Aspiring Special Forces candidates will take the last step toward earning their Green Berets later this month during the quarterly exercise known as Robin Sage.
The two-week exercise, which is the final test for candidates in the Special Forces Qualification Course, is Aug. 23-Sept. 5, the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School announced Tuesday.
The unconventional warfare exercise, which spans multiple North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee counties, is overseen by the Fort Libert-based Special Warfare Center and School.
Upon successful completion, the soldiers are assigned to one of the Army's Special Forces units.
What is Robin Sage?
Robin Sage is held four times a year and involves veterans, volunteers and law enforcement from the communities where the training is held.
The first exercise was held in Robbins in 1952 under various names before becoming Robin Sage in 1974, according to the Army.
It is named in part after Col. Jerry Sage, who spent time in the Office of Strategic Services and was held by Nazis as a prisoner of war in World War II.
“Candidates are placed in an (simulated) environment of political instability characterized by armed conflict, forcing soldiers to analyze and solve problems to meet the challenges of this ‘real-world’ training,” the news release stated.
Throughout the exercise, community volunteers and military and civilian personnel serve as support and role players “to provide realism to the exercise,” the news release stated.
Service members from units across Fort Liberty will also act as opposing forces and guerrilla freedom fighters.
“We appreciate the support and consideration the citizens of North Carolina extend to the soldiers participating in the exercise and thank them for their understanding of any inconveniences the training may cause,” the news release stated.
Where the exercise will be held
The news release said that in addition to Cumberland County, the exercise will be held in nearby Bladen, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Moore and Robeson counties.
Other North Carolina counties in which the training is to be held are Avery, Alamance, Anson, Brunswick, Cabarrus, Chatham, Columbus, Davidson, Duplin, Guilford, Montgomery, Randolph, Richmond, Rowan, Sampson, Scotland, Stanly, Union and Wake.
The South Carolina counties are Chesterfield, Dillon and Marlboro. Carter County in Tennessee is another a location.
Safety
Residents may hear blank gunfire and see occasional flares, the news release stated.
All of the exercise’s movements are coordinated with public safety officials within the towns and counties hosting the training, according to the news release.
“For the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, safety is always the command's top priority during all training events,” the release said.
The precaution of contacting local law enforcement is the result of a deadly mishap. On Feb. 23, 2002, a Moore County deputy who said he was not notified about the exercise, shot two Green Beret candidates participating in the exercise in civilian clothing.
Army First Lt. Tallas Tomeny was killed and Sgt. Stephen Phelps was injured.
Tomeny’s estate settled a lawsuit against the Moore County Sheriff's Office in October 2009. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
According to the suit, the soldiers believed the deputy was an actor taking part in the Robin Sage exercise, and the deputy, unaware of the exercise, shot Tomeny during a struggle and shot Phelps as he tried to flee.
Organizers of the latest exercise said controls are in place to ensure there is no risk to people or property.
The safety protocols include notifying local law enforcement agencies, clearly marking training areas and vehicles, and any students dressed in civilian clothes will wear “distinctive orange or brown armbands.”
Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Special Forces exercise Robin Sage in Fayetteville area this month
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