If you aren’t a member of the You Served Facebook group, you missed a special notification of an interview we did live with the host of the new Military Channel series, Special Ops Mission. The show premiers tomorrow, August 13th, at 10pm EST. Check out my review of the series at A Soldier’s Perspective. In the meantime, enjoy this exclusive You Served interview with host, Wil Willis.
Click HERE for the series calendar to catch a repeat.
And here’s the promo:
Love the show ! Wil I hope you have lots of success with it
Outstanding show, pay attention young men and woman this is what your country needs from you. Its your chance to lead and become the next generation of leaders, or you can sit there with your play station.
Special Ops Mission has to be one of the most exciting, real world, next best thing to being there shows I have ever seen. I never thought a show of this type could be made and be TOTTALY believable. Hats off to Wil and looking forward to seeing more “prowling and growling” to quote another rogue warrior…
wil willis is an awesome operator. one against 4 and his missions are very successful
Great show Wil, the best on TV.
My husband turned me on to this show. Awesome. . .at the edge of my seat. I always admired our military. . .now seeing for “real” the peril they put themselves in. . .even more respect.
Awesome show. Very exciting and insightful. Wil is great – the perfect blend of military references and \showman\ personality.
I hope the people who said the show was realistic are not current or even prior service? This show is scripted and the methods used are all hollywood!! For instance Will wears hiking boots and bootie socks in \Op one shot\ You notice this when he is bitten by ants because his pants are not tucked in his boots(Truly a rookie mistake!!). In \Op urban terror\ Will’s rifle changes from a fixed carry handle to a flattop reciever with removable carry handle in the middle of the mission. Unless he happens to carry around 2 rifles this clearly indicates that the show is staged and probably not even filmed in proper sequence. There are a ton of other tactical/technical inaccuracies that I will not mention. The bottom line is this show is no different than Survivor and only shows how easily people are fooled!! Try again Military Channel!!
I think this show is fantastic. Yes I’m sure certain elements are scripted (the setup for the op) but its clear the opfors have no idea about their opposition in Wil Willis. This creates an exciting atmosphere. You can definately see the influence of video game genre on the show (Metal Gear Solid for instance), which actually adds to the excitement.
Overall the show is extremely well done and very exciting to watch. I just hope people don’t get hurt too badly making it.
Realistic or not I have my DVR set to record every episode. I love the show. Great entertainment!
In response to Tim R. three posts above… If Tim had served in a current theater with any Special Ops folks he would know that many SF guys wear hiking boots with their pants un-bloused versus your standard issue desert boot with pant legs tucked in as the regular Army does. SF guys also grow beards and wear North Face jackets; does that make them fake Soldiers?
As for the weapon changes I have not noticed but will keep an eye out.
Regardless; I think Wil is a pretty legit Soldier and certainly knows his stuff. He was a Ranger and Para-Rescue; neither of which are easy to get through…
The only episode thus far I think was truly staged was “Operation One Shot” where Wil jacked up his back. That sniper shot he pulled off was without a doubt staged and obvious. Other than that I think Wil is a really good operator.
Special Ops Mission is one of the few shows I look forward to and I hope new episodes continue…
Whiskey Whiskey….what a joke that guy is. He’s an embarrassment to Rangers and Pararescue. This clown had one…just one assignment at Iceland. He hasn’t ever done anything.
Excellent show- can’t wait to see more, and am thankful for something that demonstrates a taste of what shooters go through (even with consideration for the setup of only one man going through missions, instead of something more akin to “Combat Missions”, the failed Military-style “Survivor” show).
Subsailor- unnecessary Playstation reference, especially since 90%+ of the servicemen and women I served with played video games, ESPECIALLY sailors.
Tim R.- now who’s being unrealistic? As a Marine, I always “bloused” my pant legs, but I know tons of people in SpecOps who didn’t. Hell, I met a lone shooter once who was wearing sneakers for goodness’ sake. People who operate at that level are allowed to substitute personal preference over other people’s opinions, especially when it comes to “regs.” Also, I’ve noticed there is always a military operational tip of some sort worked into each episode, and he obviously left his foot in the ants to demonstrate their ferocity- he was even talking about them while filming it. In regards to his rifle changing- good eye, it sure did. However, since M4′s weren’t meant to use the bolt that you use to fire sim rounds, and what with the camera mounted on his rifle, it is not only possible, but likely that he whacked the first one or it had a malfunction, and they had to freeze everything via comms to get him a new one with a healthy camera/bolt/whatever. I’m sure things are sometimes scripted- heck, the silly objectives the OPFOR have to watch over and assets they have to protect seem designed to “balance” the fact that only one operator is coming after their stuff. You shouldn’t be so quick to offer your uninformed opinions and guesswork about things you obviously do not know anything about- it’s embarrassing, and makes you look bad,even anonymously on the internet.
Richard- Two things:
1) He’s doing more than you- what have you done? Ranger training is pretty good, and PJ/Pararescue training is awesome, even if the USAF recruiters overuse the MOS (or whatever they call it in the Air Force) to sell their service. If I had gone into the Air Force instead of the Marine Corps, I would have wanted to be a Pararescueman(sp?). I’ve been in combat, and still respect what Will is doing, regardless of where he served (of course, it would have been nice if this show had been hosted by a Marine, but I can’t take anything away from WW).
2) See the last part of my advice to Tim R.
Thanks for the show, Military Channel, and way to entertain and enlighten the 1st Civ Div, Wil. Good job.
Beats “The Unit” any day!
Love the show esp. the part when he cleared the twigs from his shirt
The training and knowledge all of this guys have is so neat to watch.
great insight ryan. they’re probably sergeants in the reserve who did their one pump in ’05 and think they’re high speed… the guys who wear their blues at their neighborhood bars with the motivated myspaces & facebooks.
haha, anyways- did anyone notice repeat appearances by chase rivera & charlie parrish? do you think they served as moles to further neutralize the ops or did the producers always tell them that there was going to be more than one operator, leaving them clueless both times? the world may never know…
Great show. I’ll agree that the snipe shot was pretty cheesy, and I’m not sure how those guys let that happen, but that’s got to be my only disappointment. I think it would be awesome if they added maybe 2 more opfor, just to see “what kind of trouble I can get into.” Maybe they can pull a few people from the message boards to serve as untrained insurgents, like a fan appreciation deal. Fat chance though. I feel bad for Charlie Parrish, seems like he gets cocky and ends up shot. Rivera, on the other hand, has been the last man standing twice now. Maybe next season they can do 2 on 8. As far as the video game references, It’s helped my cod4.
Great show Wil and can’t wait for the next line up. I agree with Ryan 0331. Most of the men serving in the SF community hardly put on “regs” or if they did, they never wore them right! Its about comfort and blending in. Case in point SFs serving in Afganisthan (pre-occupation) never secured objectives looking like Chuck Noris in Delta Force! These men looked like a bunch of renegade mujahideen warriors. The whole idea is to blend in with the local population.
To Tim R. yes changing weapon configurations in the middle of an op is not ideal, but sorry dude but it happens! A good operator must know not only the terrain, objectives, and opposition capabilities, but he must prepare for what could happen. e.g. always carry your carry handle or flat-top sights just incase your ACOG’s malfunction (and they do). Being in the SF is about being able to adapt to a situation and completing your mission. This ability to adapt is the difference between coming back home to a cold beer or being baged and taged. If Wil has made 15 yrs in active duty as a member of the SOCOM community he has done something right and you have no right to discredit his ability as an operator.
Great show Wil!
If you guys didn’t know one of ol WW’s assignments was being a PJ instructor down at the PJ school in ABQ, New Mexico. I think the military channel needs to add some real drama and have a team of his former students try and “bag and tag” him instead of some old army mp’s and non military trakers.
Well, he probably had a good reason as to why he switched weapons. Maybe the camera wasn’t working on his gun, so they had to switch the camera out with a different camera. Thus, having a different gun another scene.
He still seems like a legit soldier to me.
SF are allowed to grow beards and have unbloused boots. They also wear hiking books, depending on the mission. Some even go as far as to wear Baseball caps. I use to get pissed when I seen this, because it just wasn’t fair.
I only watched one show, and I noticed just how stupid the people, he goes up against, are. Any SF Operative know that when ever you leave an area, you take all valuable information with you, like the map.
Anyone who sais this show is fake or staged is just sour grapes…
Hollywood has a certain way of doing things, but SpecOps Warriors don’t compromise their reps for scripts. Wil is the real deal, not some stage actor fumbling through a fantasy show. Rangers are highly trained soldiers and PJs are Elite Warriors and Medics. To say this is lame is to dump all over real military training and tactics. Obviously, like any game, improv is done, but it’s real and those who doubt it probably are just REMFs/POGs/armchair QBs! Go watch Oprah with the rest of the girls if you don’t like Wil.
Wow.. I see only 2 jelous guys about Will perfomance… I will just say one thing> IF YOU DONT LIKE THE SHOW, DONT WATCH IT AND LET IT BE.
My DVR is set to record every single episode.
I served with Wil, Call him whatever you want, he is the real deal.
Great show…well worth the price of admission.
Disclaimer: This show is to be used for entertainment purposes only. For real world instruction, please visit your local recruiter.
There’s always that 10% that bitch, moan and complain. If you don’t like it, don’t watch it! I like the hell out of it and agree that the only thing I’ve seen that was cheesy was the drug kingpen episode with the sniper shot. what’s the word for next season? was it renewed for another season?
Its ironic that a guy who has never found his way into combat during our last 8+ years of war is the expert on how to do it. As a matter of fact Wil has never even served at a special ops sqd he was at a peace time rescue sqd. Its just a glory hound who found his way onto a tv show.
wil is awsome, i will leave it at that. As someone who works in the film industry i have a theory as to why the sniper shot was cheesy…because the footage of the actual shot was un-usable for whatever reason so they (after the game) reshot that specific cut away and the editor put a cheesy crosshair overlay on the footage. thats not so much a theory as much as thats what happened, i have been an editor for 35 years i know what i’m talking about…. hopefully or else i’m just a jackass, plus in the winter mission he says that the simunitions are not accurate at that distance which was about the same as …. blah blah blah whatever i do like though that when the kingpin gets shot that one of the opfor says \he’s bleeding profusely!!!\ ha ha ha he really got into the game
CM – Who really cares if he never found his way to combat? Did he claim he was a combat vet? Does his being on TV threaten you? Get the eff over it. IT’S A TELEVISION SHOW!
Wil,
Is supose to be a former Ranger do you mean Ranger Tab?, I would like ot see his military history.It is a great show to watch btu not real. I am a retired 20 year Infatry soldeir and 5 years security contrator. Did 4 years OPFOR for 1/509th. These so called former soldeirs form each serivce the way they handle thier weapons, kit worn and action on contact suggest not combat arms background.Seen Specops tpyes and yeah they are different in dress and action but thier actions show they are the real deal.Sorry Mr. Willis you may have been a Air Force PJ with a tab but I doubt very much you were actually a ranger. There is an old saying by the Bat Boys- “You have tab wearers and scroll bearers”, if I have it explain that one to you then you know which one you are. Enjoy the show but some of the real operators to increase the shows rep.
First, Will, great job!
I love this show, and cannot wait for new episodes.
Second; some very honorable and dignified commentary, in response to a few posters, to whom, both concepts seem foreign.
This is a great series!
Military Channel, when do the new episodes begin?
Let me say “Wil” congrats it takes alot of effort, guts, ect. to stick yourself out there in front of Thousands/Millons for all to judge or critize the actions and skilled training you show,, those below will always try to knock you of the “ToP”… Love the show cant wait to see more!!!!
Will,
Keep up the good work. I’m a former active duty Infantry Marine, India Company, 3/6, who really enjoys the program. Thank you for your service.
Will, nice work man, as a former U.S. Marine and Director of a not for profit charity for disabled Veterans I appreciate your service and dedication to this Country. Second, ALL of our prior service guys on this site commenting about Will should do a real “gut check”..He is a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, one of US, OUR brother in arms and he is doing something positive for the Military community and you go and slam him becuase your threatend, and for what reason no one will acctually know….Freedom of Information ACT will show Will is an Operator, AFSOC PJ & Ranger, were he was and what he did is most likely classified but I’m sure he has earned his keep, does that mean he was “Rambo” or “Snake Doctor” constantly deployed behind enemy lines, shooting and stabbing everything that was in his way, I’m not sure nor do I really care becuase he doesn’t claim to be, he just states the facts; he served in the SOF community for 15-20 in SOCOM and AFSOC and wheather your training on field Op or running it live in a combat enviroment your skills are still sharp as nails, you are still the best of the best, you do not own those titles unless you have earned them and I am positive that MSGT Minder (USMC/MARSOC) would NOT put his rep on the line for a phony, nor would the Military channel. Seems like after the war in Afghan/Iraq people are now obsessed with who did what combat tours, who saw “REAL” combat, who was on “REAL” missions, who is a SEAL, OD-A/OD-D, Recon or PJ..So riddle me this, I know legit RECON guys who served in Afghan in end of 01-early 02 and didn’t see a thing, never fired their weapon; does that mean their not “hard” does that mean their service isn’t worth a thing, that their an unqualified joke? What about guys who served as SEALs, Rangers, Pj’s and even Marines before OEF/OIF
- lets say our 4-5 year “chump pumpers & short timers”, chances are they might have not seen acctual combat, they might have been locked and loaded a few times or participated on mission but have never shot anyone or never been shot at, so is their service worthless, are they fake SEALs or Marines or Rangers, I beg to differ and I will bet bullets to beans that if you tell them that face to face you will end up on your backside…..Jessica Lynch’s Convoy was hit by enemy fire, she poped off a few rounds in combat-is she more hardcore or well trained than a Ranger who has never been shot at?
Listen guys, as Veterans we all served our Country, and if you served your country honorably then what is the problem here..Guys who join the Navy to be Sonar technicains are NO less a Veteran than MARSOC Operators nor is a wrench turner in the Air Force than a Ranger, both had goals, drive and determination and the honor courage and commitment to serve their countries, each had a different mission and all accomplished them…As a security force Marine and 5 year veteran I am proud of Will and wish that the veteran community stop fighting over who is hardcore and who isn’t…I NEVER served in OEF/OIF but stood locked and loaded every night, flew in SAR choopers constantly, trained everyday (weapons expert, fast roping, security details & detainee ops, did my CAX, Bridgeport, field ops, mount/az, pumps and tons of other oh-rah BS and I’m NO harder than the cook at the chow hall or the my boy in the MEU (SOC). Bottom line is Will posses the skills of an advanced Operator, he earned his titles and served his Country…This is a great show and will hopefully have an impact on younger kids as well, instead of playing there video games and being obessesed with acting like Special Forces, maybee this will motivate them to get off their buts and serve their Country, be about it instead of talk about it. Semper Fi do or Die.
1st Respect to JDR you said it best, Ive never served but have great respect to all who have and thank all who choose to separate them selves from their families for the sake of our country Thank you all!!!!!!!2nd Myself Im just a gamer/couch potato, but will say this show is the best thing on today. If this show was on ten years ago I it would of gotten me to join! Props to WW he is a bad ass!!! Lastly to all you who think your thougher then WW where the hell is your show???? And like so many others have said if you dont like dont watch!!!! p.s. PLEASE BRING A 2nd SEASON!!!!
L8NiteSmoker08/Got_Cha420
(XBOX360) / (PS3)
It appears ot me that a bunch of people are really jealous of wills. . .packadge. Stop with the D!%* measuring! It’s really pathetic. Those comments must have been made out of insecurity. I don’t want to gloat along with so many of the others and fall prey to your petty contests. Plain and simple, the show is freaking awesome. On the last episode where he hurt his back and took the pain pills to counter act the pain was a reminder of me climbing climbing all over A-stan’s riddiculously slippery mountians. Classic stuff and totally the same in real life. When Doc’s asleep at the other end of the paremiter and you can’t use your flashlight to see, and there’s no loom (NODS don’t work) you better have a back-up. Good pre-mission checks like that can make your life so much more bareable when you can’t smoke, use fires’or watch porn. Little things like the boot blousing are really bothering you guys that much? You gotta be comfortable when doing this kinda stuff. Guys are falling off clifs’ and hurting themselves because of how much they’re carrying. Little priveladges like plate carriers and rack systems can make the difference between getting shot and being able to run fast enough (break contact, react to ambush, assault obj. ect.) to make it to cover reletively unscathed. Sure he wears some stuff as a costume and some things might not be the way we see them in the show (like the shemog he always wears). I hate those things unless i’m a Gunner on a vehicle. They make me sweat like crazy sitting around my neck! As for the sniper thing, i guess i’ll have to look at it again. All I know is i can’t wait for the next season.
Does anybody know when it’s comming back? Did will screw his back up that badly? Anyways, i’m sure i’ll get some flack for what i’ve written. I was never in special forces or ranger bat. I was a scout/infantryman that got to do some cool stuff. Saw a lot of my friends go on to become SF and have huge respect for the SF community. I’m out of the army now and using my Post 9-11 G.I. bill to get my bachelors in Chemistry. I plan to re join the army as an officer and become a medic (I need the 4 years of med school to become a psychiatrist). So everybody shut your mouths’ and stop bashing one of the elite family. If it wasn’t for people like him kicking a#* you would have to lie awake at night in fear of even more random crap blowing up. So be thankfull he’s suffered through the traing and not you.
To Will Willis (gotta be fake name) dude it’s people like you that inspire me to strive for excellence. You just strap on those crusty old boots and keep on keepin on dude. Don’t let some of these lame remarks mess with ya. Maybe after i get back in I too can join my buddies in the SF family. Chin up and cheers to annother successfull mission.
Sullivan out!
Its all about entertainment folks. And we want more of this show. Don’t matter who the star is, just bring on the scenarios and the training insight. If Hollywood were to make this as a realistic mission, we’d be watching the op low crawl for an hour. Bring on multiple (full) seasons, we’ll eat this stuff up.(Better than watching WW1 reruns for sure.)
Jdr you said it well + 4 the nay sayers keep up the good work 1st Amendment gives you the right to complain about Wil Willis or anyone else that’s what makes us STRONG
As yoall said Spec/ops is not all action but being reddy willing and able must be tough and watching the show makes me feel safe and I sleep better knowing all you people are out there THANK YOU
I have served our country through our DOD (department of defense), since I was 18. Am 36 now. I have trained extensively for years and do things that would make most people throw up just so that you can sit in your living room and enjoy watching someone like Will do what he does. I enjoy the show, whether it is scripted at some points or not. He does many many things right and seems to know what he’s doing. It is scary as hell out there by yourself doing the things he does. Before you rip on it, enlist with your government and try it. Give your life over to serve what you value so much, “your right to your freedom and opinion.” He is in excellent shape, he is an excellent operator and seems like the kind of guy you’d want on your side when the shit hits the fan. To all of you out there that have served, thank you, and keep your head up. We have a great country, no matter who runs it, we still work for the greatest country there is. Soon I will retire if I make it that far and I hope that there are more people like me, my father, and Will who risk their lives to make sure we can keep watching whatever shows we like. Thank you again to all who serve.
p.s. anyone know if the show is coming back. when i get back from my travels I look forward to watching this show. I sure hope it does. It is one of the things I need to keep my mind off of things. Anyone with any insight please post it. I would love to know. Thanks
If you missed the show on the Military channel,or you don’t have it, Netflix has the entire season on Instant view. WW is the man….The show rocks. I hope they make more than the original 6 episodes.
WW great stuff man. bring on season two. and down with the haters!
great show. where can i get a hat like you wear with the american flag on it?
Tacticle tailor has plenty in pretty much whatever camo pattern you want. You you have to buy the subdued flag seperate. Depending on what kind of flag (fabric or I.R. reflective) it is pretty cheaper and the I.R. flag is more expensive. The I.R. flags look stupid on the hat and tear up pretty easy. Go with the fabric.
I really hope there will be more episodes. This show is very well done. I especially appreciate the graphic overlays which help the audience to understand what’s going on. GREAT show.
Been stationed here at Kirtland in Albuquerque for a while, used to know some of the Pj students a while back, who were taught by this guy. I’ve only heard good stuff about him. Good show too.
This show is as accurate and close to real situations to real combat covert ops as the real thing. I am a former operator and let me tell you those sim rounds hurt like hell. He is a very well rounded operator and I hope this show comes back because it reminds me of better times and as all operators will tell you we love our job.Good job wil I hope you come back for more action. OH, and for the dummy who posted last year that it is staged because of the hiking boots the other gentleman was right right all operators wear different style boots because I wore oakley boots and other types as well it really depends on the mission terrain.
I honestly do think the show is staged, but that doesn’t make it any less entertaining. It’s probably a more realistic view of combat than any movie you could find. I hope your show continues Wil, best of luck.
Hey Will, you’re awesome dude, great job.
The show is great, my kids sit by the TV glued to your every move. Your the real deal Wil, and you’re making a lot of people appreciate just how highly skilled and dedicated our SpecOps really are.
Sniper Shot – there’s no way I can believe that PSD would have let that guy out of their sights like that, but if they did, I think you could have made the shot easily.
As for all the show’s detractors, let me say this – there’s always going to be some guy that says I’m tougher, I’m better, you only did this but I did all that… – and maybe those guys are for real and maybe they’re not, but that’s not the point. Wil is honoring the entire Special Operations Community with this show, and he is generating a lot of interest and respect for that community among the next generation of SpecOps Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen, so don’t knock it unless you can beat that.
First let me say thank you to all the men and women who serve in our armed forces.
I however never had the opportunity to serve this great nation in an armed force for reasons that make no difference in this forum. Suffice it to say that I have great respect for those that do serve in my place.
To you, the few folks who have nothing better to do than sit around and rip on on this show and this man, I have only this to say to you…
If you’ve nothing better to do than sit around and pick apart this man’s show to try to show how much better you are, then that’s pretty sad. The fact that you think noticing what shoe he is wearing, if his pants are “bloused” or not, or if his weapon changed from a carry handle to a flat top is any indication of his skill level and experience is laughable.
The fact that you would use this obviously uninformed information (based on many poster responses) to detract from this man’s service to our country is again very, very sad.
Once again to the men and women of our military, current and former, you have my envy, appreciation, admiration and respect.
To those men and women, and their families that have made the ultimate sacrifice on the field of battle I think a quote from President Lincoln is appropriate.
“I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming, but I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.
I pray that our heavenly father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherised memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be your to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.”
–President Lincoln, November 21, 1864, from a letter to Mrs. Bixby.