The Most Difficult Military Training in the World, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the military training you think is the most difficult!
Updated on May 9, 2024 06:25
The challenge and intensity of military training programs vary significantly around the globe, making them a subject of keen interest and debate. Gauging which training is the most demanding is not only about physical endurance but also about mental toughness and emotional resilience. This information is not just of interest for potential recruits but serves as a measure of military prestige and capability.
Through this site, you have the power to cast your vote and affect the live ranking of the world's toughest military trainings. Your input helps provide a clearer picture of public perception and respect towards these rigorous programs. Every vote is a nod to the intense preparation that soldiers undergo in serving their nations.
What Is the Most Difficult Military Training in the World?
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126votes
Camera Operator: PH2 JEFFREY LOSHAW · Public domainNavy SEALs Training (United States)
United States NavyConsidered one of the toughest military training programs in the world, the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training lasts for 24 weeks and puts candidates through intense physical and mental challenges. Only about 20-25% of applicants successfully complete the program.Navy SEALs Training is an extremely rigorous and demanding program designed to train the United States Navy SEALs, one of the most elite special forces units in the world. It is known for its high physical and mental standards, testing candidates' endurance, stamina, and resilience.- Physical Fitness: Emphasis on extensive physical fitness training and maintaining peak performance levels.
- Combat Conditioning: Intense combat-focused training, including firearms proficiency, hand-to-hand combat, and tactical skills.
- Waterborne Operations: Extensive training in various waterborne operations, such as swimming, diving, and maritime operations.
- Unpredictable Stressors: Expose trainees to demanding and high-stress scenarios to test mental resilience, decision-making, and adaptability.
- Hell Week: A grueling five and a half days of continuous training with minimal sleep, designed to push candidates to their limits.
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223votesThe Spetsnaz is the special forces unit of the Russian military, and their training is known for its grueling physical and psychological demands. The training lasts for several months and includes long-distance running, swimming, and hand-to-hand combat.The Spetsnaz Training is a specialized military training program conducted by the Russian Armed Forces. It is designed to train elite soldiers known as Spetsnaz, who are highly skilled in various combat techniques, intelligence gathering, and counter-terrorism operations.
- Duration: 9 to 12 months
- Selection Process: Rigorous physical and mental screening
- Physical Fitness: Intense physical conditioning and endurance training
- Combat Training: Specialized training in weapons proficiency, hand-to-hand combat, and tactical operations
- Survival Skills: Training in survival techniques, including navigation, camouflage, and survival in extreme environments
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340votes
Lorius · Public domainThe SAS is a special forces unit of the British Army, and their training is known for its high level of secrecy and intensity. Candidates undergo a series of rigorous physical and mental tests, including a 40-mile hike through the Scottish Highlands with a 55-pound backpack.The Special Air Service (SAS) Training in the United Kingdom is regarded as one of the most difficult military training programs in the world. It is designed to select and train highly skilled individuals for special operations roles within the British Army.- Length: Approximately 6-9 months
- Selection Rate: Less than 10% of applicants pass selection
- Physical Demands: Extremely demanding physical and mental exercises
- Escape and Evasion: Trainees undergo intense training on survival skills and avoiding capture during enemy operations
- Navigation Skills: Trainees must possess exceptional navigation skills in various terrains
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418votes
This vector image was created with Adobe Illustrator. · Public domainThe Ranger School is a 61-day combat leadership course that trains soldiers to become effective leaders in small-unit combat operations. The program has a high attrition rate, with only about 50% of candidates successfully completing the course. -
513votesThe Special Forces Qualification Course is a 61-week program that trains soldiers to become members of the Green Berets. The program includes language training, cultural immersion, and intense physical conditioning.The Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) is a rigorous and demanding training program conducted by the United States Army Special Forces, also known as the Green Berets. It is designed to select and train soldiers for assignment to a Special Forces Group, where they will undertake unconventional warfare missions.
- Duration: Approximately 63 weeks
- Selection Process: Assessment and Selection (SFAS) phase followed by the Qualification Phase
- Phase 1 - Special Forces Orientation (SFO): 4 weeks of physical conditioning, language training, and map reading
- Phase 2 - Small Unit Tactics (SUT): 13 weeks of infantry skills, marksmanship, and live-fire exercises
- Phase 3 - Unconventional Warfare (UW): 13 weeks focusing on guerrilla tactics, foreign internal defense, and sabotage techniques
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64votes
Marine Corps Basic Reconnaissance Course (United States)
United States Marine CorpsThe Basic Reconnaissance Course is a 12-week program that trains Marines to become reconnaissance specialists. The program includes training in amphibious operations, small-unit tactics, and long-range patrolling.The Marine Corps Basic Reconnaissance Course (United States) is an elite military training program designed to produce Marine Corps Reconnaissance Marines, who are skilled in conducting reconnaissance and surveillance missions in support of military operations. The aim of the course is to develop highly capable and mentally tough individuals capable of operating in a variety of environments and conditions.- Duration: Approximately 12 weeks
- Selection Rate: Less than 50% of applicants successfully complete the course
- Physical Fitness: Intense physical conditioning and endurance training
- Specialized Skills: Training in reconnaissance tactics, patrolling, small unit tactics, long-range communications, amphibious operations, and more
- Land Navigation: Emphasis on advanced navigation and map reading skills
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727votes
Dormskirk · CC BY-SA 3.0Commando training in India is known for its intense physical demands and emphasis on hand-to-hand combat. The training lasts for several months and includes survival training, close-quarters combat, and weapons training.Commando Training in India is a rigorous and demanding military training program designed to produce highly skilled and mentally strong commandos. It is considered one of the most difficult military trainings in the world.- Duration: Generally lasts for 6 months to 1 year
- Physical Fitness Requirements: Intense emphasis on physical fitness and endurance
- Armed Combat Training: Focus on various aspects of armed combat, including marksmanship, tactical maneuvers, and close-quarters combat
- Fieldcraft: Training in survival skills, camouflage techniques, and stealth operations
- Obstacle Courses: Participation in grueling obstacle courses involving climbing, crawling, and navigating difficult terrains
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85votesThe Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale (GIGN) is a special operations unit of the French National Gendarmerie. Their training includes marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and tactical training.The GIGN (National Gendarmerie Intervention Group) Training in France is regarded as one of the most challenging military training programs in the world. It is designed to prepare highly skilled operatives to handle a wide range of high-risk operations, including counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, and specialized law enforcement.
- Duration: 9 months of intensive training
- Selection Process: Rigorous assessment and evaluation of physical, mental, and psychological capabilities
- Physical Fitness: Emphasis on endurance, strength, agility, and combat-specific fitness
- Weapons Training: Extensive training in various firearms and tactical equipment
- Close Quarters Combat: Intensive training in hand-to-hand combat, martial arts, and room-clearing techniques
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912votes
Israeli Special Forces Training (Israel)
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)The Israeli military is known for its highly skilled special forces units, including the Sayeret Matkal and the Shayetet 13. Their training includes marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and intense physical conditioning.The Israeli Special Forces Training is one of the most rigorous and demanding military training programs in the world. It is designed to prepare soldiers for highly complex and intense combat situations. The training focuses on physical endurance, mental resilience, tactical proficiency, and adaptability.- Duration: Several months
- Physical Fitness Requirement: Extremely high
- Selection Rate: Less than 10%
- Training Locations: Various terrains across Israel
- Specialization Options: Special forces units: Sayeret Matkal, Shayetet 13, Shaldag, and others
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10-2votes
KSK Training (Germany)
German ArmyThe Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) is a special forces unit of the German military. Their training includes marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and survival training.The KSK Training (Germany), or Kommando Spezialkräfte training, is the special forces training program conducted by the German Army for their elite unit, the Kommando Spezialkräfte (KSK). The training is known for its rigorous and demanding nature, aiming to prepare soldiers for high-risk and complex missions. It focuses on building physical fitness, mental toughness, and specialized skills to operate in various environments and combat scenarios.- Length of training: up to 2 years
- Selection rate: less than 10% pass rate
- Physical fitness requirements: extremely demanding
- Combat training: close-quarters combat, marksmanship, urban warfare
- Specialized skills: explosives, reconnaissance, airborne operations
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Ranking factors for difficult military training
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Selection process and attrition rateThe level of difficulty in being selected for the training program and the number of candidates who drop out during the course due to the intense physical and mental pressures involved.
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Physical fitness requirementsThe level of fitness expected from candidates, including running, swimming, weight lifting, and other physically demanding exercises, as well as the time and repetitions expected for completion.
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Mental fitness and resilienceThe level of mental toughness required to withstand sleep deprivation, extreme stress, psychological warfare, and other mental challenges during the training.
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Technical skills trainingThe level of expertise in specialized military skills, such as weapons handling, navigation, stealth, demolitions, and hand-to-hand combat, required to pass the course.
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Environmental conditionsThe level of difficulty presented by the natural environment in which the training takes place, such as extreme heat or cold, high altitudes, or challenging terrain.
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Duration and intensityThe length of the training program and the level of continuous physical and mental stress placed on candidates throughout the course, with limited rest and recovery periods.
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Realism of training scenariosThe level of realism in the training exercises, including live-fire exercises, simulated combat situations, and other testing to mimic real-world military conditions and challenges.
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Teamwork and leadership requirementsThe emphasis placed on developing and testing candidates' teamwork, cooperation, communication, and leadership skills, as well as their ability to make decisions under extreme pressure.
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Survival and evasion trainingThe level of difficulty in the survival, evasion, resistance, and escape training that candidates undergo, including exposure to hostile environments, interrogation techniques, and enemy tracking.
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Post-training requirementsThe ongoing physical and mental demands placed on candidates after completing the training, such as maintaining a level of fitness and readiness for deployment or participating in specialized missions.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most difficult military training in the world. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or training is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
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- 133 votes
- 10 ranked items
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Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each training once every 24 hours. The rank of each training is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
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More information on most difficult military training in the world
Military training is a rigorous and demanding process that tests both physical and mental endurance. However, some programs stand out as particularly challenging, pushing soldiers to their limits and beyond. From the grueling selection process of the British SAS to the brutal physical training of the US Marine Corps' Reconnaissance Training Company, there are many contenders for the title of the most difficult military training in the world. These programs require exceptional discipline, resilience, and perseverance, and only the strongest and most determined soldiers make it through to the end. If you're considering a career in the military, it's important to understand the intensity and demands of these programs before embarking on your training journey.
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