GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – The Green Berets are the Army’s special forces; the soldiers who handle special operation mission sets. It takes a lot of grit and dedication to become one.
Army veteran and Green Beret Pat Fensom said he grew up a Navy brat with no desire to join the service.
“My dad served in Vietnam and a lot of my upbringing, he was gone on a ship,” Fensom shared with 7 NEWS. “So the idea of serving in the military was not something I was keen to.”
But the idea of becoming a Green Beret was something that did interest him.
“One, I think it was part of the rebellious side not wanting to join the Navy, so I joined the Army,” Fensom explained. “The idea of jumping out of planes kind of fascinated me, and then trying to be part of the best, so the Green Berets.”
He set his sights high and wanted to make it a reality.
“I started my career as an infantryman. Back then, in the 1986-87 timeframe, you couldn’t come off the streets and join the Green Berets,” Fensom said. “You had to have served some time in the military.”