Q
The Special Forces
Course by Maj. James R. Fricke
Four young NCOs in dress uniforms sit with their classmates at the graduation exercise for the Special Forces Qualification Course. As background music plays and ushers escort visitors to their seats, the anticipation and elation of the four NCOs rises, and each reflects on the challenges he had to overcome to arrive at this milestone in his military career. Their challenges actually began prior to the 24-week SFQC. They and all other current volunteers for SF must first complete the threeweek Special Forces Assessment and Selection Program. SFAS is structured to assess volunteers’ motivation, mental and physical condition and ability to work as members of a team. Soldiers do not pass or fail SFAS; based on their performance, they are either selected or not selected to attend the SFQC. Currently 40-50 percent are not selected. Soldiers who are selected return to their units to await permanent4
change-of-station orders to attend the qualification course. In the meantime, they are advised to maintain a high level of physical fitness and to complete programmed text materials prior to their return, usually within 6-9 months, for the SFQC. When they return for training, candidates receive briefings and instruction on upcoming events and complete an extensive in-processing which includes airborne refresher training. Then they are ready to start the 24-week SFQC (training for SF medics is longer, as will be explained later). The course begins with 80 hours of common-leader training, required by the Army Sergeants Major Academy as the core instruction for all basic NCO courses, for those students who have not completed the Basic NCO Course in their previous MOS. This block of instruction, together with SF common-task and MOS-specific instruction in the SFQC, meets the requirements for BNCOC in the Army’s NCO education system. Special Warfare