Basic Training
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The idea of the Green Berets was a great leap forward in its time. It fit into the strategy of letting indigenous forces fight their own wars as much as possible if they knew how.
There were Special Forces camps all over Vietnam and the 20th Engineers supported the one at Ben Het in 1969 that came under siege and held out for over a month before being relieved.
Remember that it was an innovation that came about when global communications were slow and sometimes unavailalbe. Closer contact with command is now readily and instantly available. I believe there still is a role for the Green Berets in the modern army. However, its structure (not necessarily its role) must evolve with the changing social, economic, political and technological environment. The thing I like the most is the tradition and the esprit de corps by the achieving of the Green Beret. They make a formidable fighting force just by their motivation much less their skill.
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Highly Experienced Member
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quote: Originally posted by SinePariDonster:
For those of you who may think this is paranoia or that the writer is "on crack"...be advised, Major General Guest is former Commanding Officer, USAJFKSWC&S, former CG 1st SOCOM, former CG USASOC, and President of Veterans of Special Forces. He knows what he's talking about.
General Guest makes some interesting and disturbing points here...it is a valid concern. The recent de-emphasis on UW and COIN operations in the field and at the Q-course suggests a Direct Action take-over of the SF mission (it's been tried before). Taking the School away from TRADOC and placing it under USSOCOM is not only a bureaucratic cluster-****, it is directly contrary to the mission of Special Forces. I always was a little concerned when the name was changed from JFK Center and Institute for Military Assistance (my personal alma mater under Joe Lutz)- because it described the mission of the school perfectly.
Let's face it, DA/FIDs is very popular and glamorous in the public eye and in appropriations - Rangers, SEALs, DELTA/JSOC types are romantic in the current environment...and they have their place...but Direct Action is only a small part of the Special Forces Mission. The primary mission of Special Forces IS NOT kicking in doors. Special Forces IS NOT supposed to be some kind of military SWAT team...there are other units built around that (DELTA, DEVGRU).
Another thing that has been leading up to this is the misidentification and misclassification not just in the public, but in the services, of Special Forces by name.
In many countries, the term "Special Forces" is a generic term used to identify all types of elite units, from paratroops, to MI types, to Commandos.
In the United States, Special Forces is a proper name for a specific Army unit.
There are no US Navy Special Forces
There are no US Air Force Special Forces
There are no US Marine Corps Special Forces
Rangers are not Special Forces. DELTA, or 1st SFOD-D is not a Special Forces unit (even though it's name seems to say different). Being a Q-course grad is not even a requirement for DELTA (maybe it should be).
A Special Forces trooper wears a Green Beret and a long tab...there are no other special forces in this country's military structure.
This diluting of the name and mission spells only trouble if the Army command structure becomes saturated with Direct Action only generals who are overly enamoured with the RANGER mission. If the Sterling Silver Ranger Brigade (one of Charlie Beckwith's phrases) winds up running the Army...SF as we know it might indeed be in trouble.
Let's hope not...but the way the world has spun (and this country with it) out of control the last 7 years, anything is possible.
Your wasting your time trying to reason with these pin heads. Unless they wore the head gear they will never understand. |
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Basic Training
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My first thought, (a little bit of humor), was, "Well, there goes Arnold." Seriously, though, Special Forces are here to stay. Their covert operations are a key in the door of 'Intelligence.' No way will it disappear. They just don't want you to know who they are. Being secretive is for 'their' protection. The only thing that bothers me is, those who wore the Green Beret and gave their all, whether living or dead, will lose their distinction and the pride that goes with it. They are/were an elite force and this memory should be enforced.
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Basic Training
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The demise of anything good and useful is based on two factors. First political, who swings the bigger stick and the other is money. It is a sad day, and our government is sadly there that our goal is to make everyone the same. There are no winners or losers anymore, look at our school system. WE have allowed our Constitution to be pushed this way and the other in the name of a few, in other words the tail is wagging the dog. We can have all the technology in the world, have the best trained computer operators around be they in a ship, airplane, tank, or what ever, but when it comes right down to it, it is still the ground pounder that has to go in and do the job. All special forces folks are getting dumbed down from what they use to be in the effort to allow more to become members and earn ribbons, promotions, really undeserved status compared to the original hardcore. Nope, nothing stays the same and this is only one area in our society that is being subrigated through politics, liberals, and people not standing up to the challenges of idiots who want to make a name for themselves. IN GOD WE TRUST!
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| Posts: 3 | Registered: Fri 01 September 2006 |  |
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Basic Training
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The members of special operations forces from all the branches of the military are the finest in the world! Each with their own unique way of accomplishing their assigned missions. The highest honor anyone can aspire to in the Army is to wear the "Green Beret". They are needed now more than ever. One of my brothers was in the SF and is still and always will be one of my heroes.
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Member
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"In April 2007, USSOCOM put out a 20-minute DVD celebrating its twentieth anniversary. Even though Special Forces personnel make up the greatest part of the USSOCOM forces, the U. S. Army Special Forces are never once mentioned in this DVD. Although Special Forces is the oldest force in USSOCOM and has been the USSOCOM workhorse since its inception, not one Green Beret is seen in the montage of photographs."
Theres probably a good reason for this, I don't think it has anything to do with the fact that somebody is trying to do away with them. As long as there is a need for ground troops, I'am sure there will be a need for these guy as well. The Army has never been one to brag about what they do, there is no need to,it shows in the end result. Had it not been for the movie "The Green Berets", most people would never have heard of em.
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20 day warning for disrespect to the CINC
08 Sep 08
Gypsysnipe
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The Marines are at sea, thier MEU's carry everything with them. If they are near a trouble spot, they can respond quickly. The Army's QRF has to be on the ground within 18 hrs. These are Rangers and other Army SF. That is pretty quick. Wat could be gained by disbanding wat is the best organization when dealing with indigenous peoples? The 82nd and 101st are part of the QRF. Some must be there in 18hrs, some, like the 327th, 101st, had 36 hours. This is a bonehead move. I can't believe they even considered it. And i guess still are? Disastrous move...  |
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Basic Training
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overall, DOD move toward more Joint interoperation will realize tremendous savings and efficiencies. USSOCOM C2 is necessary to accomplish this. I haven't read the new concept, but if things are as he states, the author makes a valid point with:
"JCET teams establish long-term relationships with indigenous personnel. They work to improve regional unit combat skills and observance of humanitarian requirements. They develop trust between host nations and the USA, with a program tailored to meet specific needs as identified by Green Berets on the ground. This capability will disappear with the Green Berets, and no SOF "shock-and awe" can replace it."
We need to be careful or we'll end up with the kind of specops doctrine the Soviets had, which caused them to lose in Afghanistan...
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Basic Training
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by RHYNO506:
...Army's QRF has to be on the ground within 18 hrs. ...[QUOTE]
Hey, isn't it wheels up in 18 hours?
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Basic Training
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Demise is perfect wording as in death of! I spent 21 years in Special forces teams in Nam and Europe plus missions all over the Free world. I would not have cared about the beret but it was Given By President Kennedy. I doubt that i would have made the service a career, if i had not been there. The cohesion of a brotherhood was there always i.e. the team concept brought about this. We had men fight to get on helicopters to save each other. I am much older now but, i will never forget my lifetime (Career) that i loved so much it is hard to express in mere words. Our families loved it too. There are men in SF still fighting and dying as i write. They will be home soon and that will end and they will depart the service.
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Member
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quote: The saving grace was a three day (or I should say it was supposed to last three days) exorcise between the 82nd and the Marine’s in Cherry Point. Long story short, with the help of so GB’s the exercise lasted only about 8 hours and the Marine Corp Commandant was captured while sitting in the stands with his politicians’. END OF GAME.
LOL....HAHAH, Well done  All of this "Tip of the spear" stuff is a mute point....At the end of the day, when the President of the United States needs boots on the ground, he picks up his red phone and dials 911 Extension 1/2/3-75  ....RLTW! The Green Berets are here to stay, my friend is in the Q Course right now and its business as usual...nothing to see here folks, The Navy keeps on sailing in their ships, the Army will keep on rolling the Bad guys |
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Basic Training
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quote: Originally posted by rcelli:
I think I know you. Still got the Corvette? |
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| Posts: 2 | Registered: Fri 25 April 2008 | |
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