Special Forces 18X Candidate
18X Special Forces Contract and Pipeline
Texas Army National Guard Special Forces does not require nor allow you to "earn" an 18X contract via SFTP, SFRE, SFE, or a third party Special Operations event. If you are administratively eligible for 18X, you will get the contract.
You will attend Infantry School (5 months), Special Forces Preparation and Conditioning (7 weeks), and Special Forces Selection (26 days). If you are selected, you will attend Airborne School (3 weeks) and then the Special Forces Qualification Course (18-28 months). If you complete all requirements, you will be assigned to 19th Special Forces Group in the Texas Army National Guard.
If not selected, you will be assigned to the Texas Army National Guard infantry. You can then tryout as an in-service candidate via SFTP.
18X Requirements and Eligibility
Six-year commitment.
110 General Technical score on ASVAB.
18 - 40 years old at ship date (32+ requires a waiver).
High School Graduate (GEDs are accepted with a waiver).
Lawful Permanent Residents are currently eligible for 18X.
No prior service from any branch of the military.
Alternate Route to Texas Army National Guard Special Forces
If you are ineligible for 18X, you can still earn a Green Beret via SFTP.
You can enlist for any MOS, but 11B Infantry is highly encouraged because it is the foundation for all combat operations.
If you select Infantry, you will have the opportunity to volunteer for the Ranger Team Leader Initiative (RTLI). If accepted, you will complete Infantry school, attend 6 weeks of Ranger preparation, and then Ranger School (3+ months). This delays your timeline to Special Forces Selection, but the only candidates with a significantly higher than average selection rate are enlisted Rangers. It is the longest route to Special Forces Selection, but also the best for preparation.
Once you complete the above training and earn the minimum required rank, you will be eligible for SFTP with at least a 100 GT score (10 points lower than 18X requirement).
There is no six-year initial commitment when going this route.
Texas Army National Guard Special Forces Team
If you are looking to get started, please click Contact a Green Beret below so we get the information we need to guide you up front. If you have an immediate question, call or email.
Phone: 512-638-7308