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The Origins of the Green Berets

The US Army needed an economy of force solution to go in and work with guerrillas in countries that had become occupied to fight against oppression.

March 29, 2024

The Origin of US Army Special Forces

by: A series with Former Green Beret Richard Killblane and Jeremy Jones

The U.S. Army Special Forces, commonly referred to as the "Green Berets," were established in 1952, they have a storied history of operating in some of the most challenging and sensitive environments around the world. Their signature headgear, the green beret, is a symbol of their distinction and expertise.

One of the defining characteristics of the Green Berets is their emphasis on unconventional warfare. Unlike conventional military units, which often operate in large formations, Green Berets typically work in small teams, allowing them to conduct missions with a high degree of flexibility and agility. This enables them to adapt to a wide range of situations, from direct action raids to training and advising foreign forces.

Psychological operations (PSYOP) are also a key component of the Green Berets' skill set. This involves the use of propaganda, information warfare, and other non-traditional methods to influence the attitudes, beliefs, and behavior of both enemy forces and civilian populations. By shaping the narrative and psychological landscape of a conflict, Green Berets can help achieve strategic objectives with minimal reliance on conventional military force.

In addition to their expertise in unconventional warfare and psychological operations, Green Berets are trained in a variety of other specialized skills, including foreign language proficiency, cultural awareness, and combat medicine. This broad skill set allows them to operate effectively in diverse environments and collaborate with local partners around the world.

Origins:

The Cold War began when the Soviet Union detonated their first atomic bomb and erected a
barrier of Soviet bloc countries in Eastern Europe in 1949. Shortly after that, the Communist
North Koreans invaded South Korea and the United States and its UN allies coming to its aid.

The US Army recognized it needed an economy of force solution to go in and work with guerrillas behind the lines in these countries to fight against oppression. In 1951, the Office of the Chief of Psychological Warfare tapped into several WWII experts in irregular warfare to develop Army doctrine and an Army capability to operate behind the Iron Curtain.

Of the men the report selected, Colonels Russel Volkmann and Wendell Fertig had both commanded division-sized guerrilla forces in the Philippines fighting the Japanese. Aaron Bank had led Jedburgh teams behind German lines.

                                 

 At this point Volkmann had actually written two Army field manuals on the subject and served on Eighth Army staff planning the employment of guerrillas behind enemy lines during the Korean War. Colonel Aaron Bank created the table of organization for the modern Special Forces and commanded the first Army Special Forces unit, the 10 th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in 1952, but gave much credit to Volkmann for doing much of the ground work that led to the creation of Army Special Forces.

The formation of the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in June 1952 marked the beginning of what would become a storied history for the United States Army Special Forces. Under the leadership of Colonel Aaron Bank, the 10th Special Forces Group was established shortly after the creation of the Psychological Warfare School, which later evolved into the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.

In September 1953, the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) deployed to Bad Tölz, Germany, while another cadre remained at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty), forming the 77th Special Forces Group. The 77th Special Forces Group underwent reorganization in May 1960 and was designated as the 7th Special Forces Group, a designation it holds to this day.

Since their inception, Special Forces soldiers have been deployed to numerous regions and countries around the world, operating in diverse and often challenging environments. These deployments have included conflicts and missions in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, North Vietnam, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Colombia, Panama, Haiti, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo, the 1st Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines, Syria, Yemen, Niger, and East Africa in a Foreign Internal Defense (FID) role.

On April 9, 1987, the Special Forces branch was officially established as a basic branch of the United States Army through Department of the Army General Order No. 35. This recognition solidified the Special Forces' status within the military hierarchy, highlighting their unique skills, capabilities, and contributions to national security objectives.

In this series we will examine the history of the Green Berets from their foundation in 1952 to the mountains of Afghanistan.


                                

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