In a Regimental First Formation ceremony held on Jan. 23 at the Crown Complex, a total of 167 men donned their Green Berets for the first time.
The event was hosted by Col. David M. Lucas, commander of 4th Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne). The graduates made their entrance to bagpipe and drum tattoo. Following the singing of the national anthem, Chaplain Capt. Benjamin R. Frank delivered the invocation. Col. Lucas introduced the other members of the official party: Maj. Gen. Lawrence Gilbert “Gil” Ferguson, Commanding General of 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne); Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Retired) Jamie Korenoski, distinguished member of the regiment; Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Williams and Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew Williams, both, along with Chaplain Capt. Frank, of 4th Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne).
Maj. Gen. Ferguson is a career Special Forces officer, originally from Mississippi. As Commanding General of 1st Special Forces, he’s responsible for the Green Berets, masters of unconventional warfare, and Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations soldiers. Civil Affairs soldiers receive additional training in negotiation, diplomacy and governance to assess the needs of an allied indigenous population and to help improve the quality of life for civilians.
Psychological Operations soldiers learn to use persuasion, cultural awareness and social psychology to influence how a targeted group thinks and makes decisions.
Maj. Gen. Ferguson’s remarks to the class and audience of approximately 1,400 were poignant in light of current global circumstances. They were worthwhile for everyday civilians to hear and apply to their lives, as well:
“You are joining our formation at a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. In a world replete with risk, but also, opportunity. With that in mind, today, I will ask four things of you:
“First, we need you to be creative. Your ability to be creative is one of the reasons we already hired you. I would ask you to remain so. In an increasingly complex world, our challenges will require new solutions, or perhaps, old solutions applied in a new way. Creativity does not have to be complicated, but it will remain a vital component of how we fight and win.
“Second, run to the sound of the guns. We need you to be audacious. The history of warfare has proven time and again, audacity is the most vital attribute in warfighting. Whether in conventional or special operations, fortune truly does favor the bold. But do not misunderstand; I do not mean recklessness. There is a difference. Recklessness is plunging headlong into a fight regardless of the risks, audacity is understanding and mitigating risk and then taking decisive action. Weigh your options, then choose the bold one.
“Third, we need you to be lethal. Ultimately, your task as a special forces officer or NCO is, alongside and through your partners, to fight and win our nation’s wars. Every piece of technology, whether new or old, every tactic or technique, every trick of the trade that you envision or that you find in some old forgotten manual, every partner relationship advantage and capability should all be focused on one end…the defeat of our nation’s adversaries.
“Fourth, remember your roots. How can you know who you really are and where you’re going, if you don’t know where you came from? As you live and work on Fort Liberty, and wherever your future assignments take you, you’ll be surrounded by clear and constant reminders of the people and places that shape our collective destiny. Names like Rock Merritt, Zabitosky, Womack, Ardennes, Bastogne, Normandy, Sicily, La Fiere, Son Tay, Tora Bora, Yarborough, Miller, Stiner, Shachnow…these names are all part of our Army’s collective role of honor. They are the legacy you’re responsible for honoring and continuing. A legacy of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. Never forget that legacy and the debt that you owe those who came before who forged that legacy. You owe it to them, and to yourselves, to learn about them and the places they fought, and daily honor our shared legacy through your actions.”
Top graduates in each of four Military Occupational Specialties — weapons, communication, engineering and medical — received special recognition prior to each class member receiving his Green Beret.
Maj. Gen. Ferguson handed each man his headgear affixed with the flash of the man’s assigned Group. Each of the 157 U.S. servicemen and 10 graduates from allied nations returned to their seats with beret in hand. On word from their commander, they donned their Green Beret in unison. The Special Forces Creed was recited en mass, followed by the singing of “The Ballad of the Green Beret” and “The Army Song.” A dozen or more Green Berets welcomed the new graduates with a toast.
Throughout the covered walkway into the building and in the entrance area were poster-sized pictures and histories on some of those names that Maj. Gen. Ferguson mentioned the graduates should learn about and remember. Hopefully, some members of the public also took the time to read the stories of the men who went before and created the legacy of the Green Berets. God speed to Special Forces Qualification Course Class 338.

(Photo:  Soldier assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School renders a hand salute to Major Gen. Lawrence G. Ferguson, Commanding General, 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), after receiving a green beret during a graduation ceremony and Regimental First Formation at the Crown Theater in Fayetteville, Jan. 23. The ceremony marked the completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course where Soldiers earned the honor of wearing the green beret, the official headgear of Special Forces. U.S. Army photos by K. Kassens)