This guy, who is he? SF Identification.

[M_P]

As title says, any idea who this guy is? Judging by the kit he's USSF of some kind- I'm assuming the rifle is his own or something, I'm not aware of any of them being issued CMRs...

Thanks for any suggestions

[AirsoftTed]

From what I've seen in threads when researching force recon , he looks Marsoc'ish to me. They often share threads and I don't really pay attention to anyone not in Marpat as a result . He could be a CCT? I think Mack did a similar load out but my memory is fuzzy. Could always be an airsofter!

 

That said on my phone I can't see whether his arm patch is the medical logo or a bull. If it's the former he may be a pj?

[Mack]

Think its ODA.

[Mr Monkey Nuts]

Where did you find the photo? Most legit SF guys wouldn't be having hi red photos like that taken of them when operational. Especially ones with the identifiers on his lid.

 

That, combined with the mishmashed kit, wrong weapon and what looks to me like a set of car keys attached to his belt makes me think he's not legitimately SF and most likely an airsoft player himself.

[Mack]

Where did you find the photo? Most legit SF guys wouldn't be having hi red photos like that taken of them when operational. Especially ones with the identifiers on his lid.

 

That, combined with the mishmashed kit, wrong weapon and what looks to me like a set of car keys attached to his belt makes me think he's not legitimately SF and most likely an airsoft player himself.

Nope, Hes USSF, The Caption reads

 

"A U.S. Special Forces soldier provides security as their convoy is halted by mechanical difficulties, near Sarobi district, Kapisa province, Afghanistan, June 17, 2014. USSF and ANA forces drove to Tagab district, Kapisa province to capture known Taliban commanders in the area. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Connor Mendez/Released"

 

[jcheeseright]

There we go then, confirmed Army SF.

[M_P]

Cheers Mack, looks like you're on the money

[Mr Monkey Nuts]

Fair doos, can't argue with that.

[sp00n]

he cannot be SF, don't they get trained on how to pixelate there faces???

 

 

 

(yes i am joking)

[Chock]

Since the pic was taken by a US Army photographer and is presumably an official US Army release, it would seem likely that he's US Army rather than Marines or some other branch of the military. The patch on his shoulder may possibly be an 85th Infantry (US Army) identity. It looks a lot like the Ram's head device on the 85th's coat or arms, and that would kind of make sense in the context of that picture, since the 85th's Ram's head device is supposed to indicate that they are mountain troop specialists. Although since it is a soldier on active service, it could equally be a 'beer can insignia' or a 'morale patch' of some kind.

 

With regard to the caption on the image however, that may possibly be misleading, either deliberately for security purposes, or simply through nomenclature confusion: US Army soldiers can be referred to as 'special forces soldiers' even when not serving in a special forces unit. This is because the special forces shoulder tab is awarded to any soldier who completes either the Special Forces Qualification course, or the Special Forces Officer Course. Any soldier who completes either course, is entitled to wear the Special Forces tab on their uniform throughout their career, even when not serving in a special forces unit, thus he could be referred to as a 'special forces soldier' even when not actually actively serving with a special forces unit at that time. Anyone in the US Army will know that such personnel are known as 'long tabbers', owing to the fact that the special forces shoulder tab is longer than most other tabs, but also in reference to the fact that such soldiers probably have quite a long service time under their belt.

[jcheeseright]

Since the pic was taken by a US Army photographer and is presumably an official US Army release, it would seem likely that he's US Army rather than Marines or some other branch of the military. The patch on his shoulder may possibly be an 85th Infantry (US Army) identity. It looks a lot like the Ram's head device on the 85th's coat or arms, and that would kind of make sense in the context of that picture, since the 85th's Ram's head device is supposed to indicate that they are mountain troop specialists. Although since it is a soldier on active service, it could equally be a 'beer can insignia' or a 'morale patch' of some kind.

 

With regard to the caption on the image however, that may possibly be misleading, either deliberately for security purposes, or simply through nomenclature confusion: US Army soldiers can be referred to as 'special forces soldiers' even when not serving in a special forces unit. This is because the special forces shoulder tab is awarded to any soldier who completes either the Special Forces Qualification course, or the Special Forces Officer Course. Any soldier who completes either course, is entitled to wear the Special Forces tab on their uniform throughout their career, even when not serving in a special forces unit, thus he could be referred to as a 'special forces soldier' even when not actually actively serving with a special forces unit at that time. Anyone in the US Army will know that such personnel are known as 'long tabbers', owing to the fact that the special forces shoulder tab is longer than most other tabs, but also in reference to the fact that such soldiers probably have quite a long service time under their belt.

Chock, 'Special Forces' when referring to US military units ( certainly with official sources) almost always means US Army Special Forces, other wise known as green berets. They're a specific unit split into 7 groups.

 

It's a common misconception that the term special forces refers to all SOCOM and JSOC units, or anyone that's not conventional infantry... But with the yanks, it's just that one unit; US Army Special Forces.

[n1ckh]

I thought delta force and army rangers were special forces aswell ??

 

But would pathfinder platoon of the parachute regiment be considered SF as they do similar to the SAS

[Lozart]

But would pathfinder platoon of the parachute regiment be considered SF as they do similar to the SAS

 

 

Errrmmm....really?

[dex]

I dunno who the bloke is in the photo. I do know he'll have a stiff neck and sore shoulders if he keeps that up...

[jcheeseright]

I thought delta force and army rangers were special forces aswell ??

 

But would pathfinder platoon of the parachute regiment be considered SF as they do similar to the SAS

 

they're 'special' but Special Forces for the US military means the US Army Special Forces. It's a common misconception over here, largely because UKSF covers 22SAS/SBS/SFSG/18 Sigs/SRR etc so anyone in any of those units is referred to as Special Forces (or support), the US Army however have a unit that is specifically called Special Forces, otherwise known as Green Berets.

 

Worth noting that for UK stuff now, 21 and 23 SAS are no longer under the umbrella of the directorate of UKSF and are now part of 1st intelligence and surveillance brigade.

[Lozart]

 

they're 'special' but Special Forces for the US military means the US Army Special Forces. It's a common misconception over here, largely because UKSF covers 22SAS/SBS/SFSG/18 Sigs/SRR etc so anyone in any of those units is referred to as Special Forces (or support), the US Army however have a unit that is specifically called Special Forces, otherwise known as Green Berets.

 

Worth noting that for UK stuff now, 21 and 23 SAS are no longer under the umbrella of the directorate of UKSF and are now part of 1st intelligence and surveillance brigade.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but I didn't think that Pathfinders came under UKSF?

[Lozart]

That's weird - what you posted and what I quote are different! Spooky.

[jcheeseright]

ninja edit while you were typing, I re-read my post and thought "actually, pathfinders aren't UKSF... should change that!"

[n1ckh]

I didn't think pathfinders were SF but other country's who have them are considered SF

 

Either that or PF platoon think they are AND yes I know SAS are SF, have been since WW2 (originally long range desert patrol which they went back to in gulf war 1) and when they were brought back in the 50's for Korea etc

[Lozart]

Friend of mine is considering doing his Pathfinders selection (ex 3 Para, currently 4 Para) or going into SFSG. Hence the question.

[Samurai]

That guy is an airsofter. Clothes are too clean.

(Yes, I know he is'nt.)