On September 9, 2025, UNG Press, in partnership with the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), will release Green Berets, Clan Militia, and Blue Helmets: The Illustrated History of Army Special Forces in Somalia. This forthcoming title by the late Colonel Joseph D. Celeski, U.S. Army (Ret.) offers a meticulous, unflinching account of one of the most complex peacekeeping and combat operations of the late 20th century.
A New Illustrated History
Somalia in the early 1990s presented the international community with a crucible of failed-state collapse, famine, and armed conflict. For the United States and the United Nations, it became both a humanitarian mission and a harsh lesson in the limits of modern intervention. In Green Berets, Clan Militia, and Blue Helmets, Celeski traces the roots of Somalia’s civil war, the clan dynamics that shaped the conflict, and the foreign policy challenges that continue to resonate in today’s global security environment.
Unlike other works that focus narrowly on the October 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, this book offers a broad and deeply researched narrative, drawing on both historical analysis and firsthand military accounts. Richly illustrated and highly detailed, it situates Special Forces operations within the broader UN mission—highlighting successes, setbacks, and enduring lessons.
Why This Book Matters Now
Three decades later, the story of Somalia remains essential reading for:
- Military historians and educators, who will find fresh primary material and analysis to challenge and expand classroom conversations.
- Veterans and military professionals, especially those with Special Forces backgrounds, who will recognize both the tactical realities and the moral complexity of the mission.
- Policy and security experts, who continue to wrestle with the dilemmas of peacekeeping, intervention, and state-building.
- General readers of military history, who will be drawn to its vivid storytelling and insider perspectives.
By positioning the Special Forces narrative within Somalia’s wider geopolitical framework, Celeski helps readers understand what happened in Mogadishu, and why Somalia became a pivotal case study in modern intervention.
About the Author
COL Joseph D. Celeski retired from a thirty-year Army career in 2004 after commanding the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He twice commanded the Combined and Joint Special Operations Task Force in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. A Joint Specialty Officer, Celeski’s scholarship included monographs on counterinsurgency in the 21st century, as well as published works on Special Forces in Somalia and urban combat.
His unique dual perspective as both a combat commander and military scholar gives Green Berets, Clan Militia, and Blue Helmets its authority and depth. Sadly, Colonel Celeski passed away before this book’s release, making this volume a lasting testament to his career of service and his contributions to the field of military studies.
Lessons That Still Resonate
The book underscores enduring truths about military intervention: the limits of humanitarian operations under fire, the importance of coalition cohesion, and the need for realistic assessments of political will at home and abroad. For today’s military leaders and policymakers, Somalia remains a cautionary tale of overextension and the challenges of operating in fractured states.
At the same time, Celeski’s careful attention to Special Forces contributions highlights the adaptability, professionalism, and sacrifices of American soldiers on the ground, reminding us that behind every headline were men tasked with navigating an impossible mission.
Looking Ahead: AUSA 2025
As part of its fall release, Green Berets, Clan Militia, and Blue Helmets will be promoted at this year’s AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition in October 2025. This partnership underscores the book’s importance to both scholarly and professional military communities. Media representatives, educators, and military studies professionals attending AUSA will have an early opportunity to engage with this landmark publication and its relevance for today’s defense and policy conversations.
Stay Connected
Green Berets, Clan Militia, and Blue Helmets will be available beginning September 9, 2025 from UNG Press. Follow UNG Press and AUSA for updates on launch details, conference programming, and future military studies publications.
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