Best Special Forces

[Mag_SEAL-6]

I'm gonna go with the SEALs. Not because they're like the coolest thing on ps2 and all but because they are super elite commandos. Anyone who knows anything about them knows that the Teams are highly trained in almost any kind of terrain whether it be jungle, arctic, woodland, mountain or oceanic. They use the best of the best equipment and are some of the best of the best of the world's special forces.

I also put the delta force up there too. It is composed of the best of the best, whether it be an ex SEAL, Ranger, Green Beret or someone of Force Recon. They get the best of the best together and then train them in their own special way. Delta was started back in 1977 I think by a Col. He trained with the SAS (special air service) for several months and then came back to the US and requested permission to start up his own group. They have a very different, much less strict system that is modeled after the SAS. They don't have to salute an officer when he enters, etc. In short, they're badass cowboys. As many people have seen black hawk down, this is illustrated perfectly. The delta guys kind of disrespected the bald Ranger guy. That was very realistic and accurate.

I don't know much about the other countries' SF units but I think highly of ours. Now, I'm not choosing SEALs or Delta as "the most elite". That's just ridiculous to argue over who's better. I just like SEALs (Sea Air Land) because as their name says, they are experts in all types of terrain and can insert into any objective from the sea, air or land. They are peticularly special because no one elso does Sea. Anyways, thats just my 2 cents.

[Indigo]

Re: Special WHAT THE *POOF*

Originally posted by WangHunter
Hi Guys.

Some of you will remember me from the right piss-up we had at the Knightstalker's range back in August 03... I was the one who did the Steve Irwin impressions all night long and puked righteously after Thordic poured me a Jager funnel....

I remember I spoke to Army that night. Strangely comforting. Didn't know the guy. But I knew he had a perspective. I could talk with the guy, coz he had the same brainwashing I do....

And I gotta say...

First off....

Who the *POOF* made this *POOF* thing up??????

Australian (SASR) and New Zealand (1 NZSASR Sqn) have saved the military Pers of the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave more times than I care to mention.

Why the *POOF* aren't they involved in this little "poll" ???? SASR has a kill ratio in the 20th century which makes Spetznaz look like a bunch of pussies. Do I see THEM mentioned?

Who the *POOF* do you think executed that oh so "publicised" (American Media) rescue of 12 Marines outta a down bird at the battle of Tora Bora??? Who do you think painted the air strikes that turned that battles' tide?

WTF do you think was detaching Pers to leading the Northern Coalition during that campaign? US Special Forces? Definitely. Not to mention a few others who I can't name do to OPSEC and COMSEC. I can confirm due to public record that SASR were there and HOW.

Let's bring it closer to home for you North American folk. Why the *POOF* do you think NO mobile scud missiles that COULD'VE been launched out of Western Iraq at a moments' notice at Israel in the latest Iraq conflict WEREN'T launched at Israel?

Could it be because 21,22 and 23 SAS (UK) and SASR AS WELL AS US Special Forces were operating in that area???? The fact that it wasn't until after the war that their role was at all revealed speaks VOLUMES for anyone who knows wtf is involved in modern warfare with a view towards the way that British and Australian governments treat OPSEC.

You mention 75 RANGER??????

Look, don't get me wrong... I TOLD the peeps at Knightstalkers this who were still a) not passed out and b) interested enough to listen....

The Rangers are OUTSTANDING soldiers.

They are perhaps the most superb conventional military force you will ever meet. They are on a par with British Paras, Gurkhas, and even many third or second world "special forces" groups.

They are not however Special Forces by a 1st world standard. I know this first hand. I'm sorry, but first world SF *POOF* over Rangers. I've SEEN it with my own eyes and I *POOF* you not. They're awesome soldiers. In fact, a Ranger is probably what I apsire in my profession to be like. Well, maybe considering my Corps (RAAC), more like a LAR Marine, but you get the point.

Rangers are NOT SF. To brand them as such demeans SF Soldiers worldwide. I've met, lived with, and trained with a WHOLE bunch of them both here in Australia and in the US. To anyone who might be offended by that statement, well... harsh reality. I suggest you check in with your Q Store staff who can issue you a bag of cement so you can Suck it in and Harden the *POOF* up.

Where are Princess Patricia's Light Infantry in this little be-all-and-end-all questionnairre I might add?

They're at least worth of mention in this "poll". They're the equal or better of units mentioned here.

Which SF unit is the best in the world?

That's like asking which Army is the best in the world... I know plenty of folks from a range of different militaries who will argue resource, training and operational capability issues all day long.

But I'm telling all of you right now. From FIRST HAND, NO *POOF* experience. This Poll's so flawed I didn't even BOTHER voting... I skipped straight to a reply.

I was however extremely disappointed at the fact that since the question was asked, a grevious lack of vision and perspective was displayed in it's presentation....

And for those interested, the Rangers of the American Revolution are NOT recognised by most in the trade as the father of Special Forces. Bruce Catton one of the US's most respected historians on 18th and 19th century America disparages certain units which had the "Ranger" label. Indeed, any student of US militaria pre-1862 will note that they were Rangers, Tigers, Zouaves and "Special" units by the hundred, few worthy of the proficiency we attribute to modern SF (regardless of modern resources).

The most widely recognised precursor to US ARMY Special Forces are the little-recognised "Alamo Scouts" who served with great distinction in the PTO during WW2.

USMC Widely and justly acknowledges USMC Raider and Parachute Battalions as the pre-cursor to their own SF units. Anyone who says "It's listed with a given SF org so it must be true" is misguided. USMC SF, for example, is NOT listed with US JSOC. Doesn't mean that certain USMC Force Recon units aren't worth of the SF rating.

Well first off,there is only one unit in the US military with the title of Special Forces which are the Green Berets.Special Forces is there official name, Green Berets is there nickname,other units such as SEALs,Rangers,Det 1 ect are just simply Special Operations.

For Rangers just being a conventional light infantry force which they are trained in and due conduct such operations that's not all they do, for the most part Rangers conduct and are trained in Special Operations and unconventional light infantry operations such as conducting raids on key military targets of operational and or strategic importance,Airfield seizer,recon,search and destroy,search and rescue,counter intelligence,recovery of special equipment, Rangers also have RRF status.


I've spoken with many current and ex US Spec Ops soldiers,two of which I speak with on a regular basis one from the 7thSFG and the other from the 3/75th.Any time I have spoken with any of them and the Ranger topic came up they very much so considerd them a SOF unit.There is a reason they're under USSOCOM/JSOC.

As for Marine SOF capable units not being listed under USSOCOM they chose to retain those units and not list them under USSOCOM.Marines officialy didn't have a unit under USSOCOM until June of last year when Det 1 was activated which is under NSW and comprised of the best from force recon,which I beleive they're still in training.




I will add more to this later I havn't slept in awhile and can barely stay awake to type this.

[Jeremycw]

Seals

[devildog]

im happy someone else knows about GROM. maybe i am just biased because i was born in poland, but i know that grom is the best special forces in the world. and we all know that poland is the best country in the world

[Commissar_Loki]

I voted SEALs, mainly because though they are well known every mission they are called upon is secret. They are trained to kill silently, and alot of the time go thru less ammunition than any other special forces, because they operate silently, using the knife when need be instead of an M-4 or other tactical rifle. SEAL's have been around far longer than any other US special forces, tho the actual name is fairly new. They are the sons of UDT (Underwtaer demolition team) which dates back to world war one if I remember correctly, taking out key water targets silently then disappearing. I plan to try out for the SEAL's if i join the NAVY, but unlikely since you have to be in made crazy shape to keep up with them.

[MiniMag84]

Originally posted by Commissar_Loki
I voted SEALs, mainly because though they are well known every mission they are called upon is secret. They are trained to kill silently, and alot of the time go thru less ammunition than any other special forces, because they operate silently, using the knife when need be instead of an M-4 or other tactical rifle. SEAL's have been around far longer than any other US special forces, tho the actual name is fairly new. They are the sons of UDT (Underwtaer demolition team) which dates back to world war one if I remember correctly, taking out key water targets silently then disappearing. I plan to try out for the SEAL's if i join the NAVY, but unlikely since you have to be in made crazy shape to keep up with them.

I saw a thing on discovery channel about the seals. I remember that retreating tactic the most. They would run back to the water one after the other but on the way backwards the guy in front was always at a knee with his gun blazing. Then he would run back, tap the next guy on the shoulder and he would take a knee and rip a few. This didn't seem to sneaky to me.

[Indigo]

[mbyankee10]

forgot the PJs

They are special operations also

Like Many people have said each unit has its own specialty.No One Unit is better than the other they are all heros.

For all you young guys out there becareful what you believe that people tell you there are alot of wannabe special operators i ll give you a few tips to look out for.

1. No ones military training is completely classified the records may not show what they did or where they were at but there training is always listed on a dd214 (maybe army could help me out if im wrong but everything i have read states that)
2. There are very few instances where there are soul suviors from an ambush i know this one for a fact there was never a seal team squad or platoon completely wiped out with only one survior)
3. During the whole veitnam war there was only one rescue mission for a pow and after he was recued he died a short time later.
4.Most special forces dont brag about there expliots.
If your lucky enough to actual meet someone from delta force or the infamous seal team six and they tell you that is what they are they are probably not. those guys wont tell you jack about there career in the military.

There are some good website that specialize in finding phonies and believe the guys who are out to get the wannabes are the real thing here is a link
to read more about it
click here

[oldsoldier]

Comparing one against the other, as far as US goes, is pointless. They all serve different purposes. SF guys are infiltrated into hostile countries to raise armies. They are essentially dropped off, and live there, until they are done. They are, of course, used on other missions too.
Rangers are highly specialized infantry. Yes, they get additional training than the regular infantry...and they go into areas differently than we do (we just walk)...but, essentially, they are used as surgical strike units against difficult targets, and as recon teams.
Delta do one thing and one thing only; hostage rescue. Thats all they practice. Well, I take that back...they also do security for dignitaries and the like...but, mainly it is hostage situations.
This is like comparing apples and oranges. The Army doesnt duplicate its crack troops: that would be a waste of money and training. Now, comparing them to others in the world of the same capabilities, thats different.

[dre1919]

^^
Very well said oldsoldier.

[SLICEnDICE]

Delta is my choice

The Delta boys have it made, they get all the funding they want and it shows. They pick the best of the best, have the best indoor training ranges that eveybody else comes to train at(even George Bush Sr. went to see them), they have a cool underground tunnel going out to ther airfield so they can come and go undetected, and there compound down at Bragg just looks cool. This part is really cool. You order lunch at Hardiee's and a couple of long hair unshaven dudes come in and order. They look like a bunch of civillians, then you notice they move in unison always looking around at there surroundings. When they leave they put on their Oakley sunglasses, pile into there yellow ryder trucks and leave. Now thats Delta.

[banzaimf]

When I was in the Navy, I met some interesting folks. Got out and invariably end up hanging out with people who are former mil. I have met a few people that I would have to think of an escape option if I had to cross them. That being said.

Here's my observations. In the normal day to day grind, the best are going to go unnoticed, the ones who bark, don't have much bite. The ones who do have the bite, will talk about stuff occassionaly once they get to know you.


The guys who scare me the most, snipers. I have hunted with former snipers and seen scary shots, but most troubling is that snipers tend to have a dissociative thing going on.

That being said, I respect the hell out of CCTs, PJs, Delta, Seals, the French SF (those guys blew the hell out of Greenpeace!), Polish SF, Israel's varying operators (as mentioned, the Mossad is more CIA with more open termination ability), Aussis have some great guys, and I really dig the SAS.

Basically, I guess I will abstain just on the fact that I wouldn't want to tell any of them that they are losers in our poll!