Wearing the Green Beret as part of the Army National Guard Special Forces signifies membership in the United States military’s premier unconventional warfare force. Special Forces Soldiers are mentally and physically fit, technically savvy and well-equipped to handle the most demanding and perilous situations.
Operating in self-sufficient teams of 12, Special Forces conduct missions that include counterterrorism, foreign internal defense, unconventional warfare, direct action and special reconnaissance. Special Forces Soldiers are taught to master individual skills in operations and intelligence, medical aid, weapons, communications and engineering.
While these Special Forces Soldiers operate globally alongside their active duty counterparts, like all Guard Soldiers, they must still carry out their dual mission and use their unique skillsets to support their States during natural disasters.
Also, like all Guard Soldiers, the members of the National Guard Special Forces started out as everyday Soldiers working hard to support their units and fulfill their traditional MOSs. If you have a desire to join this top-tier team of Soldiers, do not let the elite title deter you. A simple – yet demanding – recipe of dedication, drive and an unwillingness to quit is what it takes to join their ranks.
To become a Green Beret, most States require that Soldiers attend the Special Forces Readiness Evaluation (SFRE). The SFRE is a three-day event that assesses a Soldier’s potential as a candidate to attend Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS). SFRE counts as a Soldier’s monthly drill and usually takes place Friday–Sunday.
Soldiers must complete the SFRE in order to attend the SFAS. The SFAS is a 19-day course designed to reliably predict successful completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC).
After Soldiers have completed the SFAS, they are scheduled to attend the SFQC at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for 52–94 weeks. The SFQC features six sequential phases of training that focus on the core Special Forces tactical competencies, MOS skills, survival, language and cultural skills. Once Soldiers complete the SFQC, they have earned the Special Forces tab and Green Beret.
