Making Tadpoles Mean
In one of those great "exclusive to CNN" moments, the Navy announced they are looking for a few more good men in the form of SEALs. They are looking to wrestlers, water polo players and extreme ports enthusiasts to join the ranks of the Naval Special Warfare Unit. Of course, this is at a time when every branch of the military is having to both lower quotas and standards to convince everyone they are getting enough troops to fill the war in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. With almost 30,000 wounded and almost 3500 dead in Iraq (as of June 20, 2007), it's little wonder they're looking for more troops for this specialized role. Doubly so when you consider that it's these kinds of jobs that have higher casualty rates than most other rates (as the Navy calls them), like say band players, or boatswain's mates. And with the war on terror reaching joyous new levels, they're right for once. We do need more SEALs.
SEALs, named for SEa Air and Land, are the Navy's elite special forces, much like Army Green Berets, Marine Force Recon or Air Force Pararescue. They are expected to do the most dangerous missions the Navy and Special Operations Command (SOCOM) can come up with. Recruits into SEALs generally have to be Petty Officers (Corporal or higher in Army and Marines) and very physically fit. According to CNN, the pass rate through BUDS (Basic Underwater Demolition School, the training school for SEALs) is 25%. While CNN makes the claim this is the hardest school in the military, it's not. Delta Force, which officially doesn't exist, has a drop rate in 95% range (give or take. They've washed out entire classes. Allegedly.) SEALs were created by President Kennedy alongside the Peace Corps as a way for fighting for good in the world. They were created to fight insurgency and small scale Vietnam like battles.
And now, with the War on Terror being little but a large number of small scale battles, the Navy wants 500 more SEALs, for a total force of 3038 SEALs. During the 2004 Presidential campaign, John Kerry's biggest plan to fight al-Qaeda and the war in Iraq was to double the number of special forces and double special forces funding. It was, in fact, the only reason I voted for him. Ok, fine, that and Cate Edwards-Ranter. But, he did have a real point on this. He was former Navy, he was in a PBR commander who probably escorted any number of SF types up and down rivers. Although, probably not Martin Sheen, but you never know. What he did know was this, fights against terrorist/insurgent/guerrilla warfare types are not won by conventional military. Or at least, not often. Franco in Spain was a grand exception. Guerrilla warfare has to be fought with guerrilla warfare style tactics, which means guerrilla warfare trained troops, which are hard to make.
Snake eaters, as SEALs and other Special Forces types are called, do not grow on trees (despite popular belief they live there). It's not just a matter of being physically tough, but also clever and smart. You need to be able to speak the local language, know the local customs and blend in. Special Forces is not the place for Bob the clean cut Marine with shiny uniform and boots. It's for the people who are just a little out there and pretty sharp. And not just sharp, but determined. It takes willpower to get through all this training and be able to keep a sold mind through it all. And since these guys tend to get killed and wounded a lot, they need to be replaced a lot. And that's where this new program comes in. The problem is, there aren't a lot of people who are able to be Special Forces who were not thinking about it already. It's the ultimate physical challenge, and most guys who can do that sort of thing, already knew about SEALs and made the determination long ago whether or not to do it. It's good to try and be more aggressive and all that, but at some point, we're gonna be trying to get people in who can't hack it, and that's trouble.
On a slightly more personal note, I do know there are some former SF people out there who have made lives in the civilian world, with varying degrees of success. One I know is a millionaire, of the self-made variety, and another is bouncing from job to job. I found out recently my step-brother, a 38 year old former Army Ranger, former Legionnaire, and former Marine Force Recon snake eater, has rejoined the military. He retired a few years ago, at the rank of sergeant of the Marine Corps and, for a brief time, lived the high life in Thailand, where the American dollar from all the years of combat pay went further. He's going back in to serve his country doing what he knows best. And for that, I wish him God's speed, good luck and remind him to keep his pecker hard and powder dry (oh it doesn't mean that, it comes from ball and powder era firearms).
And it really shows how bad a spot the US is in when 38 year old Marines are put BACK in payroll after almost two decades of service.
So it is written, so do I see it.
SEALs, named for SEa Air and Land, are the Navy's elite special forces, much like Army Green Berets, Marine Force Recon or Air Force Pararescue. They are expected to do the most dangerous missions the Navy and Special Operations Command (SOCOM) can come up with. Recruits into SEALs generally have to be Petty Officers (Corporal or higher in Army and Marines) and very physically fit. According to CNN, the pass rate through BUDS (Basic Underwater Demolition School, the training school for SEALs) is 25%. While CNN makes the claim this is the hardest school in the military, it's not. Delta Force, which officially doesn't exist, has a drop rate in 95% range (give or take. They've washed out entire classes. Allegedly.) SEALs were created by President Kennedy alongside the Peace Corps as a way for fighting for good in the world. They were created to fight insurgency and small scale Vietnam like battles.
And now, with the War on Terror being little but a large number of small scale battles, the Navy wants 500 more SEALs, for a total force of 3038 SEALs. During the 2004 Presidential campaign, John Kerry's biggest plan to fight al-Qaeda and the war in Iraq was to double the number of special forces and double special forces funding. It was, in fact, the only reason I voted for him. Ok, fine, that and Cate Edwards-Ranter. But, he did have a real point on this. He was former Navy, he was in a PBR commander who probably escorted any number of SF types up and down rivers. Although, probably not Martin Sheen, but you never know. What he did know was this, fights against terrorist/insurgent/guerrilla warfare types are not won by conventional military. Or at least, not often. Franco in Spain was a grand exception. Guerrilla warfare has to be fought with guerrilla warfare style tactics, which means guerrilla warfare trained troops, which are hard to make.
Snake eaters, as SEALs and other Special Forces types are called, do not grow on trees (despite popular belief they live there). It's not just a matter of being physically tough, but also clever and smart. You need to be able to speak the local language, know the local customs and blend in. Special Forces is not the place for Bob the clean cut Marine with shiny uniform and boots. It's for the people who are just a little out there and pretty sharp. And not just sharp, but determined. It takes willpower to get through all this training and be able to keep a sold mind through it all. And since these guys tend to get killed and wounded a lot, they need to be replaced a lot. And that's where this new program comes in. The problem is, there aren't a lot of people who are able to be Special Forces who were not thinking about it already. It's the ultimate physical challenge, and most guys who can do that sort of thing, already knew about SEALs and made the determination long ago whether or not to do it. It's good to try and be more aggressive and all that, but at some point, we're gonna be trying to get people in who can't hack it, and that's trouble.
On a slightly more personal note, I do know there are some former SF people out there who have made lives in the civilian world, with varying degrees of success. One I know is a millionaire, of the self-made variety, and another is bouncing from job to job. I found out recently my step-brother, a 38 year old former Army Ranger, former Legionnaire, and former Marine Force Recon snake eater, has rejoined the military. He retired a few years ago, at the rank of sergeant of the Marine Corps and, for a brief time, lived the high life in Thailand, where the American dollar from all the years of combat pay went further. He's going back in to serve his country doing what he knows best. And for that, I wish him God's speed, good luck and remind him to keep his pecker hard and powder dry (oh it doesn't mean that, it comes from ball and powder era firearms).
And it really shows how bad a spot the US is in when 38 year old Marines are put BACK in payroll after almost two decades of service.
So it is written, so do I see it.