What you need to know about 1st SFAB’s uniform update

The military and veteran community made their voices heard when it was announced in November that the newly established 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade would be wearing olive green berets similar to the rifle green of the Special Forces. To reaffirm what was said when it was proposed, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley told the Army Times that it is his responsibility, saying,

If anyone's angry, take their anger out on me, not [the 1st SFAB].

While the 1st SFAB and Special Forces' missions would overlap on tasks like Foreign Internal Defense and Security Force Assistance, changes have been made to the beret, the flash, and the unit insignia. The beret is now a "muddy brown" in reference to the moniker given to leaders who "get their boots muddy" with their troops.

The flash and unit insignia are in reference to the Military Assistance Command — Vietnam and the Military Assistance Advisory Group, predecessors to the 1st SFAB. One complaint surrounding the brigade's uniform is the 'Advisor' tab. Clarification has been made that it is simply a unit tab and not a skill tab.

On Feb. 8, 2018, the 1st SFAB held it's activation ceremony at the National Infantry Museum and the heraldry has been made official. The SFAB's mission is to stand ready to deploy in support of national security objective and to train, assist, advise, and accompany our allies. Their first deployment is already set for the coming spring to advise Afghan National Security Forces and the unique uniforms are meant to easily distinguish them from other American troops in the eyes of foreign troops.