Any green beret's out there???

You could try asking in the Battle Blades forum. I think the moderator, Greg Walker, was in Special Forces.
 
Just a comment, most in the special forces community don't think much of the "Green Beret" designation, it's mostly a media tag that gained popularity everywhere except among the operators.

Those that sport the "long tab" of a special forces veteran prefer to be called special forces, or SF, a term that applies only to the Army units that actually wear the green beret headgear.

The unique special forces designation is frequently confused with special operations forces, the generic term used to describe every unit that carries the unconventional warfare designation.


:cool:
 
The current "tag" for a qualified SF soldier is "operator".

Current slang is "long tab" which describes the Special Forces qualification tab worn on the left shoulder. This as opposed to the "short tab" which describes the Ranger tab. Many operators wear both.

The term "green beret" is actually endorsed by the SF community although it is a time honored custom for operators to downplay it. SF operators are proud of the Green Beret which reflects a wonderful and honored legacy, heritage, and commitment to the future. Being a "former green beret" is as honored as being a former Marine. The Rangers are still smarting - and rightly so - about their black beret being taken from them with all it represents and being replaced with a tan beret...just so the rest of the army other than the airborne and SF can wear a "beret".

SF operators aren't really that hung up on terminology or titles. It ain't about what you're called...it's about what you do :-)
 
Just want to say hats off to these guys, from a former Ranger who f'ed up eighteen delta school, trying to stop a divorce. The divorce turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me. It's a hell of a life, God bless and keep all those who lead the way!
 
Jeez, and I always thought a green beret was a wooly thing one wore on his head.........
 
But I was an 11Bravo (Infantryman;))
I had offer(s) for Ranger & SF "contract(s)" but, as the recruiting poster for the SF said :"If you don't think you can meet the challenge, don't even TRY!"

AET ;)

OBTW : HAPPY THanksgiving to ALL! :)
 
The hat is a symbol, but it does not mark who we are. There is more to it than that. I would not trade it in for anything.

Doug
 
Hmmm I distintly remember Crazy asking what kind of knife they carried not what they were called. I guess I should re-read that part :p
 
My buddy has been in SF for a while. We talk about the knives that he uses and what he sees others use. He told me you'd be surprised that not as many use the high speed stuff you see advertised. He said the big reason has to do with some of gear trading they do with other militaries around the world. He has seen more than one Randall end up getting traded for a POS, in order not to offend their host.

He generally carries a CS SRK or a Ka-Bar. He has others he will carry depending on the mission.
 
Originally posted by Dirk
My buddy has been in SF for a while. We talk about the knives that he uses and what he sees others use. He told me you'd be surprised that not as many use the high speed stuff you see advertised. He said the big reason has to do with some of gear trading they do with other militaries around the world. He has seen more than one Randall end up getting traded for a POS, in order not to offend their host.

He generally carries a CS SRK or a Ka-Bar. He has others he will carry depending on the mission.
Click to expand...

Honestly, as a field grunt, a fancy knife wasn't very high on my wish list of personal gear I wanted for the field. I knew whatever knife I took was going to be abused. The ones I carried most often where, a Vinctronox Swiss Army Rucksack, and a Cold Steel SRK. I somtimes carried a portable set of crock sticks. Good boots, the right socks, extra foot powder and mole skin, a good pair of gloves, extra underware, a gortex field jacket, a pancho liner, extra heat tabs, and extra batteries where a lot more important to a grunt!
 
Most that I have worked with use BM due to the NSN and coming from the supply room(free). they do a lot of trading with host countries(also). operators are usually the guys on the "dark side", Delta, whatever you want to call them.
 
I'm not SF but when I was at Ft. Campbell we were taught "helocasting" (basicly it's just jumping from a helicopter into a lake) by some 5th Group guys.
I did'nt notice any Al Mar knives, but two of the trainers had Spyderco Enduras.


Good luck,
Allen.
 
Originally posted by Greg Walker
The Rangers are still smarting - and rightly so - about their black beret being taken from them with all it represents and being replaced with a tan beret...just so the rest of the army other than the airborne and SF can wear a "beret".
Click to expand...

When did this happen?? "Smarting" They must be highly pissed off. Why didn't the Army just give the tan color to the other units?
 
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