Special Forces

Implement unconventional operations by air, land, or sea during combat or peacetime as members of elite teams. These activities include offensive raids, demolitions, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and counterterrorism. In addition to their combat training, special forces members often have specialized training in swimming, diving, parachuting, survival, emergency medicine, and foreign languages. Duties include conducting advanced reconnaissance operations and collecting intelligence information; recruiting, training, and equipping friendly forces; conducting raids and invasions on enemy territories; laying and detonating explosives for demolition targets; locating, identifying, defusing, and disposing of ordnance; and operating and maintaining sophisticated communications equipment.

What They Do

Special Forces operators execute high-risk military missions that require exceptional physical conditioning, mental resilience, and specialized tactical skills. They conduct unconventional warfare operations including direct action raids, counterterrorism missions, and strategic reconnaissance in hostile territories. These elite soldiers often work in small teams deployed to remote or dangerous locations worldwide, where they may operate independently for extended periods with minimal support. Their work involves gathering intelligence, training allied military forces, executing precision strikes against specific targets, and performing combat search and rescue operations.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Homeland Security(masters)George Mason University, VA
$138,835
Homeland Security(doctoral)Capella University, MN
$127,306
Homeland Security(masters)George Washington University, DC
$111,258
Security Science and Technology(masters)Champlain College, VT
$110,892
Security Science and Technology(masters)University of Maryland Global Campus, MD
$101,880
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations(masters)Webster University, MO
$99,179
Security Science and Technology(masters)University of San Diego, CA
$97,944
Security Science and Technology(masters)Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott, AZ
$94,550
Security Science and Technology(masters)Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach, FL
$94,550
Security Science and Technology(masters)Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide, FL
$94,550
Security Science and Technology(postbacc-cert)Salve Regina University, RI
$91,193
Homeland Security(bachelors)George Mason University, VA
$90,956
Homeland Security(masters)Utica University, NY
$86,488
Security Science and Technology(masters)Utica University, NY
$85,450
Homeland Security(masters)Columbia Southern University, AL
$85,364
Homeland Security(masters)University of South Florida, FL
$85,268
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations(masters)Georgetown University, DC
$85,186
Homeland Security(masters)Arizona State University Digital Immersion, AZ
$83,499
Homeland Security(masters)Arizona State University Campus Immersion, AZ
$83,499
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations(masters)Maryville University of Saint Louis, MO
$82,158
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations(masters)Harvard University, MA
$82,158
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations(masters)Johns Hopkins University, MD
$82,158
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations(masters)Missouri State University-Springfield, MO
$82,158
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations(masters)Naval Postgraduate School, CA
$82,158
Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations(masters)Air Force Institute of Technology-Graduate School of Engineering & Management, OH
$82,158