reserve component SF. During that time, reserve SF
had a very limited role in real world operations, and
integration with their active component counterparts
was poor.18
In 1990 the Reserve Component training pipeline
was eliminated and all SF soldiers were required to attend Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS)
and the active component Special Forces Qualification
Course (SFQC). In order to increase the success rates
of soldiers going through the pipeline, reserve component SF units created training detachments to assess volunteers and prepare them for the schools. The
actual processes used to evaluate and recruit are decentralized and units can develop training programs
that work for them. Typically, the programs involve
some sort of a “tryout” to assess volunteers, and then
a training program conducted during monthly drills
to prepare these volunteers for the rigors of SFAS.
Success rates for some units have been up to 90%.19
Another method used by National Guard SF was
recruiting SF qualified soldiers leaving active duty.
The combination of these methods has allowed National Guard SF to maintain strength and readiness
through a decade of continuous deployments. It must,
however, be noted that reserve component SF is considerably smaller today than it was 30 years ago. The
two USAR SF Groups were deactivated in the early
1990s and there are only two SF Groups in the National Guard. The difference is that the two National
Guard Groups are full partners with their active duty
counterparts and are involved nearly seamlessly in
any operation requiring Army Special Forces.
The new Army Operating Concept correctly identifies the future operating environment as complex.
Traditional military solutions are unlikely to produce
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