What is the history, training course, and mission of the U.S. guerrilla special forces GreenBerets?

 The Green Berets, also known as the United States Army Special Forces, is a specialized unit of the U.S. Army that is trained in unconventional warfare.

This elite unit is one of the most respected and feared military units in the world, and it has a long and storied history that spans several decades. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Green Berets, their history, their training, and their missions.

History of the Green Berets

The Green Berets were formed in the early 1950s, shortly after the end of World War II. At that time, the U.S. Army recognized the need for a specialized unit that could operate behind enemy lines and conduct unconventional warfare. This need arose because of the changing nature of warfare in the post-World War II era. Wars were no longer fought only on the battlefield; they were now being fought in jungles, deserts, and other unconventional environments.

The Green Berets were originally known as the Special Forces, and they were created in 1952. Their mission was to train foreign armies in unconventional warfare and to conduct sabotage, reconnaissance, and intelligence-gathering missions behind enemy lines. The Special Forces were initially organized into five groups, each consisting of around 1,200 soldiers.

The Green Berets became known for their unique headgear, which consisted of a distinctive green beret with the unit's insignia on it. This headgear was first worn by the British Commandos during World War II, and it was adopted by the Green Berets in the early 1960s.

The Green Berets saw their first major combat action during the Vietnam War. The unit's ability to operate behind enemy lines and conduct unconventional warfare made them invaluable in the fight against the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong. The Green Berets worked closely with local Vietnamese tribes and trained them to fight against the enemy. They also conducted numerous reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering missions, often deep in enemy territory.

During the Vietnam War, the Green Berets were involved in several famous missions, including the Son Tay Raid. In November 1970, a team of Green Berets launched a daring raid on a North Vietnamese prison camp that was holding American prisoners of war. Although the raid did not succeed in rescuing any prisoners, it demonstrated the unit's ability to conduct complex and dangerous missions behind enemy lines.

After the Vietnam War, the Green Berets continued to play an important role in U.S. military operations. They were involved in conflicts in Grenada, Panama, and the Persian Gulf. They also played a key role in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, where they worked closely with local Afghan and Iraqi forces and conducted numerous missions behind enemy lines.

Training for the Green Berets

Training for the Green Berets is among the most rigorous and demanding in the U.S. military. The training process is designed to select only the most highly motivated and physically fit soldiers for the unit.

The first step in becoming a Green Beret is to complete Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, which all Army soldiers must undergo. After completing this training, soldiers must then attend the Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) course. This course is designed to weed out those who are not physically or mentally prepared for the rigors of Special Forces training.

The SFAS course consists of a series of physical and mental tests that are designed to evaluate a soldier's physical fitness, endurance, and mental toughness. Soldiers who pass this course are then selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC).

The SFQC is a year-long course that is designed to teach soldiers the skills they need to become Green Berets. The course consists of several phases, including:

• Small Unit Tactics: This phase teaches soldiers how to operate in small teams

• • Language Training: Green Berets are expected to be proficient in at least one foreign language, and the SFQC includes an intensive language training program.

  • Unconventional Warfare: This phase teaches soldiers how to conduct unconventional warfare operations, including guerrilla warfare, sabotage, and subversion.

  • Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE): This phase teaches soldiers how to survive and evade capture behind enemy lines, as well as how to resist interrogation and escape if captured.

  • Military Occupational Specialty Training: This phase teaches soldiers the specialized skills they will need for their specific role within the Green Berets, such as communications, engineering, or medical training.

  • Robin Sage: This is the final phase of the SFQC, and it is a month-long field training exercise that takes place in North Carolina. Soldiers are required to apply all of the skills they have learned during the course in a simulated unconventional warfare scenario.

  Only about 30% of soldiers who begin the SFQC will successfully complete the course and become Green Berets. Those who do make it through the course will have earned the right to wear the distinctive green beret and to be part of one of the most elite military units in the world.

  Missions of the Green Berets

  The Green Berets are a highly versatile unit, and their missions can vary widely depending on the situation. However, some of the most common types of missions that the Green Berets are involved in include:

  • Unconventional Warfare: This is the Green Berets' primary mission, and it involves training and advising foreign military forces to conduct unconventional warfare operations. This can include anything from guerrilla warfare to sabotage to psychological operations.

  • Direct Action: This involves conducting offensive operations against enemy forces, such as raids or ambushes.

  • Special Reconnaissance: This involves gathering intelligence behind enemy lines, often in hostile or denied areas.

  • Foreign Internal Defense: This involves working with a host nation's military or security forces to counter insurgencies or other threats within their own country.

  • Counterterrorism: The Green Berets are often called upon to work with host nations to combat terrorism within their borders.

  The Green Berets have been involved in some of the most high-profile military operations in recent history. Some of these operations include:

  • Operation Enduring Freedom: This was the U.S. military's response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Green Berets were among the first U.S. troops to enter Afghanistan, where they worked with local Afghan forces to oust the Taliban government and hunt down al-Qaeda terrorists.

  • Operation Iraqi Freedom: The Green Berets played a key role in the initial invasion of Iraq, and they were heavily involved in the fight against insurgent forces in the years that followed.

  • Operation Neptune Spear: This was the U.S. military operation that resulted in the death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. Green Berets were among the U.S. special operations forces who carried out the mission.

  • Operation Inherent Resolve: This is the ongoing U.S. military operation to combat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Green Berets have been heavily involved in this operation, working closely with local forces to train and advise them in the fight against ISIS.

  Conclusion

  The Green Berets are one of the most respected and feared military units in the world. Their unique skills and capabilities have made them an invaluable asset to the U.S. military in conflicts around the globe. However, becoming a Green Beret is not easy, and those who make it through the rigorous training process have proven themselves to be among the most highly motivated and physically fit soldiers in the U.S. Army. The Green Berets have a long and storied history, and they will no doubt continue to play a vital role in U.S. military operations for many years to