Snake Eaters, Gunslingers & Outcasts: The Suppressed 73 Year History of Special Forces Green Berets

In this episode, we explore 73 years of U.S. Army Special Forces from their inception in 1952 to modern-day operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
We start at the beginning, breaking down why the Green Berets were formed in the early Cold War era, initially as an elite unconventional warfare force. But as the threat of Soviet-sponsored communist insurgencies spread globally, the Green Berets shifted into the role of Counter Insurgency (COIN) specialists—a role that would define them for decades.
We go deep into:
• The Vietnam War, where Special Forces played pivotal roles in MACV-SOG, CIDG, MIKE Force, and other covert and indigenous operations.
• How Vietnam shaped the identity and mission of the Green Berets, and the lasting lessons—both strategic, psychological, and cultural.
• The post-Vietnam decline of Special Forces, examining the loss of institutional support and operational relevance during the 1980s and 1990s.
• Their resurgence post-9/11, and how Green Berets redefined COIN during campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, mentoring local forces, hunting insurgents, and operating deep in hostile territory.
This episode is packed with intimate historical context, first-hand stories, and strategic insights into one of the most legendary units in U.S. military history.
 
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