By Heather Kline
Public Affairs Office volunteer
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Feb. 14, 2019) — Army Special Operations Force recruiters are scheduled to return to Fort Leonard Wood Feb. 26 through March 8 in search of candidates for their Special Forces, Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs programs.
ARSOF is looking for Soldiers who are willing to train and prepare, both physically and mentally, to endure 10 to 21 days of assessment and selection with extensive follow-on training.
Special Forces, also referred to as “Green Berets,” is an unconventional, combat-arms organization filled with highly trained professionals. At the core of Special Forces there are five missions: unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, counterinsurgency, special reconnaissance and direct action. Overall, the ARSOF community ensures the execution of national-level policies while developing partners in host nations.
Psychological Operations deploy worldwide to influence targets and audiences in support of various commands and government agencies by conducting a wide range of activities.
Civil Affairs engage with leaders of influence and manage those networks to achieve outcomes that enhance or synchronize military and civilian operations.
According to Sgt. 1st Class Alexander Stevens, ARSOF recruiter from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, additional benefits for joining the ARSOF community are accelerated promotion rates, unique and relevant worldwide missions, working directly with high-performing professionals, and controlling the direction of your career.
He said candidates are inspired for a variety of reasons.
Stevens said he found his motivation in reading the book “Chosen Soldier” by Dick Couch.
“I was looking for something bigger than myself, and I wanted a way to make an impact that answered the call deep within me,” Stevens said. “SFAS challenged me like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. It was tough, but you find a way to forge on with the courage to make it.”
He said the first step to becoming a fully qualified operator is simply showing up at the start line with a never-quit attitude.
“If you never take the chance, you won’t ever know (if you can do it,)” Stevens said. “Only you can answer the question, ‘Could I do this?’ You will never have a regret looming inside you; I know I don’t.”
Stevens explained that operators work in small teams, in an ambiguous environments, and with very little guidance.
“Doing the right thing when nobody is looking is essential,” he said. “Maturity level is key and you must find a leverage point in the most effective way possible — American lives depend on it.”
All briefings are scheduled to begin at noon Feb. 26 through 28 and March 4, 5 and 7 in Room 102 of Clarke Library and March 1, 6 and 8 being held in Truman Education Center.
Those participating should expect to take a physical fitness test. Tests are scheduled to be held at 7 a.m. March 1 and 8 at the PT Track on the corner of Nebraska and Minnesota avenues.
Recruiters have programs available to help set those interested in applying up for success.
For more information, contact an ARSOF recruiter at 270.798.9818 or usarmy.knox.usarec.list.9S2B@mail.mil or goarmysof.com.
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About Fort Leonard Wood
Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post more than 75 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains more than 82,000 military and civilians each year.
Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.
Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps and Air Force detachments on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.
More information about Fort Leonard Wood is at: https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/about/mission.