The HRT consists of individual “tactical units,” made up of team members specializing as assaulters or sniper/observers, and backed up by transportation, logistics, intelligence, communications, and command personnel. “For the first time, the FBI is seeking candidates with special tactical qualifications, to become Special Agents, and to serve as HRT Operators.” “The operational tempo for HRT has been high in the years since the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01,” says the FBI, which says it has deployed elements of the team 800 times since 1983, both at home and overseas.

It’s ready to deploy anywhere in the nation on four hours’ notice. The government decided it needed such a unit following the kidnapping and killing of 11 Israeli athletes by Palestinian terrorists at the Munich Olympics in 1972. If saving lives is not your primary goal, then we don’t want to have anything to do with you.The 31-year old HRT, created to help protect the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, is “federal law enforcement’s only full-time counterterrorism unit,” according to the FBI. That chain represents hostages, and our primary goal is to save lives. “Our emblem is of an eagle carrying a broken chain. “The HRT motto is Servare Vitas, save lives,” Shaffer said. HRT’s motto is Servare Vitas, which means to “save lives.” It can be hard to come down off of that.” The Right and Wrong motivations for Joining HRT They hit that switch and you’re trained to do what you do. You are cocked, locked and ready, when all of the sudden they stand you down for whatever reason. “A bad day can also mean getting all spun up and being ready to go. Shaffer also mentioned how being told to stand down can negatively impact an operator’s day. If we have to go in, the negotiations have failed. “A negotiator’s job is to prevent us from going in. “A bad day is when you lose somebody,” Shaffer said. Image from his book Stay Safe: Security Secrets for Today’s World What a Bad Day on the Job Looks Likeīeing a part of HRT comes with a high-level of risk. “But the best days on the job are ones where lives are saved,” said Shaffer. We train with the best, whether SEALs, CAG, or the SAS. “You will go to driving courses all over the United States, rock climbing courses all over the world, shooting classes with the best shooters that walked the earth, ice climbing with the SEALs in New Hampshire. Shaffer gave Strike Source a glimpse into the kind of training members of HRT receive. HRT operators frequently train to improve their abilities so they can perform their jobs more effectively. “Just because you finished selection doesn’t mean you get picked up for the team.” What a Good Day on the Job Looks Like: Shaffer then pointed out how passing selection doesn’t guarantee a place within the organization. The hardest part of it is mental because your mind will quit long before your body will.” “HRT is modeled after the SEALs’ Hell Week. “When you’re cold, tired, and hungry, and they put a weapon in your hand, what are your decision- making processes like then?” Shaffer said. They will exhaust your muscles and body.” Mental Requirements:ĭuring selection, having the ability to make sound decisions under high duress is critical.

You will do two, three, five, ten, and twenty mile runs during selection. You will do push-ups, sit ups, and dips until you cannot move. “On the first day, they weed out those who didn’t come prepared. For example, you must be in exemplary physical shape,” Shaffer said. But those requirements will not get you into HRT. “Just being an FBI agent has physical requirements. Physical Requirements:Īccording to Shaffer, the physical requirements to join HRT are incredibly demanding. “I had to wait two years and try again.” The second time, Shaffer made it through selection and was picked up by HRT, where he spent six years operating in high-threat and high-stress environments. “I didn’t make it the first time,” Shaffer recalled.

Shaffer, who joined the FBI in 1995, spent four years working organized crime before he decided to try out for HRT. Strike Source interviewed Gregory Shaffer about the mental and physical requirements to become an HRT operator. HRT operators do everything from participating in high-risk raids to hostage rescue, mobile assaults, manhunts, and more. The FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team, known as HRT, is an elite domestic counterterrorism unit. Image from his book Stay Safe: Security Secrets for Today’s Dangerous World

Fbi hostage rescue team