The Selection: Special Operations Experiment

30 civilians begin the most intense physical and mental challenge of their life as they begin The Selection, led by six Special Operations veterans. Unrelenting physical training, interrogations, and tear gas exposure introduce these civilians to what lies ahead. Many will quit before day one comes to an end.

After only two hours of sleep, the instructors lead a grueling day of Navy SEAL training in the Pacific Ocean, where exercises in surf immersion, land portage, and extreme exposure to the cold push the participants to the edge.

The Instructors send the remaining 15 participants to rescue a “downed pilot,” an exercise designed to test the teamwork of the group as well as the leadership of a select few. The group also attempts to keep up with Instructor Haggerty as he leads the team on an unbelievable physical feat.

In a stealth and concealment exercise, the participants go out on the ultimate game of hide and seek, where they are tasked with camouflaging themselves in a hide-site to evade detection by the instructors. If “captured,” they will suffer unimaginable consequences as they experience the mental rigors of SERE training.

Instructor Bowen leads the group in a class on hand to hand combat training before all of the candidates must face off against each other. The group is then led to a swimming pool where the Navy SEALs put the remaining candidates through the most dangerous exercise yet–drown proofing.

The remaining candidates are forced onto an eight mile timed ruck march while carrying 50 lbs. on their back. Poor performance by one candidate attracts special attention, while another candidate reaches his mental breaking point.

Instructor Care leads the remaining participants through an exercise he calls “integrity stations.” After one candidate fails to complete the course, he must determine whether or not to let this individual continue.

The remaining candidates are required to complete a field training exercise, commonly known in the military as an FTX. Everything they have learned up to this point must be used in order to pass the different stages of this FTX. They will face the most difficult challenge of their life, and only those who finish, will pass The Selection.