Why Is Delta Force Called “Special Forces” If It Isn’t Part of Army Special Forces?

One of the most enduring mysteries surrounding the U.S. Army’s elite unit—the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D), commonly known as Delta Force—is the confusion around its name. Why does it bear the title “Special Forces” even though it isn’t technically part of the Army Special Forces, also known as the Green Berets?

Despite its deeply classified origins and highly selective recruitment process, Delta Force has become a familiar name in popular culture. Whether referred to as Delta, The Unit, The Dreaded D, or the Combat Applications Group (CAG), the unit remains one of the most secretive and lethal components of U.S. Special Operations.

Understanding the Official Name: 1st SFOD-D

The official designation for Delta Force is 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta. This name appears in official documents and communications, yet it has often sparked confusion—especially since the unit is not part of the U.S. Army Special Forces Command, which oversees Green Beret units, Civil Affairs, and Psychological Operations.

So why the name?

At the time of Delta’s creation in the late 1970s, the U.S. Army Special Forces had three primary detachment types: Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie. To maintain operational security and avoid drawing attention to this new, classified counterterrorism unit, Colonel Charles Beckwith, Delta’s founder, chose the next letter in the phonetic alphabet—Delta—for the unit’s designation.

This naming convention allowed the unit to blend in administratively while maintaining its separate identity and mission focus.

What Sets Delta Force Apart

While it carries the “Special Forces” title, Delta Force is not under the 1st Special Forces Command, which commands traditional Green Beret units. Instead, Delta falls under Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC)—a component of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) that oversees Tier 1 units.

Delta Force, along with DEVGRU (SEAL Team 6) and a few other clandestine entities, holds Tier 1 status, meaning it handles the most critical and sensitive missions—hostage rescue, counterterrorism, high-value target raids, and clandestine operations. In contrast, Army Special Forces (Green Berets) are Tier 2 and primarily focus on foreign internal defense, unconventional warfare, and training allied forces.

Alternate Names for Delta Force

Over the decades, the unit has gone by several different names to protect its identity and operations. Some of the more commonly used designations include:

• Combat Applications Group (CAG)
• The Unit
• The Dreaded D
• Army Compartmented Elements (ACE) (a more recent administrative term)

Each of these names reflects the unit’s efforts to stay under the radar, both publicly and within military bureaucracy.

Recommended Reading: Beckwith’s Memoir

For those seeking an insider’s perspective on the creation and ethos of Delta Force, Colonel Charles Beckwith’s book is essential reading. Titled “Delta Force: A Memoir by the Founder of the U.S. Military’s Most Secretive Special-Operations Unit,” the book details the founding vision, selection process, early challenges, and operational philosophy behind the formation of America’s premier counterterrorism unit.

Having served with the British SAS, Beckwith modeled Delta after their structure and capabilities, pushing for a unit that could respond rapidly to global terrorist threats with precision and flexibility.

Final Thoughts

While its name may suggest otherwise, Delta Force is not a part of Army Special Forces in the traditional sense. The “Special Forces” label in its official title serves as a historical artifact—one chosen deliberately by its founder for security and structural purposes.

Today, Delta remains one of the most elite, compartmentalized, and combat-ready units in the U.S. military, with a legacy built on precision, secrecy, and relentless effectiveness.