What is 18X in the Army?

In the U.S. Army, 18X (or "X-ray") is a Special Forces enlistment option for civilians (non-prior service) that serves as a direct, albeit challenging, pathway to become a Green Beret by guaranteeing an opportunity to attend Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) after basic infantry and airborne training. It's essentially a contract to try out for Special Forces, requiring intense physical and mental preparation, with a potential reassignment to a regular infantry unit if you don't pass selection.

How long is the 18X training?

18X training is a multi-phase path to becoming a U.S. Army Green Beret, starting with ~25 weeks of infantry/Airborne school, then several months of prep (SFPC) and a month-long Assessment & Selection (SFAS), leading to the 18-28 month Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC); the total journey, if successful, takes well over a year, often 2-3 years, to fully complete and earn the beret, but the initial phase to get to SFAS can be as quick as 6-9 months. 

What percent of 18X become Green Berets?

To be fair to both groups, a 44% selection rate sounds high. If 44% of those who enlisted through the Army 18X program or attempted SFAS earned their Green Beret, it would be surprising. The problem is those statistics don't tell the full story.

How much do 18X get paid?

As of Dec 26, 2025, the average annual pay for a 18X Special Forces Candidate Sp Enlistment Required in the United States is $67,955 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $32.67 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,306/week or $5,662/month.

How many 18X contracts make it?

Not many 18X recruits "make it" all the way through to become Green Berets; while the contract guarantees a shot at Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS), overall success from signing to earning the Green Beret is low, with high attrition in the initial stages (OSUT/Airborne) and even higher in the pipeline, but those who pass SFAS have strong success rates, around 40-50% for the whole pipeline, with some sources showing ~80% selection at SFAS for 18X candidates. 

Should you go 18x? (Special Forces Candidate MOS)

How hard is it to get an 18X contract?

Getting an 18X (Special Forces Candidate) contract is difficult because it requires meeting stringent Army Special Forces (SF) prerequisites and succeeding in the notoriously tough Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS), with overall success rates often cited around 40-50% for 18X candidates, meaning most who sign up don't earn the beret, even if getting the initial contract is possible if qualified. You need excellent physical fitness, high scores on aptitude tests (like a 110 GT), a strong moral character, leadership potential, and often a degree of luck with available slots, making the path demanding from enlistment through the grueling selection course. 

What is the rarest rank in the Army?

The rarest rank in the U.S. Army is arguably Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5), as it's the highest technical rank, held by less than 1% of warrant officers who are master-level experts, or ranks that only exist for a single person at a time, like the Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA), a singular position with immense responsibility, or historical/wartime ranks like General of the Armies (six-star), which is rarely bestowed. 

What is the failure rate of 18X Army?

Comparing Selection Rates The overall Selection Rate for 18X is ~40%.

Do they give you $10,000 if you join the Army?

You could earn up to $10,000 just for reporting to Basic Training within 30 days of enlistment for certain in-demand jobs. This bonus can be combined with other enlistment bonuses to earn up to $50,000.

What is the age limit for 18X?

The U.S. Army 18X Special Forces age limit is generally 18 to 32/35 years old, but it's more complex: recruits must be at least 18 to enlist but usually need to be around 20 by training, with maximum ages (around 32-36) often requiring waivers for older applicants, meaning eligibility depends on citizenship, ASVAB scores (110 GT), physical fitness, no prior service (for 18X), and meeting all other stringent requirements, with waivers possible for age. 

What is the deadliest Special Forces group?

Delta Force – United States

Officially known as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, Delta Force is America's most elite counter-terrorism and hostage rescue unit. Their missions are top secret—and always successful.

What is more prestigious, an Army ranger or a Green Beret?

Comparing a U.S. Army Ranger to a Green Beret isn't about deciding who's better—it's about understanding the unique strengths and missions of each. Both units represent the pinnacle of military skill and professionalism, rooted in values like bravery, discipline, and unwavering commitment.

What's the hardest special force to join?

The hardest special forces to get into often include the US Navy SEALs (for sheer attrition), US Army Delta Force (for extreme selectivity and secretiveness), UK SAS (legendary difficulty), and Israel's Sayeret Matkal (intelligence focus with intense physical/mental tests), with other elite units like Air Force PJs and Russian Spetsnaz also being exceptionally difficult. The difficulty stems from grueling pipelines, low pass rates (often 80-90%+ failure), and incredibly high standards for physical and mental endurance, with units like Delta Force often recruiting from other elite forces. 

Do you get 8 hours of sleep in boot camp?

You can expect to get between seven and eight hours of sleep.

Who is the youngest green beret ever?

There isn't one definitive "youngest," but Terry McIntosh is famously known as The Youngest Green Beret, having joined Special Forces at 17 and earning his beret at 18 in Vietnam, while Captain William Albracht was noted as the youngest officer in Vietnam by 1969, but McIntosh's story highlights extreme youth on an "A" team. The exact youngest varies due to enlistment, training completion, and specific roles, but McIntosh's experience at 17/18 stands out for enlisted personnel. 

Do Army Soldiers get paid for life?

Defined Benefit: Monthly retired pay for life after at least 20 years of service (so if you retire at 20 years of service, you will get 40% of your highest 36 months of base pay).

What is the $40,000 signing bonus for the military?

ACTIVE DUTY AIR FORCE BONUSES

The U.S. Air Force has added new opportunities for qualified future Airmen to receive bonuses up to $40k upon entering active-duty service. All Air Force bonuses are earned upon completion of training and a six-year commitment.

Can you join the Army with tattoos?

Yes, you can join the U.S. Army with tattoos, as policies have become more lenient, allowing tattoos on arms (sleeves), legs, hands (one ring tattoo), and behind the ears, as long as they aren't offensive, extremist, sexist, or gang-related; face tattoos, or anything on the head, tongue, or eyelids, are still prohibited. The Army focuses on content and placement, allowing many more tattoos than in the past to attract recruits, with exceptions possible for some borderline cases through waivers.
 

What is considered the worst Army base?

Worst PCS Destinations

• Fort Polk, La. Fort Polk — or Fort Puke,as it is known in some circles — is home to the Joint Readiness Training Center. ...
• Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. ...
• MCAS Yuma, Ariz. ...
• Joint Task Force Guantanamo, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO)

Which military branch has the lowest death rate?

The U.S. Air Force and Space Force, followed by the Coast Guard, generally have the lowest death rates in the active U.S. military because their roles focus less on direct ground combat, emphasizing air/space superiority, support, and homeland security, though the specific rates vary by year and cause (combat vs. suicide). The Air Force often shows the fewest casualties in modern conflicts due to technology, while the Coast Guard's focus on domestic waters minimizes combat exposure. 

Is the Army desperate for recruits in 2025?

In fiscal year 2025, the military's recruiting efforts returned to levels not seen in more than a decade. "Since November 2024, our military has seen its highest recruiting percentage of mission achieved in more than 15 years," stated Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell.

What is the weakest Army?

There isn't one single "weakest" army, as it depends on criteria, but Somalia, Vatican City, Monaco, Bhutan, Suriname, and Costa Rica are often cited due to tiny forces, lack of heavy equipment (tanks, aircraft), reliance on foreign powers, or no standing army at all, with Somalia often topping lists due to prolonged conflict and lack of conventional defense structure despite some personnel. 

Who is the only 7 star general?

8.0 Introduction. No person have ever been awarded or promoted to a seven-star rank, although some commentators might argue that General George Washington posthumously became a seven-star general in 1976 (see Part Seven).

What's the worst rank in the Army?

The lowest rank in the U.S. Army is Private (E-1) (PV1), an entry-level trainee in Basic Combat Training, with the primary job of following orders, while the rank above it, Private Second Class (E-2) (PV2), is the first rank with insignia and usually reached after BCT, often promoted automatically, according to the U.S. Army and Military.com.