Frequently Asked Questions

  • A Special Forces Evaluation (SFE) or a Special Forces Readiness Evaluation (SFRE), is an event conducted by a National Guard Special Forces unit to evaluate prospective candidates.

    It is not SFAS.

    An SFE/SFRE gives the unit an opportunity to evaluate your physical fitness, motivation, maturity, professionalism, and overall potential before sponsoring or assisting you on the path to SFAS.

    Events and standards do vary between states and units.tem description

  • An SFE/SFRE is a National Guard Special Forces unit evaluation used to assess prospective candidates.

    SFAS — Special Forces Assessment and Selection — is the official Army assessment and selection course conducted at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

    Passing an SFE/SFRE does not mean you have been selected for Special Forces. It means the National Guard unit believes you may be ready to continue toward SFAS

  • Yes.

  • Eligibility depends on whether you are enlisted or an officer, as well as your time in service and time in grade.

    National Guard enlisted candidates are generally accepted in the E-4 through E-6 range. E-7 candidates may also be eligible but face additional time-in-service and time-in-grade restrictions and require a waiver to attend SFAS.

    Officers are generally eligible as first lieutenants or captains and must meet Special Forces Branch requirements.

    Because eligibility rules and waiver authorities can change, candidates approaching rank, age, or service limitations should contact a National Guard Special Forces recruiter before assuming they are ineligible.

  • Possibly. Current National Guard guidance states that E-7 applicants must have no more than 12 years of time in service and nine months of time in grade when applying.

    Contact the Special Forces unit you are interested in joining before attending an SFE/SFRE to verify your eligibility.

  • Yes, if you meet current Special Forces officer eligibility requirements. Captains generally must have less than two years time in grade as an O-3 upon completion of SFAS and enough remaining time as a captain to complete training and serve in a Special Forces unit.

    Officer requirements are more restrictive than enlisted requirements, so contact the gaining Special Forces unit early in your career timeline

  • Yes, O3’s must have less than 2 years TIG to attend SFRE and SFAS.  However, a waiver is available for special circumstances.

  • Yes.

    Prior-service and currently serving members of other branches may pursue National Guard Special Forces, but the process varies considerably depending on your branch, component, military occupational specialty, remaining service obligation, and whether you are still on Active Duty.

  • Requirements depend on your entry path.

    For Soldiers pursuing Special Forces through an in-service National Guard pathway, a GT score of 110 or higher is the standard you should plan to meet. Some in-service requirements may be waiverable depending on current policy and individual circumstances.

    Non-prior-service applicants pursuing an 18X contract must meet the current aptitude and enlistment requirements for the 18X program.

    If your scores do not meet the current requirement, contact your recruiter or military education office about retaking the ASVAB/AFCT and improving your line scores.

  • Yes, but the exact requirement depends on your entry path.

    Age waivers may be available for some current or prior-service applicants based on military qualifications, experience, and individual circumstances. Non-prior-service 18X applicants must meet the current enlistment requirements for that program. Older than 35 requires an age waiver to attend SFAS.

    If you are close to or above the published age limit, contact a Special Forces recruiter rather than automatically assuming you are disqualified.

  • No. You do not have to already be Airborne qualified to attend an SFE/SFRE or SFAS.

    You must, however, be medically qualified and willing to volunteer for Airborne training. Candidates who are not already Airborne qualified will attend Airborne School as required by their training pathway if selected at SFAS.

  • No. Soldiers from many different MOSs can pursue Special Forces.

    If selected and accepted into the Special Forces Qualification Course, enlisted Soldiers will ultimately reclassify into one of the Special Forces 18-series MOSs.

  • In many cases, yes.

    National Guard Special Forces recruits candidates from across the Armed Forces. Your ability to attend an SFE/SFRE while remaining in your current component will depend on the event and your service status.

    Transitioning to the Army National Guard and attending SFAS involves additional administrative requirements that vary by service and component. Understand that the National Guard can not fund SFAS attendance for those in separate branches, so although a unit can find you suitable for SFAS, getting there while in another branch proves to be the issue.

    Contact the National Guard Special Forces unit you want to join early so the unit can help determine the correct pathway.

  • No.

    Qualified Soldiers may serve in a National Guard Special Forces unit outside their state of residence when an appropriate position is available and the gaining state accepts them.

    Proximity is still strongly encouraged because National Guard Special Forces service often involves training and opportunities beyond the normal drill schedule.

  • Early.

    Do not wait until your final weeks on Active Duty. If National Guard Special Forces is your goal, contacting the unit well before your ETS gives you time to attend an SFE/SFRE, determine your eligibility, resolve medical or administrative issues, and build a transition plan.

    Go to selection while on active duty!!! Selection is valid for two years, so we recommend attending one year before your ETS date. If you are selected than you can easily transition with no break in service from active to the Guard. You can sign a national guard contract 6 months from your ETS with a Reserve Career Counselor with coordination of the gaining state.

  • The traditional 18X program is designed for non-prior-service Special Forces candidates.

    Prior-service applicants have a different accession and training pathway based on their previous service, qualifications, MOS, and current status.

    Contact a National Guard Special Forces recruiter so your record can be evaluated individually

  • Build a strong base in running, rucking, strength, durability, and recovery. Follow a plan!

    Do not train only to pass minimum standards. SFAS places significant physical and mental demands on candidates over an extended period, and arriving barely capable of passing a fitness test is not adequate preparation.

    Progress your running and rucking gradually. Avoid suddenly adding excessive mileage or load immediately before SFAS.

    Equally important: arrive healthy.

  • SFAS is approximately 24 days.

    Candidates are assessed across multiple events and environments designed to evaluate physical performance, endurance, land navigation, teamwork, problem-solving, motivation, judgment, and other attributes required for Special Forces service.

  • Not being selected does not always mean your opportunity to become a Green Beret is permanently over.

    Your SFAS outcome and current Army policy determine whether and when you may return. National Guard candidates should speak with their Special Forces unit after SFAS to determine the next step.

    If you receive another opportunity, use the time to address the weaknesses identified during your previous attempt.

  • The Army currently describes the Special Forces Qualification Course as approximately 53 weeks, but your total training time can vary considerably.

    Your timeline depends on your assigned Special Forces MOS, required schools, language training, scheduling, recycle time, and other individual circumstances. The 18D Special Forces Medical Sergeant pipeline is substantially different from other enlisted SF MOS pipelines.

    Candidates should plan for a lengthy training commitment rather than planning around an exact graduation date.

  • Yes. It is a PCS move.

For more specific enlisted and officer requirements visit: Special Forces (army.mil)

Training and Preparation

  • Endurance training will best prepare you for the events at SFRE and SFAS.  A large part of the SF Pipeline revolves around rucking and running.  You must prepare your body for these events and not take on too much, too quick.  Click on this link (SF Physical Training handbook) for training plans developed specifically for SFAS and the SFQC.

  • There are many factors that go into a SELECTED candidate at SFAS; however, an above average candidate would likely score the following in these gated events:

    • 5 mile run:  37.5minutes (7.5min/mile)

    • 12 mile ruck:  2 hours 30 minutes (12.5min/mile)

    • Climb a 20’ rope twice using proper leg technique

    • Swim 50m in full uniform and boots using the combat side stroke technique

    • 10 Dead Hang Pull-Ups (no kipping)

  • SFRE/SFEs are conducted several times a year at most National Guard Special Forces States.  If the state of your choice does not have an SFRE/SFE for several months you may be able to attend  in another state and transfer your results; however, please make sure to coordinate this beforehand.  Click here to request information on the next SFRE near you.

  • Yes, in most cases the cadre will provide you an out-briefing with your performance results and ways you can improve.  Most candidates are invited back and expected to improve at their second attempt.

The Special Forces Pipeline

  • 24 days, Gate week, Land Nav week, Team week

  • The length of your time in SFQC will depend on your training MOS. Aside from 18D and 18A a typical length of time spent is 52 weeks.

  • Yes, students attending SFQC are authorized on a Permanent Change of Station Order or PCS.

National Guard Special Forces Lifestyle

Members of the Special Forces Regiment serving in the National Guard are unique. Every individual has their non-military related lives outside of their respective ODAs. With that said, it is a balance. Joining the SF Regiment requires time management, sacrifice, and of course duties and missions that will take you away from home. As far as the common phrase of 1 weekend a month, and 2 weeks a year, that does not entirely encapsulate what it is like to be in 20th or 19th Group. As a member of SF, you will have the added expectations and responsibilities that come with wearing the Green Beret. We are held to a higher standard, and as such, we are required to do more. Enough said.