how long is the us army night stalker selection course

by Toby Herman 5 min read

The basic Night Stalker course for enlisted soldiers lasts five weeks; the officer course lasts 20 to 28 weeks. A new Night Stalker pilot arrives at a unit as Basic Mission Qualified (BMQ).

five weeks

Full Answer

How do you become a Night Stalker in the US Army?

To become a Night Stalker, as with any other special operations unit, a soldier must be incredibly mentally and physically tough. It’s so difficult the Army has develops a 30-day training course to help prepare soldiers for Green Platoon training. It’s known as the best training offered by the Army and it’s very physically demanding.

What is the Night Stalkers unit?

The unit is used to support other Special Operations warriors. They are called the Night Stalkers because they are experts in night operations. They operate helicopters at night and take on some of the most demanding missions in the military.

Who are the 160th SOAR Night Stalkers?

Best known for their nighttime flying techniques, Night Stalkers are dedicated to striking targets undetected on even the darkest of nights. Curious about the 160th SOAR’s “train as you fight mentality” and vigor? Read on to learn more about this exclusive Special Ops airborne team.

Where did the Night Stalkers go in Operation Desert Storm?

Less than six months later the Night Stalkers were sent to Kuwait for Operation Desert Shield in the summer of 1990 with follow-on combat operations in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

How long is 160th selection?

six-weekOnce selected, 160th soar training includes a six-week course known as Green Platoon. This includes training on weapons, land navigation, combat, and basic soldiering skills.

Are Night Stalkers special forces?

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) is the designated aviation unit for Special Operations. Known as the Night Stalkers, these Soldiers are recognized for their proficiency in nighttime operations.

Are Army Night Stalkers pilots?

The 160th SOAR commonly known as the “Night Stalkers” are the US Army's best aviators and the premiere rotary wing aviation unit in the military's Special Operations Forces. Their moniker is well-deserved, many pilots in the 160th have more flight hours with NVGs than commercial airline pilots have flight hours total.

How do you get selected for 160th SOAR?

Enlisted QualificationsBe qualified in one of the authorized MOS (see full list in next section)Open to Active Duty.Be a U.S. citizen.Have or be able to obtain a SECRET security clearance.Pass a standard APFT and be IAW AR 600-9.Be financially stable.GT score of 100 minimum (no waiver)More items...

How much do Night Stalkers get paid?

How Much Do Overnight Stocker Jobs Pay per Hour?Annual SalaryMonthly PayTop Earners$37,500$3,12575th Percentile$34,000$2,833Average$30,298$2,52425th Percentile$26,000$2,166

How many Night Stalkers are there in the Army?

The 160th has over 3,200 personnel and 192 aircraft. The Night Stalkers operate different versions of the Black Hawk, outfitted for dangerous and covert operations. In fact, all the aircraft the 160th uses are "highly modified and designed to meet the unit's unique mission requirements," according to the Army.

What tier are Night Stalkers?

The Night Stalkers of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) are an elite helicopter unit.

Do Night Stalkers have flight medics?

These protocols ensure that the flight medic is trainedto provide a highlevel of medical care to deployed Night Stalkers even whenhe cannot communicate witha unit flight surgeon.

How long is SOAR training?

Description. This is a sport-specific 7-week program is specifically designed to prepare athletes for the U.S. Army 160th SOAR Green Platoon Assessment & Training Course. The plan includes a 1-week taper, and is designed to be completed the 7 weeks directly prior to your Green Platoon start week.

Where does 160th get stationed?

The regiment headquarters is collocated with the 1st and 2nd battalions and the Special Operations Aviation Training Battalion at Fort Campbell, Ky.; 3rd Bn. is located at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.; and 4th Bn. is located at Fort Lewis, Wash.

What do Night Stalkers fly?

The Night Stalkers love the MH-60LM Black Hawk The Black Hawk is the backbone of Army Aviation, having replaced the Huey in 1980s as the Army's go-to medium lift utility helo. Highly adaptable, rugged, and dependable, it's no surprise that the 160th would choose this aircraft as the core of their fleet.

How long is Army Ranger School?

61 daysThe Ranger course has changed little since its inception. Until recently, it was an eight-week course divided into three phases: "crawl," "walk," and "run." The course is now 61 days in duration and remains divided into three phases: "benning," "mountain," and "florida."

How do I become a Special Operations Soldier?

Enlisted Soldiers must first qualify and then be selected to join Special Operations. Requirements vary within each of the five units, but can incl...

What are the advantages of being a Special Operations Soldier?

Special Operations Soldiers complete more training and special courses, which means they receive promotions and climb in rank and pay faster than r...

What is the difference between Special Operations and Special Forces?

Special Operations is the collective force made up of the Army Rangers, Special Forces (Green Berets), Night Stalkers, Psychological Operations, an...

What happens if I don't make it through Special Operations training?

Not everyone who pursues Special Operations training is successful, but everyone who attempts it is respected—regardless of the outcome. If you don...

What do you need to be a night stalker?

If you’re looking to be a Night Stalker, you’ll need to make hard work and professionalism your top priorities in your Army career early on. This role requires timeliness, accuracy, perseverance, and beyond in order to ensure the safety of fellow service members assigned to the most important U.S. missions.

What missions does the Night Stalkers support?

The Night Stalkers also support missions for the U.S. Southern, Pacific, Africa, and European commands. What are the 160th SOAR Requirements? If you’re interested in a career in Special Operations, specifically 160th SOAR, you’ll first need to speak with a Special Operations Recruiting Team Member.

What do the 160th SOAR soldiers fly?

They’re responsible for flying in the most undesirable and dangerous conditions — like enemy fire — with ease. Since October 2001, 160th SOAR Soldiers have flown into missions globally using highly-modified Black Hawk, Chinook, and Little Bird helicopters. ...

How many battalions are in the 160th SOAR?

Together, the 160th SOAR involves a regiment headquarters, four battalions, and a training company. Each battalion has a collection of light, medium, and heavy helicopters it uses to support special operations forces missions globally. What Do Night Stalkers Do?

What is the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment?

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) is for individuals who aren’t afraid of challenges, heights, or worldwide missions. Best known for their nighttime flying techniques, Night Stalkers are dedicated to striking targets undetected on even the darkest of nights. Curious about the 160th SOAR’s “train as you fight mentality” and vigor?

What is the 160th SOAR?

In the Army, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) is the appointed aviation unit for Special Operations. Due to the nighttime operations proficiency required for their roles, the 160th SOAR soldiers are known as “Night Stalkers.”. Together, the 160th SOAR involves a regiment headquarters, four battalions, and a training company.

What are the requirements to be an Airborne?

As an enlisted individual, you must meet the following requirements: Be a U.S. citizen. Qualified MOS or can reclassify. Have a secret (or higher) clearance. Be financially stable. Have a 100 GT score minimum. Airborne is MOS Dependent. Mission/team-oriented spirit.

What is the night stalker mission?

The Night Stalkers mission includes: insertion/extraction of special operations forces (SOF) attack missions. reconnaissance. The 160th SOAR practice regularly with SOF from the U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy as well as carrying out exercises with SOF from other nations such as the United Kingdom.

What helicopters do the Night Stalkers use?

The Night Stalkers use the 'flying egg' in the light assault (MH-6M) and Light Attack (AH-6M) roles. U.S. Army Photo. 160th SOAR MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The regiment use Black Hawks as assault helicopters (MH-60M) and as escort/gunships (MH-60M DAP). U.S. Army photo by Walter Sokalski, USASOC PAO.

What is the 160th SOAR?

The 160th SOAR, otherwise known as Task Force 160 (TF-160), or the 'Night Stalkers', are an elite U.S. Army special operations unit who fly helicopters in support of both SOF and regular forces. The 160th SOAR fly the following helicopters:

How long does it take to become a green beret?

If you’re an enlisted soldier who’d like to become a Green Beret, though, you must: You’ll complete that training in six stages over 63 weeks. The first trial is a two-week Special Operations Preparation Course, or SOPC.

What are the requirements to join the 75th Ranger Regiment?

To be considered for the 75th Ranger Regiment, enlisted soldiers must: Be physically fit. Be able to get a secret clearance.

What are the special operations units in the Army?

The Army’s Special Operations units include the Rangers, the Green Berets and the Night Stalkers. Here’s what Army soldiers can expect from a career as a member of one of these special forces units.

How long does it take to get into ASVAB?

Serve for at least 36 months after graduating from training. You’ll complete that training in six stages over 63 weeks. The first trial is a two-week Special Operations Preparation Course, or SOPC.

What is a green beret?

The Army’s Special Forces Soldiers known as “Green Berets” are military legends for service members and civilians alike. They take on terrorists through quiet, guerilla war-style missions in foreign countries. Green Beret teams operate in any environment, from city fighting to jungle warfare to desert scouting.

How long is the Night Stalker course?

The basic Night Stalker course for enlisted soldiers lasts five weeks; the officer course lasts 20 to 28 weeks.

What happened to the night stalkers in 2002?

In March 2002, Night Stalkers from B Company, 2nd Battalion, 160th SOAR supported coalition troops during Operation Anaconda, particularly at the Battle of Takur Ghar on 4 March, where one of their MH -47Es, callsign Razor 03, was damaged by rocket-propelled grenades and crash-landed carrying Mako 30.

What was the mission of the 160th SOAR?

On 26 March, the 160th SOAR took part in the Objective Beaver mission, a raid by DEVGRU on a complex known as al Qadisiyah Research Centre that was suspected to have stocks of chemical and biological weapons. An MH-60K conducts air-refueling with an AFSOC MC-130J Commando II.

What is the 160th SOAR?

Overview. The 160th SOAR (A) consists of the Army's best-qualified aviators, crew chiefs, and support soldiers. Officers are all volunteers; enlisted soldiers volunteer or are assigned by the U.S. Army Human Resources Command. Until 2013, only men were allowed to be pilots in the 160th.

Where is the 160th SOAR headquartered?

Nicknamed the Night Stalkers and called Task Force Brown within the JSOC, the 160th SOAR (A) is headquartered at Fort Campbell, Kentucky .

When did the helicopters from the 160th SOAR come to Iraq?

On 14 May 2006, helicopters from the 160th SOAR brought operators from Delta Force's B Squadron to Yusufiyah, Iraq, to fight al-Qaeda fighters in several buildings. As the operators disembarked their helicopters, they came under fire from a nearby house, and more al-Qaeda fighters soon joined the firefight.

What was the 11th Task Force?

Later 2002, in Afghanistan, Task Force 11 (previously known as Task Force Sword-renamed in January 2002) was composed of DEVGRU, and a company of Rangers, and was supported by a company of helicopters from the 160th SOAR.

What is a night stalker?

Night Stalkers: The elite aviation unit that flies Delta and SEAL operators. What does nearly every successful mission by Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, Marine Raiders, and Green Berets have in common? They’ve probably been carried to and from their missions by members of the 160 th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Airborne with the abbreviation ...

What was the night stalkers' mission?

The Night Stalkers spearheaded Operation Just Cause, the 1989 invasion of Panama, where a Little Bird flying members of Delta Force was shot down just after the operators rescued American Kurt Muse from a Panama City prison.

What is the 160th SOAR?

The 160 th SOAR commonly known as the “Night Stalkers” are the US Army’s best aviators and the premiere rotary wing aviation unit in the military’s Special Operations Forces. Their moniker is well-deserved, many pilots in the 160 th have more flight hours with NVGs than commercial airline pilots have flight hours total.

What happened to the Night Stalker Chinook during Operation Red Wings?

All eight SEALs on board and all eight Night Stalkers died in the crash.

What was the mission of the Black Hawks in Afghanistan?

A combined force of the 160 th ’s Chinooks and specially modified “stealth” Black Hawks carried SEAL Team Six (DEVGRU) from Afghanistan into Abbottabad, Pakistan on a mission to kill Osama bin Laden.

How long is the first flight course in Little Birds?

First is a basic navigation course that lasts about a month. It is all conducted in the Little Birds because it is inexpensive to operate, compared to the Black Hawks and Chinooks. Pilots will then be trained for the helicopters that they will fly in a four-month advanced skills courses.

How long does it take to train a helicopter pilot?

That may entail further training later. The first phase of training covers ground-based combat skills; it lasts three weeks for officers and five to six weeks for enlisted personnel.

What is a night stalker?

Night Stalkers are leaders, highly trained professionals, and a critical component of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Morale, esprit de corps, and the retention of special operations aviation Soldiers and NCOs is critical to our mission and the future of our force.

What is the 160th SOAR?

Since our inception, The 160th SOAR has filled its ranks with "tested volunteers." Enlisted Soldiers and NCOs are actively recruited to fill our ranks with the best men or women capable of executing our mission. Our assessment process is conducted by the Special Operations Training Battalion to ensure every member of the organization has the skill, attitude, and desire to serve as a member of the United States Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC). This is the foundation all Night Stalkers must have for their career to prosper and succeed in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). The following is a general overview of the process for becoming a Night Stalker and a member of the Special Operations Command.

What is MOS training?

Special Operations Combat Skills and MOS specific training is the foundation for all newly assigned and/or requalifying Enlisted Soldiers. Many of these courses consist of formalized training resulting in Additional Skill Identifier (ASI), Special Qualification Identifier (SQI), and college credits for military education.