I worked with Latvian SOF in Afghanistan, and they were some of the most incredible Soldiers I've seen. That being said, they also have a level of crazy that is insurpassed by any other force I've seen. And they are loyal till the end. I have much love for my Latvian brothers out there. 🇱🇻
I don't wanna sound offensive, but what are you, and they, guys doing out there? Going out there in the Middle East turns one not into a guy which defends his country, but into a mercenary. Ok, defend some flag, which belongs to their country, but how brainwashed one can be not to realize that he's only a tool, an asset, he's being manipulated. The soldier there seems to me like a mercenary, who is eventually made to believe he's defending his country's base, but the real things going on are established by few guys on top, who tell them they maintain the peace, but, who may at any moment very well decide to disband the base or to conquer new land around it. Now am I seeing things wrongly?
@@nicolaebacrau6703 well actually it doesn't matter, i also like their trainings also i wanted to become a mercenary so great thing for me, well money is power right and when you are a mercenary you'll be in a double edge sword, it's up to you whether you choose good or evil no rules. To me mercenary had 4x the salary than the ordinary military, actually why do you have to defend your country if you earn a lot of money being a mercenary and start a business then live a peaceful life, once you get a millionaire then donate your money to your country or maybe to the others that who needed, 'cuz i don't need money anymore, aslong as i know how to survive im good with it.
@@nicolaebacrau6703 well like I've been told while in the army that its not for everyone and I never had any issue taking someone else out bc their trying to get me so better get them first right???? And I hold much much respect for these Latvian men who when through such hard training and have made it. My hats off to them everyday all day and could really bring some new light to ourselves and military's over in the US. You men will Always have my Respect and Thanks for your Hard work And strengths... so sorry but i def disagree with your point. Ppl in or have been in the military, we know what our outcomes are. We may or may not be coming back so the harder the training and what I just watched to me was amazing for what they did. I wish if i was a man that I would strive for that. Their badass mentality, physically and emotionally TOUGH and WON'T BE BROKEN. THAT'S AWESOME AND I THANK ALL YOU MEN WHO'VE DONE IT THANK YOU LATVIANS. YOUR IN MY PRAYERS AND I KNOW YOU MEN ARE BADASS AND GOT IT..... MUCH LOVE AND APPRECIATION FOR YOU SOLDIERS ......
I would say a small country’s Special Forces could be either the best or the worst (of SF anyway they would still be amazing) Small Country has more motivation to be the top top of the top *OR* Simply for the fact of being a small country there is limited resources...
@@bageled_meme2690 I saw no great resources being employed in this video other than sheer insanity and baddassery. I wouldn't bet on an entire army against those guys.
Most militaries: here's some equipment, a combat scenario, and food. Complete the objective. Latvian military: *naked gas mask men running through the woods with a live rabbit*
Waking up naked in the forest next to a dead rabbit was not an unusual occurrence for the Eastern European people I’ve met. But usually vodka was involved.....
@baconeggsandtomatoes You are not intirely right, mate. Latvia (as well as Estonia and Lithuania) is clasified as Northern Europe by UN. Othervise - you are right. Vodka is like a catalyst for some great things to happen (not always, but usually). Cheers from Lithuania!
This is a lie, because Poland did nothing for my country, other than get captured by USSR like rest of Eastern Europe after ww2, we had first female president in the late 90's after the Union's collapse. I'm latvian and I know our history!🇱🇻
Trained with Latvian regular Army in Germany and they were absolutely insane. All of them well skilled individually and even better in small units working collectively.
@W C As a german myself, it is not that we don't have any national pride, it's more that once we do we are condemned as Nazis. Additionally, in recent history since WW2 we were not allowed to actually have an army, and just now we are allowed to build up a again a bit. Also, why go hard if we have your grunts do all the dirty work for us. Thanks NATO
I know that, there was some situations, where recruit took the rabbit out off bag and the rabbit sliped out and runed away. Thats some mental sh*t when you know, that your food just took a run 😅👌
I’m not military but I have friends that are, or were and are retired ( although I don’t think their minds ever leave). One, who served in Bosnia before retiring, always said that he hated plans. He could also never relax. I think too many metaphorical rabbits took off on him. I’m not trying to be funny here. I lost touch with him 25 years ago about a year after he left the military. The Remembrance Day after he left he was in uniform in a coffee shop and he almost tipped his coffee when a button on his jacket caught the table when he stood. Some idiot made a snarky comment. Jason almost lost it. It would have gone badly if not for other vets who knew what was going on. I think about him now and then. I always wonder how things worked out for him.
actually rabbit meat is very poor when it comes to keeping you warm and fed, it has a very low fat index, its almost all protein, and that is clearly unsuficient, in a hostile and cold environment you need lots of animal fat
@@bremsenreinigerkonsument3424 mož lai pārejie saprot. tas ko viņš uzrakstīja nav nekas svešs latviešiem. bez tam, citiem ir interesanti redzēt ko paši tautieši saka par šo tēmu.
They said Estonia was next. Take that for what you will. Just keep a rabbit it your yard. They will revert to their training by getting buck ass naked and field strip your rabbit. While they are doing that, walk up behind them and hit them in the head with an iron skillet.
Had this foreign exchange student from 🇱🇻 and when he was being introduced to the class and introducing himself he said I am Latvian not Russian. I’ll never forget that
All the Slavic countries want to get rid the Russian / USSR stigma. It's not something so striking, no one from them likes Russia. The reasons are absolutely justifiable if you ask me.
@@villcrs4110 Latvia and Lithuania are not slavic they are baltic last 2 baltic nations who survived till now. Till 18 century we haved Prussians or like germans say Old Prussians it whas baltic people after 18 century they whas converted to germans
Hello! A latvian here. A large part of what you reviewed was directly influenced by the forest brothers. A paramilitary group roaming the latvian woods fighting the reds up till '54.
@@Xover112 so everyone against a russian is a nazi ???? wow, you are so stupid and simple. No, they were not nazis, they just were against fuckin dying in a gulag! Estonia has been a prolific country after the USSR, so prolific that many Russians wanna move to Estonia. in fact I 've been to Estonia many times and I met some of them who moved from Russia to Estonia.
I’m from Latvia, and when I was soldier i went through this recruitment. It doesn’t matter how strong you are, they will break you and then build you up much psychological stronger than ever! That’s the idea!
I've lived and worked in Latvia for totally 13 years. I first came there in 1992, 5 months after the freedom 1991. I lived in what was essentially the Soviet Union. Until 1996, 150 000 Russian troops were still stationed in the Baltic states, their HQ in Riga, one block from my home. As a newly retired army man from Sweden, I followed mostly their Home Guard, in these day's Latvia's most loyal fighting force. The Latvians has an interesting military background, constantly fighting for their country, for their culture. Directly after the October Revolution 1917, the Latvian Riflemen was the only functional troops the new Red Army had. Lenin had them as a personal bodyguard. During WWII they fought for themself, with the Red Army and with the Waffen SS. They guarded the Nazis during the Nuremberg trials for the US Army. There are Latvian soldiers who have fought in Latvian, Soviet, German and American uniforms. They are good soldiers.
I'm latvian and I know a soldier that tried to get into special forces. He couldn't pass water test. To put it in his words "You have to be able to drown and not to fight back" For most survival reflex is too strong.
The key isn't to, "not fight back". The key is to not panic. You definitely want to, "fight back". You fight back by resisting the fear and panic swelling up inside of you. You resist panic by remaining, "mindful" of the situation. You have to keep your wits about you and remain intellectually present. Think logically about what is happening, what is going to happen, and what you need to do to get through it. Panic is the opposite of that. Panic is letting your fear and your biological responses and urges overwhelm your mind and take control of you. You completely disappear as a critically thinking consciousness and instead just become a bag of meat flailing about.
I’ve worked with these guys when I was in the Air Force, I got shit on pretty hard as a JTAC but it’s to be expected. What I liked about them was that they were really organized, and they’re chain of command reporting protocols are rock solid from E1 equivalent to the highest. They’re a small country, not a lot of money, so they make everything count, they’re training is pretty novel and one last thing I like, unlike active duty US military, they vet for mental illness upon recruitment not finding out 9 months later when the member is out of training and into active duty then has a mental breakdown on the job.
My ex works as a psychologist in a Latvian special forces unit. Every recruit into LV army has to pass psychological testing that takes about 3 hours on the computer and an interview. She also oversees this special forces selection process, so yeah - I know some pretty wild stories...
I too trained with a Latvian soldier when I was in the Air Force. She was learning air traffic control from scratch while still struggling with English. To be able to handle not only the difficulties of a 2nd language but also learn the math and rules involved in ATC while correctly applying the concepts and making the right choices was a very impressive feat. She graduated with the rest of the class no problem. Hat's off to the Latvian military.
When I went to Afghanistan last year, we were on a coalition camp with a Latvian SF group. They were all great guys, amazing at their jobs, and overly were fearless and sometimes show offs. We got to have a range day with them, and they taught us tactics that were pertinent to our mission. But yeah, Latvian SF is probably one of my favorite SF groups in the world.
@@Markdaamannn Like The Commander said at the beginning of the video: ''Our course is no different to the best Special Forces units in the world.'' So pound for pound - Our guys can give as good as they get.
@@heeman82 Oh absolutely! These dudes were crazy and fearless. Like they decided to drive dirt bikes and quads on missions (and do cool ass trucks on them) in convoys. They literally ran on a ledge like it's hopscotch where both sides had an 80 foot drop. They literally gave no fucks... Probably why the Gurkhas and them got along so well lol
They're half Russian and Western (culture). Weird breed. Poles and German SF are the most professional outside of The United States of fucking America 🇺🇸
I struggled going under floorboards and running cable during my apprenticeship..... had to learn not to panic when I kicked up dust and you can only travel facing-forward and had to manoeuvre yourself back the way you came, going backwards. Real tough when I was claustrophobic....... had to learn to control my breathing and get comfortable when I panicked, then carry on. Now this isn't military training, which I likely would have failed because of this phobia.
@HighGrade A Yeah I panicked a few times, I just never screamed or anything (so as not to alert my journeyman or make a fool of myself)..... what I done was just close my eyes and pause for a minute or two, get my breathing into a rhythm..... it's amazing how much that helped but I don't think you have that luxury in military training lol
@HighGrade A The worst thing was wearing a head lamp and dust mask, heat as well was a big factor, sweat coming down the eyes n all that. And if you're afraid of creepy-crawlies on-top then it's a no-go as you have to go through cobwebs, and you see things scuttling around lol
@Austin T. If you want to see me cry like a little girl, just put me in a box where I can't move for a few minutes :) I always wonderer where this fear comes from, just thinking about it makes me anxious..... and I think it comes from being a child, and being laid on by my dad, unable to move, also my brother used to pin me down and give me typewriters, that feeling of being trapped stuck with me.
Don't want to sound depressive, but the likely reason this training to test if someone break while surviving alone is a reflection of the military history of the Baltic's. Being left out alone to fend for itself has often been the end result in the wars it has been in. From ww1, Independence and then being abandoned again in WW2 by the Germans and the Allies. Having to survive off the woods while fighting the enemies. That's why the Baltic's are known as the "Forest brothers" after WW2. Basically imagine the talking trees problem the American's faced but instead it's the Russians hearing the trees talk.
@@Oscubasteve there were 3 mainly, the main one people know about is Hiro Onoda, but i think another 2 went a little longer, there was also Teruo Nakamura and Shoichi Yokoi, all went on for 20+ years after the war had ended.
I made this video, that's my voice you're hearing. Really great to see it getting some traction, so thanks for that. We had to put the disclaimer on at the beginning, it's the times we live in. Have to say, they were a great bunch of guys who put everything they have into representing their country - they were a pleasure to work with. There were other tasks as well that sadly we couldn't film. Great to see them getting some deserved regognition for their efforts, I'll make sure the link is passed on.
As a Former Marine I must admit I would struggle with the phobia test. Later on in life I went to a Firefighter academy where a hood is placed over your head and then your SCBA simulating a smoke filled room with no visibility. Ultimately I passed, but I did struggle. Simple concept, if you panic and take off your mask you die.
@@popeye9995sp it might not be too stupid to keep the rabbit alive you cant digest that lean meat that fast anyways might be better to keep the rabbit feed him grass and snug the living heating blanket
I've met with a few Latvian soldiers while over there a few years back for the European Initiative...they train hard cuz they always live in fear of Russia coming right over the border and taking over. It's a different mindset over there. They are definitely a cool group of people though. I'd love to go back.
I believe the "survival" test at the end is because of their roots as the forest brothers back in WW2?? The forest brothers were Baltic guerrilla fighting against the soviet and they had to live in the forest with no supplies or backup, so they had to live off the land with no modern equipment and technology. I believe the survival test was to replicate that
As a neighbor (Sweden) I'm very impressed by Latvia and what they accomplish. They have such a small population, and have only been independent for 30 years, but they still produce good athletes (they have a good hockey team for example) and good soldiers. Riga is a beautiful city and their people are very friendly but still tough and rugged.
ah yes as a heritage of Soviet Union sport school but for 30 years they built nothing and lost half of population. Half of latvian women are dreaming to get married with some british in UK and settle down there but not in Riga))) Soon in Latvia will be left just a few people
did you ask him why all latvians escaped from country and went to collect the harvest on the fields in UK or Norvegia? Or maybe why each second latvian women has to work in sex industry in Germania? Would be nice to hear the respond
@@Hotlooksamerica He's lying, those aren't common issues in Latvia. People left Latvia to work in fields not because they couldnt work here, but because they were in debt and those places offered higher wages in the economical crysis. The latvian woman going to work in sex industry is complete bullshit.
ISIS does something similar, they put new recruits in suicide trucks to see if they have a phobia of blowing up. Those that can reach their targets are blown up remotely. Those who are driving a dud go on to be instructors.
Expat living in Scandinavia here. I’ve met several people from the Baltic countries, and they have told me that their countries as a whole have to stay on their toes in order to maintain their independence.
Except Latvia barely does that. Our military spending does not allow for the expansion of our capabilities in the event of an all-out war. Instead our military is more like a delaying force with outdated vehicles and a lack of high caliber weaponry, we're relying on others too much. Heck, we don't have our own jet fighters. Even New Zealand has better equipment than we do! Oh, and don't even get me started on the mismatching camo pattern on our troops while everyone around us has either flecktarn or woodland green.
My great opa was Latvian and he fought in the resistance force in Latvia in WW2 until he was captured and sent to die in Siberia. He was given a piece of paper and a pen to write his family. POWs would throw the paper off the train and people would follow the train tracks to receive the notes. My Oma's family received the note telling them to move as far away from Europe as they could go. My Oma moved to Edmonton Alberta. Landlocked by several thousand kilometers.
The only legitimate resistance force in Latvia during WW2 was the one led by Konstantīns Čakste, and he was ratted out to Gestapo by that part of "resistance" that bowed down to Nazis and is getting celebrated today for being part of einsatzgruppen units having "fun" killing unarmed civvies in Belarus and Ukraine. But I understand, that part is a bit inconvenient in the whole "Paint the Waffen SS soldiers and Polizei units as freedom fighters" narrative that Latvia pushes now, no wonder that this brilliant man still doesn't have his memorial placed, despite ideas for it going on since 2002.
I am European and cant really without a map say where is Latvia, Estonia,, or Belarus. I mean how many of you can find Kirghistan just like that. There is useful information and then there is information I will learn if I need. Americans are good at filtering the BS out of their life in not needed.
I believe that the Speciālo Uzdevumu Vienība is till doing counter piracy in the gulf of Aden and might still have a small contingent in afghanistan as well as monitoring in Ukraine
How can you not know your country has, "Special Forces", soldiers? No offense, but you've got to go through life with your nose pointed at your boots to not know something like that.
Been to Latvia a few times while working for DOS. Met many Latvian soldiers. Can honestly say they were ALL professional and supremely confident and calm. Silent strength. Impressive group of men.
i don't know if i could do the "tied up jump in the water" thing. especially when i know that there're two guys above me, who push me back down as soon as i try to swim back up for just a short gasp of air. the guys who go through this stuff must be tough as fucking nails.
Btw they don’t show everything that happens in training, all go through way worse, British SAS are the best in the world so they would probably have the hardest training in the world too
@@itiswhatitisitiswhatitis5558 not necessarily, they could just have higher-quality instruction and tactics. Any sadist in any country can think of some task that'll break most men.
@@michaelkappa8081 Exactly. I think it's this weird american idea that special forces have to be pretty much tortured to be good. That is not how it goes. Of course you have to test people, but all that macho bullshit just gets in the way. Probably the best operators in the world are the ones you have never heard of and wrote zero books.
Kriste Isopahkala They train you not just mentally but physically. And if they ever get captured by the enemy and know a lot of crucial information, the enemy will try to break that person down for days or even weeks before being killed if they don’t say anything. But once they do it could be some highly dangerous information the guy may of known, so they kinda gotta be tortured to know what it’s like otherwise if they give up, they don’t make the cut. And remember special forces will go past enemy lines so they won’t have any back up for many 30 minutes if they need it or even longer, so they gotta prepare them for every scenario
Hi! I am latvian, wanted to thank you for noticing us, taking interest into our military culture and history! I am very proud of our men that go through this crazy process to deliver the best they can for Latvia and its allies. From the information that I know, the live rabbit is to test their mental capability to kill, choose their life over another one, ability to skin and disect an animal and to test their resourcefullness.
osf People nowadays complain all damn day they talk of problems but they cant lower their expectations nor fix it. Its always about their feelings not about reality
Nice to see a vid on the Latvian SFs. I know that every nation has some sort of SF but I’ve always been more inclined to British/Commonwealth and American SF. Now ik about these Latvians and there unique training methods that I’ve never seen. Great insight and great respect.
Hi Jameson, I’m from Latvia. Like your content. I want to explain something here about the training- as you mentioned Latvia is training/utilising its military in a manner thats tailored to defend the country from external aggression (especially Russia). The bit with the rabbit and forest survival is a historical thing coming all the way from WWII after we were invaded by the USSR and the guerrilla group called “Forest Brothers” were created throughout the Baltic states. The guys need to be able to survive for an extended time period without any external assistance, possibly until help from our allies arrives and then be combat ready from behind enemy lines.
"defend the country from external aggression (especially Russia)" So do we absolutely need to invade or is there an option to continue to not show up for the war ?
I think it's also to trust your leading guy, they all are blind and need to trust the person upfront. If one breaks the chain the complete chain breaks. I got a feeling there was more to it why they all were in a big chain. But I'm no military guy so I'm probably wrong
Physically I think I'd be fit enough but mentally I would break. I hate being under water as I nearly drowned when I was a kid so having my vision taken away and then being led into water would definetly freak me out. I think all the people that pass any test like this are seriously tough people.
Usually in this course first guys who leave are those who are physically strong. Survive guys who are not so physically strong, but special forces train them to get physically strong like machines after they pass 6 month course.
@@Apacisify can confirm. Joined the regular old army knowing i could crush pt standards. Managed to tear several ligaments while being surprised and forced to run innawoods at 2 am. i goofed up on week 7 and spent another 4 months waiting to go home after the fact with a medical. anything can happen. i wish my leg hadnt have gotten messed up.
@@liamc1102 Yeah I was drowned as a kid and the way I overcame the fear was by just jumping in and forcing myself to do it while preoccupied with other tasks. Putting in a dock or pump. Swimming to our lakes island with someone beside me in canoe (became a yearly tradition in our neighborhood with ever kid joining in) and finally holding rocks and jumping off the railroad bridge were it is 60 ft deep and trying to hit bottom (and here you are forced to come up slowly because of the depth.) I also had a fear of heights as a kid and overcame that by bouldering and climbing trees as well as picking up a job roofing (this was back when a 10 year old could still pick up work for 75 cents an hour.) In both cases its the oddest sense of disassociation that I've ever experienced. If faced with a task I could ignore everything but in cases were it was just confronting my fear I was outside of myself watching it dispassionately while another part inside of me was freaking out.
When I was in the US Air Force I was stationed in latvia for 6 months. Worked with their soldiers near the border with Russia the entire time. Was an incredible experience.
GO LV!!! always happy to see proud LV LT EE or PL . even after hard times we had to share in the past people are going stronger then ever. and i am simple LIthuanian.and i could never do things close to men here. beast mode!!
I think being spiritually ready is the most important even more than physically. You need to understand that you are going to be mistreated. You are going to be abused. You are going to be stressed beyond your expectations. If you can harness your spirituality you will win. Without spirituality you will allow your physical body to panic because your weak mind is undisciplined. This is why Special Forces are special. They have not only an elite hardened body, but an elite mindset. You can even read about POW's. The ones who panicked were the ones who died more often and quicker. The ones who found their soul allowed them to escape the hell while their physical body was abused by atrophy, dehydration, hypothermia broken bones, infections ect. Your mind is more powerful than the muscles of your body. Your mind is the general. Your body's the soldiers. If your leadership panics, the whole army is going to panic too. You have a disciplined and tough leadership, the soldiers are going to have faith and confidence. You have to go in with a do or die attitude. Embrace the pain. Let it come in. If you don't jump on the pain and ride it, it will plough you over. Easier said than done. Fear will get you killed quicker than anything. Discipline, concentration and knowing how to play your emotions and energy at the right moment will leave you victorious. It's definitely more mental and spiritual than anything. And you've seen just like I have seen, as a Marine, your physicality does not mean you will survive bootcamp. It's you mind.
Yeah! Now that's BRUTAL! I haven't watched the 'Kardashians' since the first season...when Khloe was fat, but real looking, Kendall and Kylie were innocent little girls, and Bruce was still a man and married! I couldn't take it then, I know I couldn't take it now!
5:51 How they would know which way to go: Simple, the first guy, call it "seargent", would not be blindfolded, but all the others are blindfolded. This is based on teambuilding principles.
hey i noticed some of the time they were speaking in Russian. I know many people in Latvia can't speak Latvian or just prefer Russian (i've been to riga so i've seen it) so what im wondering is if i only speak Russian, do instructors teach us in Russian or do they force me to learn Latvian? why would those instructors speak on camera in Russian? how does the language issue work out.
@@stuart4341 Well, instructors speak only Latvian. If you can't speak Latvian, the you will end ur career, abandone you. You know. 😏 Bte greeting from Latvia. As a Latvian I dont like Russia/russians.
The tunnel test wow. Really helps build character. This test is about trust. Only one person can see at front and you have to trust them. Great challenge. Have gone through a similar test and it changed me as an individual and as a leader.
@H. H. I'd rather not cram myself through an underground tunnel with a blacked out gas mask, you can do that in your free time if you wish to but i won't
You call it . It's a uphill battle for everyone when reality hits the wall sometimes you just can't hack it and it would be better to quit now then later. I like this training
Latvia: "A country most americans cannot even find on the map..." News flash, most americans cannot find anything on the map besides canada and america itself 🤣
II PSYCHO II I for a fact am a Latvian and believe me people don’t like the “Latvian russians”. We are fine with russians from Russia... if that makes sense.
Alero17 never had a problem there so doesn’t bother me and usually if you chat shit there you get ur ass kicked so I’m not too bothered it’s not like the police will do anything either
thank you for very interesting retrospective. There are a lot incrimenets and details which were missed in the footage, but I really liked the presentation. I am proud of them!
I worked with Latvian SOF in Afghanistan, and they were some of the most incredible Soldiers I've seen. That being said, they also have a level of crazy that is insurpassed by any other force I've seen. And they are loyal till the end. I have much love for my Latvian brothers out there. 🇱🇻
I don't wanna sound offensive, but what are you, and they, guys doing out there? Going out there in the Middle East turns one not into a guy which defends his country, but into a mercenary. Ok, defend some flag, which belongs to their country, but how brainwashed one can be not to realize that he's only a tool, an asset, he's being manipulated. The soldier there seems to me like a mercenary, who is eventually made to believe he's defending his country's base, but the real things going on are established by few guys on top, who tell them they maintain the peace, but, who may at any moment very well decide to disband the base or to conquer new land around it. Now am I seeing things wrongly?
bla bla bla fake post by a fake account.
@@wolfcookerBack How can you tell whether it is fake or not?
@@nicolaebacrau6703 well actually it doesn't matter, i also like their trainings also i wanted to become a mercenary so great thing for me, well money is power right and when you are a mercenary you'll be in a double edge sword, it's up to you whether you choose good or evil no rules. To me mercenary had 4x the salary than the ordinary military, actually why do you have to defend your country if you earn a lot of money being a mercenary and start a business then live a peaceful life, once you get a millionaire then donate your money to your country or maybe to the others that who needed, 'cuz i don't need money anymore, aslong as i know how to survive im good with it.
@@nicolaebacrau6703 well like I've been told while in the army that its not for everyone and I never had any issue taking someone else out bc their trying to get me so better get them first right???? And I hold much much respect for these Latvian men who when through such hard training and have made it. My hats off to them everyday all day and could really bring some new light to ourselves and military's over in the US. You men will Always have my Respect and Thanks for your Hard work And strengths... so sorry but i def disagree with your point. Ppl in or have been in the military, we know what our outcomes are. We may or may not be coming back so the harder the training and what I just watched to me was amazing for what they did. I wish if i was a man that I would strive for that. Their badass mentality, physically and emotionally TOUGH and WON'T BE BROKEN. THAT'S AWESOME AND I THANK ALL YOU MEN WHO'VE DONE IT THANK YOU LATVIANS. YOUR IN MY PRAYERS AND I KNOW YOU MEN ARE BADASS AND GOT IT..... MUCH LOVE AND APPRECIATION FOR YOU SOLDIERS ......
Im a simple Estonian, I see Latvia- I press like.
Estonia rules!
🤟🇱🇻+🇱🇹+🇪🇪=💪
🤟🇪🇪+🇱🇹+🇱🇻=💪
🤟🇱🇹+🇱🇻+🇪🇪=💪
🤟🇪🇪+🇱🇻+🇱🇹=💪
"If you find this offensive, you've got a problem." What a quote
i wont have said it but at the beginning of the video it was a disclaimer.
yeah that's a good opener
The best quote I've ever heard
But that's not actually what he said.
“Distressing”.. farout. If you’re going to do it, do it right.
The brotherhood between lithuania latvia and estonia is awesome. 🇱🇻🇪🇪🇱🇹
I'm from Lithuania lol
@@bluestarloard3215 Sveikas XD
The baltics shall not be forgotten 😂
@@kokickss2488 labas!
It's so awesome, that it doesn't even exists.
Im a simple Lithuanian, I see Latvia - I press like.
The same with me - Latvian😂
Spoken like a true Balt.
Braliukai! My man!
& LV appreciate
@@Ozscaro As a lithuanian, I appreciate that you appreciate the appreciation of another fellow Balt.
I'm Latvian and I'm extremely proud of our boys.
very impressive
Great training as a student of combatives this is great 👍
I would say a small country’s Special Forces could be either the best or the worst (of SF anyway they would still be amazing)
Small Country has more motivation to be the top top of the top
*OR*
Simply for the fact of being a small country there is limited resources...
@@bageled_meme2690 I saw no great resources being employed in this video other than sheer insanity and baddassery. I wouldn't bet on an entire army against those guys.
@@ghosttrain4118 Once again, this is not a training video this is a test for those that will be accepted into their special forces.
Most militaries: here's some equipment, a combat scenario, and food. Complete the objective.
Latvian military: *naked gas mask men running through the woods with a live rabbit*
Military bdsm
Stalker vibes
This is for special forces-alpha,omega teams,that's why this is so rough-they have to be the best
I'd have thought they'd want to use the rabbit to test what berries and things were safe to eat.
@@greensharkhunts That is one of the most stupid things I have seen in a while. I was actually laughing while reading your comment.
🇱🇹🤝🇱🇻 proud of brothers. From Lithuania
🥺That's so nice! Now I have a brother from Lithuania! 🇱🇻👏🏻🇱🇹
Hey, im from Latvia
ay
y
I’m proud to have ancestors from Lithuania 🇱🇹
Kā iet rimančuk?
Waking up naked in the forest next to a dead rabbit was not an unusual occurrence for the Eastern European people I’ve met. But usually vodka was involved.....
lol. been there. the vodka will get the best of us all.
@baconeggsandtomatoes You are not intirely right, mate. Latvia (as well as Estonia and Lithuania) is clasified as Northern Europe by UN. Othervise - you are right. Vodka is like a catalyst for some great things to happen (not always, but usually). Cheers from Lithuania!
@@gabrieliusduchovkas Still eastern Europe.
Yeah, who hasn't had that happen to them at least once. Lol
@@gabrieliusduchovkas still eastern Europe. fck what UN says
Poland - Latvia always friends! Respect !!!!
Bro where is lithuania?🤨
@@kristus6438 it ended in Ponary during 2 WW.
Dokładnie
This is a lie, because Poland did nothing for my country, other than get captured by USSR like rest of Eastern Europe after ww2,
we had first female president in the late 90's after the Union's collapse.
I'm latvian and I know our history!🇱🇻
You mean Lithuania?
You know there a beast when they tell you that you have to earn your sleep.
another reasons i like this group. very smart methods.
I'm Latvian and extremely proud of it! Sveiks to all the Latvians, Estonians, and Lithuanians watching this! ❤️
Hi from Lithuania sister! ❤
You look asian!
@@staggeringdeath8479 I’m Latvian but I look Asian too xd but I’m not. idk maybe my ancestors are Asian
1st generation American family from Latvia!
Sveiks! Te vēl viens Latvietis! ❤🇱🇻❤
Trained with Latvian regular Army in Germany and they were absolutely insane. All of them well skilled individually and even better in small units working collectively.
German army was pretty well trained they just seemed a little lax. Their tankers were pretty bad ass though.
@W C they are confused and misinformed
@@ericluker5601 They are afraid that being too baddass will make them become nazis.
@W C You come here often to drop the shit swirling in that head of yours? Why don't you keep to the toilet?
@W C As a german myself, it is not that we don't have any national pride, it's more that once we do we are condemned as Nazis. Additionally, in recent history since WW2 we were not allowed to actually have an army, and just now we are allowed to build up a again a bit. Also, why go hard if we have your grunts do all the dirty work for us. Thanks NATO
I know that, there was some situations, where recruit took the rabbit out off bag and the rabbit sliped out and runed away. Thats some mental sh*t when you know, that your food just took a run 😅👌
I like it. Interesting way to get over a point.
I’m not military but I have friends that are, or were and are retired ( although I don’t think their minds ever leave). One, who served in Bosnia before retiring, always said that he hated plans. He could also never relax. I think too many metaphorical rabbits took off on him. I’m not trying to be funny here. I lost touch with him 25 years ago about a year after he left the military. The Remembrance Day after he left he was in uniform in a coffee shop and he almost tipped his coffee when a button on his jacket caught the table when he stood. Some idiot made a snarky comment. Jason almost lost it. It would have gone badly if not for other vets who knew what was going on. I think about him now and then. I always wonder how things worked out for him.
@@craigcooknf Jesus...
actually rabbit meat is very poor when it comes to keeping you warm and fed, it has a very low fat index, its almost all protein, and that is clearly unsuficient, in a hostile and cold environment you need lots of animal fat
@james avery well the skin is ok to eat but the hair?
I'm a simple Latvian, I see any country of the Baltic States, I press like.
Same
brolis latvis
dod pieci no Lietuvas
Same
Wow so original...
I worked with Latvians a few times; outstanding people and soldiers!
Sweet, my country is so small it’s always nice surprise to see a video about it.
vai ne!
I feel it always, it's quite heart touching personally, because we're strong, but we're so small for who we are.
Greetings from estonia🇪🇪
@@BIOSHOCKFOXX Ja arī esi no Latvijas, kāpēc tad nerunā Latviski šeit komentāros? 😁
@@bremsenreinigerkonsument3424 mož lai pārejie saprot. tas ko viņš uzrakstīja nav nekas svešs latviešiem. bez tam, citiem ir interesanti redzēt ko paši tautieši saka par šo tēmu.
I`m from Estonia, and that looked VERY BADASS! Salute from neighbours, Latvia!
Greetings!
Artur Rehi (The Estonian Soldier) has been one of my favorite TH-cam channels lately. I'm American though lol
@@justinzemke8373 yeah i watch him too lol.
They said Estonia was next. Take that for what you will. Just keep a rabbit it your yard. They will revert to their training by getting buck ass naked and field strip your rabbit. While they are doing that, walk up behind them and hit them in the head with an iron skillet.
@@mikej9470 I enjoyed this very much.
Had this foreign exchange student from 🇱🇻 and when he was being introduced to the class and introducing himself he said I am Latvian not Russian. I’ll never forget that
You have no idea how many times people start speaking Russian to me when I tell them that I'm from Latvia
All the Slavic countries want to get rid the Russian / USSR stigma. It's not something so striking, no one from them likes Russia. The reasons are absolutely justifiable if you ask me.
@@villcrs4110 they're not slavic
We got around 25% of Russian speaking population here in Latvia. For example when i am introducing myself i say that i am russian speaking Latvian.
@@villcrs4110 Latvia and Lithuania are not slavic they are baltic last 2 baltic nations who survived till now. Till 18 century we haved Prussians or like germans say Old Prussians it whas baltic people after 18 century they whas converted to germans
Hello! A latvian here. A large part of what you reviewed was directly influenced by the forest brothers. A paramilitary group roaming the latvian woods fighting the reds up till '54.
I read about the Forest Brothers! they were Estonians too! awesome dudes!
@@EEST-Militia Some of ours (Estonians) fought til the early 90s.
@@stenlindsalu7442 WRONG. Till 2010s
@@Xover112 so everyone against a russian is a nazi ???? wow, you are so stupid and simple. No, they were not nazis, they just were against fuckin dying in a gulag! Estonia has been a prolific country after the USSR, so prolific that many Russians wanna move to Estonia. in fact I 've been to Estonia many times and I met some of them who moved from Russia to Estonia.
Last forest brother in Latvia came out from hiding in 1995
I’m from Latvia, and when I was soldier i went through this recruitment. It doesn’t matter how strong you are, they will break you and then build you up much psychological stronger than ever! That’s the idea!
Hey man! Much respect, why did you decide to become a soldier?
Hey. Was it on compulsory military service or you volunteered for the army? Thnx
@@alexanderdzhumaev3098 there is no compulsory military service in Latvia. You do it for money..
Smart People !!
I can see you are from Latvia, most of Latvian names ends like "ietis" "atis" "itis"
Rabbit: Whats up Doc?
Latvian Soldier: Dinner!
jesus christ dude u are right
🤣🤣🤣 thanks for making my day
Well?? Ok thanks for steroyerotyping
More like: Death ☠️
I've lived and worked in Latvia for totally 13 years. I first came there in 1992, 5 months after the freedom 1991. I lived in what was essentially the Soviet Union. Until 1996, 150 000 Russian troops were still stationed in the Baltic states, their HQ in Riga, one block from my home. As a newly retired army man from Sweden, I followed mostly their Home Guard, in these day's Latvia's most loyal fighting force. The Latvians has an interesting military background, constantly fighting for their country, for their culture. Directly after the October Revolution 1917, the Latvian Riflemen was the only functional troops the new Red Army had. Lenin had them as a personal bodyguard. During WWII they fought for themself, with the Red Army and with the Waffen SS. They guarded the Nazis during the Nuremberg trials for the US Army. There are Latvian soldiers who have fought in Latvian, Soviet, German and American uniforms. They are good soldiers.
I'm latvian and I know a soldier that tried to get into special forces. He couldn't pass water test. To put it in his words "You have to be able to drown and not to fight back" For most survival reflex is too strong.
The key isn't to, "not fight back". The key is to not panic. You definitely want to, "fight back". You fight back by resisting the fear and panic swelling up inside of you. You resist panic by remaining, "mindful" of the situation. You have to keep your wits about you and remain intellectually present. Think logically about what is happening, what is going to happen, and what you need to do to get through it. Panic is the opposite of that. Panic is letting your fear and your biological responses and urges overwhelm your mind and take control of you. You completely disappear as a critically thinking consciousness and instead just become a bag of meat flailing about.
That is what would fail me
Excellent tests. No BS, no unnecessary waste of resources.
Nice profile pic
Randolph Slumber lmaooo
Those soldiers are the resources :D :D :D
I’ve worked with these guys when I was in the Air Force, I got shit on pretty hard as a JTAC but it’s to be expected. What I liked about them was that they were really organized, and they’re chain of command reporting protocols are rock solid from E1 equivalent to the highest. They’re a small country, not a lot of money, so they make everything count, they’re training is pretty novel and one last thing I like, unlike active duty US military, they vet for mental illness upon recruitment not finding out 9 months later when the member is out of training and into active duty then has a mental breakdown on the job.
My ex works as a psychologist in a Latvian special forces unit. Every recruit into LV army has to pass psychological testing that takes about 3 hours on the computer and an interview. She also oversees this special forces selection process, so yeah - I know some pretty wild stories...
@@jelisejs Same in the swedish army/police recruitement. I really tought this was in every country
I too trained with a Latvian soldier when I was in the Air Force. She was learning air traffic control from scratch while still struggling with English. To be able to handle not only the difficulties of a 2nd language but also learn the math and rules involved in ATC while correctly applying the concepts and making the right choices was a very impressive feat. She graduated with the rest of the class no problem. Hat's off to the Latvian military.
When I went to Afghanistan last year, we were on a coalition camp with a Latvian SF group. They were all great guys, amazing at their jobs, and overly were fearless and sometimes show offs. We got to have a range day with them, and they taught us tactics that were pertinent to our mission. But yeah, Latvian SF is probably one of my favorite SF groups in the world.
That’s awesome! What do you think they stand a chance with out Navy seals ?
@@Markdaamannn Like The Commander said at the beginning of the video: ''Our course is no different to the best Special Forces units in the world.'' So pound for pound - Our guys can give as good as they get.
thx
@@heeman82 Oh absolutely! These dudes were crazy and fearless. Like they decided to drive dirt bikes and quads on missions (and do cool ass trucks on them) in convoys. They literally ran on a ledge like it's hopscotch where both sides had an 80 foot drop. They literally gave no fucks... Probably why the Gurkhas and them got along so well lol
They're half Russian and Western (culture). Weird breed. Poles and German SF are the most professional outside of The United States of fucking America 🇺🇸
im happy when I have so strong Broliukas (brothers)! Greetings from Lithuanian! 👍
Thank you brother
Now i understand more Dvēseļu putenis! It was a nice movie that allowed me to feel more latvian during the Erasmus. Paldies!
Are you from Latvia?
@@arkijs I am from Spain
@@arkijs Yo arnold
Drinkin game: take a shot everytime he says "put that in the comments"
The comments are just as good as the video
kFuck im Drunkj
I predict alcohol poisoning.
hahaha i like it, n i like JT, JT for President
or says someone is a weakling
Hadn't searched up anything relating to my country in months, and then TH-cam randomly throws this at me one day.
Thank you, Algorithm. Very cool.
same :D
same here
I don't understand why TH-cam recommends me videos I already have seen
Same. Just turned on youtube and this one poped up
The same happened to me.
Im simple Latvian, i see anything that has to do with Latvia i press like
Same
same
we are on the same boat
Hello Latvian friends! I am a Latvian to. 🙂
Čau
Claustrophobia coupled with all the other shit ain't easy... Just like physical strength, mental strength can be trained but there is a limit.
I struggled going under floorboards and running cable during my apprenticeship..... had to learn not to panic when I kicked up dust and you can only travel facing-forward and had to manoeuvre yourself back the way you came, going backwards.
Real tough when I was claustrophobic....... had to learn to control my breathing and get comfortable when I panicked, then carry on.
Now this isn't military training, which I likely would have failed because of this phobia.
@HighGrade A Yeah I panicked a few times, I just never screamed or anything (so as not to alert my journeyman or make a fool of myself)..... what I done was just close my eyes and pause for a minute or two, get my breathing into a rhythm..... it's amazing how much that helped but I don't think you have that luxury in military training lol
@HighGrade A The worst thing was wearing a head lamp and dust mask, heat as well was a big factor, sweat coming down the eyes n all that. And if you're afraid of creepy-crawlies on-top then it's a no-go as you have to go through cobwebs, and you see things scuttling around lol
@Austin T. If you want to see me cry like a little girl, just put me in a box where I can't move for a few minutes :) I always wonderer where this fear comes from, just thinking about it makes me anxious..... and I think it comes from being a child, and being laid on by my dad, unable to move, also my brother used to pin me down and give me typewriters, that feeling of being trapped stuck with me.
Don't want to sound depressive, but the likely reason this training to test if someone break while surviving alone is a reflection of the military history of the Baltic's. Being left out alone to fend for itself has often been the end result in the wars it has been in.
From ww1, Independence and then being abandoned again in WW2 by the Germans and the Allies. Having to survive off the woods while fighting the enemies. That's why the Baltic's are known as the "Forest brothers" after WW2.
Basically imagine the talking trees problem the American's faced but instead it's the Russians hearing the trees talk.
Also known as ghost forests, where armies would enter to never be seen or heard from again.
There was a Japanese soldier in the jungle for like 20 yrs after the war...didnt know it was over.
@@Oscubasteve oh yeah i heard about that story
@@Oscubasteve there were 3 mainly, the main one people know about is Hiro Onoda, but i think another 2 went a little longer, there was also Teruo Nakamura and Shoichi Yokoi, all went on for 20+ years after the war had ended.
Also known as a bandits...
I made this video, that's my voice you're hearing. Really great to see it getting some traction, so thanks for that. We had to put the disclaimer on at the beginning, it's the times we live in. Have to say, they were a great bunch of guys who put everything they have into representing their country - they were a pleasure to work with. There were other tasks as well that sadly we couldn't film. Great to see them getting some deserved regognition for their efforts, I'll make sure the link is passed on.
Your latvian and your name is Jake Tupman? I call bullshit
yeah hes full of shit
@@christirogers2305 Where the fuck did he write that he is latvian? Can you not hear the extremely obvious perfect english accent in the voice?
Christi Rogers He’s the narrator, smart one....
@Christi Rogers you ducking idiot
As a Former Marine I must admit I would struggle with the phobia test. Later on in life I went to a Firefighter academy where a hood is placed over your head and then your SCBA simulating a smoke filled room with no visibility. Ultimately I passed, but I did struggle. Simple concept, if you panic and take off your mask you die.
“The rabbits rarely survive” “ya no kidding” Lolol
the guy who keeps the rabbit alive is most impressive
@@popeye9995sp when does this happen??
@@popeye9995sp it might not be too stupid to keep the rabbit alive you cant digest that lean meat that fast anyways might be better to keep the rabbit feed him grass and snug the living heating blanket
@@janronschke7525 exactly what i thought haha
Smart to kill it. With snow on the ground it would keep fresh for several days. Plus you get a bit of fur.
I've met with a few Latvian soldiers while over there a few years back for the European Initiative...they train hard cuz they always live in fear of Russia coming right over the border and taking over. It's a different mindset over there. They are definitely a cool group of people though. I'd love to go back.
If I lived next to Crazy Ivan I would learn to be even crazier. Respect to Latvia 🇱🇻
@National Socialist Latvia is a part of UN and nato
@Ken Nuppenau no we dont , we just prepare
no they dont, they dont fear russians taking over cuz like half the country are russians already
@@steviejrr don't confuse military intervention with cultural and national subversion. but yeah, a third of our population is russian-speaking.
I spent a lot of time with the Latvian military in Afghanistan. Such great and competent soldiers.
berries dont grow in winter when its freezing outside, thats why they have the rabbit
I believe the "survival" test at the end is because of their roots as the forest brothers back in WW2?? The forest brothers were Baltic guerrilla fighting against the soviet and they had to live in the forest with no supplies or backup, so they had to live off the land with no modern equipment and technology. I believe the survival test was to replicate that
Same with Norwegians right but against Germans
NEVER AGAIN
Yup, the forest brothers were going to the forests naked with one live rabbit only, and fought Russians like so.
There is probably one Latvian Chad who didn't kill his rabbit just to proof he's the ultimate alpha chad
He just didn't want to be a furry.
He trained the rabbit as an EOD animal
I cuddle live rabbet.. rabbet is waarm 😂
He’s probably already nudist so no problem there
Use it as bait. Get a bear instead.
Greetings from Latvia, I definitely didn't expect to see my country here.
Haha jā, es arī esmu pārsteigts 🇱🇻💪
Cau veci :)
same. es no LV
you guys rock!!
geetings from Germany
@@jan3381 Grüße zurück ;)
🇪🇪+🇱🇻+🇱🇹 we are small even together thats why we need stand together!
I'm not Latvian and I am extremely proud of these men.
Paldies ;)
Ja liks iet iegrožot tautu tad arī būsi?
As a neighbor (Sweden) I'm very impressed by Latvia and what they accomplish. They have such a small population, and have only been independent for 30 years, but they still produce good athletes (they have a good hockey team for example) and good soldiers. Riga is a beautiful city and their people are very friendly but still tough and rugged.
Well. We were independent in 1918. Būt ww2 came so u know...
Zydrunas
ah yes as a heritage of Soviet Union sport school but for 30 years they built nothing and lost half of population. Half of latvian women are dreaming to get married with some british in UK and settle down there but not in Riga))) Soon in Latvia will be left just a few people
@@lidiastrong3005 good athletes before days of Soviet Union. Since they mostly killed their own
@@HunterXStyle123 more like soviet came... anexing latvia estonia and lithuania...
I met the prime minister of Latvia a couple of years ago. He showed me his farmstead on google earth. He was Super Nice.
did you ask him why all latvians escaped from country and went to collect the harvest on the fields in UK or Norvegia? Or maybe why each second latvian women has to work in sex industry in Germania? Would be nice to hear the respond
@@lidiastrong3005 we had a very light conversation and I did not know of these dark issues.
@@Hotlooksamerica He's lying, those aren't common issues in Latvia. People left Latvia to work in fields not because they couldnt work here, but because they were in debt and those places offered higher wages in the economical crysis. The latvian woman going to work in sex industry is complete bullshit.
@@lidiastrong3005 lol what are u, a russian troll? Lmao learn to write before commenting, then u would atleast appear a little bit smarter
@@Hotlooksamerica All counties have dark issue's. We just pretend we don't.
My uncle went through this and came back a different man, so much respect for him and everyone else
ISIS does something similar, they put new recruits in suicide trucks to see if they have a phobia of blowing up. Those that can reach their targets are blown up remotely. Those who are driving a dud go on to be instructors.
As the ISIS suicide bomber instructor said to his students "Pay attention...I'm only going to show you this once!".
Joseph Cruz haha
There actually is an ISIS special forces 🤣🤣. I'm pretty sure even my 12 year old son can teach those retards a lesson.
@ lol you wish
Fix the fear of water? Navy remedial swim school works doesn't it?
I think the most impressive ones are the rabbits that survive: the fact they could defeat these men to live another day is astounding.
They’re Monty python rabbits
Skyking report in
@@compedsushi9030 I will always be with you. Salute!
@@youtubecensors5419 Beebo!
Braliukai!🇱🇹🇱🇻💪🏻
Hell yeah ! Leisukas braliukas
@@ExMion ko ble
Respect Latvia🇱🇻 from Estonia🇪🇪
Expat living in Scandinavia here. I’ve met several people from the Baltic countries, and they have told me that their countries as a whole have to stay on their toes in order to maintain their independence.
When Russia is your neighbor I don't blame them.
@@thepiratepenguin4465 yes, but enemy ideology is slipping in from west as well these days. We are ready from threat from all sides.
@@M8143K Keep up the good work Latvian brothers! Greetings from Finland!
Except Latvia barely does that. Our military spending does not allow for the expansion of our capabilities in the event of an all-out war. Instead our military is more like a delaying force with outdated vehicles and a lack of high caliber weaponry, we're relying on others too much. Heck, we don't have our own jet fighters. Even New Zealand has better equipment than we do!
Oh, and don't even get me started on the mismatching camo pattern on our troops while everyone around us has either flecktarn or woodland green.
Doctor Life MD Thanks for you input. I’m always interested in hearing the views of people from the Baltic countries.
My great opa was Latvian and he fought in the resistance force in Latvia in WW2 until he was captured and sent to die in Siberia. He was given a piece of paper and a pen to write his family. POWs would throw the paper off the train and people would follow the train tracks to receive the notes. My Oma's family received the note telling them to move as far away from Europe as they could go. My Oma moved to Edmonton Alberta. Landlocked by several thousand kilometers.
Nice story.
Sad story, thanks for sharing
The only legitimate resistance force in Latvia during WW2 was the one led by Konstantīns Čakste, and he was ratted out to Gestapo by that part of "resistance" that bowed down to Nazis and is getting celebrated today for being part of einsatzgruppen units having "fun" killing unarmed civvies in Belarus and Ukraine.
But I understand, that part is a bit inconvenient in the whole "Paint the Waffen SS soldiers and Polizei units as freedom fighters" narrative that Latvia pushes now, no wonder that this brilliant man still doesn't have his memorial placed, despite ideas for it going on since 2002.
@@casusbelli9225 you maks me lough 🤣🤣🤣
Opa/Oma, bist du Deutscher?
The latvian army served along side nato in Afghanistan, they were along side British battle groups in some major battles
And with U.S. arms brothers as well.
LOL, did the made you soup and laundry?
@@Wagner555 No, thats your mothers job.
As a Latvian myself, I had no idea this is how they train. These are truly tough people, and it's was interesting to see their training. Great video!
“A country most Americans can’t find on a map” that doesn’t say much lol 😂
Who said "War is Gods way to teach Americans Geography"? ^^
I can point out all of the European countries, and I’m American :)
That includes USA. :)
hurr durr which one is Scotland again?
American teacher *points at japan.... its this one
I am European and cant really without a map say where is Latvia, Estonia,, or Belarus. I mean how many of you can find Kirghistan just like that. There is useful information and then there is information I will learn if I need. Americans are good at filtering the BS out of their life in not needed.
I believe that the Speciālo Uzdevumu Vienība is till doing counter piracy in the gulf of Aden and might still have a small contingent in afghanistan as well as monitoring in Ukraine
look like some interesting guys. i like them for the clear message.
@@JamesonsTravels noting wrong with a clear and decisive message
@yortzandat DAMN!!! Nothing gets the message across like a naked man firing a machine gun at you while screaming in Latvian....
Speciāla* But damn im impressed by ur knowledge about LV forces :)
@@wartmcbeighn did he say that anything was wrong in the first place, lmao
Proud to have you in Europe.
Makes me feel safer knowing that our countries back eachother up! 🇳🇴 🇪🇪
I hope you don’t think the Estonian flag is the Latvian flag.
Not Europe, NATO.
I'm Latvian and I never knew we had such Special Forces. They really do seem super humans!
How can you not know your country has, "Special Forces", soldiers? No offense, but you've got to go through life with your nose pointed at your boots to not know something like that.
@@daemonthorn5888No one in Latvia knows this
Been to Latvia a few times while working for DOS. Met many Latvian soldiers. Can honestly say they were ALL professional and supremely confident and calm. Silent strength. Impressive group of men.
i don't know if i could do the "tied up jump in the water" thing. especially when i know that there're two guys above me, who push me back down as soon as i try to swim back up for just a short gasp of air. the guys who go through this stuff must be tough as fucking nails.
I watched SAS - Australia training, American marines, the Russians and British videos and this training by far would scare me the most.
spetnaz's last stage: armed runnig your ass off.
Btw they don’t show everything that happens in training, all go through way worse, British SAS are the best in the world so they would probably have the hardest training in the world too
@@itiswhatitisitiswhatitis5558 not necessarily, they could just have higher-quality instruction and tactics. Any sadist in any country can think of some task that'll break most men.
@@michaelkappa8081 Exactly. I think it's this weird american idea that special forces have to be pretty much tortured to be good. That is not how it goes. Of course you have to test people, but all that macho bullshit just gets in the way. Probably the best operators in the world are the ones you have never heard of and wrote zero books.
Kriste Isopahkala They train you not just mentally but physically. And if they ever get captured by the enemy and know a lot of crucial information, the enemy will try to break that person down for days or even weeks before being killed if they don’t say anything. But once they do it could be some highly dangerous information the guy may of known, so they kinda gotta be tortured to know what it’s like otherwise if they give up, they don’t make the cut. And remember special forces will go past enemy lines so they won’t have any back up for many 30 minutes if they need it or even longer, so they gotta prepare them for every scenario
Always Brothers 🇵🇱❤️🇱🇻
Latvia. good to see some viewers from there.
Belarus and Latvia not brothers
@@dzintarscers1468 thats right
Poland and latvia had a lot in common rečpospolita.
Poland , lithuania and half of latvia kurlandia.
Phobia Tests. Love the simplicity.
i know. that is what kept me watching the video. i prefer that description.
In some cases it might be better to be blindfolded that way you can't see the situation you are in.
Hi! I am latvian, wanted to thank you for noticing us, taking interest into our military culture and history! I am very proud of our men that go through this crazy process to deliver the best they can for Latvia and its allies. From the information that I know, the live rabbit is to test their mental capability to kill, choose their life over another one, ability to skin and disect an animal and to test their resourcefullness.
This training is very good is different but hits every nook and cranny very good 👌🏼
Latvia is a fantastic country filled with incredibly high quality people
Thanks :)
Thank you
“If you find this distressing, you’ve got a problem...” couldn’t stop laughing 😂😂 my god people nowadays are so sensitive to everything.
i know. it was a warning before the program. wtf
osf People nowadays complain all damn day they talk of problems but they cant lower their expectations nor fix it. Its always about their feelings not about reality
@@Rustam7899 talking about leftists here. For sure sjw pussies
I'm Latvian too, respect to those who can go through all this training 💪
looks like so kick a2s training. glad they have not sjw in training yet.
@@JamesonsTravels yeah :D I hope that crazy SJW stuff will never come to this part of EU, but you never know 😅
Nice to see a vid on the Latvian SFs. I know that every nation has some sort of SF but I’ve always been more inclined to British/Commonwealth and American SF. Now ik about these Latvians and there unique training methods that I’ve never seen. Great insight and great respect.
Hi Jameson, I’m from Latvia. Like your content. I want to explain something here about the training- as you mentioned Latvia is training/utilising its military in a manner thats tailored to defend the country from external aggression (especially Russia). The bit with the rabbit and forest survival is a historical thing coming all the way from WWII after we were invaded by the USSR and the guerrilla group called “Forest Brothers” were created throughout the Baltic states. The guys need to be able to survive for an extended time period without any external assistance, possibly until help from our allies arrives and then be combat ready from behind enemy lines.
thx for this explanation.
"defend the country from external aggression (especially Russia)"
So do we absolutely need to invade or is there an option to continue to not show up for the war ?
@@romanz9342 I dont know Roman, noone else has invaded here for the past 50 years. Ukraine and Georgia will probably agree.
@@LinkinLoris Ukraine and Georgia need to stop inviting nato, so that we can stop creating disputed territories to protect ourselves.
Biggest exporter of "Riga's Shprots" (caned smoked fish), will fight till the end against soviet aggressors !
I would last 3 minutes.
Even the ones who left are baddasses
Don't think it's a fear of water, it's the response to being physically forced down into that causes the reaction.
Or maybe someones peepee touching from behind.
I think it's also to trust your leading guy, they all are blind and need to trust the person upfront. If one breaks the chain the complete chain breaks. I got a feeling there was more to it why they all were in a big chain. But I'm no military guy so I'm probably wrong
Physically I think I'd be fit enough but mentally I would break.
I hate being under water as I nearly drowned when I was a kid so having my vision taken away and then being led into water would definetly freak me out. I think all the people that pass any test like this are seriously tough people.
Usually in this course first guys who leave are those who are physically strong. Survive guys who are not so physically strong, but special forces train them to get physically strong like machines after they pass 6 month course.
Exposure therapy is the way though
@@Apacisify can confirm. Joined the regular old army knowing i could crush pt standards. Managed to tear several ligaments while being surprised and forced to run innawoods at 2 am. i goofed up on week 7 and spent another 4 months waiting to go home after the fact with a medical. anything can happen. i wish my leg hadnt have gotten messed up.
@@liamc1102 Yeah I was drowned as a kid and the way I overcame the fear was by just jumping in and forcing myself to do it while preoccupied with other tasks. Putting in a dock or pump. Swimming to our lakes island with someone beside me in canoe (became a yearly tradition in our neighborhood with ever kid joining in) and finally holding rocks and jumping off the railroad bridge were it is 60 ft deep and trying to hit bottom (and here you are forced to come up slowly because of the depth.)
I also had a fear of heights as a kid and overcame that by bouldering and climbing trees as well as picking up a job roofing (this was back when a 10 year old could still pick up work for 75 cents an hour.)
In both cases its the oddest sense of disassociation that I've ever experienced. If faced with a task I could ignore everything but in cases were it was just confronting my fear I was outside of myself watching it dispassionately while another part inside of me was freaking out.
When I was in the US Air Force I was stationed in latvia for 6 months. Worked with their soldiers near the border with Russia the entire time. Was an incredible experience.
Worked in daugavpils.
There were a lot of russian spies. Spiezdas
Undisputed King of Early Morning Uploads back at it again
just need to be undisputed king of subs. damn this youtube is har.
@@JamesonsTravels 100K sub goal within sight bro. Just keep grinding 💪
"If you find this offensive, you've got a problem."
as i walked in on my dad in the shower
lol. that may be a good ringtone.
Lmfao
How 75% of videos on the "hub" begin
Omg Lol
did it turn you on? then you might have a problem
GO LV!!! always happy to see proud LV LT EE or PL . even after hard times we had to share in the past people are going stronger then ever. and i am simple LIthuanian.and i could never do things close to men here. beast mode!!
I'm so proud of our Latvian boys.
Drošais uzvar !!
Brave man wins!!
I think being spiritually ready is the most important even more than physically. You need to understand that you are going to be mistreated. You are going to be abused. You are going to be stressed beyond your expectations. If you can harness your spirituality you will win. Without spirituality you will allow your physical body to panic because your weak mind is undisciplined. This is why Special Forces are special. They have not only an elite hardened body, but an elite mindset. You can even read about POW's. The ones who panicked were the ones who died more often and quicker. The ones who found their soul allowed them to escape the hell while their physical body was abused by atrophy, dehydration, hypothermia broken bones, infections ect. Your mind is more powerful than the muscles of your body. Your mind is the general. Your body's the soldiers. If your leadership panics, the whole army is going to panic too. You have a disciplined and tough leadership, the soldiers are going to have faith and confidence. You have to go in with a do or die attitude. Embrace the pain. Let it come in. If you don't jump on the pain and ride it, it will plough you over. Easier said than done. Fear will get you killed quicker than anything. Discipline, concentration and knowing how to play your emotions and energy at the right moment will leave you victorious. It's definitely more mental and spiritual than anything. And you've seen just like I have seen, as a Marine, your physicality does not mean you will survive bootcamp. It's you mind.
C S Stoic
Wow. Couldnt have put it better.
Awesome comment and all true!
This is a gruelling programme, no doubt, but let’s see these guys endure a full ‘Kardashians’ or ‘Housewives’ marathon...
hAhA! Not even the best can endure them.
Matthias Anderson - 🙂
Yeah! Now that's BRUTAL! I haven't watched the 'Kardashians' since the first season...when Khloe was fat, but real looking, Kendall and Kylie were innocent little girls, and Bruce was still a man and married! I couldn't take it then, I know I couldn't take it now!
amunraankh - Me neither...
😂
That last guy looked like he would stop at nothing until the mission ends with success.
Anyone with siblings could pass that water test
LOL My brother can take a high pressure blast to the face, while not expecting it.
lmao true ive almost been drowned way too many times
Right. While being duct taped. And having a gas mask on.
@@JesoTV it was a joke, not a dick. Don't take it so hard
@@InfexiousPvP Okay keyboard warrior.
Oh it all makes sense now! That's why I saw a bunny-naked man wearing a balaclava during the heritage trip with my grandma!
Latvia is a part of NATO, so theoretically they could be deployed in a “Alliance” situation.
And they have been, they have been in Iraq and Afghanistan.
5:51 How they would know which way to go: Simple, the first guy, call it "seargent", would not be blindfolded, but all the others are blindfolded. This is based on teambuilding principles.
For old timers like myself that served during the Bosnia kerfuffle in the 1990s the Latvians were kicking ass and taking names over there.
Greetings from Latvia!🇱🇻
hey i noticed some of the time they were speaking in Russian. I know many people in Latvia can't speak Latvian or just prefer Russian (i've been to riga so i've seen it) so what im wondering is if i only speak Russian, do instructors teach us in Russian or do they force me to learn Latvian? why would those instructors speak on camera in Russian? how does the language issue work out.
@@stuart4341 Well, instructors speak only Latvian.
If you can't speak Latvian, the you will end ur career, abandone you. You know. 😏
Bte greeting from Latvia.
As a Latvian I dont like Russia/russians.
@@stuart4341 you need to be able to speak and understand Latvian to go to the military
The tunnel test wow. Really helps build character. This test is about trust. Only one person can see at front and you have to trust them. Great challenge. Have gone through a similar test and it changed me as an individual and as a leader.
Couldn't agree more!
How tight was the tunnel? I knpw for a fact that i personally couldn't go through it
@@edcarson3113 Yeah a diet will help against my claustrophobia
@H. H. I'd rather not cram myself through an underground tunnel with a blacked out gas mask, you can do that in your free time if you wish to but i won't
@H. H. "thats something you can change then" Quoting your previous comment, make up your mind on what you want to say and fuck off
Great amount of respect for the LSF testing process, loved watching the episode,
Always enjoyed
You call it . It's a uphill battle for everyone when reality hits the wall sometimes you just can't hack it and it would be better to quit now then later. I like this training
Re: Six Mos Pre-Selection
Given their proud culture, and their dynamics, 6 mos is a great process of elimination. Time is the true test.
time is the true test.
Latvia: "A country most americans cannot even find on the map..."
News flash, most americans cannot find anything on the map besides canada and america itself 🤣
Most Americans couldn't even find Canada or Mexico on the map,who are you kidding lol
I think youre being generous
oh realllllyyy BRO? So good bro got the whole squad laughing
@@tanicwhisper0647 Triggered??
That's because we only pay attention to things that matter. Herd of lithuania but not you, so do something to be remembered.
I'm latvian and this is awesome :P. ČAU LATVIEŠIEM! 🤗
Čau
@@awareplant6532 cau cau
Looks like they are training to hold their own against the ruskies.
Almost half of their country is Russian you idiot
II PSYCHO II they still don’t like the russians tho
Alero17 who nationalist idiots yeh but when ever I’ve been no one ever said shit
II PSYCHO II I for a fact am a Latvian and believe me people don’t like the “Latvian russians”. We are fine with russians from Russia... if that makes sense.
Alero17 never had a problem there so doesn’t bother me and usually if you chat shit there you get ur ass kicked so I’m not too bothered it’s not like the police will do anything either
I saw some Latvian SF guys embedded in 101st Airborne Troops in Afghanistan in 2010
I thinks it's a documentary
Called Eight Full Moons
Yeah thats a good one, what i liked about it, there wasnt any journalist commenting on what they think or you have to, just pure and simple.
Would love Jamesons reaction video for "eight full moons"
If any Vets on here visit Latvia - got a place in a town called Aluksne - hit me up! Great wee country for a vacation/holiday
Loved Latvia when my unit was there in 2017
@@alfredogarciajr40 in Adazi or the Airforce base at Lielvarde?
errt adazi and the base by the Russian border, National Armed Forces, Infantry School.
@@alfredogarciajr40 Oh yeah bootcamp at Aluksne. Well hope you are doing well, sir!
errt I’m doing great are you a Latvian resident?
thank you for very interesting retrospective. There are a lot incrimenets and details which were missed in the footage, but I really liked the presentation. I am proud of them!
"Earn your sleep" is the best part