1st Special Forces Command

1st Special Forces Command
US Army · Public domain · source
Unit name	1st Special Forces Command
Caption	Shoulder sleeve insignia of the 1st Special Forces Command
Dates	2014–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States
Type	Special operations
Role	Unconventional warfare
Size	Command
Garrison	Fort Liberty, North Carolina
Nickname	1st SFC
Motto	"First In"
Battles	War in Afghanistan, Iraq War
Current commander	BG Allan M. Pepin
Notable commanders	BG Darrin J. Cox, MG Francis M. Beaudette
Identification symbol	80px
Identification symbol label	Beret flash

1st Special Forces Command. The 1st Special Forces Command is a United States Army command responsible for providing and managing Special operations forces. It was established in 2014 to consolidate the service's primary Special forces and psychological operations formations under a single headquarters. The command, headquartered at Fort Liberty in North Carolina, serves as the core of the Army Special Operations Forces within the broader United States Special Operations Command.

History

The command's lineage traces its origins to the activation of the 1st Special Forces in 1960, which was later redesignated as the 1st Special Forces Group. Following the September 11 attacks, the Global War on Terrorism drove a significant expansion of United States Army Special Forces capabilities. In response to this growth and the need for a dedicated management headquarters, the United States Army Special Operations Command activated the 1st Special Forces Command on October 1, 2014. This reorganization, championed by leaders like General Charles Cleveland, aimed to streamline command and control for the Green Berets and associated units. The command has since been a central component of United States special operations in major conflicts, including the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) and the Iraq War.

Organization

The command is organized under the United States Army Special Operations Command and comprises several major subordinate units. Its primary combat elements are the five active-duty Special Forces groups: the 1st SFG at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the 3rd SFG at Fort Liberty, the 5th SFG at Fort Campbell, the 7th SFG at Eglin Air Force Base, and the 10th SFG at Fort Carson. It also commands the 19th SFG and the 20th SFG, which are part of the Army National Guard. Additional key components include the 4th Psychological Operations Group, the 8th Psychological Operations Group, and the 528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne).

Missions and operations

The command's forces execute a wide range of complex missions aligned with Unconventional warfare doctrine. Core tasks include Foreign internal defense, direct action, Special reconnaissance, and Counter-terrorism. Psychological operations units conduct Military information support operations to influence foreign audiences. These capabilities have been employed globally, from training Kurdish Peshmerga forces during the Battle of Mosul (2016–2017) to conducting Counterinsurgency operations in the Horn of Africa. The command's groups maintain persistent engagement in their respective combatant command areas of responsibility, such as the United States Indo-Pacific Command and the United States Central Command.

Training

Personnel undergo rigorous and specialized training pipelines. Special Forces candidates must complete the Special Forces Assessment and Selection and the Special Forces Qualification Course, commonly known as the "Q-Course," at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. This extensive training includes language instruction, SERE training, and advanced skills in WMD counter-proliferation. Psychological Operations soldiers attend the Psychological Operations Specialist Course. All members participate in advanced training exercises like Robin Sage and regularly train with allied special operations forces, such as the British Army's Special Air Service and the Polish GROM.

Insignia and uniforms

The command's authorized beret is the distinctive Green beret, a symbol worn since the 1950s. The shoulder sleeve insignia features a Broadsword crossed with three arrows, set against a black background. The Combat Service Identification Badge and the Distinctive unit insignia also incorporate these iconic motifs. Members typically wear the Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform but are authorized the Crye Precision Multicam combat uniform for special operations. The Special Forces Tab and Special Operations Combat Medic badge are among the unique skill identifiers worn by qualified personnel.

Notable members

Many distinguished soldiers have served within the command's formations. This includes renowned figures like Colonel Arthur D. "Bull" Simons, a legendary leader from the Vietnam War and the Iran hostage rescue mission. Modern leaders include General Richard D. Clarke, who served as commander of the United States Special Operations Command. Decorated operators like Command Sergeant Major Gregory A. Birch and Master Sergeant Matthew O. Williams, a recipient of the Medal of Honor for actions in the Shok Valley in Afghanistan, are also counted among its ranks.

Category:Special operations commands of the United States Army Category:Military units and formations established in 2014 Category:Fort Liberty