Comments on: How to Become a Green Beret

on 9/22/2008 Please don't think for one second that the journey to become a Special Forces soldier is easy in any way , shape, or form. To think that what this site posts makes it sound easy is ridiculous. It's a journey no one can truely understand noe comprehend the vastness or depth in which you have to be mentally, morally fit. It's not fun and games, it's a life of selfless service. You need to have the moral forttude to do the right thing no matter where you are and who's watching or not watchinng. One must understand that the roll we are put in is frst and foremost man hunter, second diplomat and you must have the ability to switch between warrior and humanitarian in an instant. Please think long and hard before you get into this career path. Only less than one percent make it per class. Only the best will ever join the MENS club. The Green Beret is in my soul the highest award that the Army c

on 8/27/2007 This road is long, and I've read, and heard that it is very tough. I have Sgts that talk about how tough the Army Special Forces are. People try to discourage me, but I swear with the survival of my tour in Iraq I will join the 18x program. I will not join to waste the time of the professionals that teach the courses, but I will join to test myself. This is a test that I have, and if I fail I will know that I gave it my best, and I will learn and try again. Thank you for your comments everyone. All the same...I understand that the journey I'm about to go on is a hard one, but I will not listen to those who think I shouldn't go. These are the steps I take toward being the best man that I can be for myself, as well as others.

on 6/30/2006 There's only one guide specifically designed to help you attain your goal of becoming Special Forces Qualified. The book, Get selected for Special Forces, is written by the former Commander of the Special Operations Preparation Course, which prepares future SF Candidates for SF Assessment and Selection (SFAS).

on 11/22/2005 Think seriously about what you are about to do. Do not take this lightly. This is the elite path that few walk on. "100 soldiers we'll test today, only 3 win the green beret." Do not waste the time of these professionals.

For those that are chosen, It will change your life forever, I swear to God.

on 11/22/2005 Great advice. I would like to comment on the program itself. The training is like no other, and it is meant for people willing to take the challenge and not give up. You must persevere, even if it breaks you. That's the only reason I'm no longer in the program. Do not take this lightly. This program is not for everyone. Because not everyone can do it, the Green Berets are the top 1 percent of the Army. If you think you belong there, go for it. If you think you belong there, go for it - but understand that the road is long, and it will not be easy.

on 11/22/2005 Don't give up. Be all you can be. Like the saying goes, pain is just weakness leaving the body.

on 11/22/2005 Ask your recruiter for an 18X contract. By doing so, you won't have to wait until you make E-4 to try out. You enlist as a PFC (E-3), attend 11B OSUT (One Station Unit Training, Basic + Infantry Training, 14 weeks) then Airborne School (paratrooper training, 3 weeks). From there, it's one to Special Operations Preparatory and Conditioning. This four week course is being phased out and combined with the next step along the way, Special Forces Assessment and Selection. SFAS is currently 3 weeks, but will be 6 weeks long starting in January 2004, when SOPC is integrated into it. SFAS is to determine if an individual can make it through the SFQC. After this you will attend the Army Common Leader Training Course then SOPC 2 (pre-2004). The meat and bones of SF training that has been pretty much the same for 50 years is the Special Forces Qualification Course. (Commonly written SFQC and said "the Q Course".) SFAS counts as Phase 1 of the training, and Phase 2 follows after the ACLT. Phase 2 focuses on small unit tactics, patrolling, ambushes, field craft and the like. It's also known as "Common Skills Training" because it ensures that every member of an A-Detachment has a certain amount of knowledge on the above listed topics. Phase 3 is job specific training (weapons, engineering, medical, communications). Phase 4 trains candidates for the Robin Sage field exercise, during which they are tested in all subjects that are taught in the SFQC. Successful completion of Phase 4 results in an SF candidate being awarded his green beret and Special Forces tab and the right to call himself a Special Forces soldier. However, there are two more tasks he must complete before entering the team room. The first task is 4 - 6 months of language training in his tongue that is in his Group's area of operations. The last is POW training, known as the Survive, Evade, Resist, Escape (SERE) course. For three years, he is on probation and able to lose the tab, beret and MOS.