How should I train and prepare for a long term goal of joining the Special Forces?

2015-04-26T19:21:14-04:00

Granted I am only a young cadet but I very much wish to do SF, it's what I've wanted to do as long as I can remember. I know that it will be a long time before I am even remotely eligible, but does anyone have any advice on what I should be focusing my training on?
-CSR Markarian

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Apr 26 at 2015 8:07 PM

2015-04-26T20:07:38-04:00

1) Study and maintain your foreign language skills. That is a huge advantage for those applying to the SF program.

2) Seek and acquire mentors. Find SF officers at the O-3, O-4, and O-5 levels who can serve as informal advisors for you. Check in with them every 6 months or so, and just let them know what you are up to and give them the opportunity to add advice (but not require it). Do this individually - can be via email, phone, or in person. There is a great deal of benefit to receiving longitudinal perspective from a group of mentors - it's much more powerful than snapshot pieces of advice that you get from a varied group of people. How do you accomplish this? Don't be afraid to ask the right people!

3) Be the best in military arts. Learn to shoot better than your peers. Be physically tougher than your peers. Study military history more than your peers. Obsess yourself with the profession of arms.

4) Learn inter-personal and social skills to augment #3. It's not about being a super mythological Soldier - you also need to become a leader and an influencer. Read books on leadership, take courses on management, actively observe successful leadership traits of those in your chain of command, and also recognize avoid the bad traits. Put it into practice. I personally also like to read autobiographies of great leaders. It always adds to my perspective on the world.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2015 8:53 PM

2015-04-26T20:53:33-04:00

you should always be training for a goal like that and continue to train more to prove you deserve to wear it. SOF and real serious soldier is a lifelong commitment to be a semi professional athlete. What I've noticed is that the best operators view the tab as the start not the endpoint. Like I was told by my head instructor when I earned my Black Belt, he said this means you have potential and can begin the real training. My thinking is a minimum of a 6 months to 1 year train up depending upon your level of fitness for SFRE, SFAS, Ranger, GReen Platoon, Sapper etc.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 10:15 AM

2015-04-27T10:15:50-04:00

Read FM 3.05 Special Operations, FM 3-18 Special Forces Operations, FM 3.05.2 Foreign Internal Defense, and ATP 3-05.1 Unconventional Warfare. Realize that, most likely, at least 75% of your career is going to revolve around FID/UW and not DA/SR. A lot of SF recruits show up hoping to do high profile DA/SR missions/training all day every day...when in reality what you are going to do all day every day is FID/UW. Once you're comfortable with that - study insurgecies, master basic solidering skills, and train like a viking.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2015 11:12 AM

2015-04-27T11:12:12-04:00

Did anyone else notice that she has her finger on the trigger with the safety off?

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Apr 27 at 2015 5:09 PM

2015-04-27T17:09:27-04:00

Focus, keep your goal always in your mind. In everything you do, don't give a 100% give 120%. Know that what you are seeking is to be the best of the best. The pride you will feel when you earn your beret is one of the most awesome you will ever know. I know! It is not easy, but like you, it is what I always wanted to be.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 27 at 2015 7:12 PM

2015-04-27T19:12:14-04:00

Maintain a balance in all of the activities you participate in. Learn to manage your time with grace, (do not offend anyone, just keep moving on). I have learned to talk to myself w/encouragement and kind words. Develope a "mantra"; something for your mind to focus on other than the impossible task at hand!

Response by LTC Chad Storlie made Apr 28 at 2015 11:52 AM

2015-04-28T11:52:04-04:00

Greg, look at where people fail the selection or Q course process. The swim test, land navigation, patrolling, rucking fast with heavy weight long distances, rope climbing, and solid peer reviews are what derail the majority of candidates. I think that Ranger School is a great primer for SF because it helps you to be good at the basics of soldiering - patrolling, small unit actions, fitness, land nav, etc. Finally, look to be a great soldier at your current grade and MOS - one of the elements that makes a great SF soldier is that they were already a great soldier in another MOS.

Response by MAJ Bob Mayer made Apr 28 at 2015 12:06 PM

2015-04-28T12:06:51-04:00

You have to want to be a Green Beret; not wear one. It's all about attitude. And team-work. I was part of the committee that revamped the Q-Course into its current iteration of SFAS and then the Q and then language training with a PCS move to Bragg. We originally wanted Ranger School to be SFAS, but they just could sustain the numbers.

It's about wanting it bad enough and using your brain. Although, I do have to say the only person I had to remove from my A-Team, it was because he simply could no longer carry the ruck the distance. Pay attention to the NCOs, especially the team sergeant. They are the heart of SF.

Response by LTC Taylor Beattie made Apr 28 at 2015 12:10 PM

2015-04-28T12:10:19-04:00

Some good advice already posted here.

I would add...

Participate in athletics wrestling, rugby, football. Learn how to dig deep and motivate others to do the same. Special Forces is people business conducted in ambiguous, dangerous conditions, with no adult supervision.

Be a good swimmer, many many wash out on the swim test.

Visualize yourself everyday as a Green Beret until you earn the Beret.

Good luck and De Oppresso Liber!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 1:54 PM

2015-04-28T13:54:52-04:00

Don't worry about the actual SF Qualification course. You must pass SF Assessment and Selection (SFAS) before you can even think about the rest of it. Things like small unit tactics, weapons proficiency, language training. etc. will give you a leg up, but the instructors will teach you what you need to know during the phases of the Q course. Take it one step at a time. Your first priority is to pass SFAS, which is a major gut check. You will be assessed on three main areas: 1. Your physical capabilities as in endurance and stamina, 2.) Your motivation level, i.e. refusal to quit, and 3.) Whether or not you display the ARSOF attributes: integrity, capability, adaptability, TEAM WORK, professionalism, personal responsibility, perseverance, and courage.

At SFAS you are not assessed according to what you already know. You are assessed on your physical fitness, motivation, and ability to learn with a dash of team work on the side. Your best strategy would be to make sure that you are in the best shape of your life. Be able to max a PT test, run 5 miles in 35 minutes or so, and be able to ruck like a champ with heavy weight. It will suck, but that's the point. Don't quit, and you should be fine. After you pass SFAS you will start learning the good stuff.

On a side note, attention to detail is key. If they tell you to do something, do it. If they tell you not to do something, don't do it. No matter how stupid it sounds, follow the rules. SF does not need people who do not want to be there. You have to prove that you have integrity and that you are willing to do what it takes to pass the course. Don't let people with bad attitudes who are there for the wrong reasons take you down with them. People tend to fail in buddy teams.

Response by SFC Christopher Belan made Apr 28 at 2015 2:29 PM

2015-04-28T14:29:34-04:00

There is some good info posted. However, you have to crawl before you can walk, walk before you can run....... Your focus should be on SFAS, Period. The Q course will be another animal altogether, and concern for that would be wasted energy until you are actually pass selection. Train smart and well. The swim test is the first attrition point. I have seen dozens of studs fail this. Rucking is very important, get out there in ALL weather and pile on the miles. Push yourself harder and harder each time. cross country is the preferred training method. Mental strength is just as important as physical fitness. It is 50-50% between the two. NEVER QUIT needs to be burned in your memory. Land nav is Vital. If you can't read terrain or use a compass properly, you will get cut. My personal advice, have ALL your personal affairs in order, and focus at the task at hand. If you have any relationship problems or other issues, they will set you up for failure. Keep a clear head, and NEVER QUIT no matter how difficult it is. Never second guess yourself either. "Do The Best That You Can". This is the key. BTW, I was in SFAS Class 5-89, SFQC 1-90. Yeah, it was awhile ago. Good Luck

Response by LTC Mark Beattie made Apr 28 at 2015 2:46 PM

2015-04-28T14:46:24-04:00

PV2 Markarian - It's been many years since I went through the Special Forces Qualification Course, but here's my recommendation. 1st. Ruck march as much as possible over different type terrain, including on asphalt, pavement, dirt roads, and rough terrain. 2. Toughen up your feet, and know in advance how to care for blisters. We lost several students simply because their feet became infected. 3. Practice land navigation using a map and compass. SF Land Navigation is advanced orienteering, not movement from point to point. You have to read the terrain and move quickly by the quickest, smartest route to your destination. SF Land Navigation will get you removed from the course quickly if unable to perform. 4. If you don't know small unit tactics, you need to learn to plan and execute Ranger type patrols. 5. Understand Unconventional Warfare, i.e. working through, by, and with indigenous forces...that was the essence of Special Forces when founded, though I know in Afghanistan and Iraq the force did a lot of Direct Action. 6. Establish and sustain an overall strength and conditioning program. You must strong in both your upper and lower body, as well as having a solid core. Then and now I maintain a rigorous program in the weight room, in conjunction with some running and rucking. You don't have to be a great runner to complete SF training. 7. If your not a strong swimmer, become one. It can get you removed from the course in the first day or two. 8. When I went though the course we were required to research and prepare a written Area Study....doesn't matter what country, it's the process. 9. Lastly, it's ALL about the team. If you are unable to get along with others, you're in trouble. You must be a leader, able to take charge, set the example, lead your team; and if/when necessary, be a good follower. Even the Team Leader will never know it all. Generally, the smartest leaders know when to take the lead, or leverage those around him/her with the right skills. I could go on about this, but don't want to beat a dead horse. The Army and SF are looking for you to have these skills before you arrive at the school, thus, are looking for soldiers who've had time to develop them. Soldiers, enlisted and officers alike, don't come on active duty with these skills already developed. Hope this helps....Mark Beattie

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2015 10:28 PM

2015-04-28T22:28:28-04:00

I served as an 18A instructor for 3 years...I recommend taking it in stages. 1st, get through whichever OCS program you are currently in and don't detract from those studies to start training for SFAS/SFQC too soon (cart before the horse). Once you get commissioned and into the Army, a good prep would be Ranger school. That will give you the basics and open your eyes to the level of intensity that will be expected in SFAS and the SUT phase of the Q-Course. Ranger School is not a must have but it certainly will help. I have worked with plenty of solid SF Officers who do not have it. Throughout your training and assignments, make physical training a priority and never accept the status quo for fitness, strive to be the best but do not beat yourself up if you are not. Land navigation, small unit tactics (SUT), and troop leading procedures will get you through the initial assessments. Once you get into the academic phase, study and learn the material. You would be surprised how many CPTs blew off the reading assignments to pursue other agendas (Iron man races, etc..) You will never be assessed for your shooting abilities and you will never be as proficient with weapons as the NCOs, its not your job. So don't sweat that too much. Your wheel house will be mission planning and ensuring your Detachment's Operations are nested with the operational goals of the Battalion. Language skills are important but there is no way to determine which language is going to be important in the 6 plus years it will take to get into the SFQC. Language training will be made available to you, when it is, make it your priority. Don't quit, don't cheat, and never assume you haven't met the standard (don't self select). Good luck.

Response by SFC Roger Senatore made Apr 29 at 2015 12:24 PM

2015-04-29T12:24:10-04:00

The #1 thing you must do before you volunteer to attend SFAS is remove the word QUIT from your vocabulary, heart, and mind. The Q-Word is the absolute primary reason men don't make it. All the strength, endurance, talent, experience, and skills you posses are absolutely worthless if you quit. If you don't quit your chances of success are increased 100%. If you try out at your very earliest opportunity and do the very best you can and don't get picked up, don't quit! Chances are you will get invited to try again and will be successful.

Response by CPT Quentin von Éfáns-Taráfdar made May 4 at 2015 10:27 AM

2015-05-04T10:27:46-04:00

Major Weiss' advice about foreign language skills is dead on target. My numerous foreign languages are what caused SF to snap me up immediately.

His reference to mentors is also an excellent idea because it can keep you current on changes in requirements.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 4:31 AM

2015-05-21T04:31:25-04:00

Find a mentor, I have been training with a retired colonel he was SF. He's kicking my ass but it's all worth it. Like I have read in the comments don't look at getting the tab as the end l9ok at it as the starting point. Ruck Alot 65-70lbs .Teamwork and adaptability,stay positive as much as possible aswell. I love seeing other soldiers with the same goals as myself not many of us out there. So stay positive amongst your peers. Goodluck

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2018 2:14 AM

2018-03-02T02:14:47-05:00

Run, run, and run some more. Pushups, situps, pullups and at least be able to max the PT Test at the 18 y/o level. Learn to speak a desirable language like Mandarin Chinese, Farsi, Russian, Arabic or Turkic. Work hard to get your Airborne and Ranger School out of the way before graduation if possible. *** LEARN to accept criticism without comment or an expression change on your face ***

Response by MSG James Devereaux made Sep 25 at 2018 6:35 PM

2018-09-25T18:35:17-04:00

If you really want to be a Green Beret you should leave school and go through the 18X MOS. As an officer you will never be on a the team conducting ops. What’s more important to you, being an officer or member of an ODA.