Navy SEALS...is it worth the hype?

[High_Gravity]

Pretty difficult to hold any meaningful discussion without knowing your experience level. Taking a wild SWAG here, but it seems that you're basing a lot of your views on whatever you've been able to read from open source materials. And that's fair enough.

What SFC Ollie, High Gravity, Trajan, Quantum Windbag and others are saying, based on their backgrounds and first hand experiences, is that there is a lot more to being a SEAL than standing in cold water or going without sleep. And none of us are going to hint or reveal anything classified to satisfy your curiosity. Suffice it to say that if you want to believe that SEALs are antiquated, old-fashioned and not needed, go right ahead. No one is trying to change your mind.

However, you should at least acknowledge that there is a classified side to what the SEALs do. And if someone who has had some exposure to the Dark Side says that there's a lot more than meets the eye, then you should at least consider that there's more to it than just tradition, testosterone and bravado when it comes to the SEALs and the rest of the special ops community.

Whether you want to believe this or not, the military is a highly efficient institution. Yeah, we all make our jokes about some of the silly things we've seen, but combat has no forgiveness for stupidity. Combat forces the military to be successful. If the SEALs were truly outdated and unnecessary, the Pentagon would have phased them out a long time ago.

Thank you, all this guy keeps talking about is the SEALS falling asleep in water and getting hypothermia.

And that's probably some footnote in a book he attempted to read. Or out of some movie.

He probably watched the Navy Seals training documentary on the Military channel.

 

[whitehall]

SEALS are stuck in an antiquated concept. They are Sailors so the training is geared toward missions related to the Navy. The problem is that the missions are no longer valid. Most Sailors wash out of Seal training because they cannot adjust to constant hypothermic conditions. Some say that tolerance to hypothermia is genetic and other theories suggest that a certain body type is tolerant of severe cold. Some say that constant exposure to hypothermia and lack of sleep can cause permanent mental disorders. Anyway the Seals wash out people with valuable mental and physical skills and keep people who can stand longer imersion in cold water.

The Navy Seals are doing alot of behind the scenes work in Afghanistan taking out top and mid level Taliban Commanders, you are not going to see everything that SEALS do be put on Fox News or CNN. You really have no understanding about what the SEALS do.

I read a book. What do you base your opinion on? Wishful thinking? Luttrell's book illustrated what Seals are doing in Afghanistan. The Frogmen find themselves on patrol at 10,000 Ft. The basis of Luttrell's book is the patrol which was supposed to track the Taliban and became surrounded by the people they were supposed to recon. The patrol was maneuvered by the Taliban into an indefensible position and they were cut to pieces. The Seals who jumped on a helicopter to rescue the patrol landed in an ambush. The Seals were blown up by an RPG when they opened the door. Bad recon, bad rescue and bad planning. Seals have no business in Afghanistan except to protect the ships that support the mission. Marine Recon and Army Special Forces and Rangers are quite able to handle the mission without elitist Seals getting in the way.

 

[SFC Ollie]

SEALS are stuck in an antiquated concept. They are Sailors so the training is geared toward missions related to the Navy. The problem is that the missions are no longer valid. Most Sailors wash out of Seal training because they cannot adjust to constant hypothermic conditions. Some say that tolerance to hypothermia is genetic and other theories suggest that a certain body type is tolerant of severe cold. Some say that constant exposure to hypothermia and lack of sleep can cause permanent mental disorders. Anyway the Seals wash out people with valuable mental and physical skills and keep people who can stand longer imersion in cold water.

The Navy Seals are doing alot of behind the scenes work in Afghanistan taking out top and mid level Taliban Commanders, you are not going to see everything that SEALS do be put on Fox News or CNN. You really have no understanding about what the SEALS do.

I read a book. What do you base your opinion on? Wishful thinking? Luttrell's book illustrated what Seals are doing in Afghanistan. The Frogmen find themselves on patrol at 10,000 Ft. The basis of Luttrell's book is the patrol which was supposed to track the Taliban and became surrounded by the people they were supposed to recon. The patrol was maneuvered by the Taliban into an indefensible position and they were cut to pieces. The Seals who jumped on a helicopter to rescue the patrol landed in an ambush. The Seals were blown up by an RPG when they opened the door. Bad recon, bad rescue and bad planning. Seals have no business in Afghanistan except to protect the ships that support the mission. Marine Recon and Army Special Forces and Rangers are quite able to handle the mission without elitist Seals getting in the way.

So you read a book about one failed mission. And now you are an expert.
I suggest you read a few dozen books about successful missions. Remember Delta force? Their first mission was also a dismal failure.

 

[Cain]

Seals have no business in Afghanistan except to protect the ships that support the mission. Marine Recon and Army Special Forces and Rangers are quite able to handle the mission without elitist Seals getting in the way.

I'll go tell my local VA guy (ex-Navy Seal) what you think. I am sure he can respond in return .

You have NO BUSINESS telling people what they should and should NOT be doing. You know what? Don't even attempt to do something in the military if you think what YOU think is going to work out great.

You know what's funny? It doesn't matter what I think in the next 6 years. You know why? I signed a contract, and I am stuck in it. Guess what? That's fine by me, I didn't sign up with the intent to change the military, I went in and will always have, the intent to do more for myself and my community (the US of A). Yea, sure, I could tell my recruiter what I think Security Force, should be doing, but guess what? That will get me either: A) Told to shut up. or B) Told to shut up, and run a few more miles after everyone is done.

And for your information, some of these 'wishful' thinkers have served before, and you know what? I think that earns them a little respect and maybe just a little bit of credibility, so want to know what I have to say to you?


"

"

 

[SFC Ollie]

Seals have no business in Afghanistan except to protect the ships that support the mission. Marine Recon and Army Special Forces and Rangers are quite able to handle the mission without elitist Seals getting in the way.

I'll go tell my local VA guy (ex-Navy Seal) what you think. I am sure he can respond in return .

You have NO BUSINESS telling people what they should and should NOT be doing. You know what? Don't even attempt to do something in the military if you think what YOU think is going to work out great.

You know what's funny? It doesn't matter what I think in the next 6 years. You know why? I signed a contract, and I am stuck in it. Guess what? That's fine by me, I didn't sign up with the intent to change the military, I went in and will always have, the intent to do more for myself and my community (the US of A). Yea, sure, I could tell my recruiter what I think Security Force, should be doing, but guess what? That will get me either: A) Told to shut up. or B) Told to shut up, and run a few more miles after everyone is done.

And for your information, some of these 'wishful' thinkers have served before, and you know what? I think that earns them a little respect and maybe just a little bit of credibility, so want to know what I have to say to you?


"

"

I'm hoping that he has Figured out that SFC is not just a name i chose for this board.

 

[Cain]

Seals have no business in Afghanistan except to protect the ships that support the mission. Marine Recon and Army Special Forces and Rangers are quite able to handle the mission without elitist Seals getting in the way.

I'll go tell my local VA guy (ex-Navy Seal) what you think. I am sure he can respond in return .

You have NO BUSINESS telling people what they should and should NOT be doing. You know what? Don't even attempt to do something in the military if you think what YOU think is going to work out great.

You know what's funny? It doesn't matter what I think in the next 6 years. You know why? I signed a contract, and I am stuck in it. Guess what? That's fine by me, I didn't sign up with the intent to change the military, I went in and will always have, the intent to do more for myself and my community (the US of A). Yea, sure, I could tell my recruiter what I think Security Force, should be doing, but guess what? That will get me either: A) Told to shut up. or B) Told to shut up, and run a few more miles after everyone is done.

And for your information, some of these 'wishful' thinkers have served before, and you know what? I think that earns them a little respect and maybe just a little bit of credibility, so want to know what I have to say to you?


"

"

I'm hoping that he has Figured out that SFC is not just a name i chose for this board.

I wouldn't put too much hope on that. I just hope he doesn't try to go in with that attitude. He should be more worried about Basic then Seal Training, but if he is just 'critiquing' people, then I advise he pick a group that isn't considered one of the Elite forces in the world.

 

[whitehall]

SEALS are stuck in an antiquated concept. They are Sailors so the training is geared toward missions related to the Navy. The problem is that the missions are no longer valid. Most Sailors wash out of Seal training because they cannot adjust to constant hypothermic conditions. Some say that tolerance to hypothermia is genetic and other theories suggest that a certain body type is tolerant of severe cold. Some say that constant exposure to hypothermia and lack of sleep can cause permanent mental disorders. Anyway the Seals wash out people with valuable mental and physical skills and keep people who can stand longer imersion in cold water.

Pretty difficult to hold any meaningful discussion without knowing your experience level. Taking a wild SWAG here, but it seems that you're basing a lot of your views on whatever you've been able to read from open source materials. And that's fair enough.

What SFC Ollie, High Gravity, Trajan, Quantum Windbag and others are saying, based on their backgrounds and first hand experiences, is that there is a lot more to being a SEAL than standing in cold water or going without sleep. And none of us are going to hint or reveal anything classified to satisfy your curiosity. Suffice it to say that if you want to believe that SEALs are antiquated, old-fashioned and not needed, go right ahead. No one is trying to change your mind.

However, you should at least acknowledge that there is a classified side to what the SEALs do. And if someone who has had some exposure to the Dark Side says that there's a lot more than meets the eye, then you should at least consider that there's more to it than just tradition, testosterone and bravado when it comes to the SEALs and the rest of the special ops community.

Whether you want to believe this or not, the military is a highly efficient institution. Yeah, we all make our jokes about some of the silly things we've seen, but combat has no forgiveness for stupidity. Combat forces the military to be successful. If the SEALs were truly outdated and unnecessary, the Pentagon would have phased them out a long time ago.

My source material is the recent biography of a Navy Seal and my own life experiences. We all know that the Pentagon is ....well....the Pentagon. SEALS have created a niche in the Military and the Pentagon ain't about to go against a pop-culture legend regardless of it's effectiveness or the lack of it. Let's review the painfull facts. Luttrell says that SEALS refuse to be billited with other (inferior trained?) Troops. It's a quote. Those BUD graduates who mastered hypothermia go on to Army training and specific Spec-Ops schools that they might be qualified for but the Army and the Marines have a high level of really qualified candidates and the SEALS have a limited source of people who managed to withstand cold showers and paddling rubber boats until unconscious. Now we have SEAL units who think they are the most elite Troops in the Military but they are led by BUD graduates who can hold their breath for a really long time and tolerate cold showers but might not stack up to Army specialist skills. Case in point the SEAL Lt who jumped on a chopper to rescue Luttrell's Seal team and landed in front of an RPG.

 

[SFC Ollie]

Go away child, you know so very little about what you speak.

 

[whitehall]

Go away child, you know so very little about what you speak.

"Go away"? Don't make me comment about phonies who cut and paste Military rank to reinforce their lack of intelligence.

 

[SFC Ollie]

Go away child, you know so very little about what you speak.

"Go away"? Don't make me comment about phonies who cut and paste Military rank to reinforce their lack of intelligence.

LOL go right ahead. I believe anyone who has been around here for a while can vouch for my service. Even met one member here for coffee last month. So if you want to attack my service you go for it. You won't be the first or last.

Yes I wear my rank because I earned it. And yes I'm proud of it.

 

[Cain]

Go away child, you know so very little about what you speak.

"Go away"? Don't make me comment about phonies who cut and paste Military rank to reinforce their lack of intelligence.

Your right. We should trust a theory based on a guy who believes he is some sort of intellect on the Navy Seals because he has seen a report...

Honestly, I hope you leave, your pretty annoying, you insult other members, and then call one of them a liar on his military status.

Best of luck in future ventures.

 

[xotoxi]

Don't get me wrong or start sending me hate-mail, I think Sailors who endure the training and become Seals are true patriots.

And do you think that those who do not become Seals are less than true patriots?

 

[whitehall]

Don't get me wrong or start sending me hate-mail, I think Sailors who endure the training and become Seals are true patriots.

And do you think that those who do not become Seals are less than true patriots?

You gotta laugh sometimes. What's your claim to true patriotism toxic? Do you have any actual experience in the field or is the question strictly based on emotion?

 

[High_Gravity]

SEALS are stuck in an antiquated concept. They are Sailors so the training is geared toward missions related to the Navy. The problem is that the missions are no longer valid. Most Sailors wash out of Seal training because they cannot adjust to constant hypothermic conditions. Some say that tolerance to hypothermia is genetic and other theories suggest that a certain body type is tolerant of severe cold. Some say that constant exposure to hypothermia and lack of sleep can cause permanent mental disorders. Anyway the Seals wash out people with valuable mental and physical skills and keep people who can stand longer imersion in cold water.

The Navy Seals are doing alot of behind the scenes work in Afghanistan taking out top and mid level Taliban Commanders, you are not going to see everything that SEALS do be put on Fox News or CNN. You really have no understanding about what the SEALS do.

I read a book. What do you base your opinion on? Wishful thinking? Luttrell's book illustrated what Seals are doing in Afghanistan. The Frogmen find themselves on patrol at 10,000 Ft. The basis of Luttrell's book is the patrol which was supposed to track the Taliban and became surrounded by the people they were supposed to recon. The patrol was maneuvered by the Taliban into an indefensible position and they were cut to pieces. The Seals who jumped on a helicopter to rescue the patrol landed in an ambush. The Seals were blown up by an RPG when they opened the door. Bad recon, bad rescue and bad planning. Seals have no business in Afghanistan except to protect the ships that support the mission. Marine Recon and Army Special Forces and Rangers are quite able to handle the mission without elitist Seals getting in the way.

Your right, the Military should just get rid of the SEALS and send you over there to deal with the Taliban, maybe you can annoy them to death , like what your doing to us right now.

 

[High_Gravity]

SEALS are stuck in an antiquated concept. They are Sailors so the training is geared toward missions related to the Navy. The problem is that the missions are no longer valid. Most Sailors wash out of Seal training because they cannot adjust to constant hypothermic conditions. Some say that tolerance to hypothermia is genetic and other theories suggest that a certain body type is tolerant of severe cold. Some say that constant exposure to hypothermia and lack of sleep can cause permanent mental disorders. Anyway the Seals wash out people with valuable mental and physical skills and keep people who can stand longer imersion in cold water.

Pretty difficult to hold any meaningful discussion without knowing your experience level. Taking a wild SWAG here, but it seems that you're basing a lot of your views on whatever you've been able to read from open source materials. And that's fair enough.

What SFC Ollie, High Gravity, Trajan, Quantum Windbag and others are saying, based on their backgrounds and first hand experiences, is that there is a lot more to being a SEAL than standing in cold water or going without sleep. And none of us are going to hint or reveal anything classified to satisfy your curiosity. Suffice it to say that if you want to believe that SEALs are antiquated, old-fashioned and not needed, go right ahead. No one is trying to change your mind.

However, you should at least acknowledge that there is a classified side to what the SEALs do. And if someone who has had some exposure to the Dark Side says that there's a lot more than meets the eye, then you should at least consider that there's more to it than just tradition, testosterone and bravado when it comes to the SEALs and the rest of the special ops community.

Whether you want to believe this or not, the military is a highly efficient institution. Yeah, we all make our jokes about some of the silly things we've seen, but combat has no forgiveness for stupidity. Combat forces the military to be successful. If the SEALs were truly outdated and unnecessary, the Pentagon would have phased them out a long time ago.

My source material is the recent biography of a Navy Seal and my own life experiences. We all know that the Pentagon is ....well....the Pentagon. SEALS have created a niche in the Military and the Pentagon ain't about to go against a pop-culture legend regardless of it's effectiveness or the lack of it. Let's review the painfull facts. Luttrell says that SEALS refuse to be billited with other (inferior trained?) Troops. It's a quote. Those BUD graduates who mastered hypothermia go on to Army training and specific Spec-Ops schools that they might be qualified for but the Army and the Marines have a high level of really qualified candidates and the SEALS have a limited source of people who managed to withstand cold showers and paddling rubber boats until unconscious. Now we have SEAL units who think they are the most elite Troops in the Military but they are led by BUD graduates who can hold their breath for a really long time and tolerate cold showers but might not stack up to Army specialist skills. Case in point the SEAL Lt who jumped on a chopper to rescue Luttrell's Seal team and landed in front of an RPG.

LMAO the Navy SEALS are pop culture now? child you are lost.

 

[Two Thumbs]

The SEALS don't have much to do in land locked Afganistan. But anywhere there is water, they have more than anyone else to do.

And I'll remind you that is was a SEAL sniper that killed those pirates on the open ocean.

 

[artk]

In the late '80's, I went through the amphibious assault course at Coronado. I got to see the new SEAL recruits going through their hell week. That looked like some very intense training. It definitely takes a special breed to make it through the training. Nothing but respect for them.

 

[bigrebnc1775]

Tell you what, you have a problem with the SEALS? Go tell one of them to their face. The rest of us will simply give them the respect they deserve.

Yeah yeah yeah Ollie. Challenge them to a fight. That will substitute for intelligent discussion.

either way you would lose

 

[asterism]

SEALS are stuck in an antiquated concept. They are Sailors so the training is geared toward missions related to the Navy. The problem is that the missions are no longer valid. Most Sailors wash out of Seal training because they cannot adjust to constant hypothermic conditions. Some say that tolerance to hypothermia is genetic and other theories suggest that a certain body type is tolerant of severe cold. Some say that constant exposure to hypothermia and lack of sleep can cause permanent mental disorders. Anyway the Seals wash out people with valuable mental and physical skills and keep people who can stand longer imersion in cold water.

Delta washes out lots of people who would be just fine in the water but aren't so good in the frozen mountains, Recon washes out lots of people who aren't particularly regimented in the "Infantry style" of command and that's almost never used on actual missions. What's your point, that it's not fair to the washouts? Life isn't fair. Having a bias in favor of a certain type of mission that suits a plurality of the needs of the force being augmented is perfectly acceptable, as is diversity in missions after the unit is developed.

A SEAL washout who has the only downfall of not being amazingly tolerant to hypothermia can always try a lateral move to the Army and try the Q Course.

 

[asterism]

SEALS are stuck in an antiquated concept. They are Sailors so the training is geared toward missions related to the Navy. The problem is that the missions are no longer valid. Most Sailors wash out of Seal training because they cannot adjust to constant hypothermic conditions. Some say that tolerance to hypothermia is genetic and other theories suggest that a certain body type is tolerant of severe cold. Some say that constant exposure to hypothermia and lack of sleep can cause permanent mental disorders. Anyway the Seals wash out people with valuable mental and physical skills and keep people who can stand longer imersion in cold water.

The Navy Seals are doing alot of behind the scenes work in Afghanistan taking out top and mid level Taliban Commanders, you are not going to see everything that SEALS do be put on Fox News or CNN. You really have no understanding about what the SEALS do.

I read a book. What do you base your opinion on? Wishful thinking? Luttrell's book illustrated what Seals are doing in Afghanistan. The Frogmen find themselves on patrol at 10,000 Ft. The basis of Luttrell's book is the patrol which was supposed to track the Taliban and became surrounded by the people they were supposed to recon. The patrol was maneuvered by the Taliban into an indefensible position and they were cut to pieces. The Seals who jumped on a helicopter to rescue the patrol landed in an ambush. The Seals were blown up by an RPG when they opened the door. Bad recon, bad rescue and bad planning. Seals have no business in Afghanistan except to protect the ships that support the mission. Marine Recon and Army Special Forces and Rangers are quite able to handle the mission without elitist Seals getting in the way.

Wait wait wait - - -

What reason do you have to suggest that the SEALS should not be in a mountain range but Recon should? There's nothing amphibious at 10,000 ft.