820 SFG vs. 786 SFS

[mouse69]

I figured that this would be the most logical place to ask this question. Let me start off by saying I am not a Security forces person, but I have recently been checking out some of the Special Duty for my career field, which is 2E1X1, and I noticed that these two squadrons came up. If anyone can tell me what the difference is between the two, or can share any information. Any help would be great, and thanks in advance.

[Rusty24]

What they are; high speed cops. What they do, go in before a regular Security Forces Squadron --- basically the first set of boots on the ground. The 820th has 3 smaller squadrons under it. I know the 821st and 823rd fall under them but I can not remember the 3rd. Alot of them go to jump scholl and RANGER (I dont know why) air assault etc. Once you get in there you will see that they run everything like the Army.

The reason why they have openings for Sat guys like your self is due to the radios they use. Even though they may trained on how to use them, having a subject matter expert on hand is what I like to call a force mutiplier.

If you want alot of PT, travel, and a squadron that is pretty HUA, then go for it. This is not a unit when shitbags sit and wait to get out or people get put on sucide watch. Just because there is an opening doesnt mean you get it. Check to make sure that there is not a seletion process.

[mouse69]

Well is there any difference between the two squadrons or do they do the same thing.

[USAFDefender]

Well, that's wierd. I had posted a response and it didn't show, so here it is again:

Alot of them go to jump scholl and RANGER (I dont know why)

They jump into missions, they are an Airborne Security Forces unit. They jumped into Bosnia and they jumped into Iraq when it kicked off. If you meant RANGER school, its because RANGER school is simply advanced infantry leadership school. I would rather conduct MOUT behind a RANGER certified SF member than some turd who thinks he's high speed because he complete "LEvel 2" (which is our IBD leadership school).

As far as the difference, the biggest difference is the fact that the 786th runs the pre-deployment contingency training called "Creek Defender" as well as forward-deploy into bare base, high-theat security situations. Each MAJCOM has their own; Silver Flag Alpha, Brave Defender, Full Eagle, etc etc. Another difference is the missions these squadrons are typically deployed to (however, given the current times, they are pretty much going to the same places...the desert). Like the 820th was heavily involved in the counter-drug operations in South America. The 786th deployed heavily into Bosnia and Kosovo.
I don't want to lie about the 786th, but the 820th is set up as a Security Forces Group. They are a tenant unit at Moody AFB with their command at Lackland I think (not sure). Under them are 3 SFS units, 802d, 803d, 804th (don't ask why there isn't a 801st). There are also units that belong to Services, Comm, CE, Medics, etc etc so that they can deploy like the Army does; whole units at a time and totally self-sufficient for a pre-determined amount of time.
Expect to be gone alot no matter which unit they go to. Usually, it goes 4 months out, 8 months back...but with the war, it doesn't always go as planned.
820th SFG

Do you happen to have a link to a website for the 786th?

[JanMan13]

Some updates to the info provided... I am currently stationed at the 820SFG here at Moody as a 2E1x3. The sq's under the 820th are the 822, 823, 824 SFSs. They are a tenant unit at Moody and the command they fall under is here at Moody, the 93rd AGOW.

[conradmp]

Let me state, that the 786 and 820 are nothing alike. My little brother was with the 824, I served under 86CFG/786 SFS and the missions are night and day. We participated in US Embassy Evacs (Sierra Leone/398th Air Expeditionary Group; July 2003)) and Beiruit Lebanon (July 2006) and parachuted into Basur Air Field, Iraq (2003). Lots of missions to austerre locations but nothing lik 820th. They are the ones who kick the doors in, day-to-day and conduct theduties that all SF want to do. Not to slam on my old unit, but many believed that it was "Elite". It truely was just a unit, of guys and GIRLS (yes that is right, we had females and 1 who was a Sharp Shooter) who enjoyed the hard work, comraderie and just wanted to push themselves.

As for RANGER school, not all of them are TRUE LEADERS. Some endure the 61 days to just be the TQ (Tab Queers) and have no functionings other than to sport it. No operational deployments with 2/75; 3/75; 20 SF; 10 SF. NOTHING. They excelled physically and mentally and did the hard feat of passing through their 3 phases. Whereas some were true warriors.

When it comes to the 786 and 820 units.....it would be like saying "do you want white or wheat bread?" Both are great with a tuna sandwich but sometimes I just don't want white bread. Ya know? If you want to be away from your family.....alot, by all means apply for either or. Who ever said 4 moths out, 8 back has no clue what the hell life is like for US. Must not have walked in the shoes.....but merely read alot of BOB (Back Office Bitches) posts of their deployments and thought we are all pussies like that. We go 8-10 and home for 6 (3-4 of which are SOLELY for training and prepping for the next push down to the box).

I truely do miss the 786 but do not wish to go back. It almost ruined my marriage and I saw 1st hand it ruin 8 others. AND when you get too many RAMBO's in one room.....the sight of a shotgun and 1 round look enjoyable. If ya get my drift. Best up luck and remember Pfullendorf, DE is as nasty of schools that you can get sent too.

[YouLost]

I have worked with both these sqd's and you know the biggest diffrence between the 2? The 820 takes most of there guys straight out of Tech school and the 786 looks for guys who have been in awhile. As for the kicking down doors on a daily basis that is Far from True it happend for a small amount of time at the 820 with a very limited amount of people. As for women in the units 820 far surpases the 786 in this area. They have women that attend the air force sniper course as well as jump school. as if that matters. All i can say if you wanna travel to places other than the desert go with the 786 (longest deployment to date 78 days then they were releived by the 821st) Now if you like going to the same places for 4-6 months then the 820 is your place to be. Good luck in what you decide

[Ursus]

I read the posts about the 820th and had to set everyone straight. I was in the 822 Charlie flight which was the first ones in the unit. We were at moody before we even had a building. the 820th is nothing more than regular security forces with a good rep. It is by no means an airborn unit. In the beginniing many of us got schools but that quickly stopped. We did not jumo into H3 or anywhere else to take it over. After the base was secured we did a bs publicity jump. It is simply security forces that deploys more and has more assets. Most people that are tabbed out with ranger already had them before joining. If you want to be a real grunt the airforce simply has no place for it unless you are cct or pararescue.