View Full Version : Special Forces Ring
Basenshukai
06-02-2004, 20:10
What's the history and tradition behind the Special Forces ring? I've seen a few variations of them, but the general design is essentially what I've attached below.
The first time I saw them was when I attended SFAS and every point sitter seem to have one. I vividly remember staring at Mr. Simmon's ring when he was recording my time in one of my STAR score cards.
I've noticed that the younger SF guys don't usually wear them (E-6 to most new E-8s, and even fewer officers). Is this a tradition that is dying? Is there more to this?
PS - If we ever add another forum, we should have an "SF History and Traditions" forum. I think it is important for us young guys to learn from our past. If another forum is deemed necessary, that is.
The Reaper
06-02-2004, 20:18
I probably fall under the "old guy" category, but when I wear rings, I wear my mine.
TR
NousDefionsDoc
06-02-2004, 20:34
I like the forum idea. Never cared for the rings. They weren't all that popular with our guys in my day - not Quiet Professional style.
The Reaper
06-02-2004, 20:40
Originally posted by NousDefionsDoc
I like the forum idea. Never cared for the rings. They weren't all that popular with our guys in my day - not Quiet Professional style.
Sorry amigo, I guess I should have gotten some Tribal Ink instead. Mine was a wedding gift from the wife and my SFQC G Chief.
Forum idea works for me as well.
TR
NousDefionsDoc
06-02-2004, 20:51
Not criticizing Boss. Poor choice of words I guess.
mffjm8509
06-02-2004, 21:08
Mine was a gift from my Dad, as a graduation present from the SFQC......
The tribal ink was my idea......and there is more to come......
Interesting tidbit that came up about rings today......some friends just returned from Lebanon, where we havent been for ages. While there, thier team sergeant inquired with a local jewler about making SF rings for them. The jewler proceeded to pull out 3 dusty rings, of different designs, that he said he origionally made in the late early 80s......All of similar style to what guys get made today at Heritage......I thought that was pretty cool, accually I'd have probably bought the 3 origionals from him
mp
I have to say that in my day SF Rings were rare. Perhaps because they weren't appropriate for wear in a tropical climate.
OTOH "The In Thing" for SF in SEA was a star saphire ring and gold Rolex. I last saw my saphire ring as it flew through the air and into a klong on the hwy from Bangkok to Pataya. I was driving and as I tossed a Singha bottle out the window the ring went with it. I don't know if it's the age, and/or diabetes but my ring size fluctuates and I have lost enough rings to stock a Pawn Shop. I gave up on rings.:munchin
mffjm8509
06-02-2004, 21:22
Originally posted by QRQ 30
OTOH "The In Thing" for SF in SEA was a star saphire ring and gold Rolex.
I beilve there was also a Randall Knife included with the ring and rolex......
mp
Team Sergeant
06-02-2004, 22:11
I had an SF ring for a few months (I think I was a SSG). Never cared for it really, got in the way of holding a pistol proper and it was shiny. I didn’t wear wedding rings either, not in the field, just dog tags, a Casio watch and a smile.
TS
mffjm8509
06-02-2004, 22:23
I dont wear mine either....its sitting in a 10th Group 45th Anniversary Ball wine glass with my wedding ring. Occasionally my wife brings them to me when we are going out, but normally it just sits on display in my "Warroom".....
Accually there are many things like that, I have just accumulated more for the sake of having than as a functional item......
I've still got to get that Yarborough Knife though.......maybee I can put that on my Fathers day wish list?
mp
The Reaper
06-02-2004, 22:30
Originally posted by Team Sergeant
I didn’t wear wedding rings either, not in the field, just dog tags, a Casio watch and a smile.
TS
Dayum, TS!! That MUST have impressed the enemy!
What kind of nudist special unit was that? Musta been one of them secret squirrel outfits.
Where did you carry your spare ammo, or should I ask?
TR
Spare ammo, hell. I'm wondering how many cammo sticks it took to handle that. :D
Jack Moroney (RIP)
06-03-2004, 07:21
Originally posted by mffjm8509
I beilve there was also a Randall Knife included with the ring and rolex......
mp
That is the way I remember it also. My first A-Team (A246/Mang Buk) gave a Randall to all guys that departed. Seems to me that for those that did not have Randalls the going personnal equipment of the day for SF was the saphire ring, rolex(which replaced the Seiko which was sort of considered the rolex with training wheels), and a demo knife. Had the sahpire ring reset for the wife, still have a bunch of demo knives and my Randall, and the rolex is still working a lot better than am I.
Jack Moroney
Sacamuelas
06-03-2004, 07:47
Originally posted by The Reaper
What kind of nudist special unit was that? Musta been one of them secret squirrel outfits.
Where did you carry your spare ammo, or should I ask?
TR
We know where he had to keep it....:p
Germany: 1, Hand-made mountain boots. Also extremely practical.
2. Custom made blazer from "Hong Kong Charlie". Most were SF Green mohair with the SF Crest embroidered on the pocket.
3. Tailor made mono-gramed shirts, also by Hong Kong Charlie.
Thailand, RVN and anywhere else in the Pacific AO: Tailor made, double-knit walking suits.
Jewelry was rare.
:munchin
Seen more retired guys have them than those on AD, but then that's probably because not many guys I've run into wear them on duty. TR's is the design I've seen most (the crest on the face with openings to the finger).
Originally posted by Razor
Seen more retired guys have them than those on AD, but then that's probably because not many guys I've run into wear them on duty. TR's is the design I've seen most (the crest on the face with openings to the finger).
Helps ID you as a SF'r.
I always wear gloves anyways, plus trying to hold a weapon when the temp is 100+ can't be done over there.
They do make a version of the ring that is similar to a HS class ring.
Farmer40
06-03-2004, 09:52
Anyone remember when rings like this were the SF rings?
The Reaper
06-03-2004, 10:14
Originally posted by Razor
Seen more retired guys have them than those on AD, but then that's probably because not many guys I've run into wear them on duty. TR's is the design I've seen most (the crest on the face with openings to the finger).
Mine (in the photo) is the Heritage Jewelers design, the owner is one of the SFA Chapter 1-18 officers.
At several hundred dollars per pop, it just might be that more retirees have the bucks to buy them than AD personnel.
TR
That, and the snagging hazard of wearing a ring doing manual labor/soldiering. I wore neither my wedding band nor my class ring when in BDUs; my wife was pretty understanding, especially after one guy had to have his finger reattached after snagging his ring while climbing off a Brad.
I know several 10th Group guys running the CSAR mission out of Turkey back in the early 90s had rings made that were very similar to the Heritage Jewelers' design (I understand gold was very affordable there and then), with a distinctive addition relative to their location.
Farmer, is that a bull/ox on the face of the ring you posted? A SEA-produced ring?
Farmer40
06-03-2004, 10:49
Yes to both questions. These were usually locally produced and in various designs. What made them different was their size (large) and material (this one is pretty soft). They were variously known as investment or "E&E" rings.
Basenshukai
06-03-2004, 12:36
My team sergeant's ring has diamonds and rubys on it and he also has a group coin made of solid gold. His ring is by far the most expensive I've seen. It was made over at Heritage Jewelers.
Although I don't endorse them for all jewelry, Venus in Bangkok, does custom SF rings and SF pendants, and they are online.
brownapple
06-04-2004, 07:28
A lot of AD guys visiting buy at Venus, and a number of the old-timers in SFA3 have rings from there as well. Good stuff, and close to the Embassy. Photo of a PJ on the wall.
Matchanu
06-04-2004, 08:47
Originally posted by P36
Although I don't endorse them for all jewelry, Venus in Bangkok, does custom SF rings and SF pendants, and they are online.
Venus would come down to Pattyia all the time when we were in town. She's very trustworthy. I had my engagment ring checked out in the states and they said it was exactly what venus had claimed it was.
She's good people.