The latest update to the CMF 18 Career Progression Plan has been published and posted online on August 22, 2023. This is an invaluable guide and resource for the Special Forces NCO that will help prepare for future assignments and a fulfilling career.

Contents include:

• Chapter 1. Duties
• Chapter 2. Transformation
• Chapter 3. Recommend Career Management Self-Development
• Chapter 4. Special Forces MOSs: 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, and 18F
• Chapter 5. MOS 18Z5 Special Forces Senior Sergeant
• Chapter 6. Special Forces Professional Development Model
• Chapter 7. MOS 18Z Special Forces SGM and CSM
• Appendix A – Assignments
• Appendix B – Advanced Skills
• Appendix C – Language
• Appendix D – Civilian Education
• Appendix E – Publications for SF NCOs

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Special Forces (CMF 18) Career Progression Plan, DA Pam 600-25, U.S. Army, August 22, 2023, PDF, 19 pages. https://specialforcestraining.info/docs/da-pam-600-25-cmf18-special-forces-aug-2023.pdf

Photo: U.S. Army Special Forces Soldier, attached to Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, providing security prior to an assault in the Alingar district, Laghman province, Afghanistan, Feb. 18, 2018. Photo by Sgt. Connor Mendez.

By Anthony Bryant.

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina – Forty miles southwest of Sarajevo, enemies are holed up in an underground government facility built inside a mountain during the Cold War to protect a former Yugoslav president against nuclear attack.

From a Sarajevo compound, U.S. Army Green Berets assigned to the Critical Threats Advisory Company (CTAC) take off to raid the 70,000-square-foot protective bunker alongside Bosnia-Herzegovina State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) officials May 8, 2023.

Three nondescript houses disguise each entrance to the facility. Through the houses and inside the labyrinthine structure, intermittent volleys of gunfire with the enemy reverberate through tunnel corridors. Room by room, the combined force of assaulters systematically clear the protective bunker.

This raid was the culmination exercise of a six-week-long Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) focused on close-quarters battle (CQB) and small unit tactics.

“It was a time-sensitive target so the planning cycle was condensed,” said the troop leader assigned to CTAC, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) – a highly lethal force capable of collaborating with elite Special Operations Forces (SOF) elements worldwide. “The bunker has small hallways and small rooms…I wanted to raid the bunker to see how the team would react; to see how I would command and control.”

The 100-room structure was selected as a target to test the force’s methods due to its complexity and extensive size.

Providing solutions for the most sensitive problems and succeeding is paramount, said the Special Support Unit (SSU) Executive Officer, a SIPA official with over thirty years of police experience. The mission’s challenging location, time constraints and finite resources presented a nightmare scenario that compelled partners to combine efforts, overcome adversity and get results.

The mission succeeded, shortfalls and gaps were identified, and both sides provided recommendations for future reference, said the SSU executive officer. Experience and lessons learned from the CTAC are valuable resources that will align the SSU in solving complex problems.

“I do truly believe that the systems were tested that day,” said the CTAC troop leader. “We definitely learned lessons working with a new partner force which is key in refining troop standards. It’s the Green Beret way.”

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This story by Staff Sgt. Anthony Bryant of U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR) was first published on June 28, 2023 by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Photo: Green Berets with Critical Threats Advisory Company (CTAC), 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), access a tunnel inside a protective bunker near Konjic, Bosnia-Herzegovina, May 8, 2023. U.S. Special Forces teamed up with the Bosnia-Herzegovina State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) to strengthen close-quarters battle alongside the country’s premier counterterrorism force in the event of real-world crisis response. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Anthony Bryant) (This photo has been altered for security purposes.)

June 19th, 2017 is the 65th anniversary of U.S. Army Special Forces. The elite Green Beret unit was formed in 1952. It draws its heritage from a number of different special operations, intelligence, and unconventional warfare organizations to include the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), U.S. Army Rangers, 1st Special Service Force, and others. Currently there are seven Special Forces Groups – five active duty Special Forces groups and two National Guard Special Forces groups.

SFACON 2023 was held during May 22-26, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Special Forces Association members, past and current, gathered together to renew old friendships and make new friends, listen to an interesting and variety of speakers, and enjoy a number of enjoyable activities. And, of course, thousands of ‘war stories’ were exchanged during the course of the five days.

The speakers at the SFA Symposium (scroll down page for biographies of speakers) provided a mix of information and entertainment. Some were funny, some updated the assembly on the latest news about special operations, some provided an in-depth analysis of current events or historical aspects of Special Forces, while others provided insight into the complex problems confronting Green Berets and their families during and after their service.

The convention took place at the Wyndham Indianposlis West hotel. The hospitality suite, open all week, featured a cash bar, plenty of seating, and the Green Beret Marketplace where vendors displayed coins, books, t-shirts, and other types of GB swag. Indianapolis offers a variety of attractions to include the Indy Monuments & Memorials Tour, Indy 500 Museum, Museum of Art, Dallara IndyCar Factory Tour, and Conner Prairie. The registration desk at the conference was open all day, every day to assist with visits to city attactions and tours.

Monday, May 22nd

This was arrival day for most of the Green Berets. Registration began in the afternoon, followed by a social gathering. Welcoming speeches provided information about the coming week. The cash bar had a brisk business as everyone settled down in the hospitality suite. Old friends met once again and broke into their familiar groups to catch up with each other. A number of vendors were open for business in the Green Beret Marketplace set up in the hospitality suite.

Tuesday, May 23rd

SFA President’s Meeting. Special Forces Association President Kevin Harry provided an update on the current status of the SF association. The membership of the SFA remains strong at over 11,000 current members. There are 94 SFA chapters across the United States and around the world. A chapter will soon be formed in Key West. The quarterly print magazine, The Drop, is seeing some changes. Members will have the option to select a print copy or to view the periodical in digital form; the default will be digital. The association is exploring more ways to leverage technology to manage day-to-day operations. There were also updates by other SFA officers to include the treasurer, secretary, and special projects officer Chris Bell. Jeremy Miller of Chapter 500 welcomed the attendees to SFACON 2023. Pete Tingstrom provided a brief on the October 2024 SFA Caribbean Cruise.

BG Lawrence Ferguson, Deputy Commander of the 1st Special Forces Command, provided an update on the SF command and what is coming in the future. The command has been busy; over 3,000 of its 23,000 members are currently deployed to over 70 countries. He commented on the success of the 18X program, citing its importance to the personnel strength of the SFODAs. He presented two short videos about Special Forces entitled “The Why” and “The How” (YouTube). Colonel Matt Valas, commander of the 20th Special Forces Group, gave the audience a brief on the two National Guard Special Forces groups to include training, deployments, state mission, federal mission, Rep 63 recruitment, and more. Jeff Man, a former employee of the National Security Agency (NSA) and information security expert gave a brief on his career with the NSA and the infamous Special Forces ‘whiz wheel’ used in the past by 18E’s.

Alex Quade, a war reporter with ties to SF units that deployed overseas, presented screenings of her documenties on SF teams deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. MSG (R) John Armezzani, Veterans Services Director of the Green Beret Foundation, spoke to the audience about services available to veterans after separation from the military. SFC (R) Greg Stube, a retired 18D and book author, recounted his struggle to recover from serious wounds suffered in Afghanistan and provided his input on how to overcome adversity in life. Gayle Becwar, a comedian and magician, performed in the evening with some very good magical feats. On Tuesday afternoon a Green Beret motorcycle ride took place around the Indianapolis area.

Wednesday, May 25th

LTG (R) David Fridovich provided a detailed brief on the beginning years of CJSOTF-P; the establishment of the special operations task force in the Philippines that had its origin in the fall of 2001. While serving as the 1st SFG(A) commander, Fridovich conducted an initial site survey of the Philippines with the task of identifying future SOF assistance to that nation in 2001 and for many years after. COL (R) Ken Hurst gave a presentation of the logistical challenges of supporting the 10th Special Forces Group’s entry into Northern Iraq during the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in early 2003. At the time, Hurst was the 10th SFG(A) Support Battalion commander. COL (R) Dave Maxwell delivered a presentation entitled “An Unconventional Warfare Mindset: The Philosophy of Special Forces Must be Sustained”; later published by Small Wars Journal. He traces the Unconventional Warfare mindset back to the days of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. He made mention of how SOCEUR assisted Ukraine over the past several years with the implementation of the Resistance Operating Concept and how the U.S. should be helping Taiwan with adopting a ‘porcupine defense‘.

Dr. Alice Atalanta gave a presentation where, how, and why Green Berets can study philosophy; citing the works of philosophers like Seneca, Cicereo, and Dante. She is an author and an advocate for the special operations community. LTC (R) Jeff Tiegs, COO of All Things Possible Ministries, provided a motivational speech for the GBs and their wives in attendence. Eric Prince, former Navy SEAL and Blackwater founder, attended the evening VIP Mixer and spoke to the audience. The evening ended with a dinner buffet, an auction, and a live band.

Thursday, May 27th

Thursday kicked off with Kevin Harry convening a general membership meeting for all attendees providing additional information on the status of the association; with several of the association officers providing reports on projects, programs, activities, and finances. The morning ended with a presentation by MSG Geoffry Dardia (3rd SFG) discussing ‘operator syndrome’ and how current and former GBs can take ownership of their health and well-being. Geoff provided information about the effects of trumatic brain injury, sleep deprivation, inflamation, chronic pain, toxic exposure, cancer trends in SOF, and the importance of seeking support for mental and physical health. Bianca Baldwin, a Silver Star spouse, presented a summary of her time as an advocate and spokesperson of injured Green Berets and their spouses. Dr. Erik Won talked about technologies that provide treatment protocols with the aim of restoring optimal neurological function.

RADM (R) Brian Losey spoke about the benefits of psychedelics in treating mental health issues in the special operations community. He serves on the advisory board of Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS). The SFA Banquet was held on Thursday evening. Speakers included LTC (R) Mitch Utterback (retired SF officer and author) and LTC (R) Scott Mann. A presentation by Scott Man of Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret followed the dinner.

Friday, May 26th

The last day of the conference included a morning session with closing remarks and then attendance at Carb Day at the Indy 500. Following the racetrack visit attendees went to the American Legion 500 Festival Memorial Service and picnic. The conference ended officially on Friday; however, many attendees chose to attend the Festival Day and Parade in downtown Indianapolis on Saturday and the Indy 500 Race on Sunday (free admission).

SFACON 2024

Next year’s Special Forces Association convention will be held in October 2024. This one will be different than past conventions as it will be held on a cruise ship. It was just recently announced in mid-May 2023 and it already has a couple of hundred registrations. The intent is to fully-book the cruise ship with current and former members of Special Forces. The expected trip will last five days, departing from Tampa, Florida with a couple of stops at Caribbean ports. There will be activities such as a visit to Ybor City, motorcycle ride, and golf tournament held in the Tampa area prior to and after the cruise. Should be an excellent time! Registration – https://sfali.org/cruise-pre-registration-page/

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Special Forces Association Convention 2023

Photos: All photos of speakers (except Jeff Man, Mitch Utterback, Scott Mann, and John Amenzzani) by Brian Kanof of Chapter 9, Special Forces Association, El Paso.

Story by Spc. Kimberly Gonzalez, 10th SFG(A).

10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Green Berets and enablers conducted cold weather training (CWT) from Feb. 5th to the 10th, in Montana.

“This training exercise is split up into two phases, the first three weeks is us getting comfortable in a cold weather environment,” said a team sergeant with 10th SFG (A). “The phase we are in right now is the winter warfare course (WWC) which focuses on tactical movement using snowmobile and skis.”

Montana has over 147,000 square miles that provides an extreme cold weather environment and land to conduct training. Some of the training exercises conducted during this time were avalanche rescue exercises, snowmobile maneuvers and ambush drills. Inclement weather was also a natural obstacle, which Soldiers needed to be prepared for while operating in austere conditions.

During the training, the Green Berets worked with other allied countries’ special forces and shared different ideas and tactics to become a more efficient and lethal force. Being in the mountains during the winter can cause different types of challenges a Soldier may not usually face.

Without warning, an avalanche can happen; knowing how to avoid or rescue someone safely is essential. Our Green Berets learned how to use a beacon to find someone under the snow. They practiced different techniques to shovel snow that requires the least amount of energy and time.

“This gives us an opportunity to shake up our techniques, figure out what’s good, what’s bad and then make corrections in a safe environment to make ourselves better prepared for the future,” said the team sergeant.

While conducting operations in a cold weather environment, moving through deep snow can be difficult. To maneuver through this obstacle the Soldiers needed to be able to operate a snowmobile. They learned how to get a snowmobile out of the snow if it were to get stuck in soft areas. Soldiers also were able to get hands on experience with all the functions and maintenance required for them. Getting acquainted with new equipment helps Soldiers be more confident in performing their tasks.

“We spent the last 20 years focusing on Iraq and Afghanistan which is the exact opposite of wintry snow conditions,” said the team sergeant. “Getting our Soldiers out here and used to living and working in the cold is probably the biggest challenge for everyone.”

After getting comfortable with maneuver and rescue techniques, the Green Berets conducted range operations, which are slightly different from controlled ranges due to equipment they usually do not wear. They practiced adjusting themselves on skis and using ski poles to stabilize their weapons as they performed various combat drills such as react to contact and react to ambush.

“These training exercises enable our teams to rehearse extended long-range patrols in the Arctic and spend weeks in extreme cold weather climates,” said a Detachment Commander with 10th SFG (A). “Focusing on maintaining Arctic dominance in, not only in the U.S., but with our partners in the North shows that we have a strong multinational presence.”

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Photo: A 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Green Beret practices snowmobile maneuvers during cold weather training at Montana on Feb. 6, 2023. These exercises are designed to properly and safely maneuver snowmobiles in dangerous areas. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Kimberly Gonzalez)

This story by Spc. Kimberly Gonzalez was first published on February 27, 2023 by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Eugene Ashley Jr.’s bravery was integral in rescuing Special Forces troops during the Battle of Lang Vei, which marked the first enemy use of tanks in the Vietnam War. Ashley, a Green Beret, never made it home from the war, but his determination earned him unending respect and the Medal of Honor.

Ashley was born on Oct. 12, 1931, in Wilmington, North Carolina, to Eugene and Cornelia Ashley. He had two sisters, Gertrude and Louis. Not long after Ashely was born, the family moved to New York City, where he grew up and attended Alexander Hamilton High School. After graduation, Ashley was weary of going into a dead-end job, so on Dec. 7, 1950, he joined the Army. 

Since the Korean War was in progress, Ashley was initially sent to serve there with the 187th Regimental Combat Team. In the years after he returned, he served in many capacities, including as an infantryman, ambulance driver, anti-aircraft ammunition handler and as a specialist in heavy weapons and parachute repair. He also served as a cavalry and armored battle group squad leader, as well as a company sergeant. 

Ashley was in the 82nd Airborne Division when he volunteered to join the Special Forces. After training, he was assigned to Company C of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces.

At some point, Ashley met and married his wife, Barbara. They had five children before he was sent to Vietnam in January 1968, just as North Vietnam’s Tet Offensive was beginning. 

By February, Ashley was serving as a senior advisor in the 5th SFG’s Detachment A-101 at Special Forces Camp Lang Vei in the northwest corner of South Vietnam. Located about a mile from the Laos border and 8 kilometers west of the U.S. Marine base at Khe Sanh, the camp was established in December 1966 as an outpost where Ashley’s detachment could train and equip locally recruited Vietnamese soldiers.  

According to an Army Center of Military History publication by late Army Col. John A. Cash, the enemy infiltrated Lang Vei in May 1967, so the camp was moved further west that September. From that time on, the area became battered by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong artillery fire, including on Feb. 6, 1968.

Tanks and Trapped Soldiers

That night, shortly after midnight, North Vietnamese troops drove Soviet-built tanks into the camp’s outskirts, marking the first time the enemy had used tanks in combat. According to an Army Special Warfare Center publication, “although the [Lang Vei] team radioed for help, they could not convince anyone in Khe Sanh … that tanks were indeed ‘in the wire.'” Cash said that Khe Sanh’s leaders denied several requests for help because they were concerned about ground relief forces being ambushed, as well as assaults via helicopter not being helpful “because it was dark and the enemy had armor.” 

To the Green Berets and few local soldiers who were willing to fight, that meant they were on their own. And because the camp didn’t have adequate anti-tank weapons, the tanks were able to breach the camp’s inner perimeter, trapping several U.S. soldiers, most of whom were inside the camp’s command bunker.  

Ashley happened to be at the old camp further east as the attack unfolded. Since the enemy had chosen to leave that area largely unscathed, he immediately began coordinating a defense that included high-explosive and illumination mortar rounds. When communications were lost with the main camp, the 36-year-old assumed the additional responsibility of directing air strikes and artillery support. 

Ashley was also put in charge of a small assault force that included two other American soldiers, Sgt. Richard H. Allen and Spc. 4 Joel Johnson, and local friendly personnel. Their mission: to rescue the men trapped inside the main camp. Unfortunately, the local soldiers refused to go into the camp to fight until daybreak. 

When dawn finally came, Ashley led that team on five intense assaults against the enemy. Each time, he put himself in the direct line of fire of grenades, machine guns and automatic weapons, and he had to dodge several booby-trapped satchel charges. He also continued to call for more air strikes. Each attempt diverted the enemy’s attention away from the trapped men in the command bunker.

Eventually, Ashley was hit by machine-gun fire that tore through the right side of his chest and went through the radio on his back. It was a serious wound, but he was only 30 yards from the command bunker, so he refused to give up.  

Shortly after 11 a.m., Ashley adjusted air strikes one more time so they would come down nearly on top of his unit. The move forced the enemy to withdraw and carved an escape path for the men trapped in the bunker.   

As that was happening, Ashley lost consciousness. According to Cash, Johnson and Allen managed to drag him out of the line of fire and, with help from some local soldiers, carried him back to an area of relative safety. When a Jeep arrived, they loaded Ashley into it and drove off. Unfortunately, when the Jeep stopped and Allen jumped out in search of bandages, Cash reported that “an enemy artillery round burst nearby, killing Ashley and knocking Johnson unconscious.” 

By the end of the battle, Lang Vei was lost to the enemy. Of the 24 Americans stationed at the camp, 10 were killed or missing, including Ashley, and 11 more were wounded.  

Ashley’s valor and his disregard for his own safety inspired the men around him. According to an Army Special Warfare Center publication, many of his fellow soldiers considered him a fatherly type of man, and they said that without his steadfast commitment that day, there likely would have been no survivors.  

For paying the ultimate sacrifice, the Medal of Honor was posthumously bestowed upon Ashley. His family received it from Vice President Spiro Agnew during a Dec. 2, 1969, ceremony in Washington. Two other men who gave their lives in Vietnam — Army Staff Sgt. Clifford Sims and Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Terrence Graves — were also honored with the medal that day.  

Ashley’s body was eventually returned to the U.S. He was buried in Rockfish Memorial Park Cemetery in Fayetteville, North Carolina. 

The Green Beret’s legacy has lived on in the Army and in his hometown. In 2001, the Eugene Ashley Jr. High School, located south of Wilmington, was dedicated in his honor. In 2013, a Fort Campbell operations complex for the 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was named Ashley Hall. In 2019, Ashley was inducted into the U.S. Special Operations Command’s Commando Hall of Honor. 

Ashley’s son, Darrin, who was 2 in 1968, said his hero father’s legacy led him to become a soldier, according to a 1991 South Bend (Indiana) Tribune article. Darrin Ashley served during the Gulf War and retired in the early 2000s. 

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This story by Katie Lange was first published by DoD News on February 6, 2023. DoD content is in the public domain.

Story by Mary Junell, NCNG.

Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Beaver’s retirement ceremony on May 13th, 2022, was, like most military retirement ceremonies, intended to celebrate a long and distinguished career.

But, as family, friends, and colleagues filled the auditorium at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, North Carolina, it became clear that in addition to reminiscing on his years of service, the ceremony was a celebration of the community that supported him throughout his 34 years in Special Operations.

It was clear how close this group of people had become when one of Beaver’s former commanders, the master of ceremonies, introduced all but a few people in the room without looking at a list.

Soldiers in Special Forces often spend a large part of their careers on teams called Operational Detachment Alpha, also known as an ODA, a 12-man team that spends years training and deploying together.

“You spend a lot of time together. It’s a small unit, so you really get to know people,” Beaver said. “As a team, you have to work together. You spend a lot of time in remote places, and you do a lot of unique things, so you remember those things that you did together, shared sufferings, shared joys, shared accomplishments.”

In Beaver’s 34 years, he spent time serving in Hungary, Germany, Central America, Iraq, and Afghanistan and assignments that saw him working at the Pentagon. He credits the continually changing missions with what kept him serving all those years.

“In some ways, I feel like I won the lottery because there are so many times that it all could have come to a stop, and the Army has just kept offering me new missions and new opportunities and kept me interested, so I stayed around,” said Beaver, whose last assignment was serving as the senior noncommissioned officer of the North Carolina National Guard’s Special Operations Detachment – X. “I feel very fortunate to have made it this far and fortunate that I had a path that kept me engaged and challenged.”

He also said that he couldn’t have been as successful without his wife of 27 years, Linda Beaver, supporting him. This ceremony was as much a celebration of her as it was of him.

Linda, who at one point gave up her nursing career to ensure she could support her husband, said she also farmed a community around her of people that are now life-long friends.

“Being a Guard family is very unique. We don’t have that base support, so our support is in our state.” Linda said. “People would ask, ‘what are you going to do when your husband goes off and does this,’ and I’d say, ‘the same thing I do every day.’ You don’t have a choice, and you don’t have the understanding around you as you do on a base, so we created our own family, we created our own support group with friends, with other wives, and with other family members.”

Beaver said knowing his wife was taking care of everything at home made things a little easier for him when he had to be away.

“To know that the house, the home, our children are going to be ok means everything to be able to go off and do your job and be gone for a year, especially when you’re going to places like Afghanistan and Iraq,” Beaver said. “You really are mission-focused over there, but they were always in the forefront of my mind. At times it’s a struggle, but she was excellent at being the home commander.”

Linda mentioned she was glad to have him home now but that it will be different.

“Every year or so, he was going away for a year, and he’s not doing that anymore,” she said. “It’s nice to be able to start thinking about planning. I’m back into [nursing] and actually get to look forward to doing that and having his support.”

As the ceremony came to a close and Beaver was finishing his remarks, he said he was tasking the entire North Carolina National Guard Special Operation Forces enterprise to keep growing and to lead the young men and women forward.

“Keep building the teams and units,” he said. “Remind them that this is a calling, this is a way of life. It is a brotherhood that comes with responsibility and risk. It must not be taken for granted.”

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This story by Sgt. 1st Class Mary Junell of the North Carolina National Guard was first published on May 13, 2022 by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DVIDS publishes content in the public domain.

Photo: U.S. Army Col. Mike Ecker, commander of the North Carolina National Guard’s (NCNG) Special Operations Detachment – X (SOD-X), presents Command Sgt. Maj. Gary Beaver a retirement gift during a ceremony at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on May 13th, 2022. The ceremony celebrated Beaver’s retirement from the NCNG and his 34 years of service in Special Operations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Mary Junell)

Story by Pfc. Rue Emrich, 10th SFG(A).

Soldiers trudged up and down muddy slopes in windy and rainy conditions while looking for their points on the land navigation course, one event of many testing the competitors vying to call themselves the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Best Warrior.

The 24 competitors also participated in a stress shoot, warrior task drills, obstacle course, physical fitness tests, written essays and oral boards between the 17-28th of May.

The Best Warrior Competition is an annual event across the Army with Soldiers competing at each echelon. 10th Group’s Staff Sgt. Alex Berger is the reigning Army wide winner, and the desire to remain “The Best” propels the candidates. When they are rucking twelve miles or doing a stress shoot in the mud, they navigate the challenges with this goal in mind.

“When you reach a moment of tiredness and your body wants to give out, your mind has this weird state of peace of whether you’ll let this situation break you, or if you’ll break it.”

Spc. Muder of the Battalion Support Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th SFG(A) – Muder was the junior enlisted winner.

Photo: U.S. Army 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Soldier zeroes his M-4 for the stress shoot event during the Best Warrior Competition at Fort Carson, Colorado on May 18, 2021. (U.S. Army Photo by Private 1st Class Rue Emrich)

Throughout the competition, a bond grew between Green Berets and Paratroopers while competing and learning things from each other to advance themselves. Learning how to solve adverse problems with creative solutions is a hallmark of Special Forces operations.

“The whole reason the Army has this event is because we are a tight knit group of warriors.”

Command Sergeant Major Larry White, 10th Group’s senior Non-Commissioned Officer

Quoting Teddy Roosevelt, White added, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause.”

Photo: U.S. Army 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) winning Soldier practices rendering first aid, stopping blood loss during the Best Warrior Competition on May 19, 2021. (U.S. Army Photo by Private 1st Class Rue Emrich)

Staff Sgt. Finn and Spc. Muder, the 10th Group winners, will go on to compete against the winners from the other Special Forces Groups throughout the Army in the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) level. This competition will be held on Fort Bragg, North Carolina starting on the 21st of June. If The Originals’ competitors are victorious, they will then move up to the United States Army Special Operations Command Best Warrior competition.

“10th Special Forces Group creates leaders, and the Soldiers participating in this competition are the ones we’re going to see in my shoes down the line, because they’re the ones that want to step inside of the arena and test their mettle. That’s why it’s important the Army does events like this. To help Soldiers navigate the transition from a Soldier to a leader.”

Command Sergeant Major Larry White, 10th Group’s senior Non-Commissioned Officer

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Video: 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Best Warrior Competition (2020). A member of the 10th SFG and finalist for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Best Warrior Competition (2020) completes the ACFT, foot march, and rifle qualification. Video by USASOC, Sep 2020, 4 mins.

Story: This article, “Better Than the Rest” by Pfc. Rue Emrich of the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), was originally published on June 17, 2021 by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DVIDS content is in the public domain.

Photo: U.S. Army 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) winning Soldier assembles a radio and passes the communication portion of the warrior tasks and drills event of the Best Warrior Competition on May 19, 2021. (U.S. Army Photo by Private 1st Class Rue Emrich)

Story by Staff Sgt. Travis Fontane, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

Green Beret divers from the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and Latvian Special Operation Forces (SOF) divers conducted a maritime beach landing and exercise in Latvia on May 27-28, 2021. The event was the culmination of ten weeks of training as the teams shared tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to enhance military readiness, teamwork and joint confidence while promoting peace and stability in Europe.

“It was definitely a positive experience,” said the 10th Group dive team commander. “We built off each other, they used some of our techniques and we use some of theirs helping us all come together.”

The teams focused on a range of unconventional warfare maritime tasks such as: beach landings, maritime medivac techniques and vessel boarding search and seizure (VBSS). The bilateral SOF training included practicing weapon skills at different ranges, close-quarters battle (CQB) during day and night conditions and also conducting open and closed circuit dive training.

Photo: 10th SFG and Latvian dive teams conduct a casualty evacuation drill during maritime operations training in Latvia. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Travis Fontane, 10th SFG, May 27, 2021)

“Each country has its own standard operating procedures (SOP),” said the 10th Group dive team member. “The Latvian tier one asset is able to do CQB their way, our way, or integrate into a team and do it together.”

The training went beyond just tactical skills. On May 25, the two teams worked out together in a physical training (PT) session dedicated to fallen 10th Group Soldiers as part of wider Memorial Day commemorations.

“Both sides have sustained casualties, so we respect and honor each other’s fallen,” said the dive team commander. “Both units have comradery and enjoy friendly competition – the memorial PT was a rewarding and competitive event.”

The day before the mission both the U.S. and Latvian dive teams ran rehearsals and the 10th Group dive team member explained his opinion about the importance of rehearsing before a mission.

“It was beaten into my head a long time ago by my old team sergeants that rehearsals are where you make your money,” he said. “You can have the best plan in the world but if you don’t rehearse it, something is always going to go wrong. Rehearsals help soldiers be more prepared and leaders to control the chaos.”

The teams combined this training into a final exercise that would push the team’s planning, thinking and resilience to their limits. The 20-man element carried out their mission for more than 24 hours while wet, hungry and tired. The scenario included a beach landing and a 4km movement through a dense swampy wooded area.

Photo: A U.S. Army Green Beret dive team assigned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) along with a Latvian Special Operation Forces (SOF) dive team move 4 km through dense swampy woodland areas to an objective rally point (ORP) in Latvia on May 27-28, 2021. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Travis Fontane)

The teams then formed an objective rally point while waiting for nightfall. Under the cover of darkness, team Alpha went to their designated position providing overwatch and placing simulation explosives on a mock SA21, which is a Russian made surface-to-air missile system. At the same time, team Bravo consisting of both Green Berets and Latvian SOF, raided a simulated urban building. After exploding the door they engaged the opposition forces with simulation rounds, and captured a high-value individual.

After regrouping, the teams patrolled back through the woods to a vehicle linkup point where they were ambushed and took a mock casualty. The teams loaded the casualty and themselves into the vehicle and drove 70km back towards the beach.

After the teams were dropped off, they continued through the woods towards the beach with their casualty on litter. While waiting to be picked-up by the boats, the teams took turns pulling security and changing into dry-suits. They then loaded onto the boats where the dive team medics stabilized the casualty as they returned to base.

The simulated mission achieved the key tasks of NATO interoperability and developing skills at the tactical level. The executed mission’s strategic effect would allow follow-on NATO forces to more safely carry out their operations.

The 10th Group dive team commander explained why Latvia was a good place to train. “Any time we get a chance to train with our Latvian partners it’s a great opportunity,” said the 10th Group dive team commander. “This is a great place for a 10th Special Forces Group dive team to come and train.”

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Photo: A U.S. Army Green Beret dive team assigned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) along with a Latvian Special Operation Forces (SOF) team conduct a maritime beach landing and raid scenario over a 24-hour period in Latvia on May 27-28, 2021. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Travis Fontane)

Story: Story by Staff Sgt. Travis Fontane, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). This article was originally published on June 10, 2021 by the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DVIDS media content is within the public domain.

Story by Sgt. Arcadia Hammack, 58th EMIB, April 1, 2021.

“We’ve gone through a very extensive selection process with significant amounts of stress, sleep deprivation, and food deprivation,” said a weapons sergeant with B. Company, 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Maryland Army National Guard based in Glen Arm, Maryland. “The majority of individuals that make it through special forces training are people that deal well with stress and ambiguous environments, and COVID-19 falls under that.” [Special Forces Soldiers will not be named in order to conceal their identities.]

Many Marylanders may not even know that the Maryland Army National Guard has a SF asset… let alone how they have both a federal and state mission to accomplish on a daily basis.

Members of B. Co. 2-20th SFG are awaiting mobilization for a subsequent overseas deployment to relieve other Soldiers who are currently there on duty, but COVID-19 is changing the timeline of events making it unclear as to when the unit will deploy.

Special Forces Soldiers are trained to perform counter-insurgency operations, unconventional warfare, direct action missions, foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, support of information operations, counter terrorism, and security force assistance.

From deployments overseas to working in their own neighborhoods delivering food during COVID-19, Soldiers from B. Co. 2-20th SFG find a way to serve their community and country, despite the circumstances. “It all goes back to adaptability, teamwork, intelligence, cultural awareness, language proficiency, mental toughness, and physical fitness,” said a communications sergeant with B. Co. 2-20th SFG. “Everyone here has the internal ability to be a leader.”

The Special Forces Group falls under the, recently returned from deployment, 58th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade, which is one of four of the Maryland Army National Guard’s major subordinate commands. While the 58th EMIB was deployed, Task Force 291 provided administrative and logistics support of the 58th EMIB’s subordinate units.

“We are proud in Maryland to call them our own, knowing the challenging qualifications these Soldiers must endure to become a Green Beret,” says U.S. Army Col. Kristine Henry, commander of TF 291 based in Towson, Maryland.

Facing the unknown head-on despite uncertainty is one of many qualities that members of B. Co. 2-20th SFG show. Known as ‘quiet professionals,’ these Special Forces Soldiers are tested in every type of hazardous environment and operate confidentially. Their efforts and perseverance have led them to be an invaluable asset to the Maryland Army National Guard and the United States Army Special Operations Command.

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Photo – Paratroopers with the Maryland Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) jump from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during an airborne training operation at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Nov. 7, 2020. The 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) plans, prepares for, and conducts Special Operations within the worldwide area of responsibility in support of Inter-agency and Foreign Nation Partners’ objectives as directed by U.S. Army Special Forces Command (USASFC). They also assist in the State of Maryland as directed by the Governor and The Adjutant General. ​(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Arcadia Hammack)

This story, Quiet Professionals of Special Forces, by Sgt. Arcadia Hammack of the 58th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade was originally published on April 1, 2021 on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. DVIDS content is published in the public domain.