The original design was submitted in March 1983 by SFC Gregory Dailey of SFODA-552, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group. Updates on the design, adding a Master Military Freefall Parachutist Badge were submitted by GEN Wayne Downing of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and James Phillips of the Special Forces Association. The badge was approved for wear by US Army Soldiers assigned to US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) on 1 October 1994. Unrestricted wear was approved on 7 July 1997 by GEN Dennis Reimer.

Symbolism of the badge's design:

    The dagger is a Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife, used by the Office of Strategic Services during World War II, and represents infiltration techniques.
    The arched tab represents tabs worn by special operations forces.
    The parachute is a seven-celled MT1-X, the first ram-air parachute to be adopted by the US Military as the standard freefall canopy.
    The wings represent flight and airborne capabilities.

*Approx 76mm/3″ width, chrome plated, zinc alloy
*Attaches with 3M adhesive
*Tabs, units, and branch insignia sold separately