US Special Forces Life 80s vs 90s vs Today | Experts By Decade | Daily Mail

[@dailymail]

Which experts would you want to see next?

[@MattJohnson-jj8fd]

It would be really interesting to hear about either past or future preparations from someone at the Defence Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Centre (DCBRNC) which is a military facility in Wiltshire, England that is responsible for training the UK's armed forces in chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) defense and warfare 4 miles (6 km) northeast of Salisbury. The DCBRNC also houses the National Ambulance Resilience Unit's Training & Education Centre, which trains the NHS ambulance service's Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART).

[@georgesykes394]

Rhodesian SAS.

[@Bigunk-hc2ri]

Ranger Batt

[@guyring8912]

Rangers!

[@guyring8912]

BDU's were very tough (winter) uniforms . Better than anything since.

[@93notchback]

1978-2021. Wow. That's an incredible service history.

[@HumanHamCube]

Colt 1911: "That's cute"

[@collinmurphy107]

@@HumanHamCube comparing a man to a series of firearms is kinda dumb

[@1mattbutch]

I know right? 43 years? Unheard of. Well, extremely rare anyways.

[@pyeitme508]

BRUH

[@andyroberts805]

I was a team lead for an Army LRS-D. I was supposed to go to selection in fall of 2010 when I got home from Afghanistan. Well, in January ‘10 in Kabul I was shot in the head causing significant brain injuries. No selection for me, but I did complete a degree in nuclear physics….so, there’s that

[@jamessigmon4765]

Just curious, were you re-specced from combat arms to nuclear? Or was your degree separate from your mil service? I only ask bc I've heard stories of people failing out of BUDs and into very technical fields within the Navy, didn't know if the Army had something similar.

[@1mattbutch]

That’s so awesome! You did not let your disabilities take away from your abilities.

[@justindelaney9987]

The reason I joined the Army over all the other branches was to go Special Forces. I didn't make it and got as far as the 82nd. But that was my motivation.

[@pwhales264]

Exact reason why I joined the Army. I was in the 82nd ABN from 87-92

[@justindelaney9987]

@pwhales264 Awesome! I was there 94 to 99

[@LRRPFco52]

​@@justindelaney9987What Brigade & Battalion?

[@justindelaney9987]

@LRRPFco52 I was in Discom. 782. Main support. Which was deactivated about 10 years ago

[@pwhales264]

@@justindelaney9987 I was 1/504 PIR 82nd Airborne division. I'm a combat veteran.

[@floridadad2817]

90s guy is so Gen X compared to the other two it's borderline amazing.

[@tewkewl]

in what way.

[@jojoj3243]

lmao Yup, Gen X was highly entertaining in the US military.

[@floridadad2817]

@@tewkewl It started with explaining how to use panties as a beret liner and then just got better, lol.

[@1mattbutch]

Yes sir. In the 1980s I was 82nd ABN and 1990s third SFG then went to border patrol. The new guys coming into BP in the early 2000s were a whole different breed of man.

[@kurtismotif]

I remember when they rewrote the rules in the 90s , lots of things changed.

[@wyattearp985]

As a former Marine Infantryman... This is one of the best pieces I've seen on the Army SF. Well done.

[@MGreen18F]

That's pretty awesome! Eric Black was one of my instructors in Special Forces. Nicely done! DOL!

[@atrios6123]

3:07 he’s not talking about woodland camo when he says it dosent blend into anything but ur grandmas couch he’s talking about UCP

[@jojoj3243]

UCP was the opposite of camouflage. :)

[@reddboomer]

Yeah, I wonder why they edited it that way.

[@niferous1]

I came here to say that. They did a horrible job of editing that.

[@anactualalpaca7016]

upc is about as effective as wearing a neon pink cowboy hat for camo lmao

[@pfdrtom]

After training with them a few times when I was in Ranger Batt their motto should have been De Oppresso Liver. Those boys could drink!

[@kpal2946]

I love it when they were asked if they would do it again and they all said "In a heartbeat" or "%100".

[@allencowan6692]

I love the guys talking about the differences in gear tech. 🤣 I served Big Army from 87-94, then 95-98 in the Guard. No big changes in gear. Those last years in Big Army we got our first GPS units, saw some improvement in NODs. Then I joined back up in 2007. Whoa!!! Camelbaks simply floored me. 🤣

[@danielporter8588]

SF guys are the coolest guys you can meet. Not sf myself, but I got to know a few. They're like human German shepherds. Smart, loyal, and deadly.

[@blakekenley1000]

I bought an alice ruck and loved it, infantry 2010-2014

[@kevinwade7003]

I love watching videos to learn about what our military does for us. This is one of the better explanations I have seen

[@InformalGreeting]

I’ve run into a roadblocks in life due to being colorblind. Not being able to pursue SF is probably the one that bothered me the most. I loved the time I spent in the military (Marines) but I vividly remember the Army recruiter telling me he wouldn’t even pretend to try to pursue a waiver it would be a waste of time. Hit like a ton of bricks. Was signing papers with the Marines about an hour later.

[@flobp2381]

That's straight up laziness on the recruiter! You should've went to a different Army recruiter at a different office.

[@LRRPFco52]

Large ALICE Ruck is great, as long as you have it modified. Guys are still using them in the Q Course for SUTs.

[@pfdrtom]

I loved the large ALICE when I was in a Pathfinder company and a Ranger Batt.

[@NickVarn]

What modifications do you recommend?

[@LRRPFco52]

@@NickVarn Depends on what you’re doing/need to carry. If you’re carrying Claymores and Recon special items of equipment, I recommend the full deluxe assortment of pouch mods: 1. Top flap with Claymore mine pouch that doubles as a detachable mini assault pack. 2. Left and right Medium or long pouches sewn onto the pack. Long pouches are for antennae. 3. MOLLE Grid underneath Medium sustainment pouches so you can attach MOLLE 2 QT Canteen pouches. 4. Small oblique pouches. 5. Center large GP Pouch covering the 3 pouches with pull-the-dot fasteners. Those are worthless unless covered up by a GP pouch and used as dividers. 6. Existing pouches converted to high-strength US-made Fastex buckles. 7. Replace the pack straps with Tactical Tailor padded, contoured straps. 8. Some people like the sleeping bag compartment added. 9. Kidney belt replaced with a large padded version that also allows ease of stow-away when vehicle-mounted or patrolling for quick-ditch of the ruck. 10. Carry handle sewn to the pack body or frame. 11. Stow a small section of sleeping pad in the frame against your back. I did my main one like this with Woodland Cordura for the pouch mods. One of the Recon Team Leaders in my LRS Company did a zipper flap add-on for my top flap so I could route hand mic and antennae better out of the radio pouch.

[@NickVarn]

@ hero! Thanks for the thoughtful answer!

[@tuforu4]

​. Donnyboy. Took. Documents. To. MAROLAGO. no problem.

[@RemoWilliams-jg4yb]

The older Beret had the most class and professionalism.

[@trainer9527]

Ya the Fran guy is a con artist

[@dkroll92]

he was also a Foreign Area Officer, basically a military diplomat

[@JamesonWilde]

​​@@trainer9527which one is the Fran guy and why do you say that? Edit : nvm I saw which one he is but why do you say he's a con artist?

[@RemoWilliams-jg4yb]

@@trainer9527 I have been around officers like....agreed.

[@ilnodon]

I got to 10th SFG(A) in 1978 and was assigned there until 1985. Best time of my career. I was an MI guy on a SOT-A (if you think ODAs changed over time...holy smokes check out the SOT-As). Some got to go to the "Q Course" even though we didn't have SF tracked MOS's. As an 05H I did get the opportunity to go because my job was to be an SF Radio Operator. I got injured and did not complete the course but I went back to my unit and remained because the career field didn't have lots of guys applying for Jump School and a field assignment. I got a lot of great experiences from that time.

[@madkapsarasotaflorida]

10th grp, 86-95

[@SuiLagadema]

I'm not from the US, but I hate something civilians in my country don't understand: Paratroopers and Air Assault troops aren't special forces. "Oh you jump out of airplanes and you use helicopters to do missions! You're special forces right?" And they always got stunned by me answering "No. I just jump out of planes and use ropes to get off helos" (You might see a pattern of certain series and movies that came when I was 10-11 y/o, like Band of Brothers & Black Hawk Down. When I saw them, I knew I wanted to jump out of planes and fast rope from helos) and I also got voluntold to do commo school (My dad taught me english at the same time I was learning spanish) so I was an, and I wanna put emphasis in this, an interpreter. I hate when people tell me I was special forces because I NEVER applied to SF. They did their secret squirrel stuff, while we just make sure they could do it safely within a secured perimeter, in other words, glorified chaperones.

[@1mattbutch]

Every job is important bud!

[@ilnodon]

Airborne Brother!

[@way75mit9]

I understand your pain. when I served in the US. Army, 1st Ranger BN, 1977 to 80, we wore black berets, and going home for holiday block leave once, I bet I was asked 30 times during that trip, are you a Green Beret, And I would say NO are you color blind, then watch the stupid look that would come over the person's face !!!

[@Murderface666]

7:18 (2nd from the left) Dude's fro is immaculate

[@leupinagaspar16]

I went through four different types of uniform patterns. Some of the equipment nowadays got a lot better, some from before were unnecessary. It's a process like anything else. I remember the weight for a packed rucksack was 65lb, then 45lb and when I left 35lb. Remember " If it ain't raining, we ain't training", or "I wish it would suck more" ...

[@andyroberts805]

My daily load out in Afghanistan was over 90lbs. Man does my back hurt these days lol

[@rogerwilcoxii359]

Travel Light Freeze at Night

[@JorgeGarcia-ne3ws]

Sig. Det. 1/10TH SFG ABN EU Flint Kaserne, Bad Tölz, later half of the 70ths here. Even when I'm not SFQC qualified, the video brought a few smiles to my face. I'll just say it was an experience serving with some of the finest men in the US Army. Flintlock...

[@graywind4326]

The movie with John Wayne and a presentation by some Green Berets and their missions in Vietnam got me to join the Army in the 70’s. I was halfway there already though.

[@robertchapman6822]

The movie magnificent 7 with yul bryner got me interested in SF until I heard I’d have to be a sergeant before applying. I only planned 4 years so joined USMC instead.

[@graywind4326]

@ I made E-5 Sergeant in 2.

[@gabebrown6588]

Dude that is the '00 expert' doesn't know the 7th Group flash. He twice called a 7th SFG(A) flash a 5th SFG(A) flash...

[@Bravo01-23]

Thank youuuuuuuuu how did no one else comment this!

[@MVK_GS]

I carried my Yarborough in Afghanistan. I figured the designer intended for us to do so. Besides, it is a high quality fixed blade.

[@davewebster5120]

Plus having a beat up knife from batoning wood and fieldcraft looks way cooler on the shelf the a safe queen. It tells a story all its own.

[@tuforu4]

Taliban winners​@@davewebster5120

[@chrism3872]

I was in SF from 1967 to the 1980's, including 16-1/2 months in VN (5th SFGA) and I would not trade the total experience for anything...an awesome experience overall and an opportunity to work with the best soldiers in the world!

[@guyring8912]

Large ALICE rucksack was rugged and comfortable. It could handle a lot of equipment. And was designed for Men to use!

[@natefalen2473]

I was in 5th group for 16 years and I don't remember the flash ever being red ....

[@Bigunk-hc2ri]

7th groups was

[@bonedragon4166]

1:22 Dude misidentified the 7th Group flash as 5th Group…twice. And there is no 5th Group flash in the lineup, either version.

[@matthewduffy4435]

@@bonedragon4166 As a former 18A instructor, my expectations for CPTs is pretty low. He did better than most.

[@ClarenceWilliamsJr]

I was in Support Company, 2/20th SFG(A). Not a Green Beret, but my company supported the SF teams. I enjoyed my time with them - 10 years in the 90s. I started as a Paralegal and was also a cook. But I got to do a lot of cool training with the guys that were slated to go to Selection. If I had the mindset back then that I have now, I would've definitely tried to get the tab, but I was a different person back then. We were allowed to wear the green beret until around '93 when they made the non-tabbed Soldiers wear the maroon beret - you had to be Airborne even to just be in Support Company. I hate that they eventually gave everybody a beret (the black one), which nobody even wears anymore. Being one of 3 types of Soldiers to wear the beret (Airborne, Ranger, SF) made you feel special! And we got to blouse the pants of our dress uniform.

[@ottergreen8190]

10th group. Dang ol’ Stuttgart, man..

[@carolynramsey8810]

Wow ,thank u Soilders.❤️🙏

[@msgaltman3075]

Pretty amazing video. I went throught the Q-coursein the early eighties and retired in 2010. I was inspired in part to go SF ALSO because of the same article in NATGEO featuring Cpt. Gillespie!

[@blackbird5634]

The OG-107 was tha bomb. We even used them in the desert before there were tan-chocolate chips BDU's. And the slant pocket OG-107 separated you from the ''salad suits.''

[@MJax53]

With all the cool watches out there the 2000s guy is still rockin a Suunto.

[@Imsosappy]

My uncle was in the 5th and the 11th special forces groups. Sadly he died of cancer in 2018 so I never really got to ask him much about it.

[@MikeNOtie]

I’ve still got scar marks on my back from where the Alice ruck and/or the LCE dug into almost 20 years ago. 😂 Safe bet that I don’t agree with it being the “best equipment ever”😂

[@hoilst265]

I remember reading NAM magazine in my school's library, and there's one thing that sticks in my mind from - it was an soldier making jokes about it his gear he carried and the line I remember is this scenario with his fictitious grandson: "Grandpa, how did you get those scar on your back?" "In the war, son. ALICE jumped up on patrol and got me from behind..."

[@dwightwilliams3500]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@ES-je3em]

BDU doesn’t blend in ? You sure you’re not getting confused with ACU ?

[@Richard-lu8ck]

I was thinking that too - especially the comment about his grandmas couch.. (?)

[@LRRPFco52]

The tardz in editing clipped it wrong. There's no other explanation. He was talking about ACU for sure. Woodland BDUs blend in really well in the jungle. They do pretty well in Europe and Korea. Multicam is superior in all 3 areas though.

[@ES-je3em]

@ yep my thoughts exactly. We joined in 2000 we used BDUs and I absolutely loved them . When we switch to ACU I really wanted to go back to BDUs. ACUs were the absolute worse uniform to date. ACU multicam should have been adopted from the jump but OCP is pretty much corrected it. Let’s see how long OCP sticks around now since every country in the world uses it now.

[@6feet5inflorida36]

My Big Brother is a Special Forces, Green Beret, Airborne. He served in the 60s. Luckily he was out before Vietnam.

[@6feet5inflorida36]

82nd Airborne! He also talked our cousin into joining as well.

[@shannonthemason]

don't complain about the Alice ruck until you try the Australian pack of the same era. My body is screaming at me just thinking about it

[@flobp2381]

I'm a regular guy doing regular guy things and I like ALICE packs, as long as the straps are modified.

[@Thenightstalker1244]

I had the great opportunity to serve alongside in Afghanistan with these guys and it was an honor.

[@williamparis5303]

Where are the Ncos and enlisted in here on video ....bsides one guy

[@catsndogs98]

These guys have real impact, cause Larry Vickers did help bring about the HK416.

[@BigCatTalks]

M81 is the best camo

[@808INFantry11X]

Well best is subjective but I have special place in my heart for M81. However I do love the OCP multicam because it takes some of the best aspects of M81 but manages be a little bit more multi purpose in terms of camouflage pattern.

[@jamessigmon4765]

Yeah this dude described M81 the way I describe UCP. M81 blends in phenomenally in woodlands.

[@mystic48209]

Col.: ...cause mayhem.😅😂 You go , boy! Thank you for serving our nation.

[@williamparis5303]

Grandmas couch got me rolling😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Frank-uw5xq]

My Dad & two Uncle's were SF...in different eras..my Dad was SF all thru the 80's he locked out (swam) out a Submarine into Grenada,& was all over Central America, then went to 10thGroup & was in Libya, Sinai Peninsula,& Near East,Lebanon, Israel..my Uncle was part of Operation White Star...

[@Frank-uw5xq]

I planned my whole life, & trained in many ways to be a SF Operator, I was in a boat accident that ripped off my foot..if I didn't learn to swim from a Combat Diver, I might not have made it

[@bookbm]

No

[@CusterWinston]

Special Forces 1983-1989. Totally forgot about cutting the liner out. My threadbare Beret is the only thing I still have from that time.

[@NoBody-tz4fb]

I have two regrets in my life so far. One is doing roids on my first oif deployment, stupid. The second is not going to SFAS and giving it a shot. Respect to those that did.

[@schweinhund7966]

In the beginning, the RED flash is 7th Group, not 5th.

[@Jmp5nb]

A remarkable lot.

[@AlexLee-fp9cd]

Col. Redmon my college roommate’s dad

[@davkenrem]

What a great video!!

[@chriscr21]

I have to agree, the Alice Pack sucked, I was so happy when I was able to modify the damn thing, the only thing we had to do was make sure it was Jumpable, if the Rigging couldn't pass the Jump Master review then it was back to the drawing Board.

[@CharlesCarter-yq3jv]

Idk why he did it but that was gangsta until he ran afterwards 😂😂😂

[@stillamarine1001]

My pack was stuffed to the absolute max. My unit prob carried about 70 to 75 lbs of equipment, ammo, food and water.

[@TrevorTrottier]

90s dude just telling on himself showing off how he modified a US military patch to have a Nazi totenkopf is just wild.

[@MadDog8932]

United States Army Special Forces from 1968 to 1972. Back then we were not even a Branch in the US Army but Branch Unassigned. Times do change.

[@steveh5005]

I bumped into these guys. Early 90s in Bad Tolz & Gulf 1. In West Germany they were in the south. We, BAOR. Were in the North.

[@tankman7711]

Hmmm...Red flashes are 7th Group, never was 5th group.. How can you get 5th mixed up with 7th?

[@phatnguyen-sy9kl]

Yeah dude messed up, those are 7th group flash.

[@MVK_GS]

I found that so weird as well. I was a career 7th Group guy, and I have always known which flashes were for which US Army Special Forces Group.

[@ES-je3em]

Yup red 7th group Red Empire !

[@LRRPFco52]

5th used to have a black background with the South Vietnamese flag yellow and red stripes at an angle, then careerists who wanted to erase history changed it to a solid black flash. In March of 2016, they resurrected the Vietnam-era beret flash in 5th, which was the right move.

[@tankman7711]

@@MVK_GS My thoughts exactly! Weird he would get 7th and 5th mixed up like that, they look nothing alike!

[@deoppressoliber1282]

Gez, I was SF in the '80's, 90's, and 2000's

[@tewkewl]

great overview of the green berets.

[@dougbuckman6450]

Thank you!

[@tlevans62]

As a former member of an SOF Unit of an Allied Nation, we most enjoyed working with the US SF, as opposed to other US SOF Units. They seemed the most well rounded guys, with a much larger knowledge base to draw from, than other units.

[@jcbbb]

SF are generally older and more mature, sans the 18xray GBbabys but none the less it takes a particular personality type to prefer to be 2 American to 15-20 foreign soldiers eating and sleeping in their towns and living with their customs Whereas Delta and Rangers and Seals generally just drop in all American badasses for direct action and then they exfil

[@mrjmorovis]

When I was at Ft Liberty 1983-86 and we were issued OG107's.

[@sevenmileshome]

I think its ok to call it what it was when you served, Ft. Bragg, home of the airborne and special operations

[@markblackwell9486]

Outstanding

[@MrvanderKruk]

The chicken farmer is most likely the most dangerous farmer in the US.

[@artwerksDallas]

Same here. 16 total years as an MP and I have no tatts nor did I smoke. Until I was introduced to Cigars by some NCOs that did. First cigar was a Cuban. Got sicker than a dog and wanted another. Smoking one now while I watch this video. My higher ranked NCOs were all Vietnam Veterans. Miss the Army alot

[@Gunbudder]

lol i've had people tell me ALICE is God's gift to man and also the worst thing ever invented. i've only ever used that kind of stuff for regular hiking, so i'm a huge fan of my military issue camelback that has MOLLE straps, and then i put a drop pouch on those straps. has enough space to carry flash light, first aid kit, a sandwich, all the water i need. its great for conventions too and people assume its cosplay because it has forest camo lol. i recommend all other civilians find some way to buy the military's camelbak for hiking!

[@herja-youngodin2040]

Great Video!

[@SiSi-rf8hj]

2:16 The "german skull", what the heck? There is one very infamous instance of german armed forces using a skull in their symbology and he's like lemme copy that??

[@fridrekr7510]

There were multiple instances of the Prussian and later German forces using skulls. The one on the beret looks like the early Prussian skull, and a British Lancer regiment also copied that and wear them on their berets.

[@farhadgfhn1745]

What hell was that so fast 🥶🥶

[@shredead]

@4:37 that's called a yard sale in civilian skiing

[@totalstranger8412]

Greetings Eric, 👍🏾Chapter XC

[@antoniocruz5596]

For what I used the Ruck for, I would say it was pretty rugged for the abuse it took.

[@danohanlon8316]

Worn “in the field” does not “when on missions.” In Vietnam the beret was never worn on patrols. (That would be just nuts.) As for “You knew who your enemy was,” in Nam, that was rarely a certainty. On an A-team, (these days, an “ODA” detachment) half of the “CIDG” (i.e., “supposed to be on your side”) were and at the very least, suspected VC.

[@eastcultskateboards2713]

I swear the younger guy was an LT in 4ID when is was there. Looks like 1LT Richopi I think that’s how his name was spelled, I don’t know I could never spell his name. He went SF in 2006 I think. But I swear that looks just like him, even sounds like him. And I probably missed where they out his name in credits, and I’m probably wrong. 🤣

[@boryslavw2504]

90s dude so funny 😭😭😭

[@phillipmanganaro-q2p]

There is a movie called 12 strong, about about the horse soldiers in afghanistan. It's great

[@WilliamMitchell-sc3fe]

I thought the red flash was the 7th SFG.

[@markdietrichcochran2274]

I'm definitely disappointed in the lack of ditch digging.

[@jlew6890]

11:25 I can confirm this 😂

[@keonimay9071]

What happened to the SF of the 1960s & 1970s ? *** What about the FANK -Long Hai flash ? *** What about Laos ? *** What about the real RVN Tiger BDUs ? *** MACV & JUSMAG/MACTHAI

[@Scorpio-c3q]

Pineland exercise area is in la. Ft polk

[@joshradermacher3330]

3:13 always love the armies logic, but behind the UCP camouflage pattern. (yes that is the correct name for the pattern, not ACU. ACU is the army combat uniform, which is the designation for whatever the current issued uniform is, it’s not a pattern. So the current OCP pattern is the current ACU.) the army test and develops this UCP pattern. That is the “universal camouflage pattern“ and they test it in the blue mountains, which is the only place on earth that has those types of grays and blues and other similar colors. That is why it does not fit in anywhere else in the world except for that one small place in America that we will never realistically be fighting a war in.

[@artwerksDallas]

Presidio of Monterey and Ft Cambell ky. The only 2 things that are left from my time in the Army. Even my mos code has changed. My pop was a marine in the korean war. His uniform is still worn by the USMC today. Not in the Army. EVERY thing changes every 15 minutes

[@SoldierDrew]

I began my Army career as an 11 hotel 10. That MOS no longer exists and even active duty guys younger than me claim I'm lying when I tell them that was my first MOS.

[@1vigorousdragon]

Opening comments show how old school overcame and adapted and later gens just Cry ,Whinge and dont appreciate what they have now!😂😂

[@tsoliot5913]

The ALICE pack rules. Opinion discarded

[@MW-jj1rn]

Those ALICE packs sucked. Snow grenade is like a civilian yard sale! Very memorable thanks! Go Army!

[@moirawatson-pickering7228]

Interesting 🤔

[@taldozer]

EXCELLANT

[@tjt6288able]

That dude pointed to the 7th Group flash and said 5th Group??? WTF?

[@masterofnone6620]

Well, I see the military finally utilizing alternative recruiting methods.

[@Carbuf222]

I still have permanent marks on my back from the damn large Alice ruck. Almost killed by one on a HALO jump. for an SF Commo Sgt that was a crime LOL.

[@BFVgnr]

CPT Rapiocci, you are welcome. Our platoon, with it's 3 BFVs, visited a couple of your ODA during their stay where they had the overchlorinated Russian pool and a bitching drum set.

[@tonyslaughter4285]

Need a challenge coin at a Diddy party.

[@lafeeshmeister]

5:09 oh yeah, a "7.62 caliber" machine gun, eh?

[@recker3168]

You’d think a green beret would know the red beret flash is 7th Group…

[@James-hs3tu]

Interesting