"The Long Farewell" to the Green Berets?

This is the regimental coat of arms of the 1st Special Forces Regiment.

The United States Army has never liked Army Special Forces.  The Green Berets started as a reincarnation of part of the OSS' World War 2 military mission.  This was the part  in which the OSS worked in occupied territory against the occupier using the locals as guerrillas.  JFK adapted the unit to the counterinsurgency role when he was president.  The men and officers were always selected for suitability in those roles. The job required a professional who did not need the psychological support of being in a big unit, was endlessly adaptable and innovative, good at languages and cultures and who liked working with foreigners.  Special Forces sergeants are trained to command battalions of troops as required, irregular troops.

Over the years since VN there has been a steady infiltration of men into SF who are not the same breed.  Fifteen years ago, the Army began to promote officers with  this background to general officer rank.  They tended to pick the ones with whom they were the least uncomfortable. 

My friends tell me that the "rangerization" of Special Forces is nearing completion.  What is left over after that process is complete will probably be made up into just another intelligence unit.

This general decided not to go quietly into "that good night."  pl

http://www.veteransofspecialforces.org/editorials.htm

The Regimental Color.