rubber Rifle/Sledge/Dumbbell
RECORD YOUR TIME
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