History of SOPMOD BLK I, first-hand account of its use with Special Forces.

This is part I of a detailed history of the SOPMOD Block I program by retired Green Beret Jeff Gurwitch. From initial roll out through its use in the early days of Iraq, including timelines of when items made it to teams and the most used items by Special Forces members in combat. Part II will cover Block II as used in Afghanistan.
SWAT Magazine SOPMOD BLK I article:
www.swatmag.co...
Training with Modern Tactical Shooting:
www.moderntact...

[@clmccomas]

That is my team, ODB-960 in the photo at 7:51, just before leaving Chapman AF back to the FOB at K2 around 30 May 02. Your comment on why most of us were running iron sights is 100% correct. Being a National Guard unit we didn't get any of the SOPMOD kits until we were mobilized and on active duty. I didn't get mine until I had been in country for about a month, since I went in ahead of my team to be the 18D for C51 (rear) in Kabul when the Doc and PA went forward with the command element during Anaconda. I had a lot of time shooting a AR system with iron sights starting with a M-16A1, and I had a lot of other things to get up to speed on.

[@goforbroke4428]

@clmccomas so y’all had m16a2s and stuff still before mobilization?

[@clmccomas]

@@goforbroke4428 All of the line companies in 2/19SF had the M4s by 2000, we just didn't have the SOFMOD kits that had the optics. Some of the non-18 series guys, for example, the generator and wheeled vehicle mechs in the Support company may still have been carrying a M16A2 in Dec 2001 and the early part of 2002.

[@goforbroke4428]

@@clmccomas I see, makes sense

[@wayfaerer320]

Anyone who's a cloner or is into issued special forces rifles - pay attention to this man - he's the real deal and has used these rifles in combat. Looking forward to more from this channel - subscribed!

[@Griff-eu6xc]

This channel is Absolutely awesome. I served in a Marine MEU/SOC unit. And I grew up reading everything I could on Force Recon, Special Forces, and Rangers. The perspective you give and history is invaluable.

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Thank You

[@camsnyder2636]

You know I respect that you aren’t a typical egotistical Jarhead. Thank you

[@pyeitme508]

That's rad man! Waiting for Block 2 & 3 versions soon.

[@jacksonmctavish8240]

Related question, how come SOCOM does not refer the URGI as the Block 3 program but only as URGI?

[@pyeitme508]

@@jacksonmctavish8240 IDK why...

[@ryank0351]

Thank you for your service. From regular USMC infantryman

[@eldarhadziomerovic7048]

This is a very unique channel. A metric ton of information not readily dispensed from you folks from SF. Everyone usually just want to shoot fast and demonstrate the skill. Those are kind of a dime a dozen, honestly. We wanted the peculiarities of all, time lines, quantity of issuance and such. Thank you for all the information sir and keep up this great work.

[@K-Bobs-Safari]

I sat down and took notes on this lol. I’m a big nerd for this kinda thing, if they offered classes in college on this subject I’d be a doctor by now. I hope your channel gets as popular as it deserves, you’re a great presenter I’ll be sending your channel to all my clone freak buddies. Keep on doing videos I’ll be here with a pencil and notepad on standby

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

check out the SWAT article link in description. You will notice has all same info, there are some small date changes when I listed when things came example, Aimpoint. I am going off memory when I made this and SWAT article its my best recollection. PART II SOPMOD II is more exact, I have hard times and more photos. (I was more into tracking gear at that time), PART II out in maybe 2 weeks

[@shino9797]

I remember having that poster for the longest time as background for my laptop. I love the AR platform so much

[@reddevilparatrooper]

In the summer of 2006 I bought my own CAA butt stock with battery holders. I used it to hold batteries for my PVS-14 and Stream Light TLRS-2. Fantastic stock just lucky it worked for me. I always made sure my shit was working before any mission. Always carried plenty of batteries for combat...

[@QuickStrikes84]

Thanks for the awesome video! I always liked the way the BLK 1s look. The classic M4 look imo. Made a copy of it with a colt 6920. 😄

[@jasonkav]

I was in Hawija too. Lost 18 men there. We’ve chewed some of the same dirt.

[@planetcaravan2925]

Hawaii?

[@michaelmcgraw1536]

Quickly becoming one of my favorite channels. Your in-depth breakdowns are superb content. Maximum respect. Can't wait for the BLK 2 video.

[@themischeifguide]

I was in Iraq from 10-09 to 10-10 with A troop 3/7 CAV 2BDE 3ID. I ordered a BCM medium extended latch charging handle for my M4, I still have it, it was good to go. I wish we had ambi selectors, I'm left-handed. If the squadron had any I never noticed them. We still had a handful of M16A2's in the line platoons when I left in 2012. We also had SDM-R's which I think were largely a 3ID thing. We had an odd assortment of accessories and optics, mostly ACOG's, and M68 CCO's both Comp M2 and M4's. But we had a few of the older SOPMOD block I ACOG's, Some EOTECH's and a few Mars sights. I really appreciate and enjoy these sorts of videos. I would like to make something similar about the equipment that I saw used in my corner of the army.

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Do it!

[@manny1470]

This video was fucking awesome. Not many videos out there on legit history of SF weapons, especially first hand knowledge. Well done sir.

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Thank You!

[@ronsmith9251]

It’s good to get this info from someone who was actually there. Well done 👍

[@beardly0121]

Can't wait for the block 2 video as someone who loves the Block II m4a1 and MK18.

[@jebe9337]

This is better than reading Colt’s Black Book. Makes me want to finally put together a rifle with the Colt SOCOM barrel I happened to come across.

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Thank you

[@ottovp]

The amount of informations and details profusely explained are invaluable! The only thing i can tell you is to wait a little more on the photos. I really dig looking at them (you can put them on the bottom right/left corner and keep talking on the very item you are depicting).

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Good points on the photos

[@augreich]

This a valuable history lesson! I joined the Marine Corps in 1999 and standard issue was the M16 A2. He's right, we had a hard on for irons never saw optics until years later. Seeing ACOGs in Boot Camp still floors me! I guess it's the old timer in me that says rip that shit off and train with irons first then step up to the ACOG or whatever optic that's being issued. Love this channel, you are a wealth of knowledge!!

[@justinm.791]

@Modern Tactical Shooting Your channel is fantastic!!! I appreciate your taking the time to share the info as well as the historical perspective.

[@AtomicCheesegod]

The full army make have converted all M4s to M4A1 in 2010/2011 on paper, but we used plain Jane M4s in my 2012-13 Afghan tour and used them until I got out in late 2014.

[@sandymitchell8182]

I'm so glad I found this channel, it's a history lesson and a AR enthusiast guide, please keep giving us these videos on all the guns and parts 👍 God bless 🙏

[@TheNatestEver]

Thank you so much for this video Jeff

[@TheSympathize]

It’s kind of crazy to think about that in maybe a couple decades or perhaps centuries time, first hand accounts like this will be referred back to as a source when retelling the history of the early 21st century US special forces, and their weapons.

[@arcblooper2699]

I love your videos. Military gear acquisition was always a fascinating topic to me because it’s always so messy and unceremonious. Finding solid info on it is difficult. I remember when my unit in the marines got issued new ACOGs with new reticules and people were referring to them by a whole new designation. Even just that was fascinating to me.

[@redrider762]

Awesome video. Loved seeing uh "Mr Mayflower" 's 10.5 M4. Way ahead of the game in the mid 2000s. Very interesting barrel, looks like it was turned down to 6933 profile, except for the FSB? I'd love to see some more of this in detail, and maybe the PRI built 17 inch upper. "Oddball ODA guns" would be sweet.

[@interestingvideosofinteres5136]

Great channel that needs more subscribers.

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

I do!

[@mefobiajeep9866]

Super informative. I spent some time working with Ron Allen on some Ops Inc collars for a Noveske Crusader. I believe he worked with Crane on the SOPMOD program, but he spent a lot of time with me and is a wealth of information as well. Keep up the great content

[@ZeusHands]

This was an AWESOME video, super cool info. A cool video idea would be one based on early plate carriers and LBE and how it evolved to what is used now. 👍🏻

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

First thank you and second I have thought about doing early plate carrier video I have pictures of all my plate carriers from the very beginning so perhaps I will do something in the future about that

[@williamflowers9435]

@@ModernTacticalShooting please do!! Anything that covers all the different gear and weapons/rifle setups throughout your career would be very interesting. Perhaps some “war stories” and breaking down some of the different situations and scenarios you faced as well

[@westernoutpost4154]

I'd like to see this as well. 👍👍

[@Oberkaptain]

I kept my old acog I was issued in late 2000 when I reached the teams and still use it today. It survived a IED blast in 2013 in Afghanistan. Biggest thing I hated the was the PEQ2. It was too damn big. Was so happy when PEQ14 came out along with RISII.

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Keep it forever

[@Goldenwithaleash]

Love the history of weapons videos!

[@bridgerwalker4291]

Really enjoyed this video, can’t wait for the rest of the series. Thanks for doing this!

[@Gort-zs5ph]

Good point, I lost zero once on a Knights NT 4, immediately swapped it out for a Surefire, never lost zero again. Superb suppressor.

[@micfasto8700]

Mid 2000s I had a choice between the original Eotech and ACOG. I did not trust batteries and electronics at that time so I went with the ACOG. A decade later I moved to Aimpoint and change the battery every couple of years. Same with a 3 point sling , to a VTAC and now a Magpul New is not always better , but most of the time it is. Now my work gun has a Nightforce with a T2 offset mount.

[@batjackjohnson252]

Solid work. Great story presentation. Thank you sir

[@zaner11b8]

Love the stuff Jeff! I'm just a knuckle dragging Infantryman with the desire to learn everything I can!

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Thanks....I too was a knuckle dragging Infantryman at one time

[@zaner11b8]

@@ModernTacticalShooting thank you for replying Sergeant it means a lot!

[@westernoutpost4154]

Excellent video Jeff! I find cloning SOCOM weapons very interesting. I recently turned my Colt M4A1 block I into a block II FSB. Still waiting for my Surefire RC2 can to be approved, it's only been like 481 days!! 👉💥😳 But anyway... I'll be waiting for your video on block II. One more thing, I really like how you present your videos, very fun to watch with all of your personal pictures of salty gear inserted 👍😎👍

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Thank you!

[@williamflowers9435]

The more old pics, the better!! If you haven’t read Jeff’s DefenseReview articles on AR15 accessories for military combat applications, you need to check them out. Lots of awesome pics and the 4 parts start in 2012(thus the pics predate that) thru 2019 I think. So you’re basically getting about a decades worth of development

[@westernoutpost4154]

@@williamflowers9435 I'll definitely check it out. Thanks man 👍

[@clamum9648]

Holy feces, 481 days for the SOCOM RC2? 😬🥺 I bought one recently and I was under the impression the waits were way shorter, maybe a few months (my first can several years ago was about a year wait). How did you purchase it? I did trust, all electronic thru Silencer Shop. Even did some of the paperwork (Form 4? I dunno) over the phone with FFL whole on ATF's site.

[@westernoutpost4154]

@@clamum9648 yeah, I went through silencer shop too, but did it as an individual. My first can took 13 months, SBR 14 months, AEM5 6 months and the RC 2 was 485 days! I hope you get it faster than me 👍 there was a point when I thought I'd never get it, but about a month ago, it served it's debt to society and it's safe and sound resting on the MK18 mod 1 at the moment 🤗

[@jeffcrawford3438]

Thanks for your videos. Always great.

[@skullofserpent5727]

Just as i was looking for some info on sf load out, this popped up. Noice

[@DeMZIrus]

Very interesting video

[@NotYourFriendPal]

Great info. More vids like this!

[@Not.22Man]

This is great stuff. Not sure if you’ve done this already, but if you do similar videos on gear items that you used while you were in, people would love those videos too.

[@Prepper319]

Man I would LOVE to train with you!!! Please make more content !!!

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Always more content to come.... I teach glasses in North Carolina next one's will be late September.

[@ryanpatton5937]

I enjoy this channel i get to learn about the history of some of my favorite rifles i just love clone rifles

[@davelowe]

Very nice overview. Im on an airsoft team doing 02-05 gwot kit and the sopmod block 1 is the system of choice for attachments. Great video.

[@silkplayer9]

Blue Light’s members in modern CIF team please ! ! !

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Blue Light well before my time. I did however work with an original Blue Light guy at one time. He had some very interesting stories.

[@fieldy-8008]

I love all the pics of the M4s. Mo' would be even better. Thank u

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Thanks have even more for part II

[@fieldy-8008]

@@ModernTacticalShooting that's the one I really need. Eta?

[@austinbeachy3873]

Love the content! Looking forward to seeing more!

[@34TCO]

Awesome video.

[@PhilWitDa_45]

I'll listen to what this guy's has to say over 99% of the Utubers...especially Midget Arms..thanks for the insight...m4a1 is still peak M4..only thing in contention is the new Estonia rifle..IMO

[@dafilaalfiqi5123]

Thanks,man i'm a gun nerd and i love your video

[@RAMPAGE47]

New Sub. Great videos, keep up the awesome content!

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Thank you

[@revvyishonisd5027]

Such good content

[@RicardoFinnigan]

Great history thank you for sharing

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

History of Shotguns in SF coming this week!

[@RicardoFinnigan]

@@ModernTacticalShootingawesome keep it coming! I was in a CA unit so we used to be under USASOC and worked with/had a lot of former team guys. We actually had a SOPMOD Block 1 poster by our Commander’s office. Great people and you represent them well 👍🏻

[@SV-DEDICATED]

Good info - appreciate it.

[@bass779]

Playback speed at 1.5, still totally understandable

[@levanpkh6882]

top notch content

[@seanwhite304]

Awesome info bro .

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Thank you

[@julesjones2442]

Hooyah Sarge

[@Operator_Diaz]

Cool video

[@vinniciuselion4544]

Very good vid

[@jamescunningham6251]

I do have a question though. Is it practice to run a Mk18 with an LPVO in kind of an Urban/General Purpose Build ?

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Modern LPVOs yes

[@jamescunningham6251]

@@ModernTacticalShooting thank you sir. I have a vortex 1x8 and I've been exploring the idea of having some thing small and compact that allows reach out a little bit if I have to.

[@johnqpublic2718]

I sure wish I had the eyesight of a young marine or SF guy so I could use an acog again.

[@darklyripley6138]

“Normal SF” is not tier three. All Army Special Forces are tier two. Delta is tier one, but Green Berets are not tier three. Guys like 82nd Airborne, 101st Airborne Air Assault, Recon Marines, ect are tier three.

[@LRRPFco52]

Perspective on the Tier levels is much different and more informed by people in the organization than from those trying to look in from the outside. JSOC SMUs are Tier 1, namely SFOD-D, NAVSPECWAR DEVGRU, and other unnamed units. SF CIF Teams and some other contingency, "in extremis" forces who are regionally-oriented/forward-deployed fall into the 2nd Tier. Most SF Battalions and SEAL Teams fall into the 3rd Tier. MARSOC was originally envisioned as another SOCOM element parallel to Army SF and SEALs, but they're really hovering in that Tier 1 and 2 space with their mindset, training, and capabilities. Ranger Regiment evolved from being one of the tip of the spear JRDF units in Tier 2, to working a lot with JSOC on a regular basis so that typical JSOC TF packages usually include an attached Ranger Company or Platoon. USAF AFSOC Combat Controllers, JTACs, and PJs are attached to all of the above units, so they could be working with any of the different SMUs and CJSOTFs. The main thing to look at to understand Tier levels is how many steps you are away from National Command Authority in the WH and Joint Chiefs of Staff. For JSOC, that chain is extremely short. For SF and SEALs, the chain is much longer.

[@driverjamescopeland]

It's hard to draw a line below Tier 1 nowadays... especially with MarSOC. MarSOC has operators that literally don't exist outside of those privy to their comms.

[@darklyripley6138]

@@driverjamescopeland …You’re not very educated on this topic, are you ?

[@driverjamescopeland]

@darklyripley6138 @darklyripley6138 - not by a long shot... but after several conversations with a couple MarSOC ops, several long term friends within SFGs, and two life long friends who crossed the fence... I'd say it's a little better than being completely ignorant. Like LRRP said 👆... if you aren't on the inside, it's hard to draw lines and circles where everyone who's there knows exactly where they stand. However, there are exceptions within commands which would otherwise be considered Tier 2... Rangers are even considered Tier 2, but they have specialized units which fall under Tier 1. MarSOC is Tier 2, but they have units within their command that are Tier 1... but much like IAS, MarSOC can be paralleled with both JSOC and SOCOM. Also... if I could make one absolutely clear citation.... saying "Guys like 82nd Airborne... ...are Tier 3." is a stretch... a HUGE stretch. The 82nd is an entire division. There are Tier 3 units within the 82nd... as are Tier 2, and Tier 1. Even the Green Berets (Army SFGs) are part of the 82nd. Maybe what you were trying to think of, was 18th Airborne Corps ("Purple Dragons" rapid deployment)? 101st Airborne is also an entire division. "Air Assault", on the other hand, is a certification and training designation. With regard to your mention of "Recon Marines"... I'm not sure if you meant Marine Reconnaissance (Division), or if you meant Force Reconnaissance (SUT), which are two COMPLETELY different outfits altogether. I don't claim to know it all. Far from it... but I definitely know there's a lot more gray in that area only those on the inside can make black and white. Hell, I had a 20yr SOF vet tell me the first unit I was assigned to didn't exist. That alone, told me a lot about what some people don't know... including this dumb redneck who apparently was assigned to a non-existent unit, with a non-existent MOS 🤦‍♂️

[@darklyripley6138]

@@driverjamescopeland You’re not on the “inside” kiddo. So I don’t care what you have to say. You’re only repeating what you get told.

[@mitanshusaini528]

Can you please tell me what you write in your training notebook

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

all my shooting drills you can find on Modern Tactical shooting Facebook page in the photos

[@pyeitme508]

@@ModernTacticalShooting got it

[@briangrady367]

I went to high school with Nathan Tinnin.

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Nate is awesome when it comes to having ones back.

[@russellmurphy1359]

Hey boss man sorry I'm late to the party but what would you say about the peq2?

[@jupiterjunk]

. Did you, or anyone, ever use the Redi-Mag? I love the Redi-Mag, after you cut some of the weight out of it. .

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

It was used a lot, I would say very early on 2002 to 2004ish

[@jupiterjunk]

@@ModernTacticalShooting Why do you think did it fall out of favor? It's weight/bulk... better pouches... better training... all of the above?

[@KeyboardWarrior101st]

Did one of those pictures happen to be taken on RPC? It looked like the front of the chow hall.

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

RPC?

[@KeyboardWarrior101st]

@@ModernTacticalShooting Radwaniyah Palace Complex. It was the SOTF-W headquarters, with big Palace up on the hill. It was the home of the Legionnaires when I was there.

[@celmer6]

Has anyone ever seen a XM-177E2 wearing a SOPMOD BLOCK1 Kit?

[@diddlethepoodle4812]

Was it guy in the circle who lost his life or the guy the arrow is pointing to? I think that's going to be a bit confusing.

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Circle

[@himom1477]

he looks like a tactical Norm Macdonald.

[@AggiePhil]

Who ever knew Norm Macdonald was in SF?!?

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

True

[@ПИСИК-г6щ]

Modern Tactical Talking

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

True

[@charlesmullins3238]

I’m guessin you worked with that nut Karl Ericsson Jeff….

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

I know the name

[@tarek9866]

First

[@stevenkennedy4130]

FJB!

[@miaumixxx]

thank you for your service from Canada lmao

[@comebackkid625]

I was in Sadr city 05 and those HK mags were like gold. Didn't apply to me due to my SAW

[@RT81775]

I wish I could like this video 5.56x45 times.

[@amerikhan8507]

Man Block 1 looks so ghetto compared to even civilian AR setups. Almost retro. Those these mods must have been a godsend when compared to the plain jane M16s and M4s being issued.

[@Shepherd3066]

I’d like to here your take on the Elcan in use for the time frame when it was issued or if it was

[@volsnationn]

It was cool they gave our 1sgt and CPT of our INF Co (327) KAC suppressors in OIF 1 got to shoot one in 2003 in Mosul when i was 18. Felt like a bad ass. TF121 used our range “Alkindy” spelling? Missle complex we took over and everyone used our range to Zero. CIA, Delta, etc they had AKs and unconvential stuff. Became an officer eventually but good experience as a young PFC

[@heyoverhere8234]

Jeff you've inspired me so much. I built my Block 2 because of you and your videos and I've never been real good with my hands. After that I am now applying for gunsmithing school end up summer and cannot wait. Thanks for everything you do.

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Wow thats Great!

[@planetcaravan2925]

Bot

[@chaoticcaninejb]

It's cause the damn B teams took all the extra gear. B Teams in the rear rocking all the suppressors and gear yet ODAs only had half the team equipped at best

[@tomaspolacek5365]

What watches you wear in this video? Thanks.

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

1976 Seiko Pogue!

[@RT81775]

Good question, wondered the same thing 😁

[@aaronvargas3580]

That’s a badass photo on the thumbnail. Keep up the videos, really enjoying them.

[@LibertysTeeth83]

Great video could you have the pictures linger a little longer awesome content

[@fichehwang732]

"they never get issued to all the team, so I took a reserve part for mk.12 off and ran it on my kit." special forces also is part of the army, I guess lol

[@Grasyl]

Very nice Video. I'm really looking forwards to the next one.

[@fathead8933]

We probably did raids together in 2004. There was a couple, what I suspect were SF company sized raids that were done in Kirkuk in 04. We conducted simultaneous raids. I was in the company that had the ODA in their Patrol base in North Kirkuk. Either way to us 11Bs, you guys were Straight Animals.

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

I know the team you are talking about I was 591 taskforce Texan.. the Kirkuk team I knew a bunch of those fellas so yes we were there same time and place. Yes we did some multi team raids!

[@fathead8933]

@@ModernTacticalShooting they were cool guys that's for sure. I got to see what assets you guys bring to the table. It was a really good system having SF and 11Bs together. It was kinda Delta and Ranger Lite. I did find the lack of weird ancillary equipment pretty weird. While we had every machine gun with an optic you guys didn't. Our saws had the Para stocks and you guys had the plastic fixed stocks. We had AT4s you guys had SMAW Ds. You had e6 SF guys with 7s and pretty much 8/9 of us had 14s. It was a very weird time in the Army that's for sure.

[@williamflowers9435]

@@fathead8933 what do you mean 7s and 14s? Probably obvious to some but as a civilian I’m just curious.

[@williamflowers9435]

@@fathead8933 just realized you’re referring to nods🤦🏻‍♂️

[@williamflowers9435]

@@fathead8933 what rifles and optics was everyone using? If you don’t mind my asking…

[@Muddy_Reviews]

Damn this was amazingly informative...I am a huge history nerd and especially military history and I knew a little about the SOPMOD Block 1 but this really educated me. I'm seriously looking forward to the Block II video, thanks for doing this. It is always neat to hear these kinds of things from someone who was there vs a purely academic view.

[@edm240b9]

Would love to hear your opinion on the SAW and upgraded MK14 EBRs. I’ve heard so many conflicting things about the SAW that thing now that I don’t know what to think about it. And I’ve even fired one at a range too, and it was awesome.

[@peterkale3949]

Finally a video on the sopmod block 1 program an accessories used!!!

[@przemekmatczak3859]

like always great video

[@roamready9732]

Great video as usual! I just listened to an interview with "Mad Max" Mullen discussing the changes to the Army's combatives manual/program in the early 90's and it's further changes in the 2000's. All super fascinating!

[@chrisowen7209]

Good video! Love your articles Jeff

[@ModernTacticalShooting]

Thank You

[@TheAverageMountainMan]

This is classic Army logistics in action. Even in a clearly specialized unit the shortcomings of logistics and force modernization are problematic. I can only imagine how much of a nightmare the new M250, M338, and M5 are going to be.

[@PracticalAccuracy]

Great information and presentation.👍 Keep up the good videos.

[@Hadouken5150]

This kind of content is exactly what KZbin has been waiting for. Great job sir.