AP via TBO: Unconventional warfare in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq taught the U.S. Army it needed more unconventional warriors.

To increase the pool of potential Special Forces members, officials have started selectively recruiting civilians straight into a program that could make them Green Berets in about two years. It's attracting hundreds more recruits than expected, and they're doing well, Army officials say.

The new recruiting effort began last year with more than 460 men. This year, the Army wants to recruit 600, and officials say they will meet that goal.

Recruits must be male, ages 18 to 29, U.S. citizens and have a high school diploma. They must sign up for at least five years of service and score well on intelligence tests. They are also screened for the aptitude to learn at least one foreign language.

They undergo nine weeks of basic training, followed by about two years of intensive training in such skills as parachuting, land navigation, small unit tactics and survival. Each man is eligible for a $13,000 enlistment bonus if he remains in the service for five years.