The US Special Forces go through intense training no matter if your in the Green Berets or training to be a Navy SEAL. Check out the info below with videos and info on how these guys train to become elite forces and go out in search of bad guys.
For the Green Berets you have to complete and pass the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course (SFAS). To get into this course, you must score a minimum of 260 on the Army physical fitness test for the 17 to 21 year olds. A minimum score is not the same as a competitive score.
Green Beret goals for Army PFT:
- Complete the 2-mile run in at least 12 to 14 minutes
- 100 sit-ups in 2 minutes.
- 100 push-ups in 2 minutes.
Accomplishing these goals will bring you close to a perfect score of 300 and increase your chances of being selected for SFAS.
The three-week SFAS course, taught at Fort Bragg, N.C., consists of two phases. During the first, the physical phase, you will be expected to PT (running, swimming, sit-ups, pull-ups, push-ups), run an obstacle course, and participate in rucksack marches and orienteering exercises. The second phase measures your leadership and teamwork abilities.
The Q Course
After completing SFAS, you will be selected by the Army SF instructors to attend the “Q Course,” the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC). Depending on your occupational specialty, this course will last from 6 months to a year; the medical and communications courses last longer.
Daily training at the SFQC takes its toll on your body since your day usually starts very early and ends late. While you are training for the Q Course, you should adopt the attitude of a marathon runner. Be ready for the long haul, but take each day one at a time. Most people who quit the course lack the ability to focus through the fatigue and stress that accompanies such training.
To be considered for Navy SEAL training you must complete the following PST.
The following SEAL Physical Screening Test (PST) is designed to see if you have what it takes to enter SEAL training. To pass you must be able to complete the following regimen:
| PHYSICAL SCREENING TEST | MINIMUM | AVERAGE | OPTIMUM |
| Swim 500 yard breast or side stroke | 12:30 | 10:00 | 9:30 |
| Push-ups in two-minutes | 42 | 79 | 100 |
| Sit-ups in two-minutes | 50 | 79 | 100 |
| Pull-ups no time limit | 06 | 11 | 25 |
| Run 1.5 miles* | 11:00 | 10:20 | 09:30 |
Navy SEAL training is conducted at Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL (BUDS) training in Coronado, California. The initial course if the longest of all Special Forces school lasting 26 weeks (6 months).
During the initial 6 months candidates are taught team work, diving, demolitions, weapons and land navigation.
The drop rate is over 80% – so only 20% of candidates survive. For those few that do make it – they then go on to train for another 6 months at SQT before going to an actual SEAL Team and getting their trident.
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