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Insight Horizon Media

How long is special tactics training?

Author

John Castro

Published Mar 04, 2026

How long is special tactics training?

Special Tactics officers receive the same initial training as enlisted combat controllers, a process that takes approximately 8-10 months, followed by 12 months on the Special Tactics AST Programme.

What is the failure rate for TACP?

In the 4 TACP classes comprising this study, approximately 50% of the trainees failed to complete the training success- fully. Improved methods for selection of candidates at the start of the training would result in a higher training success rate and an increased manning in the TACP career field.

How difficult is TACP training?

From basic training until completion of TACP Special Tactics training takes about a year and is very physically and tactically challenging. Many prepare for this course as if they were preparing for Ranger school with many miles of running and rucking under their belt prior to attending.

How long is a TACP deployment?

Deployment length: TACP personnel will deploy with and redeploy with their supported Army unit. TACP deployment length will align with the supported Army unit’s rotation (typically 9 months supporting Brigade Combat Team and lower echelons and 12 months supporting Division and higher echelons).

How long is the Tacp pipeline?

3.0 Special Tactics TACP Selection and Training Phases

Table 3: ST TACP training pipeline
StageProgramme Sub-course/ElementDuration
TACP TrainingTactical Air Control Party Apprentice Course85 days
SERE Training2.5/3 weeks
Special Tactics TrainingJoint Terminal Attack Controller Qualification Course4 weeks

How long is Air Force Special Forces training?

Their 35-week training and unique mission earn them the right to wear the scarlet beret.

How much does a TACP make?

TACP Salary

Annual SalaryMonthly Pay
Top Earners$96,500$8,041
75th Percentile$61,000$5,083
Average$51,826$4,318
25th Percentile$29,500$2,458

Is TACP considered special forces?

Is TACP isn’t necessarily special forces but can be in support with a special operations unit IE special forces, rangers, etc. they are definitely a specialized unit though but not technically in the special operations community.

What is the TACP motto?

United States Air Force Tactical Air Control Party

U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Control Party
Motto(s)Official: “The Strong Shall Stand, The Weak Will Fall by the Wayside” Other mottos: “Death on Call” “Wreak Havoc” “Air to Mud” “Advise, Assist, Control”
Color of BeretBlack
Insignia
TACP and TACP-O black beret

What tier is TACP?

ALO-TACP Tier 2 Operator Fitness Test Standards & Scoresheet (ALO) – Air Force PT Test Standards.

Is TACP special warfare?

TACPs are Special Warfare airmen who operate in multiple contexts. Most commonly, TACPs serve as the principal Air Force liaison element to the United States Army (USA), where they align with combat maneuver echelons from Corps to Battalion level.

Do TACPs have to swim?

Those who are looking to go into EOD or TACP do not have to do the 500m swim. Those going into SOWT only have to do a 200m swim and their max time for that is 10 minutes. Those going into SERE need to have a time under 14 minutes.

How long does it take to become an Air Force TACP?

Air Force TACP Apprentice Course Provided that they have made it this far in the Pipeline, TACP candidates attend Air Force TACP Apprentice Course, also known as the TACP Schoolhouse. Based at JBSA Lackland, the TACP Apprentice Course is 22 weeks long and is where the highly specialized training happens for Special Warfare Airman.

What does TACP training look like?

TACP training. Tactical Air Control Party students rush through smoke as they move onto small unit tactics training. Physical training exercises are performed repeatedly in the field to enforce the importance of teamwork. A TACP candidate practices firing around obstacles during a training exercise.

How long is the TACP apprentice course?

Based at JBSA Lackland, the TACP Apprentice Course is 22 weeks long and is where the highly specialized training happens for Special Warfare Airman. It’s broken up into 4 blocks as follows: Airmen participate in group calisthenics at the TACP apprentice course.

What does TACP stand for?

As members of Air Force Special Warfare, Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) specialists imbed with Army and Marine units on the frontline with the incredible responsibility of calling in an air strike on the right target at just the right time.