Who We Are: The Special Forces distinctive shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) is well known. From its inception in 1952, Special Forces (SF) sought a distinctive symbol to distinguish itself from other Army units. Capt. John W. Frye of the 77th Special Forces Group (SFG) submitted a design that was approved on 22 August 1955. The symbolism of the patch was officially recorded by the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry in 1955. That description reads: “The arrowhead alludes to the American Indian’s basic