OVERVIEW: Green Berets (Para) refers to airborne-qualified personnel within the U.S. Army Special Forces, capable of executing parachute insertions for unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, and foreign internal defense. Airborne operations, including HALO/HAHO and static-line jumps, enable deep-area infiltration in hostile or denied environments.

DETAILS: The Green Berets, officially known as U.S. Army Special Forces, were activated in 1952 and became known for training, supporting, and operating alongside indigenous forces. All Green Berets are airborne qualified, completing jump school as part of their initial Special Forces pipeline. Many also receive advanced military free-fall training (HALO/HAHO) to conduct covert, high-altitude parachute insertions. Their airborne role is essential to missions requiring clandestine access behind enemy lines or into areas lacking friendly infrastructure. Green Berets operate in 12-man Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) teams and specialize in training allied forces, conducting counter-insurgency, and executing strategic reconnaissance.

FUNCTION: Airborne-inserted Green Berets use static-line or high-altitude parachuting to infiltrate remote areas for long-duration missions. Their operations often focus on organizing, advising, and leading local resistance or allied units in irregular warfare against hostile forces.

NOTE:
IOC: 1952 (U.S. Army Special Forces), airborne capability from inception
Operators: United States
Structure: 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 19th, and 20th Special Forces Groups; ODAs supported by command and logistics elements; Military Free Fall Operations Detachments
Conflict used in: Vietnam War (1955–1975), El Salvador (1980s), Gulf War (1991), Afghanistan (2001–2021), Iraq War (2003–2011), Syria (2015–), numerous global counter-insurgency campaigns

SOURCE:
U.S. Army Special Operations Command: https://www.soc.mil ; U.S. Army Official Site: https://www.army.mil/specialforces ; U.S. Department of Defense: https://www.defense.gov ; Federation of American Scientists (FAS): https://fas.org/irp ; GlobalSecurity.org: https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/sf.htm