{"id":50301,"date":"2018-12-26T23:10:16","date_gmt":"2018-12-26T23:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/12\/26\/bring-it-on-new-taliban-video-shows-them-training-for-cheer-squad-competition\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T08:03:22","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T08:03:22","slug":"bring-it-on-new-taliban-video-shows-them-training-for-cheer-squad-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/off-duty\/military-culture\/2018\/12\/26\/bring-it-on-new-taliban-video-shows-them-training-for-cheer-squad-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Bring it on! New Taliban video shows intense training for cheer squad competition"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-smg-jwplayer-video\"><atype-video-jwplayer nostick=\"true\" playlisturl=\"https:\/\/cdn.jwplayer.com\/v2\/playlists\/fCzRqMW8?tags=8e3a94fd-e43a-4c0c-aae8-e56da8828c54\" poster=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/video-poster-8e3a94fd-e43a-4c0c-aae8-e56da8828c54.jpg\" aspectratio=\"16 \/ 9\" mute autostart=\"false\"><\/atype-video-jwplayer><\/figure>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taliban training video documentation is the gift that keeps on giving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And in the true spirit of Christmastime generosities, the organization decided to release a new film \u2014 reportedly shot in Afghanistan \u2014 documenting their foray into cheer squad competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ditching their typical video recipe of highlighting immense monkey bar-traversing talents, the Taliban Commandos incorporated a bevy of choreographed stunts, dance moves and teamwork to challenge any and all cheer squads who stand in their way.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link smg-interstitial-link--fallback wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.navytimes.com\/off-duty\/military-culture\/2018\/06\/04\/check-out-the-talibans-new-punk-rock-uniforms\/?utm_source=clavis\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__fallback-link\">Check out the Taliban\u2019s new punk rock uniforms<\/a><\/aside>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These guys are in it to win it and are here to p-p-p-pump you up, so bring it on. That goes for you, too, Rancho Carne High School cheer squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The routine has everything. Choreographed squad push-ups? Check. The most crisply-executed leap-frogging ever performed? Definitely. Death-defying, flaming hoop dives? You bet. Sword fighting with sticks? Hell yeah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"240\" height=\"184\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/JauntyCheapBluebreastedkookaburra-max-1mb.gif.gif\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-89412\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">How to not jump through flaming hoops. (&#8220;Old School&#8221;)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If only Will Ferrell exhibited such expertise in his short-lived career as a flaming hoop-diving mascot. <i>\u201cLet\u2019s go Cougars!\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But would a routine with all the intensity in the world be sufficient to get the Commandos into spirit squad regionals?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s break down their performance and find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>WHAT THE JUDGES SAY<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Commandos make a statement right from the video\u2019s get-go, rolling into their Afghanistan arena in Toyota trucks through an entry way worthy of Green Bay\u2019s Lambeau Field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After a flawless vehicular dismount, the Commandos waste no time forming a group of two columns before proceeding to jog in circles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGO TEAM\u201d banners, carried by two spirit squad members leading the formation, wave proudly in the mountain breeze, a striking move to intimidate any and all prep-school squads vying to earn the coveted title of \u201cbest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Seemingly unfazed following the grueling physical exertion of the jog, the Commandos break into lines of standing-leap-frogs, effortlessly vaulting from the shoulders of their brethren into the heavens, as if gravity\u2019s tether was severed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All the while, the Commandos&#8217; familiar cheer squad chant of, \u201cWe\u2019re tried! We\u2019re true! We\u2019re leaping over you!\u201d issues a fierce challenge to all competitors, as is Commando tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The team then moves to the deadly, flammable portion of the routine, diving through the circular inferno \u2014 one-by-one \u2014 with the poise and grace of Greg Louganis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Commandos experience a slip-up, however, when shifting to the choreographed push-up portion of their routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cover and alignment are botched, costing a half-point, but they quickly remedy the mishap by reorganizing the push-up group into the beginning &#8220;Y&#8221; stage of the Y-M-C-A \u2014 a crowd favorite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"630\" height=\"262\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled.png_97d0ee.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-89413\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled.png_97d0ee.png 630w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled.png_97d0ee.png?resize=300,125 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 630px) 100vw, 630px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The &#8216;Y&#8217; portion of the choreographed Y-M-C-A push-up formation \u2014 always a crowd-pleaser. (Screenshot of video)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More push-up formations are followed by more leap frogging, driving home the metaphor of jumping into first place \u2014 <i>and <\/i>into the hearts of crowds everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Commandos then shift the push-up formation into a line, a sign of cheer squad solidarity designed to instill fear in the minds of any unfortunate souls standing opposite this human barricade of push-up bravado.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And it would have, had it not been for one commando \u2014 let\u2019s call him Slacker Dan, pictured below \u2014 who struggled with both the strength and timing portion of the routine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This misstep costs the Commandos dearly \u2014 a full point \u2014 and Slacker Dan is warned by the Commandos&#8217; captain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"438\" height=\"248\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitle5d.png.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-89416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitle5d.png.png 438w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitle5d.png.png?resize=300,170 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 438px) 100vw, 438px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">One commando&#8217;s inconsistencies really hurt the team&#8217;s score on the day. (Screenshot)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thankfully for the commandos \u2014 and Slacker Dan \u2014 the team manages to recover during the dance portion, executing a stick-sword fight routine so exquisite that Zorro himself would soil his black britches if he ever gazed upon such majesty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More flaming hoop diving, meanwhile, brings the routine full circle before the grand finale: A choreographed interpretive sword dance in brand new Commando regalia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The move would have cemented the team\u2019s place in the cheer squad regionals, but oh no&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Slacker Dan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Out of sync with his cheer squad yet again, Slacker Dan\u2019s sword maneuvering direction is significantly off, a devastating mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Somewhere, the ghost of R. Lee Ermey is itching to slap Slacker Dan in the face, with screams of, \u201cWhat side was that, Slacker Dan?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"244\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1235.png.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-89418\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1235.png.png 400w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1235.png.png?resize=300,183 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Slacker Dan, once again screwing up the routine. (Screenshot)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sadly, Slacker Dan has been missing since the publication of the video. He cost the Commandos dearly, but they managed to earn a shot at regionals, narrowly edging out Channing Tatum and the \u201cStep-Up\u201d crew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look for the Commandos to make some noise on the big stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s on.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Taliban training video documentation is the gift that keeps on giving.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":89407,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":68,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[101,23,89,68,12,26,13,65],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3413],"class_list":["post-50301","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-daily-news-roundup","category-home","category-middle-column","category-military-culture","category-news","category-newsletters","category-off-duty","category-your-navy"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"MJEJYE66BBABHOOAMMAFUMJMBU","arc_canonical_url":"\/off-duty\/military-culture\/2018\/12\/26\/bring-it-on-new-taliban-video-shows-them-training-for-cheer-squad-competition\/","remove_feature_photo":true,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Bring it on! New Taliban video shows intense training for cheer squad competition - Navy Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Taliban training video documentation is the gift that keeps on giving.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Bring it on! 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