Special Forces Patches

Army Special Forces patches: the arrowhead, the group flashes and the crests of the Green Berets. The 10th Special Forces Group was activated at Fort Bragg in June 1952 under Col. Aaron Bank, and every group today wears the same shoulder patch.

That arrowhead was approved in 1955. The arrowhead stands for the craft of the Native American scout, the dagger for unconventional warfare, and the three lightning bolts for getting in by air, land or sea. Here you will find patches for the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 10th Groups, the National Guard’s 19th and 20th, groups that have since been inactivated, and the Vietnam-era projects.

Special Forces Patch FAQ

What does the Special Forces patch mean?

The arrowhead stands for the skills of the Native American scout, the upturned dagger for unconventional warfare, and the three lightning bolts for getting in by air, land or sea.

What is a beret flash?

The cloth shield sewn on the green beret. Each Special Forces group has its own colors, so the flash tells you which group a soldier belongs to.

Which Special Forces groups are active today?

The 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 10th Groups on active duty, and the 19th and 20th in the Army National Guard.

When did the Army authorize the green beret?

In 1961. The Special Forces tab followed in 1983.

How fast do orders ship?

Orders ship by the next business day, Monday to Friday.