SEPT, 2017 SFA Chapter 29 Annual Worley SF Picnic and 12Th Group Reunion
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SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION (THE GREEN BERETS) CHAPTER 29 SEPT, 2017 SFA Chapter 29 Annual Worley SF Picnic and 12th Group Reunion The annual Ross Worley SF Picnic and 12th Ross and Joneil Worley were hosts for the Group Reunion was held on 19 August and once event, yet again. Ross stopped doing the reunion- again, after a two year break, there was a large picnics two years ago but decided to start it back turnout and much fun was had by all. up due to the constant questions about the event Around 40 people showed up for the event. and when the next one would be. Most Earlier in the morning Bill Thompson had a were visit from the Donlons, Roy Williams, Terry Chapter Buckler and four SF o%cers from CGSC. The 29 o%cers wanted a chance to meet an SF legend. members (See Page 9.) and their Gayle Merrill brought his SF Quilt to the wives and picnic and got some new signatures. The quilt is a kids, but patchwork of SF some units. Each patch is were non- a di&erent SF unit, SFA SF guys, and other friends of SF. project or Many were the former 12th Group guys who significant showed up and it was great fun for many guys to operation. Gail asks see old teammates, commanders and sergeant guys to sign each majors. Many were the stories and lies shared. patch that he was The food table was filled with picnic delicacies assigned to or part and kids made use of the Worley pool most of the of. That quilt has a time while the adults made use of the beers and lot of patches and brats. signatures. It is quite impressive. Sam Rayford led those in attendance in a We of the editorial board are certain that you wonderful prayer in remembrance of Bill Radtke. all will join us in saying “Cheers!” and “DOL!” to (See page 2.) Ross and Joneil for hosting this awesome event. PAGE 1# SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION (THE GREEN BERETS) CHAPTER 29 SEPT, 2017 RIP, Bill Radtke Long-time Chapter 29 member Bill o%cer, a true realization of that di%cult blend Radtke died on 16 August. Bill was living in of traits required for and unique to SF the Brandon Woods facility in Lawrence, KS leadership. at the time of his death. Bill was 89. Said Terry Dahling, retired and living in Bill began his Special Forces service with South Carolina, “We of SFT43 (SCUBA, 46th the 77th Special Forces Group (later Co.) SCUBA qualified his daughter and did a redesignated as the 7th SFG) at Ft. Bragg, lot of diving trips in Thailand. I just found out North Carolina in the mid 1950s. of his passing. He had a long and amazing Bill was hand- career in picked by the Special Forces. legendary "Bull" He was a great Simons to go to Commander.” Laos for "Operation Bill served Hotfoot,” which over thirty preceded Operation years in the White Star, and was U.S. Army, the intended to “train majority of up” the military that time in forces of the Special Forces. Kingdom of Laos to His last duty e&ectively resist station was Ft. communist forces. Leavenworth. It ran from 22 January Bill’s beloved wife, Joyce, passed two 1959 through 19 April 1961. years ago. She was the Yin to his Yang. They During the Vietnam War Bill were a wonderful couple. Together they commanded a Special Forces A-Team during traveled the world, serving their country and his first tour. He later volunteered and served raising their kids. in MACV-SOG on his second tour. A memorial service will be held at Following his Vietnam tours, Bill 1400hrs in the Smith Center at Brandon commanded the legendary 46th Special Forces Woods, Lawrence, Kansas, on 17 September Company in Thailand for two years. These 2017. Brandon Woods is about a mile west of editors know several SF guys who served at the KU campus. It would be good to have 46th Company under Bill and remember him some SF representation at that service. to be an outstanding commander and SF PAGE #2 SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION (THE GREEN BERETS) CHAPTER 29 SEPT, 2017 SFC Change of Command Special Forces Command has a new commander as of 28 July when Maj. Gen. James E. Kraft Jr. passed the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) colors to Lt. Gen. Kenneth E. Tovo, U.S. Army Special Operations Command commanding general, during a change of command ceremony, 28 July 2017. During the ceremony, Kraft relinquished command of 1st SFC(A) to Maj. Gen. Francis M. Beaudette, who first served in Special Forces as an ODA commander in 3rd Group. Kraft has been an e&ective and popular commander during his time of command. Many in SF are looking forward to Beaudette’s leadership. New Army Pay Grades for Sr NCOs The Army is considering adding two new Currently this e&ort is being discussed in pay grades, E-10 and E-11, to better compensate congressional committees. Creating two new senior NCOS for their increasing roles and pay grades would be a major political and responsibilities. bureaucratic e&ort. Success would require The logic is to better compensate senior support from senior leaders at the Pentagon NCOs as they take on more command and on Capitol Hill. If approved, it would responsibility. Currently, enlisted pay grades do represent a major cultural shift within the not receive additional pay, above E-9, even Army, and probably the entire U.S. military. when they advance from battalion level to What do you think? Does the Army need higher command positions, such as brigade, E-10s and E-11s? Share your thoughts on division, and corps-level leadership positions. Facebook or at of our Octoberfest picnic. Commissioned o%cers receive a pay Also, the Army is still, after decades of increase each time they are promoted, all the introspection, discussing whether to bring back way up to four-star general. the rank of Corporal Captain. Stay tuned. PAGE 3# SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION (THE GREEN BERETS) CHAPTER 29 SEPT, 2017 Octoberfest in September The SFA Chapter 29 Oktoberfest picnic is fast approaching. This is a big annual event for us and always has a big turn out and much opportunity to meet and catch up with SF brothers and share stories, rumors and news . oh, and to consume boocoo brats and brews. After all, it is for Octoberfest, mein Gott! Note: Why do we hold out Octoberfest part in September? Come to Octoberfest and we will tell you. When: September 23rd. Where: Weston Bend State Park, Westin, Missouri. The Open Shelter is reserved for us. Time: 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM. Food: Chapter 29 will provide the brats and burgers. Members and guests are asked to bring a side dish or dessert. Alcohol will not be provided by Chapter 29. Individuals are welcome to bring their own beverages, alcoholic or non- alcoholic. Dress: Casual attire/picnic attire/tactical-comfortable attire First Female Applicants for SEALs and SWCCC The US Navy announced in mid-July that reported that only one of the two SWCCC female three females were in the Naval Special Warfare candidates remains on-track. pipeline. Two of those females were in Navy Basic These first female candidates represent a Training and candidates for the Navy's all-enlisted major milestone for the Navy, which has Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman previously allowed women into every career field program. except the SEALs and SWCC community. A One female ROTC cadet, at an undisclosed successful candidate would also break ground for college, had applied, earlier in the year, for a spot other military special operations units. in the SEAL o%cer selection in October of this At this time there have been three female year, and had been granted that slot. But she first Army Rangers, and a handful of candidates to be must pass a three-week Pre-Selection course with Army, Air Force and Marine, and of course, Navy 159 other students vying for only 100 Selection special operators. As of yet, none of those slots. candidates have passed Selection. In early August it was reported that the female As of this writing it was reported that a small o%cer had dropped out of SEAL Pre-Selection number of female candidates were approaching training during the first week. Recently it was also MARSOC and AF SOF Selection. PAGE #4 SPECIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION (THE GREEN BERETS) CHAPTER 29 SEPT, 2017 New Board Secretary CALENDAR 11 Sept - Chapter BOD meeting, Please, join all of us on the Editorial Board Delta Systems,1700hrs. in welcoming Barry Estell as the new chapter 23 Sept - Octoberfest Picnic, board secretary. Barry is a former 10th West Bend Park, Westin, MO, Group guy and a retired lawyer. 1100hrs Barry graduated from University of 2 Oct - BoD meeting at Delta Missouri in May 1968 then enlisted in Army Systems, 1700hrs and was inducted in October of 1968. He was 7 Oct - Chapter Breakfast at commissioned as a 2LT, Infantry, at the Pegah's Family Restaurant, 5354 Benning School for Boys in August of 1969 Roberts St, Shawnee, KS, and graduated from Jump School. He 0830hrs. reported to 10th Special Forces Group at Ft. Dec - Meton Day Devens, MA, soon after that and then graduated from the Special Dec - Chapter Christmas Party Forces O%cer Course at Ft. Bragg in the Spring of 1970. Dec - Christmas Ruck Barry served as an A Detachment Executive O%cer and Newsletter Submissions: Commander with 10th Group.