Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS)

[SF Hunter]

The Special Forces career management field (CMF) 18 includes positions concerned with the employment of highly specialized elements to accomplish specifically directed missions in times of peace and war. Many of these missions are conducted at times when employment of conventional military forces is not feasible or is not considered in the best interest of the United States. Training for and participation in these missions are arduous, somewhat hazardous, and are often sensitive in nature. For these reasons it is a prerequisite that every prospective “Green Beret” successfully completes the 19-day SFAS course and be selected for Special Forces Training.

The SFAS Course is one of the most grueling selection processes in the Army. The multi-week course, run by the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg/Camp Mackall, NC. Identifies Soldiers who have the potential for successfully completing SF training. Utilizing the “Whole Man concept", each individual is assessed in individual dimensions including physical fitness and the ability to cope with stress.

All candidates participate in a variety of activities designed to place them under various forms of physical and mental stress. It assesses potential and qualities through behavioral observation, analysis via performance measure, and recording data. All tasks are performed in a neutral environment with limited information and no performance feedback. The program assesses tactical skills, leadership, physical fitness, motivation, and ability to cope with stress. Activities include psychology tests, physical fitness, confidence events, obstacle courses, rucksack marches and military orienteering/land navigation assessments and team trek events.

Suitability to attend SFQC is determined by assessing the Soldier's ability throughout SFAS on the attributes of: Intelligence, Physical fitness, Motivation, Accountability, Maturity, Stability, Trustworthiness, Judgement, Decisiveness, Teamwork, Influence, Communication and Responsibility.

At the end of the program, a board meets to select those Soldiers most qualified to attend SFQC (Selection at SFAS is good for 24 months).

Be prepared for anything at SFAS. This is the place where "your mind is your best weapon". Perfect physical condition alone will not get you through SFAS. SFAS also allows each soldier the opportunity to make a meaningful and educated decision about SF and his career plan.

When you report to Fort Bragg, NC, you should be at 100 percent physical ability with zero percent stress level. Any of the following might cause you stress while attending SFAS and lead to failure:

Wife not in agreement with you
Financial problems at home
Medical problems with yourself or family
Not sure SF is what you want
Low self-esteem or lack of motivation
Not in top physical shape for SFAS
Just to escape your present unit or duty assignment