Settle this SF argument ?

Question

my self and a buddy are arguing about the SF tab my friend says if you deploy twice with the SF in a support role you get a 18 series identifier and can wear the tab i say you have to graduate SFQC regardless of what people say. who is right and what is the AR so i can give him a refernce point

Answer 1

According to Wikipedia, it is a "service school qualification tab of the United States Army, awarded to any soldier completing either the Special Forces Qualification Course, or the Special Forces Detachment Officer Qualification Course."  Sounds to me like it's only given to SFQC and/or SFDOQC graduates - which would make you correct.

Referenced in the wiki article is AR 600-8-22 ... but at the moment I'm not sure the exact text of the AR. I'm trying to find it, but in the meantime I hope that helps. :)

EDIT: Found it. It's in Section 8-49 of AR 600-8-22, which can be found online at http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r600...  I can't copy/paste the text of the Section, but you should be able to look it up.

Basically - your friend is wrong; but neither are you completely right. A soldier may attend a unit-level qualification course and be awarded the SF tab.

Answer 2

Your right,

Its AR 600-8-22, Paragraph 8-49

Brother told me.

x3

Answer 3

You are correct.  Have him read AR 600-8-22, Para 8-49, which follows here:

8–49. Special Forces Tab

a. Any person meeting one of the criteria below may be awarded the Special Forces (SF) Tab:

(1) Successful completion of USAJFKSWCS approved Active Army (AA) institutional training leading to SF

qualification.

(2) Successful completion of a USAJFKSWCS approved Reserve Component (RC) SF qualification program.

(3) Successful completion of an authorized unit administered SF qualification program.

b. For active component institutional training, the SF Tab may be awarded to all personnel who meet the following:

(1) For successful completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course or Special Forces Detachment Officer Qualification Course (previously known as the Special Forces Officer Course). These courses are/were conducted by

the USAJFKSWC (previously known as the U.S. Army Institute for Military Assistance).

(2) Prior to 1 January 1988 for successful completion of the then approved program of instruction for Special Forces

qualification in a Special Forces Group, who were subsequently awarded, by competent authority, SQI “S” in Career

Management Field 18 (enlisted), or SQI “3” in Functional Area 18 (officer).

c. For Reserve Component (RC) SF qualification programs, the SF Tab may be awarded to all personnel who

successfully complete a RC SF qualification program according to TRADOC Regulation 135–5, dated 1 June 1988 or

its predecessors and who were subsequently awarded by competent authority, SQI “S” or “3” in MOB 11B, 11C, 12B,

05B, 91B, or ASI “5G” or “3”. The USAJFKSWCS will determine individual entitlement for award of the SF Tab

based on historical review of Army, Continental Army Command (CONRAC), and TRADOC regulations prescribing

SF qualification requirements in effect at the time the individual began an RC SF qualification program.

d. For unit administered SF qualification programs, the SF Tab may be awarded to all personnel who successfully

completed unit administered SF qualification programs as authorized by regulation. The USAJFKSWCS will determine

individual entitlement to award of the SF Tab based upon historical review of regulations prescribing SF qualification

requirements in effect at the time the individual began a unit administered SF qualification program.

e. The SF Tab may be awarded retroactively to all personnel who performed the following wartime service.

(1) From 1942 through 1973. Served with a Special Forces unit during wartime and were either unable to or not

required to attend a formal program of instruction but were awarded SQI “S”, “3”, or “5G” by competent authority.

(2) Prior to 1954. The SF Tab may be awarded prior to 1955 for at least 120 consecutive days in one of the

following organizations:

(a) 1st Special Service Force, August 1942 to December 1944.

(b) OSS Detachment 101, April 1942 to September 1945.

(c) OSS Jedburgh Detachments, May 1944 to May 1945.

(d) OSS Operational Groups, May 1944 to May 1945.

(e) OSS Maritime Unit, April 1942 to September 1945.

(f) 6th Army Special Reconnaissance Unit (Alamo Scouts), February 1944 to September 1945.

(g) 8240th Army Unit, June 1950 to July 1953.

(3) From 1954 through 1975. Any company grade officer or enlisted member awarded the CIB or CMB while

serving for at least 120 consecutive days in one of the following type organizations:

(a) SF Operational Detachment-A (A–Team).

(b) Mobile Strike Force.

(c) SF Reconnaissance Team.

(d) SF Special Project Unit.

f. The Commander, U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center (USAJFKSWCS), Fort Bragg, NC

28307–5000 and the Commander, USA HRC (AHRC–PDO–PA), Alexandria, VA 22332–0471.

g. See paragraph 1–31 for revocation/reinstatement policy of the SF Tab.