Category Archives: Asymmetric Warfare Group

CSM Masson- RSTB & AWG

75th Ranger Regiment, Asymmetric Warfare Group

Command Major Sergeant Michael Masson was in the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment for most of his career, he became Command Major Sergeant (CSM) of Ranger Special Troops Battalion, then eventually assigned to Asymmetrical Warfare Group (AWG) to be CSM of Able Squadron.

RSTB scroll with Ranger tab. The tab is earned upon completion of Ranger School.
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Masson, Asymmetric Warfare Group ABLE Squadron command sergeant major and former Regimental Special Troops Battalion command sergeant major; and Sgt. Maj. Harry Ferguson, 1st Joint Communications Squadron Joint Communication Support Element (Airborne) and former Regimental Signal sergeant major, during the 2015 DHMOR ceremony at US Army Fort Benning, 23 June.

Image and subtitle source: The 75th Ranger Regiment Facebook page

US. Army formed Asymmetrical Warfare Group (AWG) in 2005 in response to challenges conventional Army units faced in Iraq and Afghanistan. AWG is consisted mainly of operators from various Special Operations units. In Masson’s case, he brings in valuable experience and expertise from his career in the 75th Ranger Regiment. The AWG’s mission is to provide the support to conventional army units by attaching to them on their operations, observing and analyzing their foe’s threat and tactics, then advising and developing solutions and trainings for a unit to enhance their combat capabilities.

AWG operators were issued unique uniform set made by Paraclete for field wear. It has many features differs from standard ACU set such as Velcro style, pockets placements. AWG seldomly worn unit shoulder sleeve Insignia on operations.

AWG operators wearing their Paraclete uniforms. Photo source: Open Source.

Author’s note: The general information gathered on CSM Masson and units for this article has been published online by US. Army so no OPSEC has been violated.