How to Join Delta Force

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Last Updated: November 4, 2024 References

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Preliminary Requirements

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SFQC Training

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Standing Out

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

The 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (SFOD-D) is commonly referred to as "Delta Force," is one of, if not, the most elite counter-terrorism unit in the world. Modeled after the British Army's Special Air Service (SAS), Delta routinely conducts broad-spectrum counter-terrorism operations around the globe at a moment's notice, against any enemy, in every conceivable environment. To join Delta Force, you do not need to be an experienced Special Forces operator. All military members that meet the pre-requisites are sent an information letter and invited to attend a briefing. Members of Delta Force are recruited from all branches and specialties of the Military. Traditionally, those with backgrounds in combat arms specialties that are Ranger or Special Forces Qualified have higher passage rates. However, it is not necessary to join or complete Special Forces training before applying to Unit selection; you can become an operator if you're a cook as long as you pass.^{[1]
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Preliminary Requirements

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1
Enlist in the Army. You must have a minimum of four years in Service to qualify for Delta Force, so your first step in becoming a Delta Force operative is to enlist in the Army as a regular soldier and work steadily to rise through the ranks. Take and pass the Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) and qualify for security clearance with your recruiter and discuss your ambitions to join Delta Force.
- All applicants for SFOD-D must be male, at least 22 years old, have a general technical score of 110 or higher. You must attain the rank of E-4 through E-8, with at least four years in service, and have at least two years remaining on your contract to qualify.^{[2]
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- To get started on the right foot, talk to your recruiter about your eventual desires to end up in an elite unit like Delta Force, so you'll be advised correctly. For the most part, you'll want to volunteer for a combat arms job, to qualify more quickly for more advanced training and specialization.
- For the most part, Delta Force soldiers are Green Berets or Rangers first, then are recruited out of their specialization. Make joining the special forces your first goal.
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Attend Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT). OSUT combines Army Basic Training and Infantry AIT (Advanced Individual Training) in one 14-week course, giving you the fundamental skills to transition from a civilian into a soldier, and a specialized soldier at that.^{[3]
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Research source} If you want to end up in Delta force, you should go into OSUT expecting to develop your proficiency in a variety of field tasks, including:
- Weapon and vehicle operation and maintenance
- Land reconnaissance
- Map reading and navigation
- Minefield safety
- Communications equipment operation
- Preparing fighting positions
- Constructing barriers
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Attend Airborne Training at Fort Benning. Special Forces troopers who eventually want to join Delta Force must qualify for and complete airborne training, in addition to AIT and other specialized training. This is a voluntary training that some soldiers elect to take to "earn their wings," becoming paratroopers. It's four weeks of jump training, starting on the ground and eventually moving to completing a series of jumps at an altitude of 1,200 feet (365.8 m).
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Attend a Special Operations Preparation Course (SOPC). These four-week courses typically lead up to the Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) program, which you must pass to be admitted to Special Forces training and continue your rising in the ranks.
- The SFAS program assesses and selects Soldiers for attendance at the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC). This program allows Special Forces an opportunity to assess each Soldier's capabilities by testing his physical, emotional, and mental stamina.
- Once you pass the SFAS, you'll move on to the SFQC. The SFQC teaches and develops the skills necessary for Special Forces. The enlisted applicant's SFQC training will be scheduled upon successful completion of SFAS.

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SFQC Training

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During this period, soldiers are trained on specialized skills necessary to Special Forces work. Training is 40 days long and covers land navigation, cross-country map exercise, and small unit tactics. The specifics subjects and methods of the training process aren't public, and will be made more clear to soldiers who are admitted.
Training for this phase is 65 days and culminates with a mission planning cycle, during which you'll put your leadership skills to the test, as well as hone your particular specialities and skills that you've been developing over the course of your training. Different soldiers, depending on their experience, training, and specialities, will have different responsibilities during MOS.^{[4]
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During this 38-day period, Soldiers are trained in Special Operations (SO) classes, Direct Action (DA) Isolation, Air Operations, Unconventional Warfare classes, and receive Isolation training. This is one of the most mentally tough and physically strenuous training sequences in all of the United States military. You'll be put to the test and expected to perform at a high level. Many soldiers scrub out.
Language training is required for all incoming Delta soldiers and expected of advanced-level Special Forces soldiers from all backgrounds. Typically, languages are assigned in relation to the score from the Defense Language Aptitude Battery (DLAB), which you'll take during your training.

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Standing Out

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1
Make it clear what you want. The military respects ambition and rewards skill and dedication. If you want to join Delta Force, make it clear to your commanding officers and other ranking officials. This is the best way to be recruited to train and possibly qualify for part of this elite unit. If you leave your desire a secret, it's unlikely you'll be tasked with joining up. Be honest about what you want.
- Get to know your COs and other ranking officers very well. It's no understatement to say, like anything else, there's a political element to getting promoted and getting what you want in the military. Make friends in high places and you'll have someone's ear, and also have a good line into what other COs and ranking officers expect from the soldiers. Keep an ear out for tips and tricks. Talk to the right people.
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Be trainable. Your job during the selection phase is to show your potential and train-ability under stress. Focus on giving every task that you are faced with 110 percent effort and never ever quit. You are not expected to be a super-soldier right off the starting line, but you are expected to be considerably above average and to remain committed to improving your skills and being a teachable soldier.^{[5]
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- Remember, once you're admitted, you'll be trained extensively, and put to the test mentally and physically. You just have to get there. If anyone asks if you're ready, your only answer should be "Yes, sir."
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Get in your peak physical condition. Delta Force soldiers need to be beyond fit. Even if you haven't enlisted as an infantry soldier yet, it's a good idea to start getting into your peak physical condition, focusing specifically on building endurance and cardiovascular strength.
- Practice walking for very long distances (30mi or more) with a weighted (60lbs) rucksack. Try for 15 minute miles, though you will be expected to travel at a much faster pace during Selection.
Land navigation skills are key to successfully completing the Delta Force selection course. Know how to use a compass and map intimately, practicing your skills as often as possible. If you've already got that down, it's one less thing you'll have to focus on learning during training, so you can focus on improving other aspects of your candidacy.
The majority of applicants to Delta Force will be rejected and most accepted applicants have previously applied. Of all the people in the army, only a fraction of them become Airborne Rangers and Green Berets. Of all the Airborne Rangers and Green Berets, only a fraction of them are selected for Delta Force.

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How do I join Delta Force if I'm a citizen in of country?

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To join Delta Force you must also be a citizen in the United States and be enlisted in the U.S. Army.

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How long is the training for Delta Force?

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7 to 8 months to be exact, including selection and the operator qualification courses.

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What specifically should I do to help me get to Delta?

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Most Delta come from the Special Forces (Green Beret) so get into Special Forces. Most Special Forces come from Rangers or have at least gone through Ranger school. Other important qualities include: being very physically fit, being "trainable" - i.e listening carefully and asking smart questions, learning to think outside the box/on your feet. It's important to be disciplined but not too regimented in your thinking. Find ways to make yourself stand out, maybe you were a great Eagle Scout, track star, etc.

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Tips

Be in excellent shape.

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Perform well and stay out of trouble as adverse actions on your record can exclude you from consideration.

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Delta trainers are looking for consistency. You must consistently show yourself to be above your peers in all areas.

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Warnings

This is not a complete list of requirements. It is just a preliminary overview.

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It is not advisable to join the Army with the sole intention of making it into Delta Force. You are looking at a commitment of at least 4 years before you will even be considered. Realistically it will take much longer than that; if you even make it in. Even if you complete the Selection Phase there's still no guarantee that you will be selected.

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Be advised that Delta Force is a very dangerous and difficult profession. Delta Force conducts a wide variety of Direct Action and covert operations around the globe that deal with protecting American interests. This means that, as a Delta Operator, you will be conducting high risk training and missions. Chances of injury or death during training alone are greater than that of conventional forces.

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