Special Forces Association Chapter 7 on LinkedIn: Winning the First Fight: Experimenting with Army Special Operations… (2024)

Today, August 7 marks National Purple Heart Day, a day dedicated to honoring Service Members who have been wounded in action.More than 1.8 million Purple Heart medals have been presented to service members since the award was created in 1782, according to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor website.The Purple Heart is America’s oldest medal and it continues to be a symbol of honor, heroism, Sacrifice, and patriotism.

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Today we remember, 1st Sgt. Peter A. "Drew" McKenna was a native of Bristol, Rhode Island. He first entered the U.S. Army in 1998 as an Infantryman.Upon completion of basic training at Ft. Benning, George, in November 1998, he was assigned to 4-31 Infantry at Ft Drum, New York. In 2000 he attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection and was assigned to 1st Special Warfare Training Group to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course as a communications sergeant.Upon graduation of the Special Forces Qualification Course he was assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion 7th SFG (Airborne) until December of 2007 when he was assigned to C Co 3rd Bn 7th SFG (A) as a communications sergeant. Then in February of 2012 he was assigned to A Co 1st Bn 7th SFG (A) as a Team Sergeant. Upon completion of his Team Sergeant time, McKenna volunteered and was selected for duty as the First Sergeant for the Special Operations Joint Task Forces - Afghanistan.McKenna’s formal military education includes: Infantry One Station Unit Training, Basic Airborne Course, Air Assault course, Special Forces Assessment and Selection, the Warrior Leaders Course, the Advanced Leaders Course, the Senior Leaders Course, the Special Forces Qualification Course, Special Forces Communications Sergeant’s Course, the Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape course, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course, the Infantry Mortar Leader Course, Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance, Target Analysis, and Exploitation Techniques Course, Jumpmaster, Military Freefall Parachutist Course, and Military Freefall Parachutist Jumpmaster Course. Additionally, McKenna earned a Bachelor's Degree in Strategic Studies for Norwich University in 2015.McKenna’s awards and decorations include: the Silver Star, the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Bronze Star Medal fourth award, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal second award, and the Army Achievement Medal. the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal fifth award, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the NATO Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the NCO Professional Development Ribbon third award.. He also earned the Master Parachutist badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Air Assault badge, the Freefall Parachutist Jumpmaster badge and the Special Forces tab.He was survived by his mother Carol and his father Peter.- DE OPPRESSO LIBER -#LoQueSea | #CuandoSea | #DondeSea | #StrongerTogether | #AlwaysReady | #PeopleFirst | #Agile | #Lethal | #CombatReady | #estrellaaustral23US Army | #DepartmentofDefense(DoD) | 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) - US Army | @U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) | United States Army Special Operations Command | @United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) | GoArmy | Special Forces Association Chapter 7 | Eglin Air Force Base

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*** REMINDER ***Come out to the SFA CHVIIMonthly Member Meeting (non-members welcome!)6:00pm, 8 August 2024American Legion Post 221444 John Sims Pkwy, Niceville, FL 32578- Chapter Updates – Upcoming Events – Camaraderie -- JBJ Kickoff- Elections

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7thSFG(A) and SFA CHVII local members and families,1stBattalion will hold a memorial for 1SG Peter McKenna of SFOD-A 7116 at 0930hrs on Wednesday, 07 AUG 2023 (KIA 07 AUG 2015) at the 1stBattalion Rock Garden.Everyone is invited to attend, DoD ID card required for base access.WHO:1stBN, 7thSFG(A)WHAT:Conducts Rock Garden Memorial for 1SG Peter McKenna of SFOD-A 7116WHEN:0930hrs on Wednesday, 07 AUG 2023WHERE:1stBN Rock GardenWHY:IOT Honor our legacy **Note – If you would like to speak at this event please contact 1SG Makepeace by COB Tuesday, 6 AUG 2023 at 423-488-6357**

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Come out to the SFA CHVIIMonthly Member Meeting (non-members welcome!)6:00pm, 8 August 2024American Legion Post 221444 John Sims Pkwy, Niceville, FL 32578- Chapter Updates – Upcoming Events – Camaraderie -- JBJ Kickoff

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#IGY6 Company event announcement:Military Spouse Gun Day at the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Training Center! Join us for essential gun training tailored specifically for military spouses. This event includes both firearm and non-lethal training, with all gear and refreshments provided.Event Details: Date: 18 August 2024 Location: Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Training Center Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PMWhat to Expect:Comprehensive firearm safety trainingNon-lethal defense techniquesProvided gear and refreshmentsSpaces are limited, so make sure to reserve your spot at IGY6Company.com. Go to the Website via the url or the QR code and register your email address. The full website will be up and running soon. Entering your email gets you on the radar for MILITARY SPOUSE GUN DAY and other events.A special thank you to our presenting partners USCCA, Delta Defense LLC, the Okaloosa County Tax Collector and the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to enhance your skills and connect with fellow military spouses. We look forward to seeing you there!IGY6 Company is an organization in the Emerald Coast area that supports and empowers military families. Acknowledging the many challenges our military families face, they are dedicated to making a local positive impact on their lives. SFA Chapter 7 partners with IGY6 Company in numerous events and we are partners in that effort.You can find them on Facebook:https://lnkd.in/guyPUV7t#militaryspousegunday #igy6company #MilitarySpouses #community #firearmtraining

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Today we remember, Master Sgt. Mitchell W. Young, 39, was killed July 13 while conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol in the vicinity of Kajaki Sofla, eastern Helmand province, Afghanistan, in support of combat operations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in May 2008 as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan. This was his fourth deployment in support of the Global War on Terror and third deployment to Afghanistan. He was a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha team sergeant.Young, a native of Jonesboro, Ga., volunteered for military service and entered the Army in January 1991 as an infantryman. After basic and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to Co. A, 3rd Bn., 27th Infantry Regiment at Fort Ord, Calif. In 1993 he became a squad leader when he moved to 3rd Bn., 502nd Inf. Regiment. at Fort Campbell, Ky. In 1995 he moved to Germany and was assigned to Co. B, 1st Bn., 4th Inf. Regiment. Young began the Special Forces Qualification Course and he earned the coveted “Green Beret” in 1999 and was assigned to 2nd Bn., 3rd SFG(A) at Fort Bragg, N.C., as a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha communications sergeant. He left 3rd SFG(A) in 2004 to become a team sergeant at the United States Army Tactical Review Board, Fort Bragg, N.C. He was assigned to his current position at 1st Bn., 7th SFG(A) in October 2007.Young’s military education includes; the Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Jumpmaster Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Air Assault Course, Warrior Leaders Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course.His awards and decorations include three Bronze Star Medals, Purple Heart Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, four Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medial, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and the Special Forces Tab.Mitch was survived by his mother, two siblings his wife, Robyn Young, of Fayetteville, N.C.– DE OPPRESSO LIBER –

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Local area 7th SFG(A) Veterans' and Servicemembers,1st Battalion will hold a memorial for MSG Mitchell W. Young of SFOD-A 7126 at 1000hrs on Friday, 12 JUL 2024 (KIA 13 JUL 2008) at the 1st Battalion Rock Garden. Everyone is invited to attend.WHO: 1st BN, 7th SFG(A)WHAT: Conducts Rock Garden Memorial for MSG Mitchell W. YoungWHEN: 1000hrs on FRI, 12 JUL 2024WHERE: 1st BN Rock GardenWHY: IOT Honor our legacy**Note – If you would like to speak at this event, please contact 1SG Burkart, Luke by COB Thursday, 11 JUL 2024 at 850-885-2601**

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Today we remember MSG Gabriel R. Alamo, Special Forces Detachment Alpha-726, KIA 06 JUL 1964Gabriel R. Alamo entered the military before World War II and served with the 82nd Airborne Division during the war. After the war's end he completed a variety of military courses, finishing the Chemical Corps School in 1950, following which he served in the Korean War. He did overseas tours in occupied Germany and Japan, and eventually volunteered for and qualified in the Special Forces. In 1964, Master Sergeant Alamo volunteered for duty in Vietnam, arriving in late spring. He was assigned to Detachment A-726, based in Nam Dong, South Vietnam. The hamlet of Nam Dong lies in a valley just east of the Laotian border and 32 miles west of the coastal city of Da Nang. Nam Dong was important for only one reason: it sat astride an infiltration route which connected to the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. A CIDG camp was established in Nam Dong, stiffened by the presence of a twelve-man Special Forces Detachment led by Captain Roger Donlon. Warrant Officer Kevin G. Conway, Royal Australian Army, was attached to the team, and Master Sergeant Gabriel Alamo was the senior enlisted team member. At about 2:30 AM on the morning of 6 July 1964 the camp was taken under attack by two reinforced battalions, an attack which lasted until well after daybreak. Although the camp's perimeter was breached in several places, the South Vietnamese irregulars and the Special Forces troops held out - but at a very high cost. Most of the local force was killed in action, and so too were WO2 Conway, MSGT Alamo, and Sergeant John Houston. All of the Special Forces personnel were decorated for heroism under fire - the Medal of Honor for Captain Donlon; posthumous Distinguished Service Crosses for MSGT Alamo and SGT Houston; four Silver Stars (including WO2 Conway); and five Bronze Stars

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