To qualify you have to be a Latvian citizen, know Latvian well, be of sound health, and younger than 35 years. Having vocational or higher education is a plus.
What's particularly interesting is that NBS revealed to LETA the particulars of the physical prowess required to make it into the special forces unit.
Potential recruits have to be able to do 60 push-ups within two minutes, 60 abdomen crunches within two minutes, as well as to be able to do 14 pull-ups.
They also have to be able to swim 1,5 km in 50 minutes, run 10 km in 50 minutes and to walk 20 kilometers within 3 hours and 20 minutes.
These are the minimum requirements.
If applicants manage to do these, those with no prior army experience would be sent for a basic training course at the Infantry School in Alūksne.
Afterwards an elimination contest will be held, and those tough enough will be able to study a field of expertise, after which they'll finally become full members of the Special Forces Unit.
