2010 Special Forces Symposium to be held April 12-16

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http://news.soc.mil/releases/News Archive/2010/April/100405-08.html

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, April 5, 2010) — Past and present Green Berets from across the world are set to return to Fort Bragg, the home of the U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Forces, for the Special Forces Symposium April 12-16.

Once a year, the Brotherhood of the Special Forces Regiment comes together with today’s Green Berets, the Distinguished Members of the Regiment that blazed the traditions of Special Warfare, and the Family Members that support these Special Operators.

The symposium, a joint effort of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School and the U.S. Army Special Forces Command brings those groups together to celebrate the storied tradition of the Special Forces, and highlight the way ahead in unconventional warfare.

Maj. Gen. Thomas R. Csrnko, SWCS Commanding General, said the symposium has become another great tradition for Special Forces, and continues to expand each year.

“This is a great opportunity for senior leaders, both active and retired, to come together and get current on relevant issues, training and operations,” Csrnko said. “It’s also a great time to share the bond of the brotherhood.”

This year, the demonstrations will begin with a military freefall tactical infiltration demonstration, complete with a military working dog. This event is open to the public and will start the symposium's family day, which will also include an engagement skills training session for family members, a shoot-house demonstration at Simm City, and an introduction to the survival course at Little Muddy highlighted by a Special Patrol Insertion Extraction System demonstration.

The tour of Camp Mackall will also have special meaning to the prior generations of Green Berets who will have a chance to see the latest changes to the Special Forces Assessment and Selection and Qualification Course. For some, it will be the first time coming back since they went through the course.

“One thing we want to stress is the importance of upholding the standards of training,” Csrnko said. “While the facilities and technology may change, the high standards do not.”

April 13-15, the symposium will move to the Cumberland County Crown Coliseum, for conferences where attendees will discuss the state and future of Special Forces. The conferences will focus on senior leaders in both active duty and retired communities discussing lessons learned from past operations, as well as ideas and initiatives for future training. The ability for Special Forces to communicate between the generating force, or school house, and the operational force leads to the best training possible.

Military vendors from across the country will highlight the advanced technology employed by Special Forces Soldiers. This technology keeps these operators on the leading edge of training, producing the best special warfare apprentices for the operational groups. While the conferences require pre-registration, the vendor exposition will be open to the public.

The Service Members and vendors will conclude the conference with a formal banquet April 15.

One of the greatest honors of the week will be recognizing the newest Distinguished Members of the Regiment and the new Honorary Regimental Leaders. Just as the Distinguished Members of the Regiment represent the history of Special Forces, they also have the privilege of inducting new members into the Green Berets at the Regimental First Formation April 15 and the Special Forces Qualification Course graduation April 16.
Maj. Brian Yarbrough, coordinator of the symposium, said honoring those who served before us is one of the greatest highlights of the week.

“The Special Forces Regiment has a deep heritage which is replete with traditions that bind the Brotherhood together,” Yarbrough said. “They provide a link with history for today's Soldiers, thereby enhancing unit morale and esprit de corps.”

FOR THE MEDIA: Media representatives are invited to cover the following events:


Monday, April 12, 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., Camp Mackall: Military freefall tactical infiltration with military working dog, family member engagement skills training session, shoot-house demonstration, Special Patrol Insertion Extraction System demonstration.

Tuesday, April 13, 9 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Crown Expo Center, Fayetteville: Opening remarks and State of SWCS briefing with Maj. Gen. Thomas R. Csrnko, SWCS Commanding General.

Thursday, April 15, 1 to 1:30 p.m., Fort Bragg: Special Forces Regimental First Formation. New members of this distinctive brotherhood will don their Green Berets for the first time, capping more than a year of unconventional warfare training.

Friday, April 16, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Crown Expo Center: Special Forces Qualification Course Graduation. New Special Forces Soldiers' official graduation, where they will receive their diplomas and a serial numbered Yarborough Knife, made specifically for the Green Berets.

To coordinate media coverage, please contact the SWCS Public Affairs Office at (910) 396-9394 or pao_swcs@ahqb.soc.mil up to 24 hours in advance of any event listed above. Senior leaders will be available for interview, by request.
 
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