what is the us army q course

by Laney Boyer 6 min read

The Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) or, informally, the Q Course is the initial formal training program for entry into the United States Army
United States Army
It is the largest military branch, and in the fiscal year 2020, the projected end strength for the Regular Army (USA) was 480,893 soldiers; the Army National Guard (ARNG) had 336,129 soldiers and the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) had 188,703 soldiers; the combined-component strength of the U.S. Army was 1,005,725 soldiers.
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Special Forces
. Phase I of the Q Course is Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS).

How long is the Q Course for special forces?

Special Forces Qualification (Q) Course. This is the stuff legends are made of. Tales of heroism by men behind enemy lines simply known by the head gear they wear… they are the Green Berets. US Army Special Forces are elite soldiers that specialize in Foreign Internal Defense. But, before you can dream of wearing the coveted Green Beret, you must first pass Assessment and Selection, …

How many candidates are on a Q Course in the Army?

Feb 04, 2020 · The Q Course is now designed to be completed in a little more than 12 months for all Green Berets, except those training to become medics. Four classes start each year, allowing the course to align...

What is Phase I of the Q Course?

There are typically eight courses, of 87 students, per year and candidates must successfully complete the SOCM course no more than 2-years prior to entering the 18D Medical Sergeant Course (Phase IV of the Special Forces Qualification Course), which is for enlisted candidates (US Army, US Navy and US Air Force) who have or will be assigned to a special operations medical …

How long is SFQC training in the Army?

Oct 18, 2018 · Course Is to Be Shortened to 24 Weeks We’ve been expecting change to the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) for some time now. The course is and pretty much has always been a constantly...

What does the Q Course consist of?

Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) This course is conducted in a series of six phases and includes major areas of instruction to include land navigation, small unit tactics, MOS training (engineer/demo, weapons, medic, communications), individual training, collective training, language and cultural training.

How long is the army Q Course?

The Q Course is now designed to be completed in a little more than 12 months for all Green Berets, except those training to become medics. Four classes start each year, allowing the course to align training with Army Special Operations Command's psychological operations and civil affairs students.Feb 4, 2020

Is the Q Course hard?

The Q course medical training includes a stint at a civilian hospital trauma unit and is arguably the most arduous among the four military occupational specialties that make up the SF ranks. "It lets you know there will be a high degree of specialty placed on you," he said, "and rank comes with that.Jul 9, 2015

How long is Q Course now?

This phase is approximately 13 weeks in duration and includes training in Small Unit Tactics, SF Tactics, Survival Skills and Language and Cultural Training.

Where does the Q Course take place?

Fort Bragg, North CarolinaThe Army Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) is long and demanding. Although the length of the course varies according to Military Occupational Specialty and language it is generally 12 to 24 months long. Most of the training is held on Fort Bragg, North Carolina or Camp Mackall, North Carolina. Prerequisites.

Do you get weekends off in the Q Course?

There are some weekends he can put in for a weekend pass, some times he'll be free during weekend days, and sometimes he'll be tied up. My biggest suggestion assuming he makes it to the Course- BE SUPPORTIVE. It's a tough life for spouses and the course will / should come first for him.Jun 7, 2009

Is SFAS or Q course harder?

Both schools are physically and mentally challenging, but in different ways. I generally say that Ranger school sucks more but the Q course is harder.

How do you get into special ops?

Army Special Forces QualificationsMeet the minimum age requirement of 20 years old.Be a U.S. citizen.Have a high school diploma.Achieve a General Technical score of 110 or higher and a combat operation score of 98 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.

Can you see your family during SFQC?

The current SFQC layout has family time available during Phase III and Language School. You willl not see your family (or your house) much, if any, during Phase IA, I, II, PLDC, BNCOC, SERE, or Robin Sage.Jun 17, 2006

How hard is Green Beret training?

There isn't any big secret about passing selection, in fact to those of us who worked out there the saying used to be, “the answer is so simple that it is hard.” It is all about you the individual. Selection is 70 percent mental and 30 percent physical. You don't have to look like an NFL linebacker to pass the course.

What is the Q course in the Army?

The Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) or, informally, the Q Course is the initial formal training program for entry into the United States Army Special Forces. Phase I of the Q Course is Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS). Getting "Selected" at SFAS will enable a candidate to continue to the next of the four phases.

How long is the SFQC?

Course Description: Phase 1 of the SFQC is the SF Orientation Course, a seven-week introduction to SF. Dubbed the Orientation and History module, the course falls under the auspices of the 4th Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne). The course is separated into six modules:

How many men are in an ODA?

If a candidate successfully completes all phases he or she will graduate as a Special Forces qualified soldier and then, generally, be assigned to a 12-man Operational Detachment "A" (ODA), commonly known as an "A team.".

When was SFAS introduced?

A version of SFAS was introduced as a selection mechanism in the mid-1980s by the Commanding General of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at the time, Brigadier General James Guest.

What is the 18X program?

Active Duty and National Guard components offer Special Forces Initial Accession programs. The Active Duty program is referred to as the "18X Program" because of the Initial Entry Code on the assignment orders.

How long is the Special Forces training course?

The first phase of the Special Forces Qualification Course is Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS), consisting of twenty-four days of training at Camp Mackall. SFAS includes numerous long-distance land navigation courses.

What is the Pineland Area Study?

The Pineland Area Study will be used as the basis for analysis allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the training environment. The acronym PMESII-PT refers to a form of environmental analysis to examine the aspects of political, military, economic, social, information, infrastructure, physical environment, and time aspects of the military theater.

What is SFQC in the military?

Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) Soldiers who make it through the SFAS course move on to the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC). Once a soldier completes the 'Q course', they enter the Special Forces brotherhood and earn the right to wear the Special Forces tab and Green Beret. Course description : the SFQC consists ...

Where is the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course?

The 24 day Special Forces Assessment and Selection course is run out of the Col. mick Rowe Special Forces Training Facility at Camp MacKall , North Carolina. The SFAS is designed to select candidates suitable for the Special Forces Qualification course and such is structures to push the candidates to their limits of physical and mental endurance. Typical elements of the SFAS include:

How long is the SFQC?

After four weeks, soldiers will find out whether they are selected to attend the full Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC), also known as the Q Course. This phase 1B is known formerly as SFAS -- Special Forces Assessment and Selection. There is a short two-week course after advancing to Phase 2.

How long is Airborne training?

Basic Combat Training lasts nine weeks. AIT lasts four weeks. Airborne last three weeks. All of these schools take place at Fort Benning, Georgia. Once you are an Airborne graduate, you will be authorized a permanent change of station (PCS) move to Fort Bragg, N.C.

How long does it take to become a special forces officer?

Like all soldiers, Special Forces candidates begin their career with nine weeks of basic combat training (BCT). Upon completion of basic training, you will attend advanced individual training. For Special Forces, you will go to infantry school to learn to use small arms, anti-armor and weapons such as howitzers and heavy mortars. Before you can advance to the special operation career selection path, Special Forces candidates also much complete the Basic Airborne Course. For a complete timeline for the quickest an 18 XRAY candidate will attend SF training: 1 Basic Combat Training lasts nine weeks 2 AIT lasts four weeks 3 Airborne last three weeks

What do you learn in the Special Forces?

For Special Forces, you will go to infantry school to learn to use small arms, anti-armor and weapons such as howitzers and heavy mortars. Before you can advance to the special operation career selection path, Special Forces candidates also much complete ...

How long does it take to get into ODA?

The process of completing these schools can take 14-18 months.

How long is Robin Sage?

The final phase is a culmination exercise known as Robin Sage which is 5 weeks long and where students will form their own SFODA and put their training and experience of the last several months to the test. This is a realistic training setting dealing with indigenous personnel, counterinsurgency, and tested in the mission (Foreign Internal Defense) of training a mock guerrilla force in a hostile environment.

How long does it take to complete the Q course?

The Q Course is now designed to be completed in a little more than 12 months for all Green Berets, except those training to become medics. Four classes start each year, allowing the course to align training with Army Special Operations Command’s psychological operations and civil affairs students.

Who is the commander of the Army's Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg?

“We, as SOF, are uniquely qualified to operate under that threshold short of armed conflict,” said Maj. Gen. Patrick B. Roberson, commander of the Army’s John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg.

What is the Golden Division?

Iraq’s elite counterterrorism troops, commonly called the Golden Division, were originally raised and trained in 2003 by the U.S. military. When Americans returned to Iraq, the Golden Division acted as a “vanguard” force. It was the first to breach Mosul after more than two years of ISIS occupation.

Where is the Sluss-Tiller?

Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School participating in the Civil Affairs Course speak with indigenous role players during Sluss-Tiller, the culmination exercise for Civil Affairs students, at Camp Mackall, North Carolina April 3, 2019. (K.

Who is Rick Lamb?

The changes don’t concern Rick Lamb, a retired Army Green Beret command sergeant major who served in Mogadishu and Panama. “I think it’s a good idea. I don’t see any issues with it at all,” Lamb said, adding that the Q Course took him about a year complete in the mid-1980s. “That’s what it used to be.

How long is the SFQC?

SFQC is also known as the ‘Q’ course and is a “67 week” course (Special Warfare, 2015, p.30). The SFQC consists of six sequential phases of training, upon completion of which candidates earn the right to wear the Special Forces tab and don the famous Green Beret.

How long is phase 1 of SFQC?

Phase I of the SFQC is Introduction to Unconventional Warfare, is 6-weeks in duration and separated into five modules. In the past, it has been known as Course Orientation, Course Orientation and History, and as the Special Forces Orientation Course.

What is the US Army Special Forces?

US Army Special Forces are responsible for training and preparation for execution of special operations in a variety of environments, including maritime, urban, desert, jungle, arctic and mountain. Amongst others, US Army Special Forces are experts in: Special operations tactics and technical knowledge;

How old do you have to be to join the National Guard?

Aged 20-30 years old for Active Duty and 20-35 years old for National Guard (since April 2011, National Guard must take the Oath of Enlistment on or before their 35th birthday (USANG, 2016a)). Must be a high school graduate or have a general educational development (GED) certificate (waiverable).

What was the 7th Special Forces Group?

The remaining cadre at Fort Bragg formed the 77th Special Forces Group, which in May 1960 became today’s 7th Special Forces Group. The intervening years saw the number of Special Forces groups rise and fall. Special Forces soldiers first saw combat in 1953, deployed from the 10th SFG (Airborne) to Korea.

Is it easy to become a Special Forces Operator?

The journey to becoming a US Army Special Forces operator is not easy (an understatement, perhaps!). US Army Special Forces training is rigorous and highly selective, but the courage and strength individuals will gain as a candidate will stay with them for their entire life.

What is SORB in the army?

The Special Operations Recruiting Battalion (SORB) is responsible for the recruitment of US Army Special Forces. Its headquarters is located in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. SORB has a global footprint, meaning it can provide recruitment services and support to personnel at a regional level.

How fast can you move in a sfas?

SFAS is all about time and moving to your points quickly. You need to be able to move out when you are in a time crunch or are stuck in a draw. To prepare, put 45 pounds in your ruck and move four miles as fast as you can. A good goal is to get four miles in less than 35 minutes.

What exercises require a strong back?

Carrying backpacks, logs, and performing injured man drills requires a strong back. Dead lifts, hang cleans, farmer walks, fireman carries and body drags will prepare your lower back for lifting weight and walking with it. Be prepared to stand up all day; don't even sit down at all. Also see the new lower back plan for a calisthenics-based back plan on which to build.

How to train for lunge walk?

Mix in a lung and leg workout with running and leg PT. Run at a timed pace for a half-mile -- rest with 20 squats and 20 lunges. Repeat up to 5–6 times or build up to it over time, depending on a logical progression. Try a few quarter-mile lunge walks in your training to prepare for a lunge walk around your training area.

What to do during SFAS?

During SFAS, you will have log and rifle PT. This isn't every day but a very extraneous event that gets a lot of guys to quit. I would recommend doing a lot of push presses, snatches and lightweight military presses to get ready. The weight isn't heavy, just very repetitive. Learn to work under the log as a team, and it helps -- especially if everyone can do a push press at the same time. Really muscle-bound guys could get the weight up with no problem but get smoked really quickly in these events.

Can you do morning PT with kettlebells?

The biggest reason I say this is because they are doing mostly CrossFit workouts in the course. Morning PT incorporates kettlebells, barbells, pull-​​ups, etc. So if you have a little bit of a CrossFit background, you can keep up during PT. Use CrossFit workouts as a warm-​​up. You still need to put in a lot of time with running and rucking.

Is swimming a passable event?

Swimming is a passable event in the course. Besides being a great non-​​impact aerobic activity, the survival swim with gear on is tough and quite a shock if you never have tried it. You have to be able to swim 50 meters in a pool with boots and a uniform. If you are a weak swimmer, get to the pool and do some laps.

Course Description

The mission of ARC is to develop confident and agile reconnaissance leaders who can operate in unpredictable combat and training environments within their commander's intent.

Reporting

All students will report to Patton Hall BLDG 5145 on Eighth Division Road. In-processing will take place on the second floor room 241. Please ensure you have two copies of your orders to include amendments, and the Data and Demographic survey sheet completed.

Gear List

For all information regarding what gear is required and restrictions on what to bring reference ARC Packing List. Click here to view gear list

Billeting

Barracks are not provided. For billeting reservation contact the billeting office in Olsen Hall on main post as soon as possible, Commercial (706) 689-0067 extension 4701. You must check with the billeting office, if attending in TDY status, prior to making arrangements for off post lodging.

Detaching

All students (graduates & drops) will be met by a representative of the MarDet immediately after graduation/dismissal to recieve a "From TAD Orders endorsement". This paperwork is a requirement upon return to your unit for settlement of travel claims.

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Special Forces Assessment and Selection

SFAS Overview

This 19-day performance-oriented course includes physical conditioning, map reading and land navigation instruction; land-navigation practical exercises, and common-task training. The goal is to prepare and condition 18X and REP-63 (National Guard) soldiers to attend Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and the follow-on Special Forces Qualification Course.

Special Forces Qualification Course

Further Special Forces Training

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The 24 day Special Forces Assessment and Selection course is run out of the Col. mick Rowe Special Forces Training Facility at Camp MacKall, North Carolina. The SFAS is designed to select candidates suitable for the Special Forces Qualification course and such is structures to push the candidates to their limits of physical an…
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Special Forces Phase 1

  • Throughout the Special Forces Assessment and Selection course the candidates are purposefully deprived of sleep and kept under pressure. By the time the SFAS course is in its second week over half of the original 300 candidates will have either given up or been bounced by the instructors. Those who remain after the 24-day SFAS course is over can now look forward to the grueling Sp…
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Special Forces Phase 2

  • Soldiers who make it through the SFAS course move on to the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC). Once a soldier completes the 'Q course', they enter the Special Forces brotherhood and earn the right to wear the Special Forces tab and Green Beret. Course description : the SFQC consists of 6 sequential stages of training: Official US Army video on Special Forces Qualificatio…
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Phase 3

  • After SFQC, Green Berets are assigned to a position in a Special Forces Group and go on to further training. more info : Special Forces Training «« special forces
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Phase 4

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Special Force Qualification Course Phase 1A is the preparation course where soldiers will check in, collect gear and start advanced-level physical training and land navigation. This phase (formerly known as SOPC I -- Special Operations Prep Course) is four weeks long. Special Forces Qualification Course Phase 1B is the a…
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Phase 5

  • Phase 2 combines small-unit tactics (SUT) and survival, evasion, resistance and escape (SERE) training. Soldiers will begin with more small-unit tactics on the squad and platoon levels and be tested in weapons marksmanship. The learning curve is steep in this five-week phase. After SUT, the next three weeks will focus on survival training, avoiding capture, resisting enemy interrogati…
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Want to Know More About The Military?

  • Depending upon the military occupational specialty, the soldier is selected to do the following jobs within the 12-man team known as the Special Forces Operations Detachment Alpha (ODA). The process of completing these schools can take 14-18 months. You will receive MOS training for your Special Forces MOS, which includes SF critical tasks required for award of a career manag…
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