green berets

The Pic of the Day: Special Forces operators learn how to counter IEDs

U.S. Army Special Operation Soldiers with 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) conduct counter-improvised explosive device training at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), Twentynine Palms, Calif., Oct. 17, 2019. The Green Berets used the MCAGCC training areas to refine detachment tactics and prepare for combat operations.

Exclusive: Army Special Forces command disbands elite units

Update: SOFREP has learned that the 1st Special Forces Command will retain some CRF-like Direct Action capability, though significantly smaller than the current one. The rationale behind the decision to downsize, however, remains the same: CRFs are too expensive for their utility. In a historic decision for the Special Forces community, the Crisis Response Force […]

The Benelli M4 – Spec Ops shotgun of choice

When it comes to semi-automatic shotguns Benelli reigns supreme. Benelli shotguns are in use around the world with police officers, conventional forces, and special operations. The Benelli M4 has its roots in the United States Marine Corps and their quest for a new combat shotgun. They specifically wanted a gas-operated gun over inertia driven weapons […]

The Pic of the Day: Egyptian commandos visit 5th Special Forces Group

A Soldier with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) coaches Egyptian Special Operations Soldiers of Unit 999 during room clearing exercises at a training complex on Fort Campbell, Ky., February 10, 2020. 5th SFG(A) Soldiers trained with the Egyptians on a variety of tasks during a two-week-long joint training event designed to enhance the operating […]

It’s already been 14 years: Marine Raiders celebrate anniversary

A little over 14 years ago, Marine Raiders became a reality. The Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) is the latest addition to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Established in 2006, MARSOC has steadily grown ever since, often having to fight skeptics both in the Marine Corps and the Department of Defence (DoD) about its […]

First woman to pass Special Forces training? New York Times gets it all wrong

New York Times writer Thomas Gibbons-Neff first broke yesterday that a National Guard soldier is set to become the Army’s first female Green Beret in the coming weeks. This report set off a frenzy of other news outlets such as Military.com, Army Times, Task and Purpose, and several others piggybacking off the New York Times article. […]

Navy invents new device that promises to revolutionize Close Quarters Combat

The U.S. Navy has invented a device that promises to revolutionize Close-Quarters Combat (CQB). The Room Breach Digital Sensor Alert Device (RBDSAD), a combination of an LED light and sensor, is able to mark and monitor a room that has been cleared by friendlies. But the revolutionary part comes in its ability to alert operators […]

MSG Hasenbein fights back and files charges against his command

MSG Hasenbein, a U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret, is being charged with assaulting a roleplayer employed by F3EA during a training exercise. Master Hasenbein’s attorney has filed a Defense Motion to Dismiss his court-martial for Unlawful Command Influence (UCI) and moves that the court dismiss all charges and specifications with prejudice. The charges against […]

Army offers huge bonuses to Special Forces Warrant Officers

$100,000. That’s what the Army is offering to Special Forces Warrant Officers in case they reenlist. Special Forces (SF) warrant officers are combat leaders and staff officers. They are experienced subject-matter experts in unconventional warfare, operations, intelligence fusion, and planning and execution at all levels across the operational continuum. Special Forces warrant officers advise commanders […]

The Pic of the Day: US and EU commandos prepare together

U.S. Army Special Forces Soldiers assigned to the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) prepare to board the CV-22B Osprey aircraft operated by U.S. Airmen assigned to the 352d Special Operations Wing for additional infil training in Szolnok, Hungary October 28, 2019. U.S. Special Operations Forces conducted a bilateral exercise with Hungarian SOF to focus on […]

Where Did Everyone Go? The mass exodus of Special Operators

In recent years, the special operations community has been experiencing a noticeable withdrawal of operators from the military. This alarming pattern is being seen across all branches, proving it is not an isolated incident. The question is, why is this happening? To answer this question, the first thing that needs to be understood is what […]

Convenience or lack of money? Marine Raiders relocate to the East Coast

In a historic move, the Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) has decided to move all of its subordinate units to the East Coast. The 1st Raider Battalion and 1st Marine Raider Support Battalion, both of which are currently located at Camp Pendleton, California, will relocate to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, by the September 2022. […]