From the commandant

Recently Major Mark Mitchell received the first Distinguished Service Cross awarded to a Special Forces soldier since the Vietnam War. He earned the medal, the Army's second highest award for heroism, for his actions during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Despite the award citation's description of his "unparalleled courage," "decisive leadership" and "personal sacrifice," Major Mitchell modestly described his actions by saying, "I was just doing my job."

The U.S. Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School produces such leaders through a developmental process of accession, selection, training and follow-on developmental assignments that ensures that soldiers will have the aptitude, training and opportunity to contribute their all to the war on terrorism.

Critical for success in Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations and Special Forces are a detailed knowledge of the culture of a particular region of the world, and the ability to communicate in at least one foreign language. Sensitivity to political, religious and cultural nuances allows soldiers to see beyond their immediate mission to assess the second- and third-order effects of their decisions.

The officers, noncommissioned officers and civilians of the USAJFKSWCS have been working day and night to optimally prepare our men and women for combat; altering programs of instruction, creating new courses and increasing student production.

Our soldiers have overthrown the Taliban in Afghanistan, dominated the north and controlled the western desert in Iraq, operated behind the lines in both urban and rural terrain, and expelled guerrillas from Basilan Island in the Philippines, while assisting the government of Colombia in its struggle against insurgent elements.

Cultural understanding has made the difference in each endeavor, facilitating combat operations where our soldiers consistently display courage, decisive leadership and personal sacrifice--all while "just doing their jobs."

Major General Geoffrey C. Lambert

COPYRIGHT 2004 John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group