POLITICS
What are the Green Berets, the U.S. Army unit Mike Waltz was a part of?
The U.S. Army’s Special Forces, known for their distinctive headgear and their skills in unconventional warfare
Florida Congressman Michael Waltz is set to become Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor.
A combat-decorated officer, Waltz served multiple tours in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa. His experiences as a soldier and later as a policy advisor in the Pentagon and White House inspired him to write “Warrior Diplomat: A Green Beret’s Battles from Washington to Afghanistan”.
Who are the Green Berets?
‘Green Berets’ is not the real term of the unit, just a nickname because of the headgear, and is actually the catch-all term for all U.S. Army Special Forces.
The Green Berets trace their lineage to World War II, but they were officially established in 1952 under the U.S. Army Psychological Warfare Division. The iconic green beret, adopted unofficially in 1954, became their symbol of excellence.
President John F. Kennedy, a staunch supporter of Special Forces, officially authorized the beret in 1961, cementing its status as a mark of distinction.
Missions the unit has been involved in
Throughout their history, Green Berets have been involved in numerous high-stakes operations:
Vietnam War: Green Berets played a crucial role, with over 20,000 soldiers deployed. Their efforts earned 21 Medals of Honor, the nation’s highest award for heroism.
Operation Desert Storm: General Norman Schwarzkopf described them as “the eyes and ears” of conventional forces and the “glue that held the coalition together”.
Afghanistan: In the wake of 9/11, Green Berets were instrumental in establishing the Northern Alliance coalition that ousted the Taliban government.
Iraq: During Operation Iraqi Freedom, they trained Kurdish forces, cleared Scud missiles from the western desert, and provided long-range reconnaissance.