Physical Fitness Requirements from the U.S. Delta Force

Delta Force Physical Requirements

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Delta Force, arguably the 'Special Force' of the U.S., never being confirmed by the U.S. Government, nor denied, is shredded in lots of secrecy. Undeniably, they do exist and even their physical selection process is barely known to the public. Charlie Beckwith, the founder of Delta Force and first commander of the unit, wrote a book, where the initial physical requirements were listed from back in the starting days. There is no guarantee that those are still prevalent to this day.

Motto: "De Oppresso Liber"
Established in: 1977

The applicant has to be a United States Citizen, perform at top efficiency at their Military Occupation Specialty, and have no limiting physical profile. Charlie Beckwith, back then, wanted well-read soldiers, loners, guys that can act independently and "who have just half an ounce of paranoia".

Chart Standards Delta Force Requirements

#	Exercises	Pass	Good	Great	Gold
1	Inverted Crawl	-25.00 sec	-21.00 sec	-20.00 sec	-19.00 sec
2	Situps	+ 37 reps	+ 43 reps	+ 48 reps	+ 50 reps
3	Pushups	+ 32 reps	+ 38 reps	+ 40 reps	+ 45 reps
4	RDJ Course	-24.00 sec	-22.00 sec	-21.00 sec	-20.00 sec
5	2 mile run	-16:30 min	-14:30 min	-13:00 min	-12:30 min
6	Swim	100 meter Fully dressed including a jumpsuit

Pre-Selection Delta Force

This test involves 6 different exercises, which have to be completed in the listed order. It is to note that The inverted crawl is 40 yards. RDJ stands for Run Dodge Jump. The Max Time for the Sit-Ups and Pushups is 1 min. The swim will be performed in the lake. After the Candidates successfully pass the Physical Fitness test, they will be tested on an 18-mile speed march and a 40-mile march. After this test is accomplished, the candidate will go to the main selection course, Candidates will be able to undergo testing twice a year, 90% of the elite candidates won't make it through Selection Phase.

Physical Requirements and Information from other units

For Other U.S. Units, click below
Green Berets	Rangers	Army
For Other International Units, click below
KSK	Seal Team Six	JakDo
GRUMEC	Commando Marine	SAS
Para SF	JW Grom	Bordo Bereliler
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All other available units, click here

Selection Phase - Delta Force

Selection Phase is where candidates face the unknown. This procedure is taken from the British S.A.S. Over tenacious terrain using a map and campus, the candidate has to run alone carrying a 55 lbs rucksack and go from one location to another one as fast as they can, without knowing the time limit. The time will not be disclosed. Those ruck marches/runs were performed during day and night. Once another location is reached, another location has to be reached. After, the candidates will undergo psychological evaluations and interviews before some of the candidates make it to OTC. The selection lasts 1 month.

Delta Force Pre-Screening Video

Delta Force Operator Training Course

Training Course also abbreviated OTC, lasts 6 months. From the 10% left of the initial training class, another 50% won't make it through OTC. In this course, the candidates go through hours on hours of shooting training. They will learn advanced breaching techniques and will learn the craft of spying through techniques learned from the CIA. They will learn how to jumpstart any car within a short time. Furthermore, they will undergo offensive driving technique training. During OTC, Operators now only use live ammunition. Operators learn to be efficient in any single movement. They will practice over and over again until every task becomes routine.

My Personal Experience with the Physical Screening Test

Characteristics of a Delta Force Operator

The Ideal Delta Force Selectee is a mature individual, professionally trained, prepared to make smart and quick decisions. The ideal candidate is strong-minded, intelligent, can think for himself, and is dedicated to success. He can operate in a team environment, but can also work on his own.

Facts - Delta Force

Sometimes it is not the best guy who will make it into "the Unit", It is the right guy who will make it.

Delta Force receives its order sometimes directly from the President of the United States. The average age of a Delta Force Operator is in the mid-30s.