Original Item: Only One Available. The U.S. Army has several elite organizations and units, including Pathfinders, Rangers and Special Forces. Army Special Forces are also known as Green Berets because of the famous green-colored berets first authorized for official uniform wear in 1961. Enlisted Special Forces soldiers work within four different Army SF career fields or Military Occupational Specialties, including SF medical sergeant. Like all Army soldiers, a Special Forces medic's career begins at Army Basic Combat Training, or boot camp.

This beret features a white bordered black with maroon stripe flash indicating Company F, 3rd Battalion, Academy Brigade, US Army Academy of Health Sciences. The flash bears the Special Forces crest. The Special Forces crest insignia was adopted in 1960 and approved as the Special Forces regimental designator in 1984. Its design reflects both the lineage and mission of Special Forces.

In 1890, the crossed arrows were officially prescribed as uniform insignia for the U.S. Army Indian Scouts who served in the American west from 1860 through 1939. In 1942, during World War II, a joint U.S./Canadian special operations unit was established to conduct operations behind enemy lines. Members of this First Special Service Force wore the historic crossed arrows as their branch insignia.

The enamel pin on the flash features the intersecting dagger representing the V-42 dagger issued to each member of the force. The encircling scroll which arches at the base bears the Special Forces motto, "DE OPPRESSO LIBER" which is translated from Latin as "To Free the Oppressed."

The beret is in good, slightly worn condition with much of the wear present on the black leather trip. The inside liner retains the BANCROFT Military Caps manufacturer’s label. There is no size present but it is roughly a 6 ¾. We can very faintly see the name EASTMAN written on the interior.

This is a wonderful example of a Special Forces Medic school beret. Comes ready to display.