JFK Special Warfare School BDU with AF qual. Badge

Hello,
I acquired these BDUs at a surplus store tent at a flea market. There were two of them, and with their hard to find qualification badges (under the circumstances) I decided to pick them up. The patch is the JFK Special Warfare School, and the badge is USAF Maintenance. Does anyone have an idea why this soldier would have this and the SF patch? Thanks.
Andrew

He was probably a tech that attended the USAF Aircraft Maintenance Basic Course. Not sure why he would be assigned to the JFKSWCS, but perhaps there are slots for his MOS at the school. As to being Special Forces, he is not (there is no SF tab above the SSI). He was only assigned to a position at the School, which could be just about anything (maintenance tech, clerk, cook, window washer). The AIRBORNE tab is actually part of the SSI, so all personnel at the school wear the tab along with the sleeve patch, even if they have not been to Airborne School (which it appears this fellow hasn't, as he is not wearing his wings). Bottom line, this guy was just support personnel.

Eric

oda196 wrote:He was probably a tech that attended the USAF Aircraft Maintenance Basic Course. Not sure why he would be assigned to the JFKSWCS, but perhaps there are slots for his MOS at the school. As to being Special Forces, he is not (there is no SF tab above the SSI). He was only assigned to a position at the School, which could be just about anything (maintenance tech, clerk, cook, window washer). The AIRBORNE tab is actually part of the SSI, so all personnel at the school wear the tab along with the sleeve patch, even if they have not been to Airborne School (which it appears this fellow hasn't, as he is not wearing his wings). Bottom line, this guy was just support personnel.

Eric

Very interesting. I was under the impression that if you were wearing a SF insignia, the tab was not needed. I knew the Airborne tab thingy. Thanks.
Andrew

Hi Andrew,

The wearing of the US Army Special Forces qualification tab is an indication that you have passed through the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC), and in turn have earned the honor of wearing a green beret. While it is true that some SF personnel may not choose to sew a Special Forces tab on every one of their uniforms, by and large I think you will find today that most SF wear the tab proudly on all of their daily-wear BDUs (now ACUs).

The Army Special Forces SSI worn with only the AIRBORNE tab is also an indication of non-SF qualified personnel (usually support). Virtually all support personnel within an SF group are airborne qualified, however, and wear the maroon beret of a US Army parachutist.

Eric