The Delta Force, also known as the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, is one of the most elite military units in the United States Army. Operated under the control of the Joint Special Operations Command, it’s used specifically for hostage rescue and counterterrorism. Today we’re going to take a closer look at the Delta Force, revealing some key facts that may surprise you.
Most Delta Force Soldiers Come from the 75th Ranger Regiment and Special Forces Groups
According to Wikipedia, most soldiers in the Delta Force come from either the Army’s Special Operations Command’s elite 75th Ranger Regiment or Special Forces Groups, though some may come from other branches of the military, such as the CIA’s Special Activities Division and the Special Operations Groups (SOG).
Six-Month Training Course
While details regarding Delta Force Training remain sparse, reports indicate that it’s a six-month long course. Eric Haney states that the Delta Force’s 6-month training course consists of marksmanship, demolitions and breaching, and combined skills with guidance from the FBI and FAA.
Lockpicking
No, that’s not a typo. One of the skills Delta Force recruits must exhibit during training is lockpicking. This is part of the demolitions and breaching phase of training. Recruits must learn how to pick a variety of locks, including locks on automobiles and safes.
Classified Missions
Of course, most missions carried out by Delta Force remain classified and are never disclosed to the public. This means operators typically receive little recognition for what they’ve accomplish — at least publicly. Nonetheless, countless men and women seek to become a member of this elite military group.
Delta Force Was Formed in the 1970s
Some people assume that Delta Force is a relatively new military unit, but this isn’t necessarily true. Delta Force was actually formed back in the 1970s in response to terrorist incidents during this era. The government needed a stronger response to combat terrorism, so it formed the Delta Force, which has since acted to protect against such acts.
Delta Force Rarely Wears Uniforms
Unlike most military units, the Delta Force rarely wears a uniform. The Department of Defense typically remains tight-lipped regarding the Delta Force, though reports indicate that operators within this elite unit don’t wear uniforms in order to conceal their identify. Instead, they often wear civilian clothing, both while on duty and off duty. And when Delta Force operators do wear uniforms, they don’t wear markings, surnames or branch names, helping to further conceal and protect their identities.