I N T R E P X

The U.S. Army Special Forces Groups (SFGs) are numbered 1st through 20th, but a closer look reveals some conspicuous gaps: there is no 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, or 9th Special Forces Group. These missing designations have historical roots, reflecting a combination of operational requirements, changes in military doctrine, and administrative decisions over the decades. This article explores the history behind these absent groups and what led to their disappearance.

2nd Special Forces Group

The 2nd Special Forces Group (Airborne) was one of the earliest Special Forces Groups activated, forming on March 23, 1956, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Its primary focus was on Europe, where it was tasked with countering Soviet influence during the Cold War. The unit emphasized guerrilla warfare, unconventional operations, and coordination with NATO allies.

However, in the post-Vietnam War military drawdown, the 2nd Group was deactivated in 1972 as part of broader reductions in the Army’s Special Forces. Its mission and personnel were absorbed into other groups, particularly the 10th Special Forces Group, which also had a European focus.

4th Special Forces Group

The 4th Special Forces Group was never activated. When the Special Forces were first conceived in the 1950s, the Army envisioned a global network of regionally aligned units. However, operational and budgetary constraints meant that not all planned groups were brought into existence.

The numbering system was designed to allow flexibility for future growth, but the 4th Group remains a placeholder, unfilled since its conception.

6th Special Forces Group

The 6th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was activated on May 1, 1963, during the expansion of the Special Forces in the early 1960s. Based at Fort Bragg, the 6th Group specialized in operations in the Middle East, North Africa, and Southwest Asia. Its missions often included unconventional warfare, training foreign forces, and conducting counterinsurgency operations.

The 6th Group played a significant role during the Vietnam War era, particularly in providing specialized training and conducting classified missions. However, like the 2nd Group, it fell victim to budget cuts and a downsizing of the military in the post-Vietnam period. The group was deactivated in 1971, with its regional responsibilities later transferred to the 5th Special Forces Group.

8th Special Forces Group

The 8th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was activated in 1963, with its headquarters at Fort Gulick in the Panama Canal Zone. Its area of responsibility was Latin America, where it focused on counterinsurgency, foreign internal defense, and civic action missions.

The 8th Group played a crucial role in training Latin American militaries during the Cold War, particularly in countering communist movements and insurgencies in the region. It also helped establish training programs at the U.S. Army School of the Americas.

In 1972, the 8th Group was deactivated, and its missions were absorbed by the 7th Special Forces Group, which continues to focus on Central and South America.

9th Special Forces Group

The 9th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was planned but never activated. Like the 4th Group, it remained a placeholder in the numbering system for potential future expansion.

Why the Missing Numbers Persist

The gaps in the numbering system for Special Forces Groups reflect a combination of factors:

1. Historical Expansion and Retraction: Many groups were activated during periods of military growth, such as the Cold War and Vietnam War, and later deactivated during drawdowns. This ebb and flow have left “missing” numbers in the sequence.

2. Flexibility in Structure: The numbering system was designed to allow for future growth and expansion. By leaving gaps, the Army created room to activate new groups without renumbering existing units.

3. Mission Consolidation: As global threats evolved, the Army determined that fewer groups were needed, with responsibilities redistributed among the remaining active groups. For example, the 7th Group took over the Latin American missions of the 8th Group, while the 10th Group absorbed many of the European duties of the 2nd Group.

4. Resource Constraints: Budget cuts and shifting military priorities have often resulted in the deactivation of groups that were no longer deemed essential.

Legacy of the Missing Groups

Though the 2nd, 6th, and 8th Special Forces Groups no longer exist, their legacies live on in the missions and traditions of the current active groups. Many of the soldiers who served in these deactivated units continued their careers in other groups, bringing with them valuable experience and expertise.

Additionally, the historical role of these groups demonstrates the adaptability of the U.S. Army Special Forces. By tailoring their structure to meet evolving threats, the Green Berets remain one of the most effective and versatile military forces in the world.

As global challenges continue to emerge, the possibility of activating new Special Forces Groups—or even reviving some of the “missing” numbers—remains a strategic option for the U.S. Army.