SFAS Calculator 2026: Green Beret Requirements and Prep Standards
U.S. ARMY SPECIAL FORCES: SFAS SELECTION
SFAS Calculator: Green Beret Requirements 2026
Check your Special Forces prep. Your AFT total is scored against the Army's 350-point combat standard. Your pull-ups, 5-mile run, 12-mile ruck at 45 lb, and uniform swim are scored against prep benchmarks, because the Army doesn't publish fixed SFAS times for those events.
SFAS Readiness
Special Forces requirements 2026
These are the requirements the Army publishes for Special Forces candidates on GoArmy and the AFT page:
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Age | 18-34 for new enlistees (18X); 20-34 for current soldiers |
| Rank (current soldiers) | E-3 through E-6 |
| ASVAB | TECH score of 110 or higher |
| Airborne | Qualify for Airborne School |
| Clearance | Eligible for a secret clearance |
| Army Fitness Test (AFT) | Combat standard: 350 total with 60+ in every event, sex-neutral (all 18-series MOSs are on the combat list) |
SFAS prep benchmarks
The Army doesn't publish pass/fail times for SFAS runs and rucks, and distances are often not announced in advance. The benchmarks below are Battle Bunker's training targets, not Army standards. They are what the calculator scores against, except the AFT minimum, which is the Army's.
| Event | Baseline | Competitive |
|---|---|---|
| AFT total | 350 (Army combat standard) | 450+ |
| Pull-ups (dead hang) | 10 | 15+ |
| 5-mile run | 40:00 | 35:00 or faster |
| 12-mile ruck, 45 lb | 3:00:00 | 2:45:00 or faster |
| Swim in ACUs and boots | Complete it calmly | Complete it calmly |
Score your AFT event by event with the free AFT calculator, which covers the combat standard.
What is SFAS?
SFAS is Special Forces Assessment and Selection, the 24-day assessment that decides who moves on to the Special Forces Qualification Course. It runs at Camp Mackall, North Carolina. GoArmy lays out the pipeline in four steps:
- Preparation course, 6 weeks: fitness and land navigation.
- SFAS, 24 days: the physical and mental assessment.
- Special Forces Qualification Course, about 53 weeks: language, SERE, advanced skills, and field training.
- Graduation: the Green Beret and the Special Forces tab.
SFAS isn't a single PT test. Expect the Army Fitness Test, runs, an obstacle course, rucks at distances you aren't told in advance, a swim assessment, long day and night land navigation under load, and team events moving heavy, awkward loads. Cadre watch how you perform alone and exhausted, with little feedback.
SFAS vs RASP
- Length: SFAS is 24 days. RASP 1 is about 8 weeks.
- Ruck weight: RASP's graded 12-mile ruck is 35 lb dry. SFAS rucks commonly start around 45 lb before water and go heavier in team events.
- Style: SFAS leans on individual land navigation and working without supervision. RASP applies constant cadre pressure and daily physical standards.
Full breakdown in SFAS vs RASP, or check your Ranger numbers with the RASP calculator.
How to prep each event
AFT: Aim for 450+ before you ship. Most candidates find points fastest in the deadlift (heavy triples), the sprint-drag-carry (sled work), and the 2-mile run (aerobic volume).
Pull-ups: Weighted pull-ups twice a week, plus daily grease-the-groove sets. Work toward 15 strict from a dead hang.
5-mile run: Three easy aerobic runs a week plus one interval session and one tempo run. Sub-35:00 is the real goal.
12-mile ruck at 45 lb: Build over 12-16 weeks in the boots you'll wear. A 3:00:00 ruck is a 15:00 per mile pace; 2:45:00 is 13:45 per mile. Take care of your feet: blisters end selections.
Swim: Practice in a pool wearing a uniform and boots. Staying calm matters more than speed.
About this calculator
The requirements table comes from GoArmy and the Army's AFT page. The AFT minimum is the Army's combat standard. The run, ruck, pull-up, and swim benchmarks are Battle Bunker's training targets, because the Army doesn't publish fixed pass/fail times for those events at SFAS. Special Warfare Center cadre run the assessment. Standards checked September 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SFAS?
SFAS is Special Forces Assessment and Selection, the 24-day assessment at Camp Mackall, North Carolina that decides who continues to the Special Forces Qualification Course and a Green Beret career.
How long is SFAS?
24 days. It follows a 6-week preparation course and comes before the Special Forces Qualification Course, which GoArmy lists at about 53 weeks.
What are the Special Forces physical requirements?
You must meet the Army Fitness Test combat standard: 350 points with at least 60 in every event, scored sex-neutral. The Army doesn't publish fixed SFAS pass/fail times for runs and rucks, so candidates train well past the minimum. Battle Bunker's competitive targets are a 450+ AFT, 15 pull-ups, a 35:00 five-mile run, and a 2:45:00 twelve-mile ruck at 45 lb.
What AFT score do you need for Special Forces?
All Special Forces MOSs (18A, 180A, and 18B through 18Z) are on the AFT combat list, so the standard is 350 total with 60+ in every event. Battle Bunker's competitive target is 450+.
Is there a swim test at SFAS?
Yes, SFAS includes a swim assessment. The Army doesn't publish the event details, so prepare by swimming in a uniform and boots until it feels routine.
How heavy is the ruck at SFAS?
The Army doesn't publish a fixed SFAS ruck weight. Candidates commonly report rucks starting around 45 pounds before water, with heavier loads in team events. Train at 45 lb and above.
What is 18X?
18X is the Special Forces enlistment option. You enlist for Special Forces, complete initial training and Airborne School, then the 6-week preparation course and SFAS. New enlistees must be 18-34 with an ASVAB TECH score of 110 or higher.
Is SFAS harder than RASP?
They test different things. SFAS is shorter and leans on heavy rucks and individual land navigation with little feedback. RASP is longer and applies constant cadre pressure and daily physical standards. Each is hardest for the soldier who isn't suited to it.
