United States Army Special Forces

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U.S. Army Special Forces
Special Forces branch insignia
Active	19 June 1952 – present [1][2]
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Special operations force
Role	Principal Tasks: Unconventional Warfare (UW) Foreign Internal Defense (FID) Direct Action (DA) Counter-Insurgency (COIN) Special Reconnaissance (SR) Counter-Terrorism (CT) Information Operations (IO) Counterproliferation of WMD (CP) Security Force Assistance (SFA)
Part of	1st Special Forces Command United States Army Special Operations Command United States Special Operations Command
Headquarters	Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Nickname(s)	Green Berets, Quiet Professionals,[3] Soldier-Diplomats, Snake Eaters, Bearded Bastards[4]
Motto(s)	De Oppresso Liber
Color of Beret	Rifle green
March	The Ballad of the Green Berets
Engagements	World War II Korean War Cold War Laotian Civil War Dominican Civil War Vietnam War Salvadoran Civil War Operation Urgent Fury Operation Just Cause Gulf War Somali Civil War  • Operation Restore Hope Operation Uphold Democracy Bosnian War Kosovo War 1999 East Timorese crisis War On Terror  • Operation Enduring Freedom  • Operation Enduring Freedom - Horn of Africa  • Iraq War  • War in North-West Pakistan  • Operation Juniper Shield  • Operation Inherent Resolve  • Operation Freedom's Sentinel Lord's Resistance Army insurgency[5] Operation Atlantic Resolve[6]
Website	www.soc.mil/USASFC/HQ.html

The United States Army Special Forces, colloquially known as the "Green Berets" due to their distinctive service headgear, are a special operations force of the United States Army that are designed to deploy and execute nine doctrinal missions: unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, direct action, counter-insurgency, special reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, information operations, counterproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and security force assistance. The first two missions, unconventional warfare and foreign internal defenses, emphasize language, cultural, and training skills in working with foreign troops. Other Special Forces missions, known as secondary missions, include: combat search and rescue (CSAR), counter-narcotics, hostage rescue, humanitarian assistance, humanitarian demining, information operations, peacekeeping, and manhunts. Other components of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) or other U.S. government activities may also specialize in these secondary missions.^[7] The Special Forces conduct these missions via seven geographically focused groups.^[8] Many of their operational techniques are classified, but some nonfiction works^[9] and doctrinal manuals are available.^{[10][11][12] [13]}

As special operations units, Special Forces are not necessarily under the command authority of the ground commanders in those countries. Instead, while in theater, SF units may report directly to a geographic combatant command, USSOCOM, or other command authorities. The Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) highly secretive Special Activities Center (formerly known as the "Special Activities Division") and more specifically its Special Operations Group (SOG) recruits from the U.S. Army's Special Forces.^[14] Joint CIA–Army Special Forces operations go back to the MACV-SOG branch during the Vietnam War.^[15] The cooperation still exists today and is seen in the War in Afghanistan.^[16][17]

Mission[]

Special Forces soldiers from Task Force Dagger and Commander Dostum on horseback in the Dari-a-Souf Valley, Afghanistan, circa October 2001—featured in the film 12 Strong and the Horse Soldier Statue

The primary mission of the Army Special Forces is to train and lead unconventional warfare (UW) forces, or a clandestine guerrilla force in an occupied nation.^[18] The 10th Special Forces Group was the first deployed SF unit, intended to train and lead UW forces behind enemy lines in the event of a Warsaw Pact invasion of Western Europe. ^[19] As the U.S. became involved in Southeast Asia, it was realized that specialists trained to lead guerrillas could also help defend against hostile guerrillas, so SF acquired the additional mission of Foreign Internal Defense (FID), working with Host Nation (HN) forces in a spectrum of counter-guerrilla activities from indirect support to combat command. ^[20]

Special Forces personnel qualify both in advanced military skills and the regional languages and cultures of defined parts of the world. While they are best known for their unconventional warfare capabilities, they also undertake other missions that include direct action raids, peace operations, counter-proliferation, counter-drug advisory roles, and other strategic missions.^[21] As strategic resources, they report either to USSOCOM or to a regional Unified Combatant Command. To enhance their DA capability, specific units were created with a focus on the direct action side of special operations. First known as Commander's In-extremis Force (CIF), then Crisis Response Forces (CRF), they are now supplanted by Hard-Target Defeat (HTD) companies.^[22][23][24]

SF team members work closely together and rely on one another under isolated circumstances for long periods of time, both during extended deployments and in garrison. Because of this, they develop clannish relationships and long-standing personal ties.^{[citation needed]} SF non-commissioned officers (NCO) often spend their entire careers in Special Forces, rotating among assignments to detachments, higher staff billets, liaison positions, and instructor duties at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS). They are then required to move to staff positions or to higher command echelons.^{[citation needed]} With the creation of USSOCOM, SF commanders have risen to the highest ranks of U.S. Army command, including command of USSOCOM, the Army's Chief of Staff, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.^[25]

History[]

U.S. Army reveals the existence of the Special Forces in Europe, circa 1959 Play media Special Operations overview, circa 1984 Play media

ODA 525 team picture taken shortly before infiltration in Iraq, February 1991

Special Forces traces its roots as the Army's premier proponent of unconventional warfare from purpose-formed special operations units like the Alamo Scouts, Philippine guerrillas, First Special Service Force, and the Operational Groups (OGs) of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Although the OSS was not an Army organization, many Army personnel were assigned to the OSS and later used their experiences to influence the forming of Special Forces.

During the Korean War, individuals such as former Philippine guerrilla commanders Col. Wendell Fertig and Lt. Col. Russell W. Volckmann used their wartime experience to formulate the doctrine of unconventional warfare that became the cornerstone of the Special Forces.^[26][27]

In 1951, Major General Robert A. McClure chose former OSS member Colonel Aaron Bank as Operations Branch Chief of the Special Operations Division of the Psychological Warfare Staff (OCPW) in the Pentagon.^[28]

In June 1952, the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was formed under Col. Aaron Bank, soon after the establishment of the Psychological Warfare School, which ultimately became today's John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.^{[citation needed]} The 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was split, with the cadre that kept the designation 10th SFG deployed to Bad Tölz, Germany, in September 1953. The remaining cadre at Fort Bragg formed the 77th Special Forces Group, which in May 1960 was reorganized and designated as today's 7th Special Forces Group.^[29]

Since their establishment in 1952, Special Forces soldiers have operated in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, North Vietnam, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Colombia, Panama, Haiti, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, 1st Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines, Syria, Yemen, Niger and, in an FID role, East Africa.

The Special Forces branch was established as a basic branch of the United States Army on 9 April 1987 by Department of the Army General Order No. 35.^[30]

Organizational structure[]

1st Special Forces Command (Airborne)

Special Forces Groups[]

Soldiers from each of the Army's seven Special Forces Groups (note seven different colors of beret patches) at the gravesite of President John F. Kennedy in November 2011.

A MH-60L from 160th SOAR deploys an ODA from 7th SFG(A) onboard a U.S. submarine for a joint exercise

In 1957 the two original special forces groups (10th and 77th) were joined by the 1st, stationed in the Far East. Additional groups were formed in 1961 and 1962 after President John F. Kennedy visited the Special Forces at Fort Bragg in 1961. Nine groups were organized for the reserve components in 1961.^[31] Among them were the 16th and 17th Special Forces Groups. However, the 17th Special Forces Group, a National Guard formation with elements in Washington, was disestablished on 31 January 1966.

In the early twenty-first century, Special Forces are divided into five active duty (AD) and two Army National Guard (ARNG) Special Forces groups. Each Special Forces Group (SFG) has a specific regional focus. The Special Forces soldiers assigned to these groups receive intensive language and cultural training for countries within their regional area of responsibility (AOR).^[32] Due to the increased need for Special Forces soldiers in the War on Terror, all groups—including those of the National Guard (19th and 20th SFGs)—have been deployed outside of their areas of operation (AOs), particularly to Iraq and Afghanistan. A recently released report showed Special Forces as perhaps the most deployed SOF under USSOCOM, with many soldiers, regardless of group, serving up to 75% of their careers overseas, almost all of which had been to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Until recently an SF group has consisted of three battalions, but since the Department of Defense has authorized the 1st Special Forces Command to increase its authorized strength by one third, a fourth battalion was activated in each active component group by 2012.^{[citation needed]}

• 

  Current structure of the 1st SFG (A)

• 

  Current structure of the 3rd SFG (A)

• 

  Current structure of the 5th SFG (A)

• 

  Current structure of the 7th SFG (A)

• 

  Current structure of the 10th SFG (A)

• 

  Current structure of the 20th SFG (A) (ARNG)

A Special Forces group is historically assigned to a Unified Combatant Command or a theater of operations. The Special Forces Operational Detachment C or C-detachment (SFODC) is responsible for a theater or a major subcomponent, which can provide command and control of up to 18 SFODAs, three SFODB, or a mixture of the two. Subordinate to it is the Special Forces Operational Detachment Bs or B-detachments (SFODB), which can provide command and control for six SFODAs. Further subordinate, the SFODAs typically raise company- to battalion-sized units when on unconventional warfare missions. They can form six-man "split A" detachments that are often used for special reconnaissance.

Beret Flash	Group
	1st Special Forces Group – Headquartered at Joint Base Lewis–McChord, Washington along with its 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Battalions, its 1st Battalion is forward deployed at Torii Station, Okinawa. The 1SFGA is oriented towards the Pacific region, and is often tasked by PACOM. Currently, 1SFGA and two of its battalions spend roughly six months out of every twelve deployed on a rotational basis to either Iraq as Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula, to Afghanistan as Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan, or to the Philippines as Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines.
	3rd Special Forces Group – Headquartered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The 3SFGA is theoretically oriented towards all of Sub-Saharan Africa with the exception of the Eastern Horn of Africa, i.e. AFRICOM. In practice, 3SFGA and two of its battalions spend roughly six months out of every twelve deployed to Afghanistan as Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan.
	5th Special Forces Group – Headquartered at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The 5SFGA is oriented towards the Middle East, Persian Gulf, Central Asia and the Horn of Africa (HOA), and is frequently tasked by CENTCOM. Currently, 5SFGA and two of its battalions spend roughly six months out of every twelve deployed to Iraq as Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula.
	7th Special Forces Group – Headquartered at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The 7SFG(A) is oriented towards the western hemisphere: the land mass of Latin America south of Mexico, the waters adjacent to Central America and South America, the Caribbean Sea—with its 13 island nations, European and U.S. territories—the Gulf of Mexico, and a portion of the Atlantic Ocean (i.e. the USSOUTHCOM AOR and a little more). Although not aligned, the 7SFG(A) has also supported USNORTHCOM activities within the western hemisphere. In practice, 7SFG(A) and two of its battalions spend roughly six months out of every twelve deployed to Afghanistan as Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan. In 2011, 7SFG(A) relocated from Fort Bragg, North Carolina to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida as part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round.
	10th Special Forces Group – Headquartered at Fort Carson, Colorado along with its 2nd, 3rd and newly added 4th Battalions, its 1st Battalion is forward deployed in the Panzer Kaserne (Panzer Barracks) in Böblingen near Stuttgart, Germany. The 10SFGA is theoretically oriented towards Europe, mainly Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Turkey, Israel, Lebanon and Northern Africa, i.e. EUCOM. In practice, 10SFGA and two of its battalions spend roughly six months out of every twelve deployed to Iraq as Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Arabian Peninsula.
	19th Special Forces Group – One of two National Guard Special Forces Groups. Headquartered in Draper, Utah, with companies in Washington, West Virginia, Ohio, Rhode Island, Colorado, California, and Texas, the 19SFGA is oriented towards Southwest Asia (shared with 5SFGA), Europe (shared with 10SFGA), as well as Southeast Asia (shared with 1SFGA).
	20th Special Forces Group – One of two National Guard Special Forces Groups. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, with battalions in Alabama (1st Battalion), Mississippi (2nd Battalion), and Florida (3rd Battalion), with assigned Companies and Detachments in North Carolina ; Chicago; Louisville, Kentucky; Western Massachusetts; and Baltimore. The 20SFGA has an area of responsibility (AOR) covering 32 countries, including Latin America south of Mexico, the waters, territories, and nations in the Caribbean sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. Orientation towards the region is shared with 7SFGA.
	Inactive Groups
	– Active from 1963 to 1971. Based at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Assigned to Southwest Asia (Iraq, Iran, etc.) and Southeast Asia. Many of the 103 original Son tay raider volunteers were from 6SFGA.
	8th Special Forces Group – Active from 1963 to 1972. Responsible for training armies of Latin America in counterinsurgency tactics.
	(U.S. Army Reserve) – Active from 1961 to 1994.
	12th Special Forces Group (U.S. Army Reserve) – Active from 1961 to 1994.

Battalion Headquarters Element – SF Operational Detachment-C (SFODC) composition[]

The SFODC, or "C-Team", is the headquarters element of a Special Forces battalion. As such, it is a command and control unit with operations, training, signals, and logistic support responsibilities to its three subordinate line companies. A lieutenant colonel commands the battalion as well as the C-Team, and the Battalion Command Sergeant Major is the senior NCO of the battalion and the C-Team. There are an additional 20–30 SF personnel who fill key positions in operations, logistics, intelligence, communications, and medical. A Special Forces battalion usually consists of four companies: "A", "B", "C", and Headquarters/Support.^{[citation needed]}

Company Headquarters Element – SF Operational Detachment-B (SFODB) composition[]

A SF company commander in Universal Camouflage Pattern meets with elders and members of the 209th ANA Corps in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, circa 2007

A soldier from A Co, 1st Bn, 7th SFG(A) gives an Afghan boy a coloring book in Kandahar Province during a meeting with local leaders, circa 2008

The ODB, or "B-Team", is the headquarters element of a Special Forces company, and it is usually composed of 11–13 soldiers. While the A-team typically conducts direct operations, the purpose of the B-Team is to support the company's A-Teams both in garrison and in the field. When deployed, in line with their support role, B-Teams are usually found in more secure rear areas. However, under some circumstances a B-Team will deploy into a hostile area, usually to coordinate the activities of multiple A-Teams.^{[citation needed]}

The ODB is led by an 18A, usually a major, who is the company commander (CO). The CO is assisted by his company executive officer (XO), another 18A, usually a captain.^[33] The XO is himself assisted by a company technician, a 180A, generally, a chief warrant officer three, who assists in the direction of the organization, training, intelligence, counter-intelligence, and operations for the company and its detachments. The company commander is assisted by a senior non-commissioned officer, an 18Z, usually a Sergeant Major. A second 18Z acts as the operations sergeant, usually a Master Sergeant, who assists the XO and technician in their operational duties. He has an 18F assistant operations sergeant, who is usually a Sergeant First Class. The company's support comes from an 18D medical sergeant, usually a Sergeant First Class, and two 18E communications sergeants, usually a Sergeant First Class and a Staff Sergeant.^{[citation needed]}

The following jobs are outside of the Special Forces 18-series career management field (CMF), but hold positions on a Special Forces B-Team. Soldiers in these positions are not "Special Forces qualified", as they have not completed the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC or "Q" Course); however, they do have the potential to be awarded the Special Qualification Identifier (SQI) "S" (Special Operations / Special Operations Support) once they complete the appropriate unit-level training, 24 months with their Special Forces unit, and Basic Airborne School:

• The supply NCO, usually a Staff Sergeant, the commander's principal logistical planner, works with the battalion S-4 to supply the company.
• The Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN defense) NCO, usually a Sergeant, maintains and operates the company's NBC detection and decontamination equipment, and assists in administering NBC defensive measures.^[34]
• Other jobs can also exist depending on the B-Team structure. Specialist team members can include I.T. (S-6) personnel, and Military Intelligence Soldiers, including Intelligence Analysts (35F), Human Intelligence Collectors (35M), Signals Intelligence (35 N/P - also known as SOT-A and SOT-B as related to their positions on SFODA and SFODB teams), Intelligence Officers (35 D/E/F), and Counterintelligence Special Agents (35L/351L).

Basic Element – SF Operational Detachment-A (SFODA) composition[]

A Special Forces company normally consists of six Operational Detachments-A (ODA or "A-Teams").^[35][36] Each ODA specializes in an infiltration skill or a particular mission-set (e.g. Military Freefall (HALO), combat diving, mountain warfare, maritime operations, etc.). An ODA is identified by its group, battalion, company, and the team itself. For example, ODA 1234 would be the fourth team in the third company of the second battalion of 1st Special Forces Group.

An ODA consists of 12 soldiers, each of whom has a specific function (MOS or Military Occupational Specialty) on the team; however, all members of an ODA conduct cross-training. The ODA is led by an 18A (Detachment Commander), a Captain, and a 180A (Assistant Detachment Commander) who is their second in command, usually a Warrant Officer One or Chief Warrant Officer Two. The team also includes the following enlisted soldiers: one 18Z (Operations Sergeant) (known as the "Team Sergeant"), usually a Master Sergeant, one 18F (Assistant Operations and Intelligence Sergeant), usually a Sergeant First Class, and two each, 18Bs (Weapons Sergeant), 18Cs (Engineer Sergeant), 18Ds (Medical Sergeant), and 18Es (Communications Sergeant), usually Sergeants First Class, Staff Sergeants or Sergeants. This organization facilitates 6-man "split team" operations, redundancy, and mentoring between a senior NCO and their junior assistant.^{[citation needed]}

Qualifications[]

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A Special Forces candidate conducts a pre-mission rehearsal with Army ROTC cadets role-playing guerrilla fighters during ROBIN SAGE.

Soldiers from 1st Special Forces Group conduct high-altitude low-opening (HALO) jump over Yakima training center, c. 2014

20th Special Forces Group soldiers conduct dive operations

The basic eligibility requirements to be considered for entry into the Special Forces are:

• Be age 20–36^[37]
• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be a high school graduate
• Score a General Technical score of 110 or higher or a combat operation score of 110 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
• Airborne qualified or volunteer for Airborne training
• Must pass the Physical Fitness Assessment with at least 49 push-ups, 59 sit-ups, 6 pull-ups, and run two miles in a maximum of 15 minutes and 12 seconds
• Meet medical fitness standards as outlined in SF Physical IAW AR 40-501
• Must successfully complete the Pre-Basic Task list
• Eligible for a secret security clearance
• Swim 50 m wearing boots and ACUs prior to SFQC
• Must have 20/20 or corrected to 20/20 in both near and distant vision in both eyes
• One year of college is preferred, but it is not mandatory for enlistment

Selection and training[]

The Special Forces soldier trains on a regular basis over the course of their entire career. The initial formal training program for entry into Special Forces is divided into four phases collectively known as the Special Forces Qualification Course or, informally, the "Q Course". The length of the Q Course changes depending on the applicant's primary job field within Special Forces and their assigned foreign language capability, but will usually last between 55 and 95 weeks. After successfully completing the Special Forces Qualification Course, Special Forces soldiers are then eligible for many advanced skills courses. These include, but are not limited to, the Military Free Fall Parachutist Course (MFF), the Combat Diver Qualification Course, and the Special Forces Sniper Course (SFSC). ^[38]

Special Forces MOS descriptions[]

• 18A – Special Forces Officer^[39]
• 180A – Special Forces Warrant Officer^[40]
• 18B – Special Forces Weapons Sergeant^[41]
• 18C – Special Forces Engineer Sergeant^[42]
• 18D – Special Forces Medical Sergeant^[43]
• 18E – Special Forces Communications Sergeant^[44]
• 18F – Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant^[45]
• 18X – Special Forces Candidate (Active Duty and National Guard Enlistment Option)^[46]
• 18Z – Special Forces Operations Sergeant

Uniforms and insignia[]

Green beret[]

Special Forces soldiers prepare for a combat diving training operation on a US Naval ship near Okinawa, Japan in 1956, wearing their green berets

Special Forces soldiers participate in the graduation ceremony in Tegucigalpa, Honduras in 2014, wearing their green berets

U.S. Army Special Forces adopted the green beret unofficially in 1954 after searching for headgear that would set them visually apart. Members of the 77th SFG began searching through their accumulated berets and settled on the rifle green color from Captain Miguel de la Peña's collection. Captain Frank Dallas had the new beret designed and produced in small numbers for the members of the 10th & 77th Special Forces Groups.^[47]

Their new headdress was first worn at a retirement parade at Fort Bragg on 12 June 1955 for Lieutenant General Joseph P. Cleland, the now-former commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps. Onlookers thought that the operators were a foreign delegation from NATO. In 1956 General Paul D. Adams, the post commander at Fort Bragg, banned the wearing of the distinctive headdress,^[48] (although members of the Special Forces continued to wear it surreptitiously^[49]). This was reversed on 25 September 1961 by Department of the Army Message 578636, which designated the green beret as the exclusive headdress of the Army Special Forces.^[50]

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy authorized them for use exclusively by the U.S. Special Forces. Preparing for a 12 October visit to the Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the president sent word to the center's commander, Colonel William P. Yarborough, for all Special Forces soldiers to wear green berets as part of the event. The president felt that since they had a special mission, Special Forces should have something to set them apart from the rest. In 1962, he called the green beret "a symbol of excellence, a badge of courage, a mark of distinction in the fight for freedom."^[47]

Forrest Lindley, a writer for the newspaper Stars and Stripes who served with Special Forces in Vietnam said of Kennedy's authorization: "It was President Kennedy who was responsible for the rebuilding of the Special Forces and giving us back our Green Beret. People were sneaking around wearing [them] when conventional forces weren't in the area and it was sort of a cat and mouse game. Then Kennedy authorized the Green Beret as a mark of distinction, everybody had to scramble around to find berets that were really green. We were bringing them down from Canada. Some were handmade, with the dye coming out in the rain."^[51]

Kennedy's actions created a special bond with the Special Forces, with specific traditions carried out since his funeral when a sergeant in charge of a detail of Special Forces soldiers guarding the grave placed his beret on the coffin.^[51] The moment was repeated at a commemoration of the 25th anniversary of JFK's death – General Michael D. Healy (ret.), the last commander of Special Forces in Vietnam and later a commander of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, spoke at Arlington National Cemetery, after which a wreath in the form of a green beret was placed on Kennedy's grave.^[51]

Distinctive unit insignia[]

Special Forces distinctive unit insignia

A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height consisting of a pair of silver arrows in saltire, points up and surmounted at their junction by the V-42 stiletto silver dagger with black handle point up; all over and between a black motto scroll arcing to the base and inscribed "DE OPPRESSO LIBER" in silver letters.^[52]

The insignia is the crossed arrow collar insignia (insignia of the branch) of the First Special Force, World War II combined with the fighting knife which is of a distinctive shape and pattern only issued to the First Special Service Force. The motto is translated as "From Oppression We Will Liberate Them."^[52]

The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 8 July 1960. The insignia of the 1st Special Forces was authorized to be worn by personnel of the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) and its subordinate units on 7 March 1991. The wear of the insignia by the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) and its subordinate units was canceled and it was authorized to be worn by personnel of the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) and their subordinate units not authorized a distinctive unit insignia in their own right and amended to change the symbolism on 27 October 2016.^[52]

Shoulder sleeve insignia[]

Airborne Command SSI, worn by classified units—such as the Army's new special forces groups— from 1952–1955

1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) SSI, established 1955 and worn by all of its special forces groups, past and present

The US Army's 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) is worn by all those assigned to the command and its subordinate units that have not been authorized their own SSI, such as the Special Forces Groups. According to the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry, the shape and items depicted in the SSI have special meaning: "The arrowhead alludes to the American Indian's basic skills in which Special Forces personnel are trained to a high degree. The dagger represents the unconventional nature of Special Forces operations, and the three lightning flashes, their ability to strike rapidly by Sea, Air or Land." Army Special Forces were the first Special Operations unit to employ the "sea, air, land" concept nearly a decade before units like the Navy SEALs were created.^[53]

Prior to the establishment of the 1st Special Forces Command SSI, the special forces groups that stood up between 1952 and 1955 wore the Airborne Command SSI. According to the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry, the Airborne Command SSI was reinstated on 10 April 1952—after being disbanded in 1947—and authorized for wear by certain classified units^[54]—such as the newly formed 10th and 77th Special Forces Groups—until the establishment of the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) SSI on 22 August 1955.^[53]

Special Forces Tab[]

Special Forces Qualification Tab

Introduced in June 1983, the Special Forces Tab is a service school qualification tab awarded to soldiers who complete one of the Special Forces Qualification Courses. Unlike the Green Beret, soldiers who are awarded the Special Forces Tab are authorized to wear it for the remainder of their military careers, even when not serving with Special Operations units. The cloth tab is an olive drab arc tab 3 1/4 inches (8.26  cm) in length and 11/16-inch (1.75  cm) in height overall, the designation "SPECIAL FORCES" in black letters 5/16-inch (.79  cm) in height and is worn on the left sleeve of utility uniforms above a unit's Shoulder Sleeve Insignia and below the President's Hundred Tab (if so awarded). The metal Special Forces Tab replica comes in two sizes, full and dress miniature. The full size version measures 5/8-inch (1.59 cm) in height and 1 9/16 inches (3.97 cm) in width. The miniature version measures 1/4-inch (.64 cm) in height and 1 inch (2.54 cm) in width. Both are teal blue with yellow border trim and letters and are worn above or below ribbons or medals on the Army Service Uniform.^[55][56][57]

Award eligibility:^[55][56]

• 1) Basic Eligibility Criteria. Any person meeting one of the criteria below may be awarded the Special Forces (SF) tab:
  • 1.1) Successful completion of U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS) approved Active Army (AA) institutional training leading to SF qualification.
  • 1.2) Successful completion of a USAJFKSWCS approved Reserve Component (RC) SF qualification program.
  • 1.3) Successful completion of an authorized unit administered SF qualification program.
• 2) Active Component institutional training. The SF Tab may be awarded to all personnel who meet the following:
  • 2.1) For successful completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course or Special Forces Detachment Officer Qualification Course (previously known as the Special Forces Officer Course). These courses are/were conducted by the USAJFKSWC (previously known as the U.S. Army Institute for Military Assistance).
  • 2.2) Prior to 1 January 1988, for successful completion of the then approved program of instruction for Special Forces qualification in a Special Forces Group, who were subsequently awarded, by a competent authority, SQI "S" in Career Management Field 18 (enlisted), or SQI "3" in Functional Area 18 (officer).
• 3) Reserve Component (RC) SF qualification programs. The SF Tab may be awarded to all personnel who successfully complete an RC SF qualification program according to TRADOC Regulation 135–5, dated 1 June 1988 or its predecessors and who were subsequently awarded, by a competent authority, SQI "S" or "3" in MOS 11B, 11C, 12B, 05B, 91B, or ASI "5G" or "3." The USAJFKSWCS will determine individual entitlement for an award of the SF Tab based on historical review of Army, Continental Army Command (CONARC), and TRADOC regulations prescribing SF qualification requirements in effect at the time the individual began an RC SF qualification program.
• 4) Unit administered SF qualification programs. The SF Tab may be awarded to all personnel who successfully completed unit administered SF qualification programs as authorized by regulation. The USAJFKSWCS will determine individual entitlement to an award of the SF Tab based upon a historical review of regulations prescribing SF qualification requirements in effect at the time the individual began a unit administered SF qualification program.
• 5) Former wartime service. The Special Forces Tab may be awarded retroactively to all personnel who performed the following wartime service:
  • 5.1) 1942 through 1973. Served with a Special Forces unit during wartime and were either unable to or not required to attend a formal program of instruction but were awarded SQI "S", "3", "5G" by the competent authority.
  • 5.2) Prior to 1954. Service for at least 120 consecutive days in one of the following organizations:
    • 5.2.1) 1st Special Service Force, August 1942 to December 1944.
    • 5.2.2) OSS Detachment 101, April 1942 to September 1945.
    • 5.2.3) OSS Jedburgh Detachments, May 1944 to May 1945.
    • 5.2.4) OSS Operational Groups, May 1944 to May 1945.
    • 5.2.5) OSS Maritime Unit, April 1942 to September 1945.
    • 5.2.6) 6th Army Special Reconnaissance Unit (Alamo Scouts), February 1944 to September 1945.
    • 5.2.7) 8240th Army Unit, June 1950 to July 1953.
    • 5.2.8) 1954 through 1975. Any company grade officer or enlisted member awarded the CIB or CMB while serving for at least 120 consecutive days in one of the following type organizations:
      • 5.2.8a) SF Operational Detachment-A (A-Team).
      • 5.2.8b) Mobile Strike Force.
      • 5.2.8c) SF Reconnaissance Team.
      • 5.2.8d) SF Special Project Unit.

Camouflage pattern[]

During the Vietnam War, the Green Berets of the 5th Special Forces Group wanted the Tigerstripe camouflage clothing be made. So they contracted with Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian producers to make fatigues and other items such as boonie hats using tigerstripe fabric. When Tigerstripes make a comeback in the 21st century, they are used by Green Berets for OPFOR drills.

From 1981 to the mid-2000s, they had worn the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU).

Since the War on Terror, they had been wearing MultiCam and Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniforms during different missions. They did wear the ones in Universal Camouflage Pattern but were getting rid by MultiCam and OCP.

Yarborough knife[]

This knife was designed and built by Bill Harsey in collaboration with Chris Reeve Knives. Starting in 2002, all graduates of the qualification course were awarded a Yarborough knife, designed by Bill Harsey Jr. and named after Lt. Gen. William Yarborough, considered the father of the modern Special Forces. All knives awarded are individually serial-numbered and all awardees' names are recorded in a special logbook.^{[citation needed]}

Vehicles[]

A GMV-S equipped with a Mk 19 grenade launcher in Afghanistan (2003)

During the Green Berets' missions in other nations, they would use Ground Mobility Vehicle (GMV)-S Humvees for various uses or purpose built technicals for patrol on rugged terrain and help them undergo clandestine operations as the nature of their missions are classified. In recent years they also drive the M1288 GMV 1.1 variant of the Army Ground Mobility Vehicle made by General Dynamics as well, that can have new add-on armor kits manufactured by TenCate Advanced Armor for better protection.^{[citation needed]} As well as the Oshkosh M-ATV Special Forces variant MRAPs.

For aircraft other than the ones used by the US military and its special forces/special operations forces units, they extensively used the CIA-operated Mi-8 and Mi-17 variants of those military helicopters in Afghanistan during the initial stages of Operation Enduring Freedom. ^[58]

Weapons[]

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U.S. Special Forces in Raqqa

The Green Berets are trained to use a variety of weapon types dated back from WW1 to recent conflicts. This is so the operators can be familiar with some specific weapons used by both enemies and allies during different missions, easily use such weapons in any nation without problem, and train different factions using those weapons to fight with them. ^{[59] [60]}

Handguns[]

• M1911
• M9 (Have been used since the mid-'80s, ready to be replaced by the SIG Sauer M17s and M18s)
• Glock 19 (Designated as Mk 27 Mod 0, recently standard issue in 2015 as Gen. 4 models, while the Gen. 3 models have been first issued since late 2006)
• SIG M17/M18 (replacement for M9)

Submachine guns[]

• MP 40 (Some were captured by American forces during World War II, later used by Army Special Forces operators and the CIDG operators at the beginning of the Vietnam War)^[61]
• Uzi (Used between 1968–73 after CIA bought 3,000 Uzis for use in Southeast Asia by special operations forces)
• Heckler & Koch MP5 (Some variants were used by them from the Vietnam War in 1975 to the 21st century for night operations, close quarters, hostage rescue and escort)
• HK UMP (Small number of them in .45 ACP were purchased by the 5th Special Forces Group and saw some limited action in the early years of the Iraqi insurgency)

Assault rifles/assault carbines[]

• M4A1 and MK18 SOPMOD Block I & II & URG-I Program
• FN SCAR-H

Machine guns[]

A 5th SFG (A) operator on the Humvee's turret ring explains to a girl how the M2 .50-caliber machine gun with an EOTech black SU-264/PEQ（ECOS-H）holographic weapon sight on the picatinny rail works

• M240
• Ultimax 100^[62]
• M249 SAW
• Mk 48
• GAU-17/A
• M2HB
• GAU-19

Shotguns[]

• Ithaca 37 (generally used during the Vietnam War)
• M870
• Mossberg 500 (They procured Military Enhancement Kits to provide a standardized shotgun configuration based on the Mossberg 500 in 2009. The kits included a collapsible stock, "shotgun retention system", 1913 receiver rail, fore end rail system and breaching barrels. A total of 1301 shotguns were converted with the first unit being equipped in July 2009. The majority of the kits convert the standard issue shotgun to a 14" compact model with a 16" accessory breaching barrel, H92239-09-P-0113.)
• M1014

Sniper Weapon Systems and Precision Rifles[]

• M24 Sniper Weapon System (SWS)
• Mk 13
• M2010 Enhanced Sniper Rifle (ESR) (Used by 3rd and 7th Special Forces Group)
• Mk 12 Mod 0
• Mk 11 Mod 0
• M25 Sniper Weapon System (Originally developed by the 10th Special Forces Group)
• Mk 14 Mod 0/Mod 1 EBR
• M110 Semi-Automatic Sniper System (SASS)
• M107 Long Range Sniper Rifle
• Mk 22 Advanced Sniper Rifle
• Dragunov sniper rifle

Launchers[]

• M79
• M203
• China Lake grenade launcher (Used by 5th Special Forces Group)
• M320
• M32 Multi-shot Grenade Launcher (Mk 14 Mod 0 model)
• Mk 19
• Mk 47 Striker
• M72 Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW)
• M136 AT4
• M3 Multi-role Anti-armor Anti-tank Weapon System (MAAWS)
• FGM-148 Javelin
• FIM-92 Stinger
• RPG-7

Others[]

• M67 grenade
• M84 stun grenade
• C-4 (explosive)
• M18A1 Claymore Mine

Use of the term "Special Forces"[]

In countries other than the U.S., the term "special forces" or "special operations forces" (SOF) is often used generically to refer to any units with elite training and special mission sets. In the U.S. military, "Special Forces" is a proper (capitalized) noun referring exclusively to U.S. Army Special Forces (a.k.a. "The Green Berets").^[63] The media and popular culture frequently misapply the term to Navy SEALs and other members of the U.S. Special Operations Forces.^[64]

Use of the term "Operator"[]

"Code of the Special Forces Operator", c. 1959. This example pre-dates "Delta" among others.

The term "Operator" pre-dates American Special Operations and can be found in books referring to French Special Operations as far back as WWII. Examples include A Savage War of Peace by Alistair Horne and The Centurions by Jean Larteguy.

The origin of the term operator in American special operations comes from the U.S. Army Special Forces (referred to by many civilians as "Green Berets"). The Army Special Forces were established in 1952, ten years before the Navy SEALs, and 25 years before Delta Force. Every other modern U.S. special operations unit in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines was established after 1977. In Veritas: Journal of Army Special Operations History, Charles H. Briscoe states that the Army "Special Forces did not misappropriate the appellation. Unbeknownst to most members of the Army Special Operations Force (ARSOF) community, that moniker was adopted by the Special Forces in the mid-1950s." He goes on to state that all qualified enlisted and officers in Special Forces had to "voluntarily subscribe to the provisions of the 'Code of the Special Forces Operator' and pledge themselves to its tenets by witnessed signature." This pre-dates every other special operations unit that currently uses the term/title operator.^[65]

Inside the United States Special Operations community, an operator is a Delta Force member who has completed selection and has graduated OTC (Operators Training Course). Operator was used by Delta Force to distinguish between operational and non-operational personnel assigned to the unit.^[66] Other special operations forces use specific names for their jobs, such as Army Rangers and Air Force Pararescuemen. The Navy uses the acronym SEAL for both their special warfare teams and their individual members, who are also known as Special Operators. In 2006 the Navy created "Special Warfare Operator" (SO) as a rating specific to Naval Special Warfare enlisted personnel, grades E-4 to E-9. (See Navy special warfare ratings.) Operator is the specific term for operational personnel, and has become a colloquial term for almost all special operations forces in the U.S. military, as well as around the world.

In popular culture[]

See also[]

• 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Delta Force)
• Alamo Scouts
• Central Intelligence Agency's Special Activities Center
• Defense Intelligence Agency
• Devil's Brigade
• Blue Light
• Green Light Teams
• Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group
• Roger Mobley
• Operation Jedburgh
• Phoenix Program
• United States Army Counterintelligence (CI, or USAI)

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to United States Army Special Forces Command (Airborne).

• U.S. Army Special Forces Command website
• U.S. Army Special Operations Command News
• Special Forces Command website
• Special Forces Recruiting at the Special Operations Recruiting Battalion website
• United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
• Official website of the Special Forces Association
• United States Special Operations Command
• United States Army Special Forces Overview
• Special Forces Medic talks about coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan
• Army Enlisted Jobs: Field 18 Special Forces