Special Forces
Special Forces members conduct unconventional military operations by air, land, or sea during combat and peacetime missions. They perform offensive raids, demolitions, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and counterterrorism activities as part of elite military teams. These roles exist within the U.S. Department of Defense and operate globally.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against special forces and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week for Special Forces includes training exercises, tactical planning, and physical conditioning. Members may conduct reconnaissance missions, practice demolition techniques, or participate in search and rescue drills. Work varies by assignment—peacetime weeks involve extensive preparation and skill refinement, while deployment periods include actual operations that demand immediate response to changing conditions.
Who this work suits
You perform well in this role if you thrive under high pressure and complex problem-solving in hostile environments. You possess strong physical endurance, technical expertise in specialized weapons and tactics, and the ability to make critical decisions with limited information while leading or supporting small elite teams.
What it takes
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against special forces and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 55-3018.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.