With the Global War on Terror in its fifteenth year, a great deal of emphasis has been placed on special operations forces, often forgetting several other critical and tradition-laden military units. Sure, Navy SEALs are amazing and you will see more of them in this article, but a great deal of brave individuals who have fought and died for this great country never served in such elite units.
In fact, many of our nation’s heroes served in traditional infantry elements long before our nation’s elite units even existed.
Here is a list of 19 military units and specialties that the average American should know – from conventional to Tier One Special Mission Units (SMU). Please note that this list is a starter kit to your knowledge and certainly not comprehensive.
CONVENTIONAL UNITS
Several conventional US military units have storied traditions and have made an extraordinary impact on our way of life as we know it.
Pictured above is the 173d Infantry Brigade. This storied element saw action in World War I, but is perhaps best known for its forward leaning actions during the Vietnam War. The 173rd was the first major US ground component deployed in Vietnam. They served there from 1965 to 1971, where they lost nearly 1,800 soldiers.
Members of the Brigade received over 7,700 decorations, including more than 6,000 Purple Hearts.
Here is our list of additional conventional units to know. Don’t worry the special operations forces, including some that you do not know, are coming…
US Army 10th Mountain Division
The pride of Fort Drum in New York. The 10th Mountain Division is a light-infantry unit that has been used a great deal in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, but they got their start long before the Global War on Terror.
The unit was originally formed in 1918 as a regular Army unit, but became a light alpine division in 1943 with their primary purpose being experts in mountain warfare. They were the only unit of its size to receive alpine training. Subsequently, the unit was used to fight in the hills and mountains of Italy during WWII and has maintained their mountain status since.
We have served along some of these brave young soldiers, and though the division has been moved, deactivated and reactivated time and time again, we are glad they appear here to stay at Fort Drum.
US Army 101st Airborne Division, “Screaming Eagles”
The storied 101st Airborne Division is an elite light-infantry unit utilized to conduct airborne assaults. The 101st has seen action in conflicts from D-Day to the Battle for Hamburger Hill to the current the Global War on Terror, where they have been extremely active. The unit insignia is among the most recognizable patches in the world.
The 101st Airborne is capable, at a moment’s notice, to plan, coordinate, and execute brigade-size air assault operations capable of seizing key terrain in support of operational objectives, and is capable of working in austere environments with limited or degraded infrastructure.
However, not all is well with this group at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. Many are questioning the ability of the Division to conduct major operations after recent budget cuts removed one of the nation’s premier air assault forces of their helicopters.
US Army 1st Cavalry Division
Among the most decorated Divisions in the military, the 1st Cavalry Division – another element with a very familiar and well recognized insignia – was formed in 1921.
The Division is based at Fort Hood, Texas and has fought in every war or conflict since WWII, including Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq and Afghanistan and in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
The Division has also been popular in a number of Hollywood films. Perhaps the most popular was in that of Platoon. Willem Dafoe’s character Elias wears the 1st Cavalry Division’s unit insignia as his combat patch. This is perhaps no coincidence as Director Oliver Stone served in the 1st Cavalry Division himself, there is your free trivia question of the day.
US Army 82nd Airborne Division
Specializing in parachute operations, the 82nd Airborne Division, which calls Fort Bragg home, is considered by many to be the most highly trained infantry division. The unit has served our nation proudly since WWI.
SOCOM: The United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is critical to our nation’s defense and counterterrorism apparatus. SOCOM houses a great many of the units that are portrayed in television and films. Still, its important to understand in the world of special operations that two paths exist, white SOF and Black SOF (or Tier One units). White SOF is your run of the mill bad-ass warriors such as Navy SEALs and Special Forces. Black SOF takes the term ‘elite’ to a whole new level…we will get to that later. For now, lets start with our list of SOCOM’s key elements.