Membership Requirements
1. Membership may be granted to a person who is or has been a member of the United States Army Special Forces, to include the United States Army Reserve and the United States Army National Guard Special Forces Units, has completed Special Forces Training and has been awarded a Special Forces prefix 3, suffix S, and/or Special Forces Tab and MOS, and if discharged, has received an Honorable Discharge. Special Forces MOSs are those awarded upon completion of Special Forces Training. Membership qualification lineage includes all units officially listed on the First Special Forces lineage certificate are acceptable. Also acceptable, and grandfathered for general membership, are First Special Service Force, OSS, and UNPIK-8240 of Korea. The Ranger units of WWII and the Ranger Company’s of Korea are acceptable for Associate membership. Assignment to a MTOE slot or other position calling for a SF MOS or identifier does not necessarily indicate SF qualification. Associate membership requirements for non-SF qualified personnel are described below.
2. DECADE MEMBER: Decade membership may be granted to a person who is or has been a member of the US Army Special Forces, including the US Army Reserve, and the National Guard Special Forces Units for a minimum of ten years, who has been awarded a Prefix “3” or the Suffix “S,” 5G, 18/180 series MOS, or SF Tab, and, if discharged, has received an Honorable Discharge. Decade membership may also be granted to members who have a combination of 10 years Special Forces duty and SFA membership. (Documentation is required and should leave no doubt that the applicant is qualified for Decade member status)
3. GENERAL MEMBER: Membership may be granted to a person who is or has been a member of the US Army Special Forces, including the US Army Reserve and the National Guard, who has been awarded a Prefix “3” or the Suffix “S,” 5G, 18/180 series MOS, or SF Tab and, if discharged, received an Honorable Discharge. There is no time requirement for general membership. (Documentation is required and should leave no doubt that the applicant is qualified for General Member status.)
4. ASSOCIATE MEMBER: Associate membership may be granted to a service member not qualified as above, but who has contributed significantly to the support of Special Forces, or its lineage, in the accomplishment of its mission. Applications for Associate membership are subject to the approval of the Membership Committee. Proof of assignment and significant contribution to Special Forces must accompany the application. A minimum of two letters of recommendation from SF/SFA members with first-hand knowledge of the applicant’s significant contribution are required.
SSN is requested in the event additional information is required as authorized below. Incomplete applications or applications submitted without supporting documentation will be returned as incomplete.
The application and renewal forms are available below. Click the appropriate link to download and print the application form to apply or renew.
