While direct entry is a major draw, it comes with a "needs of the Army" fallback. If a candidate fails at any point in the pipeline—which has an estimated success rate of only 10–15% —they are typically reassigned to conventional infantry units for the remainder of their contract. Special Forces Candidate 18X - US Army
: Candidates in this pipeline have the unique opportunity to focus solely on physical and mental preparation for selection, rather than performing standard duties in a regular infantry unit. Program Risks While direct entry is a major draw, it
The 18X program acts as a fast-track for candidates—often called "18 X-rays"—to enter the Green Beret qualification process immediately following basic training. While direct entry is a major draw, it