Special Forces: World's Toughest Test—The Ultimate Episode Guide (Seasons 1-3) And What Happened To The DS Staff

The FOX reality juggernaut, *Special Forces: World's Toughest Test*, has captured global attention by subjecting celebrities to the most brutal military-style training imaginable, pushing their mental and physical limits far beyond the breaking point. As of December 13, 2025, the series has delivered three intense seasons, with the most recent installment crowning its winners after a grueling course led by an elite team of former Special Forces operatives.

This comprehensive guide breaks down every season, providing a complete episode-by-episode breakdown, detailing the locations, the elite Directing Staff (DS) who run the course, and the celebrities who dared to face the ultimate psychological and physical gauntlet. From the unforgiving deserts of Jordan to the harsh winter warfare of New Zealand, this is the definitive resource for the show inspired by the British series *SAS: Who Dares Wins*.

The Directing Staff (DS) and Core Entities: The Men Behind the Torture

The success and authenticity of *Special Forces: World's Toughest Test* hinge entirely on the Directing Staff (DS). These former elite military operatives are not instructors; they are interrogators, mentors, and the unrelenting force behind the recruits' suffering. They maintain a strict no-nonsense approach, referring to the celebrities only by their assigned number. The core DS team is a rotating cast of legends from the world's most elite military units, ensuring the training is as real as it gets.

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• Rudy Reyes (Chief DS): A former Recon Marine with a legendary reputation, Reyes serves as the Chief DS, setting the tone for the entire course with his intense, philosophical, and often terrifying leadership.
• Mark “Billy” Billingham: A decorated former SAS operator and bodyguard to the stars, Billy is known for his calm, methodical, and deeply psychological approach to testing the recruits.
• Jason “Foxy” Fox: A former Royal Marine Commando and Special Boat Service (SBS) operative, Foxy brings a blend of physical intensity and emotional depth, often acting as the voice of reason.
• Jovon “Q” Quarles: A former Recon Marine and Special Operations trainer, Q brings his expertise in close-quarters combat and extreme physical endurance to the team.
• Remi Adeleke: A former Navy SEAL, Adeleke has also been a featured DS member, adding another layer of elite experience to the instruction.

Special Forces: World's Toughest Test Season 1 Episode Guide (Jordan Desert)

The inaugural season premiered in January 2023, setting the stage in the harsh, arid environment of the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan. The recruits were immediately thrown into challenges designed to test their character, resilience, and willingness to follow orders under extreme duress. The course was a 10-day journey of psychological warfare and physical exhaustion.

Season 1 Celebrity Recruits Included: Mel B, Dwight Howard, Kate Gosselin, Jamie Lynn Spears, Anthony Scaramucci, Gus Kenworthy, Hannah Brown, Montell Jordan, Kenya Moore, Danny Amendola, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Tyler Florence, Beverley Mitchell, Carli Lloyd, and Nastia Liukin.

Full Episode List:

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• Episode 1: Test of Character (Air Date: Jan 4, 2023): The recruits arrive and face their first brutal challenge: a backward dive from a helicopter into the water, immediately testing their fear and trust.
• Episode 2: Weakness (Air Date: Jan 4, 2023): Focus shifts to identifying and exploiting the recruits’ psychological 'weakness' through intense interrogations and physically draining tasks.
• Episode 3: Mindset (Air Date: Jan 11, 2023): Recruits must confront their mental fortitude as the DS push them to their limit, emphasizing the importance of a strong ‘Mindset’.
• Episode 4: Trust (Air Date: Jan 18, 2023): A critical test of teamwork and reliance on others, often involving high-risk drills like an emergency escape.
• Episode 5: Pressure (Air Date: Jan 25, 2023): The halfway point is reached, and the tasks become exponentially harder, focusing on performance under 'Pressure'.
• Episode 6: Decisions (Air Date: Feb 1, 2023): Recruits are forced to make split-second, high-stakes 'Decisions' that impact the entire team.
• Episode 7: Composure (Air Date: Feb 8, 2023): The focus is on maintaining 'Composure' during a high-stakes interrogation and evasion scenario.
• Episode 8: Evasion (Air Date: Feb 15, 2023): The final phase where remaining recruits must use 'Evasion' techniques to escape capture by the DS.

Special Forces: World's Toughest Test Season 2 Episode Guide (New Zealand Winter Warfare)

Season 2, which aired in late 2023, relocated the course to the unforgiving, snow-covered mountains of New Zealand, introducing the brutal element of 'winter warfare.' This new environment demanded an entirely different level of physical and mental resilience, forcing recruits to battle hypothermia, altitude sickness, and the relentless cold in addition to the DS's drills.

Season 2 Celebrity Recruits Included: Tom Sandoval, JoJo Siwa, Tara Reid, Jack Osbourne, Savannah Chrisley, Blac Chyna, Bode Miller, Brian Austin Green, Dez Bryant, Kelly Rizzo, Robert Horry, Erin Jackson, Nick Viall, and Tyler Cameron.

Full Episode List:

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• Episode 1: Far From Home (Air Date: Sep 25, 2023): The recruits are immediately exposed to the harsh New Zealand environment and the reality of being 'Far From Home.'
• Episode 2: Exposure (Air Date: Oct 2, 2023): Focus on surviving the elements, facing 'Exposure' to extreme cold, and early physical attrition.
• Episode 3: Panic (Air Date: Oct 9, 2023): A water-based challenge designed to induce 'Panic' and test the recruits' ability to control their breathing and fear.
• Episode 4: Character (Air Date: Oct 16, 2023): The DS test the recruits' moral and ethical 'Character' through high-stress scenarios.
• Episode 5: Pressure (Air Date: Oct 23, 2023): Recruits are put under intense 'Pressure' during a high-altitude mountaineering drill.
• Episode 6: Survival (Air Date: Oct 30, 2023): Focus on basic 'Survival' techniques in the wilderness, including fire and shelter building.
• Episode 7: Grit (Air Date: Nov 6, 2023): The final stages of the course, where only pure 'Grit' and determination can carry the remaining recruits through.
• Episode 8: Capture (Air Date: Nov 13, 2023): The ultimate test of the series—a 'Capture' and Interrogation phase, simulating being behind enemy lines.

Special Forces: World's Toughest Test Season 3 Highlights and Winners (2025)

The third season of the series, which premiered on January 8, 2025, and concluded shortly after, continued the tradition of brutal challenges and surprising celebrity resilience. The course location for Season 3 was not as widely publicized initially but featured a mix of desert and wildland missions, suggesting a return to a more arid, high-altitude environment similar to the conditions faced by the Recon Marine and SAS operatives.

Season 3 Celebrity Recruits Included: Denise Richards, Stephen Baldwin, Cam Newton, Brody Jenner, Kyla Pratt, Christy Carlson Romano, Carey Hart, Nathan Fielder, and others.

Key Challenges and Events:

• The Mighty Leap: An early challenge involved a terrifying leap from a great height, designed to break down the recruits' immediate fear response.
• Wildland Mission: The DS led the recruits into a wildland for what was described as the "most dangerous mission to date," testing their navigation and tactical skills under extreme stress.
• The Final Push: The finale saw the remaining recruits pushed to their absolute limits with a series of final, grueling tasks focused on endurance and psychological stability.

Season 3 Winners:

In a surprising and inspiring finale, two recruits managed to endure the entire 10-day course, passing the ultimate test of character, resilience, and mental strength. The winners of *Special Forces: World's Toughest Test* Season 3 were: Kayla Nicole and Brody Jenner.

Their success highlights the show's core message: that the course is not about physical fitness alone, but about the mental fortitude and emotional strength required to withstand the psychological warfare waged by the DS. The final challenge, which often involves a high-stakes escape and evasion, cements the recruits' understanding that the only true victory is not quitting.

The Legacy of the Special Forces Test

The show's format, which emphasizes pushing celebrities out of their comfort zones, has created a compelling narrative that resonates with viewers. The use of real-world Special Forces selection techniques—such as extreme interrogation, sleep deprivation, and high-risk maneuvers—provides a unique look into the intensity of elite military training. Entities like the United States Recon Marine and the Special Boat Service (SBS) are constantly referenced, lending the show its topical authority and credibility. The series continues to be a powerful vehicle for celebrity redemption, personal growth, and showcasing the incredible power of the human spirit when faced with the absolute worst conditions. As more seasons are confirmed, the global audience eagerly awaits to see which celebrities will volunteer for the next round of the world's toughest test.