Founded in 1964 and initially called the
Decade Association until it changed its name in 1967, The Special Forces
Association is a non-profit veterans' fraternal organization located in
Fayetteville, North Carolina and officially chartered in the State of North
Carolina. Since its founding the Association has grown to dozens of chapters
throughout the world.
The National Association sponsors an annual convention and individual chapters meet in their areas and conduct meetings and social functions for their members. The National Association also publishes a members-only quarterly magazine, "The Drop." The magazine, the cost of which is included in membership dues, is the primary method of communications with the general membership and depicts the activities of SFA
Chapters and individual members, active and NG SF units, and other items which
may be of interest to the Association membership. The Association also maintains
a web site at www.specialforcesassociation.org.
To join the Association, an application must be completed, giving complete information, along with documentary proof of SF qualification, and forwarded to the National Headquarters for approval. Members may choose to associate with a particular Chapter, or join the Association "at large" without any individual Chapter affiliation. Membership applications must be accompanied by check or money order in the
appropriate amount. Subsequent annual membership dues are payable each year in
October. Life membership is also available. Membership may be granted to a person who is or has been a member of the United States Army Special Forces, to include the U.S. Army Reserve and U.S.Army National Guard, and have been awarded a Prefix "3", Suffix "S", 5G or 18 Series Qualification, and if discharged, has received an Honorable Discharge. There is no time requirement for Membership. Membership catagories are as follows:
DECADE MEMBER: Decade membership may be granted to a person who is or has been a member of the USASF, including the USA Reserve and National Guard for a minimum of ten years, who has been awarded a prefix "3" or Suffix "S", 5G. 18/180 Series and, if discharged, received an Honorable discharge. Decade membership may also be granted to members who have a combination of 10 years SF duty and Association membership. (Documents required.)
GENERAL MEMBER: Membership may be granted to a person who is or has been a member of the USASF, including the USA Reserve and National Guard, who has been awarded a prefix"3" or the suffix "S", 5G, 18/180 series and, if discharged, received an Honorable discharge. (Documents required.)
ASSOCIATE MEMBER: Associate membership may be granted to any person not qualified as above, but who has contributed significantly to the support of SF, or its lineage, in the accomplishment of its mission. Applications for Associated membership are subject to the approval of the Membership Committee. Proof of contribution to SF must accompany the application.
The Association was formed to fraternally unite all men who are now or have ever been assigned to the U.S. Army Special Forces in order to perpetuate Special Forces traditions. As such, the Association does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, or political affiliation.
|