Since all US military combat units, including special forces, were opened to women in 2016, no female applicant has joined the most elite groups, including the Green Berets,
That's right, the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment “D,” also known as “Delta Force,” has a history of hiring female soldiers to serve alongside male operators, having begun the practice in the 1990s.
There are also now females currently serving as Army Green Berets. More women are serving in elite combat roles than ever before. Every few weeks, a story comes out of yet another woman earning entry into an elite unit.
Delta Force operators are selected primarily from the United States Army Special Operations Command's elite 75th Ranger Regiment and Special Forces, though members can be selected from other special operations units and conventional forces across the Army and sometimes other military branches.
SFOD-Delta has been through a few name changes over the years, and even though it likely always will be known as SFOD-Delta, it recently was renamed the Combat Applications Group (CAG) and is now known officially as Army Compartmented Elements (ACE).
US Army Salary FAQs
The average salary for a Space Shuttle Door Gunner Delta Force is $33,927 per year in United States, which is 32% lower than the average US Army salary of $49,986 per year for this job.
SEAL Team 6, officially known as United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), and Delta Force, officially known as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D), are the most highly trained elite forces in the U.S. military.
SEAL Team 6, officially known as United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), and Delta Force, officially known as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D), are the most highly trained elite forces in the US military.
With an attrition rate hovering at 90% on average, Delta Force has one of the most challenging and selective assessment processes in the U.S. military making it arguably the most highly regarded unit of U.S. Special Operations.
20-36 years old. Pass the Army fitness test and clear height and weight standards. Minimum rank of E-3, and within the rank of private first class, specialist, sergeant, or staff sergeant. No more than 12-14 years in service prior to training, and minimum of 36 months remaining in service after graduation.
“Becoming the first female to graduate from a Naval Special Warfare training pipeline is an extraordinary accomplishment and we are incredibly proud of our teammate,” said Rear Adm. H.W. Howard III, the commander of Naval Special Warfare.
The numbers are so unfavorable because of the rigorous training that aspiring SEALs and SWCC candidates go through. The training comes in both mental and physical stages that begin with two months of intense physical training. After that, they must pass a physical screening at the first stage or face being eliminated.
This is Capt. Shaina Coss' story. She was the first female infantry officer in the regiment and went on to lead a Ranger platoon on a deployment to Afghanistan in 2019, which made her the first woman to lead Rangers in combat, according to a 75th Ranger Regiment spokeswoman.
Though Delta Force generally chooses its candidates from within the Army—most Delta operators come from the 75th Ranger Regiment or the Special Forces—the group also selects individuals from other branches of the military, including the Coast Guard, National Guard and even Navy SEALs.
The new regulations also allow the exact opposite. Female soldiers going through Ranger or special operations training get their heads shaved, like male soldiers do. But when they leave training, their hair is too short, based on the Army's previous minimum length requirements.
Delta Force is an Army outfit that primarily selects candidates from within their own special forces and infantry units. However, they will also select candidates from all branches of service, including the National Guard and Coast Guard. SEAL Team 6 selects candidates exclusively from the Navy's SEAL team community.
Training is 40 days long and covers land navigation, cross-country map exercise, and small unit tactics. The specifics subjects and methods of the training process aren't public, and will be made more clear to soldiers who are admitted. Complete your Military Operational Specialty (MOS) training phase.
Delta Force is one of the most elite armed forces not only in the United States, but the entire world. Nonetheless, Delta Force keeps its command structure simple by having a single headquarters, unlike Green Berets.
And so, the "Long Walk" was born into Army parlance. This is that final ruck march of selection. It's 40 miles long, it's conducted on the last day of training when candidates are already physically and mentally completely exhausted, and the rucksacks weigh 70 pounds.
Delta Force's operations are shrouded in secrecy
Delta Force's military actions are classified and its soldiers typically follow a code of silence, which means details are rarely made public. The Army has never released an official fact sheet for the detachment.
Delta Force Rarely Wears Uniforms
Unlike most military units, the Delta Force rarely wears a uniform. The Department of Defense typically remains tight-lipped regarding the Delta Force, though reports indicate that operators within this elite unit don't wear uniforms in order to conceal their identify.
In 2022, China had the largest armed forces in the world by active duty military personnel, with about 2 million active soldiers. India, the United States, North Korea, and Russia rounded out the top five largest armies respectively, each with over one million active military personnel.
Return of the Raiders
Now, an elite branch of the U.S. Marine Corps will officially be known as Raiders. The Marines will rename several special operations units as Marine Raiders at a ceremony Friday, resurrecting a moniker made famous by World War II units that carried out risky amphibious and guerrilla operations.