Special Forces Teams are among the most specialized combat forces in the Army. They experience rigorous mental and physical training in order to carry out their missions in a quick and extremely effective manner. Special Forces candidates are guaranteed the opportunity to "try out" for Special Forces. It does not guarantee that the recruit will be accepted into the Special Forces program. It only guarantees that the recruit will be given the opportunity to see if he has what it takes to become a member of one of the most highly-skilled, combat ready forces in the world.

There are four entry-level Special Forces Military Occupational Specialties. The decision of which specialty you will be trained in is based on your background, aptitude, desire and the needs of the Army:

• Special Forces Weapons Sergeants are the weapons specialists and tacticians. They're capable of operating and maintaining a wide variety of U.S., Allied, and other foreign light and heavy infantry weapons, and in infantry tactics.
• Special Forces Engineer Sergeants are specialists across a wide range of disciplines; from demolitions and constructions of field fortifications, to topographic survey techniques.
• Special Forces Medical Sergeants are considered to be the finest first-response/trauma medical technicians in the world.
• Special Forces Communications Sergeants can operate every kind of communications gear, from encrypted satellite communications systems to UHF and VFH systems.

Special Operations Forces have very demanding physical requirements. Good eyesight, night vision, and physical conditioning are required to reach mission objectives via air, land or water. Excellent hand-eye coordination is also required to detonate or deactivate explosives. In some instances, Special Operations Forces Team Members are required to be qualified divers and military freefall parachutists.

Special Forces Candidates will attend Infantry OSUT (One Station Unit Training), which combines Army Basic Training and Infantry AIT (Advanced Individual Training), in one 17-week course.

Upon graduation, Special Forces Candidates will attend Airborne Training at Fort Benning, GA. After "jump school," candidates attend a 4-week Special Operations Preparation Course (SOPC) and the Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) program. The SFAS program assesses and selects Soldiers for attendance at the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC). This program allows Special Forces an opportunity to assess each Soldier's capabilities by testing his physical, emotional, and mental stamina.

If the recruit passes the SFAS, he moves onto the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC). The SFQC teaches and develops the skills necessary for effective utilization of the SF Soldier. The SFQC is currently divided into three phases: Individual Skills, MOS Qualification, and Collective Training. The enlisted applicant's SFQC training will be scheduled upon successful completion of SFAS.

• Individual Skills Phase: During this period, soldiers in-process, and are trained on common skills. Training is 40 days long and covers land navigation (cross-country) and small unit tactics.
• MOS Qualification Phase: Training for this phase is 65 days and culminates with a mission planning cycle. During this phase, Soldiers are trained in their different specialties.
• Collective Training Phase: During this 38-day period, Soldiers are trained in Special Operations (SO) classes, Direct Action (DA) Isolation, Air Operations, Unconventional Warfare classes, and Isolation training.
• Language Training: Languages are assigned in relation to the score from the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB).
• Survival Training: The Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape (SERE) course.

Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to work as a team member
• Readiness to accept a challenge and face danger
• Ability to stay in top physical condition
• Interest in weapons and artillery
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations

As a Special Forces Soldier, you're trained to defend against dangerous forces. The skills you acquire during your training will most certainly prepare you for a future civilian career in many forms of government service. The discipline, weapons knowledge, tactical know-how, and leadership training you receive will make you a very competitive applicant.