How2Day: Special Forces Training Techniques

Special Forces recieve training that helps prepare them for a variety of unconventional situations. knife training image by Vasiliy Koval from Fotolia.com
When President Kennedy officially formed the Special Forces in the 1960s, he knew the world required a change: "... a whole new kind of strategy, a wholly different kind of force, and therefore a new and wholly different kind of military training." President Kennedy's focus was on guerrilla warfare, which was quickly taking over as the way soldiers were expected to fight. Special Forces soldiers receive specialized training, beyond that of traditional soldiers, to prepare them for unconventional warfare but also humanitarian missions.

Throughout the initial entrance into Special Forces, soldiers are subjected to a variety of training, which is designed to weed out those who just won't make it as a Special Forces solider. Obstacle courses designed to simulate real-world settings, such as sewer pipes, barriers, and rope courses, help physically challenge the potential Special Forces soldiers. Land Navigation skills are tested in the dark and in various weather conditions, without the use of GPS devices. Additionally, the soldiers are put through running and marching sequences with the goal of physically and mentally exhausting them. Sleep patterns and weather conditions or environments are also varied to simulate the constant changes and challenges those who make the cut will face.

When the soldiers are exhausted, sleep deprived and reaching their limits, they face situation-reaction exercises designed to test their ability to effectively engage in problem-solving in simulated real-world settings. The problems presented are often bordering on the ridiculous, but must be taken seriously and approached as a believable real-world situation.

Traditional soldiers and armed forces are given a wide array of luxury items that can often lead to dependence upon technology just to complete a mission. Special Forces are trained without the luxury items, such as GPS devices. The soldiers typically have a map, protractor and a compass to get through their tasks. Though in real-world situations Special Forces soldiers will have technology on their side, the ability to continue a mission even if everything breaks will make these men quite formidable.

SERE stands for Survival, Evasion, Resistance & Escape. SERE training is very specialized, subjecting those future Special Forces soldiers, and others who require this training, through simulations that are virtually unbeatable. The soldiers get a "safe" taste of what being captured is like. During the process, however, it can be quite difficult to remember that it is a controlled training session.

How2Day