Complete the 160th SOAR(Abn) application and attach letters of reference. This process generally takes a month to complete.

The 160th Assessment Branch reviews all applications. Following approval, they will contact you and schedule your week-long assessment. This review and scheduling process generally takes 2-3 months.

Assessment is a week-long* TDY to Ft. Campbell, KY and consists of the following:

• Night Stalker Physical Fitness Test: Modified APFT
• MOS related testing
• IQ, Personality and Cultural Fit testing
• Psychologist screening and interview
• Aviators will conduct a flight evaluation to include a Time-on-Target mission
• Formal Board interview resulting in an accept or decline decision

* Duration is 2-3 days for non-aviation positions.

Accepted Officer will:

• Return to complete current tour.
• Assessment Branch will coordinate assignment with ARSOF G1, and losing unit and Branch.
• Receive PCS to FTCKY or TDY en-route depending on anticipated assignment following training and qualification.
• Report to the Special Operations Aviation Training Battalion (SOATB) at Fort Campbell, KY for Combat Skills, SERE, Dunker and select MOS specific qualification training.
• Aviators must successfully complete Basic Skills, Aircraft Qualification, and Basic Mission Qualification training.
• Report to gaining unit following successful completion of training.

All Commissioned Officers will attend the 3-week Officer Combat Skills Course. This is the "First Step" to becoming a Night Stalker. This course includes:

• Night Stalker Academics
• Advanced Weapons
• First Responder Medical
• Land Navigation
• Combatives
• Aquatics (Dunker) Training

Aviators will attend the Basic Skills Course. This is a 4-week course and is the foundation for aviation mission planning, briefing, and precision navigation. You and your class will be trained in special operations aviation mission planning and air-mission briefing. You will be required to plan and brief a series of special operations missions and execute NVG navigational routes in the MH-6 Little Bird.

Aviators will receive aircraft qualification training in the MH-60, MH-47, or AH/MH-6 aircraft. Duration of training varies by aircraft type.

Basic Mission Qualification training is the foundation for all special operations mission pilots. Training is conducted at Fort Campbell and at various environmental locations. Duration of this training is 15-17 weeks and includes:

• Special Mission Equipment
• Special Operations Flight Profiles and Procedures
• Aerial Gunnery
• Mountain, Desert, Urban, Overwater and Ship Qualification
• MH-60/MH-47 qualify in aerial refueling and multi-mode radar
• End of course Basic Mission Qualification (BMQ) evaluation

Following completion of officer combat skills you may attend additional training prior to reporting to gaining unit.

BMQ status is attained by successfully completing the SOATB BMQ course and a BMQ flight evaluation. As a BMQ, you may perform PC/PI duties during internal training support. When paired with an FMQ, you may perform PI duties during real-world and external mission support. As a BMQ, you will learn, develop, and progress to FMQ status by participation in internal training exercises, external SOF mission support, planning cells, and a variety of environmental flight profiles.

FMQ status is attained by successfully completing the unit's FMQ progression program and an FMQ evaluation. As an FMQ, you may perform duties as a pilot in command for all internal, external, and real-world missions.

Flight Leads are appointed based on past performance, experience, and successful completion of a Flight Lead evaluation exercise. As a Flight Lead, you will conduct mission analysis and develop air mission COAs, fire support plans, and contingencies with the Ground Force Commander. You will back-brief the commander and AMC and present the AMB/OPORD. As the flight leader and primary navigator, you are responsible for the execution of the air mission to include preplanned first-level contingencies.

Career stability and longevity as a Night Stalker means opportunity for advancement within the Regiment. Service opportunities include:

• Section/Platoon Leader
• Company/Battalion/Regiment Staff Officer
• Special Programs OIC
• Company/Battalion/Regiment Commander

The goal is for each Night Stalker to maximize their military education as required by the Army and their occupational field. In addition to attending required Army professional development and leadership courses, you may have the opportunity to attend advanced military schools or those schools within a sister service that will enhance your capability.

Based on your MOS and duty position, you may have the opportunity to attend civilian/military schools and training that offer professional credentialing and certification opportunities.

Promotion opportunities are regularly available, but are competitive and based on performance. It is important to point out that special operations training, qualification courses, military/civilian education, and training opportunities can lead to valuable credentialing, college degrees, and experience that will be helpful in the advancement of your career.

Beyond the traditional leadership responsibilities as a Commissioned Officer in the Army, you may have the opportunity to lead specialized missions, teams, and groups. These types of leadership responsibilities are critical and a regular occurrence within the special operations aviation community, and no two are the same. We rely on those Officers placed in charge of these types of missions to use their leadership skills, training, knowledge, and intellect to complete their team's assignment.