Hey there, I'm a junior deeply considering the military. Excuse my naive question, but how do I go about becoming part of the Special Forces in various US military branches? Any rough guide or info about the prerequisites, training process, etc would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.
In the U.S., several military branches have Special Forces or "elite" units. Here's a brief overview:
1. Army: The Army's Special Forces are known as the Green Berets. An individual must first complete Basic Combat Training (BCT), followed by Advanced Individual Training (AIT). After that, they'll need to qualify and be selected for Airborne Training. Once completed, prospective Green Berets undergo the Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) process, and if selected, enter the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC).
2. Navy: The Navy's counterpart is the SEALs. Candidates must first complete Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training, then SEAL Qualification Training (SQT). Minimum requirements to enter SEAL training include passing the SEAL Physical Screening Test (PST) with competitive scores, though the specifics can vary.
3. Air Force: The Air Force Special Tactics units include Pararescuemen (PJs), Combat Controllers and Special Reconnaissance. To become part of these, one must score highly on the Physical Ability and Stamina Test (PAST) to qualify for training. Training for these careers is lengthy, physically demanding, and intensive in terms of skills development.
4. Marines: The Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is the Marines' contribution to Special Operations Command. Candidates for MARSOC must pass the Assessment and Selection process to be eligible for the Individual Training Course (ITC).
5. Coast Guard: While not designated as Special Forces, the Coast Guard's Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) do conduct specialized missions. They typically prefer candidates with some level of experience in the Coast Guard.
6. Space Force: The newest branch, Space Force, does not have a designated Special Forces unit as of now, as its missions revolve around space-related technologies and objectives.
In general, prerequisites often include citizenship, a certain age range (generally 18-28 but can vary), physical fitness, various aptitude test scores, security clearances and passing a rigorous physical and mental selection process. Also, each branch has its own set of moral, mental, and physical standards that you need to meet. Enlisting in the military with the goal of joining these special forces units is not a decision to be taken lightly - an intensive period of training and duty awaits. I'd highly recommend speaking with a recruiter who can provide the most current and detailed information.
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