US Special Forces, 1965–1973

US Army Special Forces trace their lineage to the 1st Special Service Force, a combined force of 1.600 American and Canadian volunteers, which was activated on 20 July 1942 and disbanded at the end of the war. The 1st Special Service Force served in the Aleutians Campaign in 1943, Italy in 1943 and 1944, Southern France and the Rhineland in 1944. Surviving members of the 1st Special Service Force were transferred to the US Army Rangers and the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion when the unit was disbanded on 5 December 1944. After the war, there was no apparent need for a Special Service Force, but in 1952 the 10th Special Forces Group was raised at Bad Tölz and Lenngries, Germany. In the beginning, many of the soldiers of 10th Special Forces Group were refugees from Eastern Europe.

In 1962 President Kennedy showed his support for the Special Forces, calling the green beret "a symbol of excellence, a badge of courage, a mark of distinction in the fight for freedom". By 1962 there were approximately 5,000 Special Forces soldiers training and supporting allied armed forces around the globe. Between 1966 and 1968, the US Special Forces reached a strength of 11,000 officers and men.

Available Miniatures

US Special Forces Command, 1:60 Chiltern Miniatures US2531
US Special Forces wearing Jones Hat, 1:60 Chiltern Miniatures US2532
US Special Forces Heavy Weapons, 1:60 Chiltern Miniatures US2533
US Special Forces wearing Berets, 1:60 Chiltern Miniatures US2534
US Green Berets, 20 mm Platoon 20 VW8
Navy SEALS or LRRP, 20 mm Platoon 20 VW9
US Special Forces, 1:72 ESCI P-228
US Delta Force, 1:120 cannonfodder miniatures SF1
US Rangers, 1:120 cannonfodder miniatures SF2
Special Forces Pack #1, 1:120 cannonfodder miniatures SF4

US Special Forces Company

B Detachment
- Major, Special Forces Company Commander (CO)
- Captain, Executive Officer (XO)
- Warrant Officer, Company Technician
- Company Sergeant Major (CSM)
- Operations Sergeant
- Assistant Operations Sergeant
- Medical Sergeant
- Communications Sergeant
- Assistant Communications Sergeant
- Supply Sergeant
- NBC Sergeant
A-1 Detachment
- Captain, Detachment Commander
- Warrant Officer, Detachment Technician
- Team Sergeant, Special Forces Operations Sergeant
- O&I Sergeant, Assistant Operations Sergeant
- Weapons Sergeant
- Assistant Weapons Sergeant
- Engineer Sergeant
- Assistant Engineer Sergeant
- Medical Sergeant
- Assistant Medical Sergeant
- Communications Sergeant
- Assistant Communications Sergeant
A-2 Detachment, same as above
A-3 Detachment, same as above
A-4 Detachment, same as above
A-5 Detachment, same as above
A-6 Detachment, same as above

Bibliography

Observations on Group Behavior in a Special Forces A Team Under Threat of Attack

US Special Forces A-Teams are capable of supporting and commanding indigenous combat forces up to a battalion in size, in which case the A-Team CO may act as the battalion commander. During the Vietnam War, US Special Forces Teams recruited, trained, and commanded Montagnard, Nung Chinese, Cambodian and Vietnamese battalions, which might consist of a 40 man scout platoon, and three companies of 150 men each.

Frequently Asked Questions

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