US Special Forces troops have been counting since the struggle for independence from England. Then one of the British colonies opposed the colonial forces, using the tactics of the indigenous people of America. Later, special detachments began to appear in the United States, which in small numbers inflicted serious blows on the enemy.
During World War II, they were formed into units that became the prototype of the current US special operations forces. As a rule, they used the tactics of partisans or saboteurs. Thus, in the southeast of Asia, a special squadron was created by strategic management to conduct operations in Burma. The special squad was engaged in reconnaissance, intelligence reconnaissance, partisan training, and actively opposed the Japanese army. Fighting with tens of thousands of Japanese soldiers, the special squadron itself lost only two hundred and six fighters. The combat experience of this special detachment itself became the basis for the current special forces of the United States.
Tasks Special Forces Green Berets USA
Green berets can perform tasks for:
- The protection of foreign powers;
- Unconventional warfare;
- Special intelligence;
- Counter-terrorism activities.
Selection and training of personnel
Candidates for green berets can be any American military personnel who have experience of parachuting. However, in order to become part of this special unit, applicants will need to pass several qualifying contests.
Green Berets first qualifying competition
This verification phase consists of a three-week assessment and support course, which in turn includes three phases. At this time, candidates are completely cut off from the outside world.
First phase
Evaluation of the emotional and psychological state of candidates: written and practical tests.
Second phase
Check endurance and physical strength. Candidates overcome the obstacle course, make a forced march in equipment, perform crosses, and swim in uniforms with shoes. Every day and every night, skills in orienteering and working under stressful conditions are tested, various psychological tests are conducted.
Third phase
Evaluation of the leadership qualities of candidates, as well as their skills in collective action. Candidates are appointed branch commanders, after which they are tested on their military skills and knowledge, skills in rallying the personnel to perform assigned tasks. Passing tests is monitored by an independent commission, senior officers and sergeants. Actually, they determine the level of readiness of candidates. After the third phase, half of those willing are eliminated.
Second qualifying competition
Those who have already passed the first stage of selection will participate in the second qualification course, which also consists of three phases.
First phase
The study of general disciplines: topography, tactics, team skills.
Second phase
Study special disciplines on selected or recommended specialization. At Fort Bragg, the learning process can last 13-45 weeks. With all the candidates, weapons, engineering and medical training, as well as communication are studied in depth. Officers and warrant officers are trained separately. Training is replaced by constant forced marches, with tactical and topographical occupations.
Among the major military occupational specialties candidates master:
- Tactics, anti-tank weapon systems, all small arms of many countries, shooting, MANPADS, fire system, fire control in a general arms battle - this applies to weapons specialists;
- Construction training, construction of field shelters, disruptive business - this applies to engineering training specialists;
- Traumatology and surgery - this applies to medical specialists;
- All communication systems and communication theory, the practice of establishing and maintaining communication even on a global scale - this applies to communications specialists.
Third phase
These are complex exercises, in essence, this surrender to the green takes. Special teams are temporarily formed from the cadets to perform training tasks. To do this, you should take advantage of all the skills and knowledge obtained. Cadets are provided with all the necessary weapons and equipment. Full display includes up to 40-45 kg of cargo. The exercise complex takes place on the territory of the National Forest of Juharri, North Carolina.
During the third phase of the special forces training exercise, all candidates determine regional specialization. By the way, personal wishes of cadets personnel agencies are taken into account. Having chosen a regional specialization, they proceed to the subsequent stages such as the course of a young special forces soldier, on which their future service will depend.
After successful completion of training, candidates receive green berets, and after six-month courses of foreign languages they are distributed into spetsnaz groups. However, the learning process does not end there; the green berets improve their combat training throughout their service.
Organizational Structure of Green Berets
The command of the special operations forces is subordinate to the command of the special operations of the US Land Forces with headquarters at Fort Bragg, and they command all the special forces groups. This is nothing less: the 75th Ranger Regiment with special operations aviation units, special operations support units, civil administration and psychological operations units, the center and the John F. Kennedy special methods school for warfare.
The commander of the forces of special operations are subject to fully deployed special forces in the amount of five units. He also carries out general management in the preparation of two groups of special forces of the National Guard.
US Special Forces Main Task Force
The main operational compounds are groups. Basically they are intended for activities in any theater in military operations or in one operational direction. Special Forces units are taking action to support the commands of the US ground forces in: European, Atlantic, Pacific, southern and central directions. The places for the bases of the special forces groups were also determined accordingly.
Each group of special forces includes: headquarters, command, three special forces battalions, a staff company and a company for support. The battalions include: command, headquarters, staff company and three special forces companies.
The company consists of six teams "A", each of which learns on its own specifics. For example, one is engaged in scuba diving, the other - jumping with sport parachutes with disclosure delays or disclosures at high altitudes, etc.
Commands "A" are the main tactical units of groups, each of which has twelve fighters with a commanding officer. The team has two offices with five fighters in each. The offices are headed by sergeants. Each fighter is a specialist in: weapons, engineering training, medical training, communications, as well as special operations and reconnaissance.
Tactics team action "A"
Team "A" can act independently or as part of units. They are capable of special operations at large distances from the main forces. The fighters secretly penetrate into areas of action using land, air or sea. Green berets can provide assistance to other units of the US Army or its allies.
The fighters can plan and conduct unilateral special operations, be implemented other special measures. They can be instructors in the training of military formations, as well as partisan detachments in the territory of the enemy. Special forces can be allocated to solve a wider range of special tasks behind enemy lines.
US Army Special Forces Special Forces
Special Forces can be armed with the main standard weapons and property of formations: small arms, sets of explosive equipment, optical-electronic equipment, radio and satellite communications, light vehicles and parachute equipment. Special Forces groups may possess light aircraft and radio intelligence stations.
Thus, the units of the green berets are ready to carry out the tasks set by the command of any complexity and in any region of the planet.
