Elite branches of the military, how to qualify?

Hey there! I'm a rising junior who's quite interested in serving our country once I graduate. I've heard about these elite branches within the military, stuff like the Navy Seals or the Army Green Berets. I'd really like to know more about what these elite branches are, and what kind of skills or qualifications they're usually on the lookout for?

Hello! Your interest in serving the country in such prestigious positions is commendable indeed. You're correct, special units like the Navy SEALs or the Army Green Berets are considered elite within the military, known for their rigorous selection processes and demanding training programs. They work on the most challenging assignments, like warfare and counter-terrorism, that require specialist skills and exceptional physical fitness.

For example, if you're interested in the Navy SEALs, you'd have to first enlist in the Navy, and then complete a two-month preparatory course. This is followed by Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training, which lasts for about six months. If you pass this, you then go through Parachute Jump School and then onto SEAL Qualification Training, which is another six months.

Like the Navy SEALs, the Army Green Berets also require not just physical fitness but a high degree of mental toughness and intelligence. To qualify for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) course—an intense three-week introduction to Special Forces training—you will need to serve in the Army first and reach a certain rank. Additionally, having a high General Technical (GT) score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) can be beneficial.

These programs typically look for individuals with superior physical fitness, and exceptional problem-solving and leadership skills. The Navy SEALs training, for instance, involves obstacle courses, diving, and weapons training, among other things. The exercises are physically draining and also designed to push recruits mentally, testing their determination, ability to keep calm under pressure and make tactical decisions quickly.

Yet, besides these hardcore physical and tactical skills, there's also a lot of value placed on 'soft' skills like integrity, teamwork, and the ability to work in multicultural and multilingual settings. Many of these special units operate globally, so language skills and cultural sensitivity can sometimes be as important as physical fitness and tactical acumen.

Before you set your sights too specifically, you may want to speak with your local recruiter, do more research, and potentially even speaking with current or former members of these elite branches to get a clearer idea of what commitment to this path entails, and whether it aligns with your personal and professional goals.