Army Special Warfare Center: Top 12 Amazing Facts

While most Army personnel are trained in self defense, combatives and how to survive in wartime situations, there are some soldiers who are taken to a “higher level.”

That is what the Army Special Warfare Center is all about.

Many assume war is just men and machines shooting at and killing each other. But there is so much more. Psychology and strategy plays a major part in war. The Army Special Warfare Center was designed and implemented to train Army personnel in extreme ways to win wars and battles using hard-to-understand techniques.

Today, I am going to give you the top 12 amazing facts about the Army Special Warfare Center.

#1: Full Name

The actual name is U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.

#2: Location

The Army Special Warfare Center is garrisoned at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

#3: Primary Duties

The Army Special Warfare Center recruits, assesses, selects, trains and educates the U.S. Army Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations and Special Forces Soldiers by providing training and education, developing doctrine, integrating force-development capability, and providing career management.

#4: The Start

It all started in 1950 when the Army developed a Psychological Warfare Division at the Army General School in Fort Riley, Kansas.

In 1952, it all became a separate school and was moved to Fort Bragg.

#5: Years Of Added Responsibilities

Since the start, the Army Special Warfare Center and School has been given added responsibilities:

• 1956 – Develop the doctrine, techniques, training and education of Special Forces and Psychological Operations personnel.
• 1960 – Counterinsurgency operation training.
• 1962 – A Special Forces Training Group was instituted to train enlisted volunteers for operational assignments within Special Forces units.
• 1969 – Training in high-altitude, low-opening (HALO) parachuting and SCUBA operations.
• 1972 – The U.S. Army Civil Affairs School was moved to Fort Bragg under the Special Warfare Center umbrella.

U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School Units And Directorates

The next amazing fact are units and directorates within the Special Warfare Center, and what their primary responsibilities are…

#6: Directorate of Training and Doctrine

An organization that deals with doctrine, personnel proponency and the future training, leadership, and education needs of the Army Special Operations Forces

#7: 1^st Special Warfare Training Group

An airborne group, it provides entry-level through advanced training and education.

#8: 1^st SWTG Battalions

• 1^st – Trains entry-level SF Soldiers to succeed in combat.
• 2^nd – Trains Special Operations Forces and other selected personnel in advanced special-operations skills, techniques, tactics, and procedures.
• 3^rd – Trains and educates Army officers, NCOs, and Advanced Individual Training Soldiers in Civil Affairs operations.
• 4^th – Trains, advises, manages, counsels, and provides mentorship to all assigned students (US and Foreign) in the SF Qualification Course in order to produce expertly trained and well-prepared Special Forces Soldiers.
• 5^th – Trains and educates Army officers, NCOs, and Advanced Individual Training Soldiers in Military Information Support operations.
• 6^th – Trains and educates Special Forces, Joint Special Operations Forces, and other selected interagency personnel to conduct specialized intelligence and operational activities.
• Support Battalion – Sustains the training force through the management of eight fundamental commodities consisting of communication and electronic, armament, aerial delivery, transportation, food service, publications, and facilities.

#9: Special Warfare Education Group

Responsible for assessing, selecting, and educating U.S. Army Civil Affairs (CA), Psychological Operations (PSYOP), and SF Soldiers and civilians throughout their careers.

#10: Special Warfare Medical Group

Together with the Naval Special Operations Medical Institute, composes the Joint Special Operations Medical Training Center. Educates and trains special operation combat medics.

#11: Special Forces Warrant Officer Institute

Provides training to become a commissioned warrant officer in the U.S. Army, Military Occupational Specialty 180A.

#12: David K. Thuma Non-Commissioned Officers Academy

Develops and conducts Warrior Leader, Advanced and Senior Leader courses for Army special-operations non-commissioned officers.

Final Thoughts

The only road you can take to get the Special Forces Tab and the coveted Green Beret goes through the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.

So who has?

Who wants to?

Who will…

Be all they can be?

Please share your comments and questions below and thank you for your service.

Other posts you may enjoy:

1. Army ASI U8: Asymmetric Warfare Operations Specialist
2. Army 37F MOS Overview: Psychological Operations Specialist
3. U.S. Army Special Operations Command: 11 Cool Facts
4. The Top 20 Most Needed Army Military Occupational Specialties
5. Army 180A Warrant Officer: Special Forces Warrant Officer

Sincerely,








Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com

Suggested Resources
Our Books & Training Courses
Recommended Reading List