Military

Robin Sage begins

Chris Carter
A U.S. Army Special Forces student, and role players simulating guerilla fighters, conduct pre-mission rehearsals during an iteration of Robin Sage, the culmination exercise for the Special Forces Qualification Course taught by the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne). (Photo courtesy of USASOC Public Affairs)
A U.S. Army Special Forces student, and role players simulating guerilla fighters, conduct pre-mission rehearsals during an iteration of Robin Sage, the culmination exercise for the Special Forces Qualification Course taught by the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne). (Photo courtesy of USASOC Public Affairs)

The year-long Special Forces Qualification Course for prospective Army Special Forces Soldiers culminates today with the ‘Robin Sage’ exercise. The grueling training course set in the woods and towns of North Carolina will last until Sept. 25.

From a USASOC press release:

Robin Sage is conducted eight times annually and has been effectively training students for more than 50 years by the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne). Robin Sage is designed to provide realistic training in unconventional warfare tactics and techniques. It is the final test of skills learned over the past 12-15 months in the Special Forces Qualification Course.

During the exercise, 8,500 square miles of central North Carolina becomes the Republic of Pineland. Over 1,000 people consisting of instructors, students, volunteers, civilian authorities and the citizens from the area participate. Local citizens portray natives and auxiliary forces while additional service members role-play opposing and guerrilla forces to depict a realistic unconventional warfare environment.

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