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U.S. service members already serve their country as part of one of the finest fighting forces the world has ever seen. Some special operations units have even higher standards than the general force. Learn what it takes to pursue a career in the elite forces — whether you’re a prospective recruit or a currently enlisted service member.
The Army’s Special Operations units include the Rangers, the Green Berets and the Night Stalkers.
Generally, soldiers in any of these units:
You can request assignment to an Army Special Forces unit when you first enlist. A recommendation to attend the Special Operations Preparation Course depends on your ASVAB results and how you perform during basic and advanced individual training.
You can also join after you enlist or become an officer. You’ll generally need three years of honorable service before qualifying. Here’s what Army soldiers can expect from a career as a member of one of these special forces units.
Do you have what it takes to join the elite Army Rangers of the 75th Ranger Regiment? This light infantry unit has its roots in the 1700s under the command of frontiersman Robert Rogers. His unit was known for unconventional yet effective battle tactics, outlined by his “28 Rules of Ranging,” which modern Rangers keep today.
Today’s Army Rangers specialize in raids and missions deep inside enemy territory. They receive some of the best training and opportunities the Army provides, making the Rangers a great long-term military career choice.
The Army’s Special Forces soldiers known as “Green Berets” are military legends for service members and civilians alike. They take on terrorists through quiet, guerilla war-style missions in foreign countries. Green Beret teams operate in any environment, from city fighting to jungle warfare to desert scouting.
Have you heard of the SOAR Night Stalkers? Elite soldiers in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment run international nighttime operations from helicopters. If you are afraid of the dark or heights, this may not be the unit for you. However, if you want to operate some of the most specialized helicopters flying — like the MH-60K/L Black Hawk or the A/MH-6 Little Bird — consider this special ops career.
Talented and dedicated enlisted soldiers are welcome in any of the Army’s special operations teams. If you would like to pursue a career as a special ops unit member of the Army Rangers, Green Berets or Night Stalkers, talk to your commanding officer about what it will take to transfer.
Are you looking to pursue a career in the Marine Corps or Navy special forces? Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering the Marine’s Force RECON or Raiders and the Navy SEAL teams.
The Marine Corps has two primary special operations forces: the Marine Raiders and the Force RECON units. As part of the Special Operations Command, the Marine Raiders run small lethal teams to eliminate targets. Force RECON units are run by the Marine Expeditionary Force commander, and their primary goal is information gathering in dangerous territory.
To join either the Raiders or the Force RECON units, Marines usually need to:
Navy SEAL teams are a special ops fighting force completing missions from air, land and sea by whatever means necessary. These teams specialize in unconventional warfare tactics to complete missions all around the world – from capturing high-profile terrorists to detonating bombs for beach landings.
You can apply to become a Navy SEAL as a civilian, a Navy sailor or even as a service member from another military branch. Both new recruits and active military future SEAL candidates must:
Enlisted service members must also visit a career counselor to see if they can transfer, as well as pass a dive physical.
Qualified candidates then go through the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training, or BUD/S. Candidates continue physical training while learning new skills like combat diving, land warfare and advanced tactics. Not everyone will graduate, but those who do become some of the most elite fighters in the world.
Talented and dedicated enlisted Marines and sailors are welcome in any of the special operations teams. If you want to become part of a special ops unit like the Recon Marines, Raiders or Navy SEALs, talk to your commanding officer or career counselor about possible transfers.
Enlisted Air Force airmen can serve on Special Tactics teams, some of the most elite forces offered by the Air Force.
The support provided by an Air Force Special Operations combat controller is second to none. After all, they have all the duties of a civilian air traffic controller – only in foreign territories made dangerous by extreme weather or enemy fire. They need to be able to safely get to foreign air strips while supporting air crews from all service branches.
Those interested in becoming a combat controller must be:
Combat controller training involves learning how to drive a snowmobile, SCUBA dive and parachute. In all, technical training will take more than 94 weeks to complete.
If you’re fascinated by weather and new technology, becoming an Air Force Special Operations weatherman might be a great career choice for you. These military meteorologists deploy with other Special Forces units from both the Army and Marine Corps to provide mission-critical weather reports. Special Forces may be able to take down the enemy, but no one can stop flash floods, looming storms or sudden brushfire – all of which the Air Force weathermen can see coming and is a vital piece of mission planning.
Service members interested in joining a special operations weather team must be:
Advanced training to become a special ops weatherman takes more than 138 weeks to complete. During those two-and-a-half years, you’ll learn how to report on environmental and weather conditions, use sensitive instruments and join special operations tactics.
There are additional requirements for each of these specialties. Pararescue specialists must also be scuba divers, for example, and special ops weathermen must have high Electronics ASVAB scores.
If you’re interested in pursuing a military career in the elite forces, ask your commanding officer about next steps — and start preparing yourself now for one of the toughest challenges you’ll ever encounter.
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