Because special forces team members must be prepared to go anywhere in the world, they train and work in all climates, weather conditions, and settings. They may dive from submarines or small underwater craft. Special forces team members may also be exposed to harsh temperatures, often without protection, during missions in enemy-controlled areas. Most of the time, however, they work and train on military bases, ships, or submarines.

All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Due to the wide variety of missions, Special Forces enlisted service members undergo some of the most intense and demanding physical and mental training in the world. They are trained swimmers, paratroopers, and survival experts, as well as trained in many forms of combat. Special Forces in the Military will gain skills through classroom study, practices exercises under simulated mission conditions, and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include:

• Physical conditioning, parachuting, swimming, and scuba diving
• Use of land warfare weapons and communications devices
• Explosives handling and disposal
• Bomb and mine disposal