Green Berets

Special Forces (SF) Soldiers are experts in Unconventional Warfare. They deploy on a variety of missions all over the world. They are the specialized minutemen of today’s Army— highly trained and ready to go anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice.

Special Forces soldiers are either on real-world missions or training for one. Their missions are conducted worldwide, usually classified, and range from combating terrorism to humanitarian efforts. Because SF teams can be the first point of contact in actions with foreign or guerilla parties, they keep the highest level of professionalism at all times.

To become part of the Army’s Special Forces, you need to be mentally and physically tough, endure difficult training and have a no-quit attitude.  In addition to that, you must:

• Be a male, age 17-29 (Special Forces positions not open to women)
• Be a high-school graduate
• Complete all training prerequisites and courses
• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be Airborne qualified
• Pass the Special Forces physical
• Qualify for a secret security clearance
• Pass the Army Physical Fitness Test with minimum score of 229
• Pass a 50-meter swim course in full fatigues and boots

This initial soldier training lasts for nine weeks. Here they learn basic soldier skills: formations, marksmanship, teamwork, and confidence.

This training is 5 weeks long and includes specific combat training and basic warfare stratagy.

To be in SF, they have to lead. This course is four weeks and teaches younger enlisted personnel the ropes of becoming a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Army. Skills learned in this course can include: combat orders, rifle marksmanship, leadership, military customs, and map reading.

Special Forces History

U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) has evolved through a spirited heritage - spanning three centuries and threading itself through numerous organizations. Its soldiers trace their lineage to the 1st Special Service Force (Devil 's Brigade) and derive their heritage from elements of the Office of Strategic Services (Jedburghs, Operational Groups and Detachment IO 1). Special Forces soldiers have earned the title of "Quiet Professional." They have been involved in peacetime operations and armed conflicts around the world over the past five decades. In addition to service in Vietnam, Special Forces were recently employed in Panama during Operation Just Cause and during Operations Desert Shield and Storm. Desert Storm Commander, Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, described Special Forces as the "eyes and ears" of conventional forces and as the "glue that held coalition forces together."

Special Forces soldiers continue to serve at home and abroad providing humanitarian assistance and assisting with foreign internal defense in friendly foreign nations. Recent humanitarian assistance missions include Promote Liberty, Provide Comfort, Sea Angel, Guantanamo, Cuba, Hurricane Andrew, and Restore Hope. They continue to willingly undertake difficult missions in order to help those who are less fortunate. They are quiet professionals, living by their motto "De Oppresso Liber" - To Free the Oppressed. On November 27, 1990, the U.S. Army 1st Special Operations Command was redesignated the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne). Its mission: to train, validate, and prepare Special Forces units to deploy and execute operational requirements for the war-fighting commanders-in-chief. Special Forces Command exercises command and control over five active component groups. Additionally, it exercises training oversight of two Army National Guards groups. Each Special Forces Group is regionally oriented to support one of the war fighting commanders-in-chief (CINCs). Special Forces soldiers routinely deploy in support of the CINCs of U.S. European Command, U.S. Atlantic Command, U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Southern Command and the U.S. Central Command.

Special Forces Creed

I am an American Special Forces soldier. A professional!
I will do all that my nation requires of me.
I am a volunteer, knowing well the hazards of my profession.
I serve with the memory of those who have gone before me:
Roger's Rangers, Francis Marion, Mosby's Rangers,
the first Special Service Forces and Ranger Battalions
of World War II, the Airborne Ranger Companies of Korea.
I pledge to uphold the honor and integrity
of all I am - in all I do.
I am a professional soldier.
I will teach and fight wherever my nation requires.
I will strive always, to excel in every art and artifice of war.
I know that I will be called upon to perform tasks
in isolation, far from familiar faces and voices,
with the help and guidance of my God.
I will keep my mind and body clean, alert and strong,
for this is my debt to those who depend upon me.
I will not fail those with whom I serve.
I will not bring shame upon myself or the forces.
I will maintain myself, my arms, and my equipment
in an immaculate state as befits a Special Forces soldier.
I will never surrender though I be the last.
If I am taken, I pray that I may have the strength
to spit upon my enemy.
My goal is to succeed in any mission
- and live to succeed again.
I am a member of my nation's chosen soldiery.
God grant that I may not be found wanting,
that I will not fail this sacred trust.
"De Oppresso Liber"