Hope everyone's doing okay. So, like the title suggests, I'm interested in the more 'elite' sections of the military. What makes them 'elite', and how does one get into such a specialized department? I guess I'm looking for info on their training programs, admission criteria, and the kind of operations they usually handle. Really appreciate any info on this. Cheers!
Hello there,
Your pursuit of knowledge about the elite branches within the military is interesting. The term "elite" in the context of the military refers to specialized units or sections typically involved in high-risk or specialized operations. Generally, these units have rigorous physical, mental, and technical training. Admission into these units is no small feat.
For example, the Green Berets, the Army's Special Forces, are one such unit. These soldiers are often deployed for unconventional warfare, direct action, foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, in counter-terrorism, and other complex situations worldwide. Admission into the Green Berets requires candidates to pass the Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) course and the Special Forces Qualification Course (Q course), which are designed to test a candidate's physical endurance, mental resilience, and technical skills.
Similarly, in the Navy, we have the Navy SEALs. SEAL stands for Sea, Air, and Land, and these operators are expected to perform in all of these environments. Becoming a SEAL requires passing the rigorous Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, among other programs.
The Air Force has its Special Tactics Officer (STO) program, which entails a two-year series of physical conditioning, military skills, survival, and advanced training in fields like airborne operations and combat dive schools. These officers lead special operations forces in various missions, including precision strike and global access.
The Marines have the Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) which consists of the Marine Raiders, and their training includes the Individual Training Course (ITC), which emphasizes on small unit tactics, fire support, irregular warfare, survival, evasion, resistance, and escape (SERE), and others.
Lastly, the Coast Guard has the Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF), involved in advanced interdiction, maritime special operations, defense operations, etc. Training varies for specific roles within DSF.
In general, the admissions criteria into these units include being active-duty military, meeting strict physical fitness standards, certain ASVAB score thresholds (which vary across the branches), passing security clearance, and successfully completing the unit-specific training.
Do keep in mind each specialty unit has its own unique application and training process, so it would be best to reach out to a military recruiter for specific details. Remember, these units require unwavering dedication, rigorous training, and an exceptional level of resilience.
Stay safe, and all the best in your explorations!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.