The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina is the Army’s Special Operations Center of Excellence. It trains and educates Special Forces, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations Soldiers from initial selection through advanced skills. With origins in the 1952 Psychological Warfare Center, JFKSWCS continues to prepare elite Soldiers for unconventional warfare, civil-military operations, and influence campaigns worldwide. Airborne Apparel Company is proud to offer reproductions and unique designs that celebrate the legacy of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.
Origins and Early Years
The U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS) traces its lineage to the establishment of the Psychological Warfare Center at Fort Bragg on 10 April 1952. The center’s mission was to oversee training, doctrine development, and equipment testing for both psychological warfare and the emerging Special Forces. By 1956, it was redesignated the U.S. Army Special Warfare Center, formally incorporating the training of Special Forces Soldiers, Civil Affairs specialists, and Psychological Operations personnel.
Dedication and Naming
In 1969, the center was renamed in honor of President John F. Kennedy, who was a strong supporter of Army Special Forces. Kennedy famously authorized the green beret as the official headgear of the Special Forces in 1961, symbolizing his recognition of their unique mission and contribution to Cold War unconventional warfare. Since then, the school has borne his name, linking the institution to his legacy of innovation and forward-thinking military policy.
Evolution and Mission
Over the decades, USAJFKSWCS expanded into the Army’s premier institution for special operations training and education. The school manages the rigorous Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) and the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC)—the “Q Course”—that produces Army Green Berets. It also oversees the qualification and professional development of Civil Affairs Soldiers and Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Soldiers, making it the home of Army Special Operations’ intellectual and professional foundation.
In addition to training, JFKSWCS develops doctrine, advances research into unconventional warfare, and leads language and cultural instruction critical to global missions. It also runs advanced schools, such as the Special Forces Warrant Officer Institute and the Noncommissioned Officer Academy, ensuring professional development across all ranks.
Modern Role
Today, JFKSWCS trains thousands of Soldiers annually, preparing them for global assignments in small, culturally attuned teams that execute special operations missions ranging from direct action to stability operations. As the Army’s Special Operations Center of Excellence, it plays a vital role in shaping the Army’s ability to meet unconventional threats across the world.