The Army Special Forces officer is a branch of the U.S. military elite. Their missions are classified, and only very few people can even attempt to become one. The dedication they need to get through the training makes them some of the most respected members of our society. They also have an incredibly high rate of success on their missions, which means that when you join this career path, there is a good chance you accomplish your objectives!

Becoming an Army Special Forces officer is a hard path to walk, but it’s worth the effort. You need to pass all of the physical requirements and maintain your level of fitness constantly. It would help if you had the ability to make quick decisions while also communicating these decisions understandably. The training is even more complicated than many other branches of the military because you are not simply carrying out your objectives-you are protecting people that cannot protect themselves. This means that it’s essential for you to do what is necessary to keep your people safe.

So how do you join this elite group? Well, to know that, you must read on!!

1. What Is a Special Forces Officer?

The Special Forces Officer is a highly trained military professional who has been selected for and completed the demanding training to become a member of the U.S.U.S.y’s elite combat force, Special Operations Command (USASOC). They are responsible for planning and leading operations involving specially organized, trained, and equipped military units in coordination with other components of USASOC or joint special operations task forces within geographic combatant commands or sub-unified command theaters under the direction of Combatant Commander. A career as an Army Special Forces Officer offers extensive travel opportunities around the world, unique challenges each day on any given mission; both physically and mentally challenging environments; chances to work closely with foreign militaries; personal rewards from seeing your team succeed where others have failed; and a chance to make a difference in the world.

A Special Forces Officer is not simply someone who leads an assault team to clear buildings in Afghanistan. A Special Forces Officer must effectively communicate, understand the needs of foreign militaries, and deal with the cultural differences that often make or break special forces missions. He must successfully integrate his skills into joint operations between different military cultures. This demands a broad range of military knowledge, the ability to problem-solve under pressure, and “people” skills that help him teach partner nation forces how to fight. It also requires adaptability, imagination, and intelligence to think creatively to solve complex problems while deployed in unfamiliar surroundings.

2. Requirements for Becoming a Special Forces Officer

To become a USA SFC officer, candidates must meet the following basic requirements:

US citizU.S.ship requirement – Applicants must be U.S. citU.S.s at the time of application submission of a complete SF-86 form Valid driver’s license from the applicant’s home state Must be between 21 and 34 years of age at the time of application

Officers must also have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in work experience to apply. Those with degrees related to military operations have a distinct advantage. A master’s degree will give applicants an advantage within the competitive application process and open the door to various educational opportunities for continued military education.

Officers are selected based on both their education profile and experience in addition to passing medical examinations, physical fitness testing, and the Army’s grueling 12-day Assessment & Selection Course (A&S). But perhaps the most challenging part is being able to meet standards on the land navigation course despite potentially unfavorable conditions (sleet, rain, snow, darkness, assault loads).

Pre-Selection Course

The Pre-Selection Course is a preparation program designed to mentally and physically prepare candidates for A&S. The purpose of PSC is to identify those individuals who are not likely to succeed in the intense training environment at A&S. PSC is approximately two weeks in length and consists of three individual training events:

Land navigation course runs with full combat gear Physical fitness test consisting of push-ups, sit-ups, and a 2 mile run Functional capacity evaluations

USA SFC Selection Process

Candidates selected for Special Forces duty attend the Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) course. The SFAS course has been in existence since 1983 and was initially designed to accept 30 officers and 50 enlisted per year. Today, the course is routinely over-subscribed with 150-200 candidates per class.

Candidates selected to attend SFAS experience a high level of physical and mental stress throughout this 29-day course. The training event starts with the “Candidate Assessment Phase” (CAP) at Camp Dawson, West Virginia.

Camp Dawson is also known as the Land of the Lost – if candidates are not prepared for what they will face there, they may be lost forever. Only about half of those who attend SFAS graduate, and many of those who do graduate later.

The course contains three distinct training phases:

Land navigation – requiring map reading and land navigation skills, with only a compass and a waterproof notebook as aids. Candidates will be tested on day and night land navigation courses with full combat gear, including long patrols.

Leadership Reaction Course – testing the physical ability of candidates to move under fire, tactical planning and execution, decision-making in stressful situations. This is a graded event, and candidates are required to wear body armor during this training.

Stress shoots – demonstrating the candidate’s ability to engage pop-up targets from various firing positions on command quickly.

Simulated prisoner of war camp – here, the candidate’s leadership skills are tested as they plan and lead a mission to free POWs being held “hostage” by opposing forces. This training event will test the candidate’s ability to apply small unit tactics in a practical scenario.

Candidates who pass SFAS are awarded the coveted tan beret and enter the Special Forces Qualification Course, or “Q” course.

3. What Does a Special Forces Officer Do?

The duties of a special forces officer may vary depending on the type of position they have. The following are some general guidelines for what a Special Forces Officer does:

• -Leading missions in high-risk areas
• -Training foreign military and law enforcement personnel, typically with weapons and tactics training
• -Serving as an instructor at the United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School or other schools around the world that teach unconventional warfare courses to American soldiers or allied troops from other countries.
• -Writing manuals or another doctrine for Special Forces soldiers
• -Staff work in Washington, D.C., to makD.C.re the right type of equipment is being purchased for special forces troops. The officer might also be deployed overseas to assess foreign weapons and training programs
• -Help plan missions and determine how Special Forces units can be used to accomplish the assigned tasks best.

4. What Skills Do I Need to Become a Special Forces Officer?

Expertise: To be competitive for this job, you will need expertise in one of the following areas:

• Military strategy and tactics
• Foreign languages and cultures
• Engineering or other technical areas

Ability: You must have the ability to use computers and digital equipment, along with excellent communication skills. The Army added a requirement for all officers in the early 2000s that every field grade officer can serve as an Information Assurance Manager on his unit’s network security team. This requires a security clearance and specialized training. Leadership: Applicants must have the ability to lead soldiers who are older than they are and see them through great danger during combat. You must also be able to provide for the welfare of your unit while under duress in a high-stress environment.

Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required. The degree should be in one of the following areas: Engineering, military arts and science, computer science, foreign languages and cultures, management, social sciences, or other fields that will help you achieve your goals as a Special Forces Officer.

Licensure: Applicants must have an active license as a professional engineer from a U.S. state oU.S.rritory before they can be commissioned as an officer.

5. Where Does a Special Forces Officer Work?

An officer will typically be assigned to one of the following branches of the United States Army Special Operations Command:

• SOCOM Detachment, MacDill Air Force Base  in Tampa
• SOCOM Detachment, Fort Bragg
• Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg
• Army Special Forces Command, Fort Bragg
• Military Information Support Operations Command, Fort Bragg
• 160th SOAR(A), Fort Campbell. The 160th specializes in aviation support for Special Operations units. However, they also have an entire battalion specializing in reconnaissance and direct action missions.
• 75th Rangers, Fort Benning
• US Army Civil AfU.S.irs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC

Special Forces Officers may also serve in support roles at various installation commands, including the 344th Psychological Operations Company (POTF), 345th POTF, Joint Communications Unit (JCU), Army Broadcasting Network, Army News Service, Defense Information School, or as instructors at the Special Forces Warrant Officer Institute.

Special Forces Officers are not regular infantry troops. They are often deployed into war-torn countries around the world for several months at a time to perform covert missions on behalf of America’s defense department. They help train foreign soldiers and assist in helping those countries develop a strong centralized government. Special Forces Officers are also used as interpreters and liaisons between US Special OperaU.S.ons soldiers and their foreign counterparts.

6. Salary of the Job as well as Benefits

The salary and benefits of a military officer vary depending on which branch they serve in. Generally, an Army Special Forces Officer will earn between $50,000-$150,000 per year with the potential for up to 100% tuition reimbursement for courses taken at accredited universities plus many more benefits.

One of the top benefits of an Army Special Forces Officer is the possibility of taking courses (at 100% reimbursement) at accredited universities, especially if they are continuing their education beyond their rank. Many enlisted will find that their tuition costs are only $100 per course; however, officers must maintain good grades to continue receiving these classes free-of-charge.

Every year of service, an Army Special Forces Officer earns a $10,000 bonus (regardless if they stay in for the entire eight years). They also will receive a $100,000 return on their investment after 20 years of service and $150,000 at 30 years.

7. How Hard Is It to Become a Special Forces Officer in the Army?

Becoming a Special Forces officer in the Army is challenging. It requires motivation, dedication, and professional development.

When you enter the Army as an enlisted soldier, it is only natural that your first thought is to become an infantryman. This is because nearly all of your peers will be infantrymen. Infantrymen are the ground-pounding heart and soul of the Army.

After several years in the infantry, however, soldiers should consider attending Officer Candidate School (OCS) to become Special Forces officers.

8. Can Army Officers Go Special Forces?

Yes, but it is not an easy career path for anyone. If you want to be considered for selection into the elite ranks of America’s most prestigious fighting force, then you need to meet some very specific qualifications: You must be an active-duty officer who has completed at least one combat tour, be a volunteer, and in excellent physical condition. You must also have an impeccable record with no blemishes against your name. Once you make it through the initial selection process, there is still a long way to go before you can become a member of this exclusive fighting force.

9. How Long Does It Take to Be a Special Forces Officer?

If you are thinking of becoming a Special Forces officer, you should know that it takes about 15-18 years to get there. However, the time will vary depending on whether or not you have prior military experience and how many soldiers are in your unit. For example, if one soldier is doing the work for two people, they may only need 10 years to be an officer. On the other hand, if a unit has 100 rookies who need an officer to teach them, it will take more time.

Conclusion

The Army Special Forces Officer is a challenging job that requires dedication and motivation. If you are looking for a position with a high salary, excellent benefits, and the possibility of attending accredited universities at 100% tuition reimbursement, then this may be your perfect career path. The most important thing to remember about being an officer in the Army Special Forces is that it takes 15-18 years to complete all qualifications needed for this prestigious rank. So if you have been thinking about joining America’s most elite fighting force but want some more information on how difficult it will be or what its requirements are before making a decision, we hope this article has helped answer any questions you had!