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How Hard Is It To Become a Green Beret

ByDave
How To Join Special Forces (Step-by-step)

While Special Forces Assessment and Selection is just a 3-week course, the journey to becoming a US Army Green Beret will take over two years.

How Hard is SFAS?

According to this unclassified report with data from 2012 – 2017 from the Department of Defense, the average attrition rate for male enlisted soldiers was 64%, and the average attrition rate for male officers was 51%. Between 2012 and 2017, three women attempted SFAS, and all were dropped.

However, in a more recent 2019 study, the attrition rate was 69%. And in a leaked 2021 class, the selection rate was 56%.

How Hard Is SFQC?

Unlike other courses such as RASP or BUD/S where you earn your beret or trident after completion, after SFAS, you will have at least another year of training to finish the Special Forces Qualification Course and only then will you earn your green beret.

Between 2012 and 2017, the SFQC attrition rate for enlisted candidates was 35% and 27% for officers.

SFQC Selection rates for enlisted, officer, and women candidates

What is the Attrition Rate for Special Forces?

Enlisted Attrition Rate

The average enlisted attrition rate for SFAS and SFQC is 77%. Keep in mind, that this data does not include all of the candidates who dropped throughout Infantry OSUT, Airborne school, or who failed to make it to day 1 of SFAS.

Officer Attrition Rate

The average officer attrition rate for SFAS and SFQC is 64%. Remember that even though the selection rate for officers is higher, the path to becoming a Green Beret Officer is more selective. As long as you meet the minimum standards and medical screenings, you can earn an 18X contract. There is much more screening up front to earn a shot at SFAS as an officer.

Why do Candidates Drop from Special Forces Training?

Data from November 2021 SFAS Class

Reporting from SFNationalGuard showed a November 2021 class’s SFAS statistics. The data is as follows:

  • The overall selection rate for the November SFAS class was 44% (151/345).
  • The overall attrition rate (voluntary + involuntary + admin + medical + peer review) was 56% (194/345)
  • The attrition rate due to physical performance on the PFA and Run/Ruck events was 17% (59/345)
  • The attrition rate due to land navigation was 24% (82/345)
  • The attrition rate due to peer review was 14% (48/345)
  • The voluntary withdrawal rate was 6% (22/345)
  • The medical withdrawal rate was 2% (7/345)

Self-Reported Reasons for Voluntary Withdrawal

A 2010 study conducted by the US Army Research Institute noted,


A larger proportion of Candidates withdrew from SFAS voluntarily, most citing insufficient physical fitness as the primary reason for their withdrawal.

Scott A. Beal
U.S. Army Research Institute

Official SFAS Data on Withdrawal Reasons

A 2019 study by the US Army Research Institute included a breakdown of why candidates were dropped from training.

Among those not selected,

  • 54% failed to meet SFAS standards
  • 15% failed the APFT
  • 9% were involuntarily withdrawn for a medical condition
  • 6% voluntarily withdrew due to lack of motivation
  • 3% voluntarily withdrew for a medical condition
  • 3% were withdrawn for losing equipment
  • 3% were withdrawn for other reasons
  • 2% were withdrawn for a safety violation.

The selection rate in the 2019 study was 31%.

I'm a coach with a passion for helping athletes dominate the toughest selection courses in the world. Over the years, I've trained well over 100 athletes for Special Operations selection courses, including SFAS, RASP, Air Force A&S, BORTAC, SWAT, and MARSOC A&S. My mission is to bridge the gap between traditional performance training and the unique demands of tactical and military athletes.

I got my start coaching hybrid athletes, blending strength, endurance, and hypertrophy training to achieve peak performance. As I worked with more tactical and military athletes, I realized there was a need for a specialized approach tailored to the grueling physical and mental challenges of SOF selections. This realization drove me to focus on prepping SOF candidates for success, combining cutting-edge research, proven training methodologies, and real-world experience.

Whether you're preparing for selection, seeking to level up your fitness, or simply curious about what it takes to thrive in these elite environments, I hope you'll find the information I share helpful.