Stew Smith

Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and fitness author certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. If you are interested in starting a workout program to create a healthy lifestyle check out his Fitness eBook store and the Stew Smith article archive on Military.com. Contact Stew with your comments and questions.

Email: stew@stewsmith.com

Latest Articles

U.S. Soldiers participating in the Special Forces qualification course, try to revive a simulated casualty, during the Robin Sage exercise Sept. 21, 2010, in Fort Bragg, N.C. Robin sage is the culmination exercise for all Special Forces qualification course students. (U.S. Army courtesy photo/Released)

Making the Transition from Special Ops Medic to a Medical Career

Your time in the military can be a great opportunity to gain experience for a future career.

Chief Damage Controlman Marcus White, from San Antonio, lifts weights in the gym aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance. (U.S. Navy/Ryan D. McLearnon)

How to Add PT Test Prep to Your Lift Cycles

This program will keep you well-rounded and give the body a break from higher repetitions and higher-mileage running cycles.

Try These Challenge Buddy PT Workouts

You will always work harder when you have a workout partner pushing you.

How to Prepare for Special Forces and Gain a Competitive Edge

This week we have an impressively mature and forward-looking question from an 18 year old in the military's delayed entry...

How the Tactical Population Should Tackle Testing, Keeping Up With Health and Job Performance

They need general health and wellness programs designed to maximize their job-related performance.

Workout of the Week: Mix Weights With Calisthenics

Just a few minor tweaks to your usual workout can give you a welcome and useful change.

Ask Stew: How Do You Draw the Line Between Fitness Progress and Maintenance?

The difference between progressing and maintaining depends on where you are on the three phases of tactical fitness.

A Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) instructor directs SEAL candidates.

How Your Weaknesses Can Be Exposed Before You Even Join the Military

There is one thing that all Special Ops selection programs have in common: they are designed to expose weaknesses

Here are Fitness Options for After a Hard Workout Day or Stressful Week

Stiffness in the hips, knees and elbows or a pain in the shins and feet are aches that many of us are trying to find ways to...

Initial entry trainees arrive on Fort Benning, Georgia.

Ask Stew: Preparing for Army Service Within the Next Two Years

No one should join the military just because they can.

Adding Your Own Workouts to Mandatory PT? Remember These Rules

These suggestions can both guide as you prepare for future challenges and help prevent overtraining.

Take This Easy Day If You Need a Break From High Reps and High Miles of Training

Sometimes you need to downshift and recover with something a little different.

Ask Stew: Recommendations for Building a Home Gym

Home gyms are going to be a common approach to training at least for the near future.

Here's What Being 'Mentally Ready' Means for Special Ops Selection

There is a saying that special ops selection programs are 10% physical and 90% mental.

Why Let a PT Test Ruin A Good Workout Day? Do This Instead

If you like to train hard, consider a mix of these options for the day of the PT Test options after you take the test.

Military News

Get the Military Insider Newsletter

Get the latest on pay updates, benefit changes and award-winning military content. Right in your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice.

Thank you for subscribing!

View more newsletters on our Subscriptions page.

One last step.

Verify your free subscription by following the instructions in the email sent to:

Most Popular Military News

breaching the Capitol building during a riot

Active-Duty Troops Who Participated in the Capitol Siege Could Face These Penalties

As DoD officials look into reports of military participants, legal experts weigh in on what charges they might face.

A protester screams "Freedom" inside the Senate chamber.

Navy Career of 'QAnon Shaman' Ended After He Refused Anthrax Vaccine

Jacob Anthony Angeli Chansley, a 33-year-old Navy veteran, refused to take the anthrax vaccine while in the Navy.

Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Arrested, Charged in Capitol Riot

Larry Rendall Brock Jr., an Air Force veteran seen brandishing zip tie handcuffs during the pro-Trump siege at the U.S...

Capt. Emily Rainey speaks during an interview

Army Investigates Fort Bragg Soldier for Attending Rally That Ended in US Capitol Breach

Capt. Emily Rainey is scheduled to leave the Army in April after resigning her commission over earlier incidents.

Obstacle Course II at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego

Female DIs Who Served at Marines' All-Male Boot Camp Say They Were Brought Out for VIP Visits, But Limited in Training Recruits

The Marine Corps hit a milestone when three women completed drill instructor school at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

Latest Military Videos

This Day in History: The Persian Gulf War Begins

This Day in History:, The Persian Gulf War Begins. January 16, 1991. The UN midnight deadline for the Iraqi...

National Guardsman Defending Capitol Doubles as Music Teacher

A member of the National Guard, who is currently defending the Capitol and the District after last week's insurrection...

Fly Along in the Blue Angels Cockpit

Fly along with the Blue Angels with this cockpit video from their flight Saturday over the DC area.

Army News

Lawmakers Push to Award Congressional Gold Medal to Capitol Police Hero, Army Vet

Officer Eugene Goodman lured an angry mob away from the Senate chamber.

Richard Thomas, president of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Senators Raise Concerns Over Pending Ouster of Military Medical University President

According to a source with knowledge of the proposed dismissal, a meeting has been delayed until February.

6 Misconceptions Civilians Have About the Army

Here’s a list of assumptions we get that leave us sitting there thinking, “No, dude. Not even close.”

Navy News

USS Shiloh moored pierside in Yokosuka, Japan

Family Separation Allowance Now Covers COVID-19 Restriction of Movement Orders on Ships

The new rule mainly affects Navy, Marine and Coast Guard members

Former Sailor-Turned-'QAnon Shaman' Wants Pardon from Trump After Capitol Siege

"He regrets he believed in the words and patent invitation of the president," his attorney says.

Army Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar (Army Photo)

SEAL Pleads Guilty to Role in Hazing Death of Green Beret

He is the third of four U.S. service members — two SEALs and two Marines — to face a court martial for the death of Melgar.

Air Force News

A recent report by the Air Force's Air Education and Training Command revealed leadership gaps in a high-pressure, high-tempo training environment, leading to unsafe practices that included alcohol consumption. (US Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Alaska Bases Limit Alcohol Sale Hours to Curb Drinking-Related Suicides

U.S. military commanders in Alaska have ordered alcohol sales to cease after 10 p.m. on two bases .

Aviano Airman's Death Was from Coronavirus, Family and Friends Say

Morris' awards include four Air Force Commendation Medals, two Afghanistan Campaign Medals and one Iraq Campaign Medal.

Prosecutor: Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel in Capitol Riot Aimed 'To Take Hostages'

Brock was arrested in Texas after being photographed on the Senate floor during the deadly riot.

Marine Corps News

SEAL Pleads Guilty to Role in Hazing Death of Green Beret

He is the third of four U.S. service members — two SEALs and two Marines — to face a court martial for the death of Melgar.

Man in Marine Corps hoodie at U.S. Capitol riot

Here's What It Was Like to Be a Marine Turned Journalist Capturing the US Capitol Assault

Chris Jones, 29, says the event shook him to his core but he wasn't surprised by it.