Becoming a Green Beret is one of the most challenging and rewarding achievements in the U.S. Army and more widely, in the U.S. military. Known for their unconventional skills and intense training, Green Berets play a pivotal role in special operations, tackling missions that range from counterterrorism and unconventional warfare to direct action and foreign internal defense. For those who dream of earning the right to wear the iconic green beret, the path is rigorous—but not impossible.
This guide will take you through everything you need to know about how to become a Green Beret, from eligibility requirements and the selection process to the intensive training phases that shape these elite soldiers.
Hopefully, by the end of this blog post, you will know, how to become a Green Beret?
What is a Green Beret?
The Green Berets are members of the U.S. Army Special Forces, tasked with some of the most covert and highly specialized missions within the military. Their motto, De Oppresso Liber, which translates to "To Free the Oppressed," reflects their primary objective of aiding oppressed groups and fostering resistance movements. Green Berets are often deployed to train, lead, and assist partner forces in countries around the globe while carrying out high-priority operations.
The first Special Forces units were officially established during the 1950s, after several notable operational successes during World War II. However, unconventional warfare, a staple of small-unit operations, has its roots since before the Revolutionary War.
In 1951, Maj. Gen. Robert A. McClure chose former WWII OSS member Col. Aaron Bank to lead the Special Operations Division of the Psychological Warfare Staff in the Pentagon. The following year, the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was formed under Bank and soon thereafter the Psychological Warfare School which eventually became the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.
The 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was then split with part of the unit sent to the cadre that kept the designation 10th SFG deployed to Germany, in 1953, and again with the establishment of Detachment A in 1956. The remaining troops at Fort Bragg formed the 77th Special Forces Group, which in 1960 was reorganized and designated as today's 7th Special Forces Group.
Since their establishment in 1952, Special Forces soldiers have operated in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, North Vietnam, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Colombia, Panama, Haiti, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Philippines, Syria, Yemen, Niger and, in a foreign internal defense role in Africa.
In 1987, Special Forces was established as a branch of the U.S. Army.
To become a Green Beret, candidates must prove their physical and mental strength, leadership, adaptability, and commitment throughout a grueling training pipeline designed to filter out only the best.
How to Become a Green Beret
Step 1 Understand the Requirements
The first step toward achieving your dream of becoming a Green Beret is to ensure you're eligible. Here are the basic requirements:
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Age 20-34 years old
- Must be a U.S. Army Soldier (Active Duty or National Guard) at the rank of Private First Class, Specialist, or Sergeant
- Meet the minimum Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) requirements of 110 or above
- Qualify for airborne school
- Successfully pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT)
- Must obtain a Secret security clearance
If you meet these basic eligibility criteria, you’re ready to move forward.
Step 2 Prepare for Initial Training
The steps on how to become a Green Beret aren’t easy, but there is a path that candidates should follow. Of course, before attempting to become a Green Beret, you'll need to enlist in the U.S. Army. Here’s what to expect:
Basic Combat Training (BCT)
All soldiers must complete BCT, which teaches fundamental Army skills, including weapon handling, physical fitness, and battlefield tactics.
Advanced Individual Training (AIT)
Following BCT, recruits will move on to AIT, where they are trained in the specific occupational specialty they chose when enlisting.
After completing these stages, you’ll officially be a soldier in the U.S. Army and become eligible to apply for Special Forces training.
Pro Tip
Prioritize physical fitness and leadership training during this phase. While some pursue the 18X Option, which guarantees a chance at the Special Forces pipeline early in their careers, others gain experience in a conventional Army unit before pursuing the Green Berets.
There are multiple paths to follow when considering how to become a Green Beret. You just need to find the best fit for you. That might mean going into the National Guard instead of joining active duty.
Step 3 Pass the Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS)
The Special Forces Assessment and Selection program (SFAS) is the entry point to the Green Beret path, and it’s no walk in the park. This 19-to-24-day course is designed to push candidates to their absolute limits both physically and mentally. How to become a Green Beret is not easy when you have to start with SFAS.
What to Expect in SFAS
Physical Challenges
Rucks, long-distance runs, and obstacle courses will test your endurance and stamina. Physical rigors are a large part of how to become a Green Beret, but candidates need to have high-aptitude as well since Green Beret training is complex.
Land Navigation
Candidates are required to demonstrate exceptional navigation skills, often alone, in rugged terrain. Many of the land navigation scenarios and training are very hard to negotiate and candidates must have solid land nav skills.
Team Tasks
Leadership qualities are assessed during dynamic team-based challenges, where communication and problem-solving are crucial.
Key Tip: Keep a positive attitude and show mental resilience. Many candidates drop out not because of physical limitations but due to mental fatigue or self-doubt. How to become a Green Beret begins with having an emotional reset button that you can engage when you start to experience self-doubt and defeat.
Passing SFAS is the key to receiving your invitation to the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC).
Step 4 Complete the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC)
Often referred to as the “Q-Course,” the Special Forces Qualification Course is where candidates undergo specialized training to hone the skills necessary to become a Green Beret. The Q-Course is divided into several rigorous phases, each targeting different operational areas.
Phase 1 Introduction
Duration: Two weeks
Candidates are trained in basic skills required for Green Berets, including ethics, leadership, and core values.
Phase 2 Small Unit Tactics
Duration: Five weeks
Teaches combat operations, ambush tactics, sniper operations, and other critical skills.
Phase 3 MOS Training
Duration: 14-50 weeks (depending on the Military Occupational Specialty)
Each candidate specializes in one of the following roles:
- Weapons Sergeant (18B) Weapon systems and combat tactics
- Engineer Sergeant (18C) Demolition and construction
- Medical Sergeant (18D) Advanced medical skills
- Communication Sergeant (18E) Signal communications
Phase 4 Unconventional Warfare
Duration: Four weeks
Candidates apply their training in a simulated mission involving unconventional warfare, diplomacy, and cultural training to showcase real-world readiness. The path to how to become a Green Beret runs through Robin Sage which is the capstone event for aspiring Special Forces personnel.
Phase 5 Robin Sage
Duration: Four weeks
Known as the "culmination exercise," Robin Sage tests everything learned during the Q-Course in a simulated guerrilla warfare environment. Success in Robin Sage is mandatory for graduation.
Phase 6 Language and Cultural Training
Duration: Several months
Green Berets must communicate effectively in the countries where they deploy. This phase focuses on language acquisition and cultural sensitivity.
Completing the Q-Course earns you the coveted Green Beret and the honor of serving among the Army’s elite.
As you can see, how to become a Green Beret isn’t easy, and it certainly won’t happen overnight, but the rewards of a career in Special Forces is definitely worth the wait if you want adventure and access to exceptional training.
Step 5 Stay Physically and Mentally Prepared
Even after earning your Green Beret, the learning and challenges don’t stop. Green Berets train continuously to maintain their elite status. Advanced training opportunities include:
- HALO (High-Altitude Low-Opening) parachuting
- Special Forces sniper training
- Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) school
Green Berets must also stay physically fit, as the demands of the job are intense. From running and rucking to lifting and swimming, physical readiness is non-negotiable.
Pro Tip: Create a regimented fitness schedule and focus on mental health to meet the continued challenges of the Special Forces.
Becoming a Green Beret is Possible
Becoming a Green Beret is no small feat. It demands unwavering discipline, an extraordinary level of fitness, and a mental toughness that only a few possess. However, for those who accept the challenge, the rewards are unparalleled respect, the opportunity to serve in some of the most dynamic roles imaginable, and the honor of wearing the iconic green beret.
Are you ready to take this life-changing leap? The first step is to commit. Start preparing now with research, physical training, and mental resilience to set yourself on the path to greatness.