Special Forces Officers

Lead elite teams that implement unconventional operations by air, land, or sea during combat or peacetime. These activities include offensive raids, demolitions, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and counterterrorism. In addition to their combat training, special forces officers often have specialized training in swimming, diving, parachuting, survival, emergency medicine, and foreign languages. Duties include directing advanced reconnaissance operations and evaluating intelligence information; recruiting, training, and equipping friendly forces; leading raids and invasions on enemy territories; training personnel to implement individual missions and contingency plans; performing strategic and tactical planning for politically sensitive missions; and operating sophisticated communications equipment.

What They Do

Special Forces Officers lead highly trained military units that conduct complex missions requiring specialized skills and strategic thinking. They plan and execute unconventional operations ranging from reconnaissance deep in enemy territory to counterterrorism actions and humanitarian rescue missions. These officers coordinate with intelligence agencies to gather and analyze information, then develop detailed tactical plans for their teams. They spend considerable time training their soldiers in advanced combat techniques, foreign languages, and specialized skills like parachuting, diving, and survival tactics.

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