There was a time when Green Berets were well known for being Force Multipliers. Back then, an “Operator” was a character named Ernestine on “Laugh In”.
This photo depicts several SF NCOs outside of Camp Charles E Hosking at Bien Hoa, Vietnam, when they were proud to be Force Multipliers.
I odolized men like these NCOs when I was a boy
Hell, I’m no longer a boy, I’m a grown-ass SNCO, and I STILL idolize those guys, the Mike Force, and Force Recon dudes. The OG’s of snake eating badassery.
Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America’s best
One hundred men we’ll test today
But only three win the Green Beret
It was fashionable to insult The Green Berets w John Whayne but it also help inspire a lot of young men in that era to join up.
Back at home, a young wife waits.
A Green Beret has met his fate.
He has died for those oppressed.
Leaving her this last request.
Put silver wings on my son’s chest.
Make him one of America’s best
He’ll be a man they’ll test some day.
Have him win the Green Beret.
Outside of a couple of nursery rhymes, I know the complete lyrics to only 2 songs – this and the theme for Gilligan’s Island.
Your last statement cracked me up!
Stay Safe!
As opposed to some of the force dividers I’ve met over the years.
De oppresso liber……………….
Dad…is that you????
Hell, I’m proud of those Porn-staches!
Why do I feel there are lines to be read between here?
Operator hadn’t been coined yet as that billet was created a decade (or so) later. I think Eric is saying that these dudes (bad ass as they are) didn’t need a label to try and identify with- they had a clear mission and weren’t trying to be something they were not.
Not being an operator doesn’t make you less of a force multiplier nor does it make you in any way lesser of a solider. It just means you don’t hold a “Team Member/Operator” billet or a Tango identifier. I have an SF tab but I was never in group- doesn’t make me an SF guy. My Ranger tab doesn’t make me a Ranger but the fact I spent 8 years in the Regiment does. My Tango identifier means as stated above although I retired and no longer serve.
Nowadays everybody thinks of themselves as an operator. If you are, you are. And if you aren’t, well… stick to what you should be and be the best at it you can.
Oh, and you make pretend ass clowns on IG- that’s exactly what you are. Free props and all.
So, how did you earn an SF tab without being in group? If I’m reading between the lines correctly you answered a question I have always wondered. If you are in 1-SFOD and you completed OTC, are you authorized to wear the SF tab even if you never completed SFQC?
No, you have to complete SFQC to be awarded the SF tab.
It has to do with promotions, I’ve seen SFOD-D guys go through the Q Course to become SF qualified, they went straight back to their unit afterwords. As an ANCOC instructor we had them come through our course, if they were prior infantry they could do the 11B ANCOC. It was (not sure about now) all based around aligning with a combat arms MOS either 18 or 11 series to get E7-E9 promotions. Just my experience. The OP may have more to add. Bottom line, it’s possible.
Based on discussions I’ve had with Unit members, that is spot on. Sometimes guys go to SFQC for the 18 series SRB as well.
Too much to get into here- but basically correct. It had to do with promotions/SRB as I was already 11B in the Regt. No SFAS required. Also had to do with duration of ANCOC. 11 series being at Ft. Benning and 18 series being there at Bragg and shorter duration with a 5 week distance learning portion. Basically had an entire summer off before ANCOC then went right back overseas.
Pinned on E8 under 12 years.
Great picture! I also idolized these men when I was growing up during the VN era. Actually, I still do.
Its always interesting to see photos of Special Forces Soldiers of this era. Take a look at how they wear the beret. Nowadays you’d get stopped for a correction every fifty feet at Fort Bragg wearing it like that.
Its amazing what they accomplished with very little in the way of specialized gear. Just good training, clear thinking, and lots of guts. They will always be the “real deal” to me.
I think that applies to the entire military up to Navy Tailhook time, after that things really went to the birds (the PC, DACOWITS birds). Work hard, play hard, accomplishing the mission but being allowed to learn, make a mistake, and still move on.
My Dad was Viet Nam era SF. He did his tour in RVN with SOG. He had lots of funny stories about his time there and a few “cool guy “stories. The other day I was unloading boxes after our move to Chattanooga and I found a pair of ERDL pattern jungle fatigues that one of my Dad’s SOG buddies had given me. I thought to myself “What a treasure this is to have.”