Canadian Navy

06/05/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/05/2026 10:24

For those who dare: Join the Canadian Special Operations Regiment

For those who dare: Join the Canadian Special Operations Regiment

June 5, 2026 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time - 1:56

The Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR) is looking for people who are ready to take on new challenges. Bring your skills, experience, and drive to an environment where you are trusted to plan and execute tasks in support of mission success.

Based in Petawawa, Ontario, CSOR offers its members a professional, rewarding, and fast-paced work environment. While Special Forces Operators (SF Op) and Special Operations Forces Officers (SOF O) focus on conducting demanding training and executing complex operations, they rely on a carefully selected team of highly capable supporters and specialists, drawn from across the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the public service. Together, they are all referred to as Special Operations Forces (SOF) Professionals.

Career Opportunities

Special Forces Operators and Special Operations Forces Officers

SF Ops and SOF Os are the foundation of CSOR's operational capability. In garrison, they sustain peak readiness by mastering core skills and developing emerging and advanced capabilities. On operation, SF Ops and SOF Os apply their initiative, adaptability and sound judgement in complex environments to deliver integrated, high-impact effects.

All candidates must meet the CANSOFCOM Physical Fitness Screening Evaluations standards (PDF, 3.22 MB) to be considered for selection during the Assessment Phase. To help CAF members prepare safely and effectively for the mental and physical demands of special operations testing and training, pre-selection preparation and training guides are available through internal online resources.

Supporters and Specialists

SOF Professional supporters and specialists play a critical role in enabling CSOR operations by applying their trade skills and knowledge within a high-performance environment. They operate under compressed timelines and elevated standards, where individual contributions have direct operational impacts. In addition to deployment opportunities, they receive specialized training that enhances both operational effectiveness and professional development.

While some specialist trades, such as Special Operations Medical Technician and Special Operations Signaller, have additional entry standards and specialized training requirements, most support occupations only require that applicants have a valid FORCE test and have reached their trade's operational functional point (OFP).

All applicants to CANSOFCOM must be Canadian citizens.

For more information or to begin the application process, contact: [email protected].

About the Canadian Special Operations Regiment

CSOR is a high readiness combat unit within Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM). Its members are carefully selected, rigorously trained, and purpose-equipped to execute a broad range of Special Operations tasks in response to global security threats.

Designed for expeditionary operations, CSOR provides timely and scalable options to deliver lethal or non-lethal effects in support of CDS-directed objectives. Whether operating independently or as part of an integrated SOF and conventional force element, CSOR is prepared to execute complex missions across the full spectrum of conflict, often in austere and high-threat environments.

Infographics

CSOR: Core Tasks

Infographic - Text version

Special Warfare

Force Multiplier Effects
Shaping the operational environment by enabling partners and allies.

Operating by, with, and through standard and non-standard partners to achieve national objectives, often in politically or strategically sensitive environments.

Special Reconnaissance

Observe and Inform
Delivering timely, accurate insight from denied or contested environments.

Collecting and reporting critical information in complex or sensitive environments to enable decision making and support operational success.

Direct Action

Strike with Precision
Achieving decisive outcomes through the precise application of force.

Delivering lethal and non-lethal effects on high-value targets to enable joint operations.

CANSOFCOM - COMFOSCAN

Physical Fitness Screening Evaluation - Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR)

Infographic - Text version

Special Forces Operator (SF Op) and Special Operations Forces Officer (SOF O) candidates must meet CANSOFCOM Physical Fitness Screening Evaluation (PFSE) standards administered by Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) human performance personnel. These evaluations are designed to assess the physical readiness required for special operations service and reflect the demands of CSOR employment.

The PFSE for SF Op and SOF O consists of:

  • Relative Hand Grip ≥ 1.00;
  • Standard Load Squat (72 kg), 11 reps;
  • Pull-ups, ≥ 5 reps, continuous;
  • Sit-ups, ≥ 40 reps, 1-min;
  • Push-ups, ≥ 40 reps, continuous;
  • 20m shuttle run, ≥ Level 9.0;
  • Combat Swim Test, 25 m (no floatation, no time limit); and
  • Modified Ruck March, ≤ 2:24:00 hr:min:sec (12 km, 35 kg rucksack, no helmet, no rifle).

Candidates are expected to meet these standards prior to selection, as special operations training builds upon an already high level of physical fitness.

Official physical fitness preparation programs and resources can be found on the CFMWS website or through local CFMWS personnel. These programs are designed to help candidates train safely and effectively while reducing the risk of injury.

CANSOFCOM - COMFOSCAN

History of CSOR

Infographic - Text version
History of CSOR
Date Event
Aug 2006 CSOR is formally established under CANSOFCOM with the graduation of its first Special Operations Basic Qualification (SOBQ) course.
Dec 2006 CSOR deploys its first operational elements to Afghanistan in support of JTF2, rapidly refining its capabilities in Direct Action (DA) and Special Reconnaissance (SR).
2008 CSOR conducts its first independent SOF operations in Afghanistan.
2009-2010s CSOR begins formalizing Special Warfare (SW) capabilities and executing small-team missions across the globe.
2012 Special Forces Operator is officially recognized as a distinct military occupation, and SOBQ is re-designated as the Special Forces Course.
2014-2024 CSOR maintains a presence in Iraq in support of Canada's mission to build military capabilities of Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon.
2020s CSOR pivots its primary focus from counter violent extremist organization operations to supporting joint warfighting, demonstrating adaptability across multiple domains.
Dec 2024 CSOR receives its first Regimental Standard from the Governor General of Canada, perpetuating the battle honours and lineage of the 1st Canadian Special Service Battalion, part of the First Special Service Force of WWII.
Present CSOR remains responsive to emerging global threats, executing complex operations worldwide in support of Canada's national objectives.

CANSOFCOM - COMFOSCAN

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2026-06-05
Canadian Navy published this content on June 05, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 05, 2026 at 16:24 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]