View Full Version : SFAB is no more???
Looks like someone is listening to us??
1st Security Force Assistance Brigade
18 hrs ·
The 1st SFAB has great respect for U.S. Army Special Forces, their many accomplishments and their singularly distinguished history. We also respect the concerns associated with the heraldry of the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade.
The 1st SFAB is not a Special Forces organization. We are a conventional force purposefully built to partner with other conventional forces. SFABs will support Army readiness by allowing brigade combat teams to focus on building their readiness for large scale contingencies instead of on the train, advise and assist missions.
In accordance with Army guidance, we will select a new unit name. The Army has also decided the SFABs will wear a Brown Infantry Beret like those worn by many armies. Our new name and photos of the beret will be published once the final decisions are approved.
Thank you for your support as we establish the identity and culture of the #1SFAB.
U.S. Army U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) XVIII Airborne Corps
Ba Da BOOM..
:munchin
Just going to fly a little lower under the radar.
I guess we'll have to wait to see how greenish the brown beret will be.
Ret10Echo
11-01-2017, 06:45
Just going to fly a little lower under the radar.
I guess we'll have to wait to see how greenish the brown beret will be.
It bears considerable watchfulness. I expect there are 100's or 1000's in the supply-chain already.
Looks like someone is listening to us??
Ba Da BOOM..
:munchin
No. He means that the SFAB will focus on advise and assist missions so the regular Brigade Combat Teams can focus on what they're supposed to be doing, which is preparing to fight a major war.
It reads like, "we are going to do exactly what we said we were going to do - acknowledging of course that we are not SOF"
I'm betting they're referring to the 'Legion' nickname that Milley already stated would be changed.
So if the SFABs are all about freeing up BCTs to prepare for their combat missions, does that mean the Regionally Aligned Brigade concept is officially dead now (or more likely/appropriately, transferred to the ARNG who can actually support long-term unit assignments to foster regional expertise)?
....does that mean the Regionally Aligned Brigade concept is officially dead now?
That's my understanding based on conversations I had yesterday, but I'm getting everything third hand so I cant say for sure.
IMHO, I find it difficult to believe the RA would change their mind so quickly about a big project like this. They usually don't cave to peer pressure so easy.
The Reaper
11-01-2017, 12:16
Exactly.
Source?
TR
TR,
My quote is from the SFAB FB page.
Not sure is you must have a FB account.
It was posted yesterday @ 1:05PM
https://www.facebook.com/1SFAB/
Here's what's being reported.
Your Army
Army chief: SFABs will do a completely different job than Special Forces
By: Meghann Myers
1 day ago
https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2017/10/31/army-chief-sfabs-will-do-a-completely-different-job-than-special-forces/
Amid an uproar from active and former Special Forces soldiers over uniform items and his comments on the history of SF training missions, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley took to the Army Times comments section Monday night to clarify his remarks.
The controversy began late last week when a photo of a green-ish beret and Instagram posts of uniform patches belonging to the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade — looking suspiciously like uniform items worn by the Army’s storied Special Forces groups — made the rounds on social media.
Tempers flared again Monday, when Milley told Army Times that SFABs would focus on training conventional troops, which the U.S. has done for decades, adding that SF did not train Afghan National Army or Iraqi Security Forces troops.
In a mea culpa posted to the original story, Milley explained his original statement.
“I should not have said that SF ‘never’ advised the ANA or ISF. That is not true,” he said. “The majority of advising to the ANA and ISF conventional units was done by conventional US Army and Marine units while SF focused on the ANA Commandos, Iraqi Special Forces and other specialized units. All of which were part of the ANA or the ISF. Also, there were some SF teams that did advise ANA and Iraqi conventional units. I was obviously incorrect and I apologize.”
Milley clarified to Army Times that the beret color, when it is fully fielded, will be brown. The original prototype was inspired by the British Royal Anglian Regiment’s berets, a color historically associated with infantry units.
“I can understand their anger and wrath,” he said. “And all I’m trying to do is help explain.”
SF vs. SFAB
Beyond the controversy about uniform items, some in the Special Forces community have questioned the mission of SFABs, as SF has a storied history of training foreign troops.
But they haven’t been the only ones, Milley told Army Times on Monday. Two of the most notable organizations were the Korean Military Advisory Group and Military Assistance Command-Vietnam, and both included conventional troops.
Since the beginning of the Global War on Terror, the majority of conventional Afghan and Iraqi troops have been trained by conventional U.S. forces on an ad hoc basis, he added.
“Special Forces has gone out and done what they’re supposed to do, and only they can do, which is train irregular forces,” Milley said.
Conventional forces are more suited to teach artillery, armor, aviation and other specialties, he said.
“[Special Forces] can’t really train the scope and level of training of an entire national army,” Milley added. “ It fell to the regular Army to do it.”
In recent years, the Army has sent headquarters units to train, advise and assist conventional units, ripping apart brigade combat teams in their deployment cycle, leaving the combat troops at home.
“Right now I’ve got nine brigades that are linked to the Middle East, who have just returned, are there or are ready to go there,” Milley said. “I only have 31 brigades, and nine of them are wrapped up doing this.”
Breaking up those brigades prevents them from training as a whole for combat deployments, which are more and more at the forefront of the military’s priorities as tensions rise in Korea and Europe.
“I need to get those units back and get their readiness up to speed,” Milley said.
He also believes that the train-advise-assist mission will continue long into the future and is in need of professionalization.
“There is no intent to replace Special Forces, or to compete with Special Forces,” Milley said. “This is a unique mission gap that needs to be filled.”
That’s not to say that SFABs won’t ever be collocated with SF in the same region, but they won’t necessarily be, Milley added.
For example, conventional and SF units are both deployed to countries like Niger and Cameroon supporting regional stability in separate missions.
<snip> complete article at link:
https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2017/10/31/army-chief-sfabs-will-do-a-completely-different-job-than-special-forces/
A source... (http://soldiersystems.net/2017/10/31/1st-sfab-responds-to-concerns/)
Ret10Echo
11-01-2017, 14:25
A source... (http://soldiersystems.net/2017/10/31/1st-sfab-responds-to-concerns/)
Most likely course of action is that this lays on the bottom for a bit, remains silent and allows the storm to pass... resurfaces without change from original course.
Just a guess...but IMHO the pattern is consistent.
Just going to fly a little lower under the radar.
I guess we'll have to wait to see how greenish the brown beret will be.
Reversible. Brown out when you see a real GB insight, and Green when the coast is clear. :D
I do see this on their FB site. What can go wrong here?
"Sgt. David Kappel, an infantry trainer assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, adjusts the rifle of an Iraqi army trainee as he instructs them how to properly "stack" in preparation to move toward their objective at Camp Taji, Iraq. (Master Sgt. Mike Lavigne/Army)"
will it invite unfair comparisons to a certain scouting organization?? :munchin
Team Sergeant
11-01-2017, 18:29
will it invite unfair comparisons to a certain scouting organization?? :munchin
Hopefully they will start selling cookies like thin-mints and put the girlscouts out of business............:munchin
After seeing the picture of allied troops being taught how to "stack" on the way to an objective, I have to change my thoughts on this initiative...
...I cannot wait to see more pictures of these sentient professionals in action
After seeing the picture of allied troops being taught how to "stack" on the way to an objective, I have to change my thoughts on this initiative...
...I cannot wait to see more pictures of these sentient professionals in action
I can see it now, "Hey, Moe..."
Old Dog New Trick
11-01-2017, 19:38
I know what’s in a head covering...this is rhetorical.
A Green Beret in the US Army is synonymous with excellence, best of the best and if not the best, one of the best military units in the world.
A Black Beret “used” to be synonymous with the US Army Rangers and was thought to be a mark of distinction amongst the worlds light Infantry Battalions.
But if not for a Beret worn by the SAS and the OSS of days gone by in WWII every Army in the world would be wearing some form of a ball cap or helmet.
I don’t know of or remember ever wearing my Beret outside of a ceremony at the beginning or end of a foreign mission deployment.
I wore a ball cap, a patrol cap, or a boonie hat while training everyone!
These conventional troops will be wearing a ball cap, a patrol cap, a boonie hat or a freakin’ Kevlar helmet during any OCONUS deployment. Why does this General want fall on his sword for a head cover that doesn’t mean jack?
Did the Army not learn anything from giving everyone a Black Beret?
doctom54
11-01-2017, 20:26
I know what’s in a head covering...this is rhetorical.
A Green Beret in the US Army is synonymous with excellence, best of the best and if not the best, one of the best military units in the world. ...
Did the Army not learn anything from giving everyone a Black Beret?
Short answer. NO they did not.
I don’t know of or remember ever wearing my Beret outside of a ceremony at the beginning or end of a foreign mission deployment.
I wore a ball cap, a patrol cap, or a boonie hat while training everyone!
That wasn't always the case. Not sure when or why we stopped wearing the beret in the field??
WarriorDiplomat
11-02-2017, 07:12
I know what’s in a head covering...this is rhetorical.
A Green Beret in the US Army is synonymous with excellence, best of the best and if not the best, one of the best military units in the world.
A Black Beret “used” to be synonymous with the US Army Rangers and was thought to be a mark of distinction amongst the worlds light Infantry Battalions.
But if not for a Beret worn by the SAS and the OSS of days gone by in WWII every Army in the world would be wearing some form of a ball cap or helmet.
I don’t know of or remember ever wearing my Beret outside of a ceremony at the beginning or end of a foreign mission deployment.
I wore a ball cap, a patrol cap, or a boonie hat while training everyone!
These conventional troops will be wearing a ball cap, a patrol cap, a boonie hat or a freakin’ Kevlar helmet during any OCONUS deployment. Why does this General want fall on his sword for a head cover that doesn’t mean jack?
Did the Army not learn anything from giving everyone a Black Beret?
Nope, the right answer is good fair, firm and consistent leadership a defined task and purpose, more authority to rid the Army of substandard troops at basic training etc......the easy thing is give them a beret to improve morale and hope the rest buffs out.....I went back and reviewed the black beret issue sl....soldiers said they felt more connected to the continental blue flash and 13 stars that represented the colonies....the beret is claimed to have made soldiers prouder......that wore off quickly and look at the Army today.......reminds me of Dr Seuss the Sneetches with stars on their bellies cartoon....yeah they got a cool hat but the issues with Army and people wanting to serve has nothing to with hats....I listened to this lady on shark tank tell the Sharks that she had been in Iraq and that it was rewarding since when is war rewarding when you don't win???...the beret don't make the man dammit
Old Dog New Trick
11-02-2017, 07:20
That wasn't always the case. Not sure when or why we stopped wearing the beret in the field??
JJ, I should clarify that there were times and I’ve had many opportunities abroad to represent our storied history, from heads of state to the farmer in the field. They knew who done what.
That wasn't always the case. Not sure when or why we stopped wearing the beret in the field??
JJ take your pick:
Because a cravat (drive-on rag) was better?
Because a PC was better?
Because a bright red target (my 7th Group flash) floating in the air (I was so well camouflaged you couldn't see me standing in front of you :D ) is a target?
:D
...wait until they get authorized to use relaxed grooming standards and they all start growing beards
WarriorDiplomat
11-02-2017, 12:09
...wait until they get authorized to use relaxed grooming standards and they all start growing beards
Oakley's, fancy watches, hair out regs, team hats, shirts, ranger pannies with the acronym SFABLTW
Golf1echo
11-02-2017, 14:10
Over the years you folks have taught me to be a little more thoughtful. Perhaps with the politics at the top the General with the long tab from the "Legion" pulled a little Sun Tzu and this all played out the way it was supposed to? I don't know...but maybe?
I do not know this (Army's) CoS and would not recognize him if we passed each other unless he was wearing his uniform.
(Understanding that) I have seen LTs & CPTs graduate the Q-course in the '80s, and before we were a branch (18s), some would come to a team and stay there 90-days (minimum time for a OER) and move on to SF staffs or back to the conventional Army. I saw a limited few stay 2-years and go back to the conventional Army. They were SF to check the box. I personally know 3-LTGs that did that; one tour in SF and back to the Infantry. All three danged good officers and I would work with them again (I worked with them as CPT, COLs-LTGs).
I believe that this guy was one of those officers who did the minimum time in SF just to get the credit and check that meal-ticket.
WarriorDiplomat
11-03-2017, 07:17
Over the years you folks have taught me to be a little more thoughtful. Perhaps with the politics at the top the General with the long tab from the "Legion" pulled a little Sun Tzu and this all played out the way it was supposed to? I don't know...but maybe?
Don't know about suntzu mildec or anything else......but it is clear that he was going to impose this without considering the impact of it
blue02hd
11-03-2017, 10:53
https://www.facebook.com/RangerShorts/videos/910526998998808/?hc_ref=ARTEery5idci9hAyQjPqz8EpdMt_MtLTFnbUoypUE9 gDJSkVRNisAA48bmGn0X64ALs&pnref=story
They are running a discount for the SFAB right now,,,,
Golf1echo
11-03-2017, 15:08
I do not know this (Army's) CoS and would not recognize him if we passed each other unless he was wearing his uniform.
(Understanding that) I have seen LTs & CPTs graduate the Q-course in the '80s, and before we were a branch (18s), some would come to a team and stay there 90-days (minimum time for a OER) and move on to SF staffs or back to the conventional Army. I saw a limited few stay 2-years and go back to the conventional Army. They were SF to check the box. I personally know 3-LTGs that did that; one tour in SF and back to the Infantry. All three danged good officers and I would work with them again (I worked with them as CPT, COLs-LTGs).
I believe that this guy was one of those officers who did the minimum time in SF just to get the credit and check that meal-ticket.
Don't know about suntzu mildec or anything else......but it is clear that he was going to impose this without considering the impact of it
Hard for me to conceive why someone from SF would impose such a thing...
While it was way above my pay grade I never understood the rotation for officers.
I saw one the other day. To their credit, it is pretty much Brown. It's actually more of a knock off of a ranger Beret than ours.
With that being said, I'm still confused as to why they had to offer goodies to a bunch of legs who do nothing more than passive paper selection and a PT test. They're already receiving additional autonomy from the regular army, and special Duty assignment and incentive pay. If you add that on to the automatic promotions, and the over-inflated ego that you are apparently issued upon arrival, I'm at a loss as to why they have to giveaway shiny things as well.
Participation Trophies.
When I was in (50th anniversary of enlistment Oct. 30 this week), every combat arm had scarves, discs, and cords. Now I guess it's only Infantry, so they are using berets now.
I saw one the other day. To their credit, it is pretty much Brown. It's actually more of a knock off of a ranger Beret than ours.
It would sure be surprising if the current Rangers and Ranger Association got the ass at how similar that color is to their beret... That might be a little unreasonable, however. It's not like they had a beret color/heritage that got taken away from them before...
miclo18d
11-04-2017, 04:21
It would sure be surprising if the current Rangers and Ranger Association got the ass at how similar that color is to their beret... That might be a little unreasonable, however. It's not like they had a beret color/heritage that got taken away from them before...
I imagine they are having too much fun watching our collective minds explode over this issue, much like theirs during the black beret issue.
I know, let’s road march to Washington!
Team Sergeant
11-04-2017, 11:07
I saw one the other day. To their credit, it is pretty much Brown. It's actually more of a knock off of a ranger Beret than ours.
Everyone is special and everyone receives a participation award.
I'm sure pink berets are not far behind.
And seriously who cares now, if you don't like the military you can just quit or desert.
The JAG's should be issued the pink berets.
If CSA(SFAB) is going to be the shower boy for the UN,,
they deserve the baby blue helmet liners and cravat/ascot..
:munchin
Team Sergeant
11-05-2017, 09:05
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley
Sometimes, even a military turd floats to the top. This one floated to the top during barry soetoro's tenure.
Go figure.
Was looking back into his early service and he glosses over his SF time. Looks like he was a team leader on an ODA and the out the door back to big army where he had more opportunity to rise.
Anyone know him when he had a scuba team at 5th at Bragg? I do not remember him....
Everyone is special and everyone receives a participation award.
I'm sure pink berets are not far behind.
And seriously who cares now, if you don't like the military you can just quit or desert.
The JAG's should be issued the pink berets.
I vote Rassberry!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7vRSu_wsNc
Golf1echo
11-05-2017, 17:53
Pass on this article from Kieth Nightingale former commander 1/75th Rangers, forwarded by Global SOF Foundation: http://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/the-battle-of-the-beret-a-never-ending-campaign