Sgt. 1st Class Michael James Goble, 33, a U.S. Special Forces Soldier, was killed Dec 22, during combat operations in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan. Sgt. 1st Class Goble was a member of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
“Sgt. 1st Class Goble was more than just a member of the 7th Special Forces Group, he was a brother to us, and a beloved family member to the Northwest Florida community.” said Col. John W. Sannes, 7th SFG (A) commander.
“We will honor our brother’s sacrifice and provide the best possible care to his family” said Sannes. “We ask that you keep his Family and teammates in your thoughts and prayers.”
Sgt. 1st Class Michael Goble was born on Jan. 13, 1986, and was raised in Westwood, N.J. Goble entered the United States Army on July 7, 2004, as a Special Forces Candidate. After completing Basic Training, Advanced Individual Training, and the Basic Airborne Course in Fort Benning, Ga., he was assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, N.C. to attend the Special Forces Assesment and Selection and Special Forces Qualification Course and earned the coveted Green Beret in Feb. 2007.
After completion of the Special Forces Qualification Course, Goble was assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), where he served as a Weapons Sergeant During his time in 1st Battalion, 7th SFG(A), he was deployed to Afghanistan from March-Oct. 2007, May 2008-Jan 2009, Argentina in 2009, Guatemala in 2010, Colombia in 2011. Goble served as a Sniper Instructor from March 2012 to Jan. 2016. He then was assigned back to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 7th SFG(A) as their senior Intelligence Sergeant. He then deployed to the Republic of Korea from April to May 2018 and then to Colombia from July to September 2018.
Goble’s military education includes: Basic Airborne Course, Special Forces Qualification Course, Warriors Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Joint Armorer, Special Forces Sniper, Military Freefall Parachutist, Senior Leader Course, Sniper Weapons Systems Armorer, SERE 225 and 245, Combat Surveillance Operations, Special Operations Force Peculiar Weapons Repair, Jumpmaster School, Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant, Special Operations Force Surveillance Operator, Special Operations Forces Operator Advanced, Military Freefall Jumpmaster, Military Freefall Advanced Tactical Insertion, Special Warfare Network Development, Achilles Dagger, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat, and Special Warfare Operational Design Course.
His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal (3OLC), Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with “V”, Army Commendation Medal (I OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (4 Knots), National Defense Service Medal,
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), Nation Defense Service Medal, NATO Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon, NATO Non Article 5 (2nd award) Valorous Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantry Badge, Basic Airborne, and Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badges.
