Professional Soldiers ® - They've earned the right to wear the Green Beret

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They've earned the right to wear the Green Beret

http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=295701

Quote:

They've earned the right to wear the Green Beret
By Henry Cuningham
Military editor

“Welcome to the brotherhood,” Maj. Gen. James Parker told the Army’s newest Green Berets on Friday.

Parker is commanding general of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, which conducts entry level training for Special Forces, civil affairs and psychological operations soldiers.

The 236th Special Forces Qualification Course held its graduation ceremony at the Crown Arena before friends and family members from as far away as California, Mississippi and Washington, D.C.

The quality of the graduates is “the best we’ve ever seen,” Parker said.

Family members snapped photographs and pointed videocameras as the graduates walked across the stage and received handshakes from dignitaries.

The graduates include officers and enlisted soldiers who receive specialized training in weapons, engineering, medicine and communications.

In some cases, the soldiers have been training for up to two years for the right to wear the green beret.

“His most powerful weapon is between his ears,” Parker said.

The class of 142 soldiers will join A-teams and serve in Special Forces groups that are oriented to the languages and cultures of regions around the world. Special Forces soldiers work in small groups in close contact with indigenous forces, often working through others to accomplish objectives.

“Read, study, push yourself,” Parker told the graduates, whose numbers include several sons of Special Forces soldiers.

The force is uniquely qualified to face the modern enemy, who does not wear uniforms, defend territory or engage U.S. military power head on.

“Your assessment never ends,” Parker said.

Look at all them E-5s! Way to go.

Sharp Looking Troops

I noticed the greens and the jumps boots.

Remember and view them while you can.

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Originally Posted by Warrior-Mentor (Post 212279)

Look at all them E-5s! Way to go.

(All SF Men are cuties, IMHO!;))

Congradulations, and thank you for your willingness to serve gentlemen!

Holly

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warrior-Mentor (Post 212279)

Look at all them E-5s! Way to go.

Based on the rank, and the lack of combat patches, I would say that they are probably all 18Xs in that pic.

TR

Congratulations to all who graduated, and thank you for stepping up to serve.

These stories add fuel to the fire.

Awe inspiring and motivating.

Following the Green Beret

Following the Green Beret

By Cherish Washington
USASOC Public Affairs

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FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, June 3, 2008) – Donning the green beret, receiving the sacred Special Forces tab and the continuation of a legacy.

As Staff Sgt. Thomas R. Biddle graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course on May 30, his father, 1st Sgt Thomas C. Biddle, a first sergeant for Headquarters Detachment, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne), watched on with pride.

Being Special Forces is an honor in itself, but to be a father-son duo in the same unit is even more of a rarity. 1st Sgt. Biddle and his son are both apart of 1st SWTG(A) and the timing worked out in a perfect manner.

Twenty-one years ago 1st Sgt. Biddle stood in the same place, joining the regiment as a Special Forces medical sergeant. Although the ceremony has become much more elaborate since then, the honor is the same.

“I am happy that they are giving these young Soldiers more recognition upon graduation. This becomes a life-long profession for many of them and it should start out with significant recognition.”

1st Sgt. Biddle has made Special Forces a life-long career. He has served as a medic for 16 years in 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and 1st SWTG(A). He then went on to serve as the assistant operations sergeant for two years on Operation Detachment-Alpha 792. Before becoming the HHD, 1st Bn, 1st SWTG(A) first sergeant, he held the position of team sergeant on ODA 775.

Naturally, it was a proud moment for 1st Sgt. Biddle when he learned his son would follow in his footsteps.

“I am proud that he is following in my steps and hope that he can learn from the experiences I have had in this career,” said 1st Sgt. Biddle. “It is my hope that I can share the many lessons I have learned over the years to aid him in having the most rewarding career possible. It is extremely hard for me to not be the ‘meddling father’ but I think I can control myself and let him forge his own path. After all, he has arrived at where he is of his own accord, and I am sure he wants to make his own way and form his own reputation in the future.”

Staff Sgt. Biddle always knew Special Forces was not only in his blood, but in his heart as well. “I always knew I wanted to be a Green Beret, but wanted to have time and experience in the regular Army beforehand,” said Staff Sgt. Biddle.

“I wanted to be a Green Beret so I could have the opportunity to do my job in the Army in a more independent manner without the constraints of traditional military thinking,” said Staff Sgt. Biddle.

Just because Staff Sgt. Biddle is dedicated to Special Forces it did not make the Special Forces Qualification Course, SFQC, easy. There were many obstacles that he had to overcome.

“The biggest obstacle was probably trying to keep up with the fast paced learning environment of the SFQC,” he said. “You commonly hear the SFQC learning experience referred to as ‘drinking water from a fire hose. A lot of dedication and constantly reminding myself to stay focused on the task at hand helped me overcome this obstacle.”

Nevertheless, Staff Sgt. Biddle crossed the stage as a Special Forces weapons sergeant and was greeted by his father. He said he could not have made it that far without help from his family and friends.

“I’m most grateful for the support of my family and the opportunity to share the experience of the SFQC with a good group of Soldiers,” he said.

1st Sgt. Thomas C. Biddle congratulates his son, Staff Sgt. Thomas R. Biddle, during the Special Forces Qualification Course graduation ceremony, May 30, 2008 at the Crown Auditorium. US Army Photo by Janice Burton.

Good on ya Dad! :lifter

S

Quote:

Just because Staff Sgt. Biddle is dedicated to Special Forces it did not make the Special Forces Qualification Course, SFQC, easy. There were many obstacles that he had to overcome.

He apparently did well at overcoming...as evidenced by the new ARCOM he's sporting.

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Originally Posted by Dan (Post 212602)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

If they are not on here, someone at FB please make it so!!!

Take care.
Martin

Outstanding job to all the young men who graduated.

Coy!

You dog. Congrats, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. When is the son going to shave his head?

Frank A