Although military intelligence has been gathered by small
surveillance elements throughout military history, raiding by
long range units only came to prominence in the frontier of
colonial America. Specialized ranger units have existed
in the French and Indian Wars, the Revolutionary War, the Civil
War, World War Two and since. The doctrine has evolved with the
weapons and environment, but the Rules for Rogers'
Rangers are still valid today. American practices have been
influenced by British models: in the north African deserts, in
the Burmese jungles, and especially during the Vietnam war, from
the Malaysian bush. Americans, from OSS to SF, learned to form
combined units from the indigenous peoples inhabiting the
operational area for best results.
The Military Assistance Command in Vietnam (MACV) mandated the
long range patrol (LRP) doctrine for conventional units
in 1966, but advisory teams had been conducting surveillance as
an element in counterinsurgency operations since 1964.
The MACV Recondo School was established on 16 September 1966 in
Nha Trang. It had previously existed as a training facility for
Project Delta [Det B-52, 5th SFG(Abn)]. The MACV Recondo School
consisted of a three week course of instruction in patrolling,
reconnaissance, and other infantry skills for jungle operations.
This lurp finishing school was only open to Allied
soldiers with six-months of service in country, and with
assignments to some LRRP-type unit. The final FTX exam was a
supervised patrol in enemy territory called You Bet Your
Life. The motto of the MACV Recondo School was Smart,
Skillful, Tough, Courageous, Confident (SSTCC), and was
given with the name Recondo by GEN W.C. Westmoreland. as
commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division and as
commandant of West Point, GEN Westmoreland setup Recondo training
for each institution before authorizing the new Recondo School in
Vietnam; each with a downward arrow bearing either 101-numerals
or USMA-letters, at which time the term recon-do was
originally claimed to be a contraction of RECONnaissance
commanDO. This interpretation was later changed in Vietnam to
mean recon+doughboy, but most staff and students
associated the term with the Japanese do for
way, as in judo, aikido, kendo, and bushido. The MACV
Recondo School course had an approximate 40% attrition rate.
Graduates received a numbered certificate and were authorized to
wear an arrowhead patch on their right-side pocket while in
country; many unit
patch variations of this arrowhead existed. Protocol
restricts wear of Recondo pocket patches to the issuing command,
although course completion is noted in the servicemember's
permanent record. The MACV Recondo School was officially
transferred to ARVN administration on 15 April 1971; and it
continued to train Vietnamese Rangers [Biet Dong Quan (BDQ)]
until 1973.
Several MACV Recondo School graduates talked about forming a
veteran's group but the idea seemed to dwindle for a lack of
enthusiasm ... perhaps because potential members feel more
loyalty to their parent unit, or perhaps because they are already
eligible for membership in the U.S. Army
Ranger Association or the Viet Namese
Rangers. These commemorative bronze coins were minted for
those MACV Recondo School veterans who are interested in their
heritage.
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At the behest of fellow veterans who sincerely seek to preserve
and commemorate a portion of their military service, this
insignia has been produced. The quality of this item
is good, but quantities are limited, and will not be reordered.
Stock is available on a first come first served basis;
and when supplies are exhausted, this descriptive webpage will be
removed. This offering is a service to comrades,
not a business, and all proceeds support humanitarian
projects.
Purchasers of this memorabilia may make their personal checks or
money orders payable to the Montagnard Foundation, Cambodia Corps, Operation Rice Lift, or Friends
of Vinh Son Orphanage, as they prefer ... all are tax-exempt
non-profit organizations. The quoted price is the minimum amount
for purchase, but larger sums may be included, or sent directly.
All prices are postpaid, and the purchaser's check serves as
their receipt for accountability of charitable donations on tax
declarations. This insignia is warranted to be as described, and
satisfaction is guaranteed. This memorabilia is only available
through COMBAT. Send all prepaid orders to:
COMBAT
Attn: Memorabilia
P.O. Box 3
Circleville, WV 26804 USA.
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