After reading / hearing more regarding this case/situation - First off, I firmly believe (know) JAGs and REMFs are screwing up our efforts tremendously - It is complete BS the lengths JAGs are going to prosecute and second guess guys who are in the sh*t in both Iraq and Stan (who have split second decisions to make).
With that said - The more I hear about this particular case.....”Classified”, “Operational” missions are not usually assigned to conventional E-4s/5s....(I think some “story telling” may be being done here).
Also, how are these guys "Rangers"?? Out of the 501st Airborne?? - Have they ever served a day in the 75th? They may be "ranger qualified" via a tab.....But there is notable difference there (could simply be a MSM error trying to suggest something they are not).
You are correct that some of these troops have Ranger tabs, but that they are not in Ranger assignments. Those are limited to the regiments in USASOC.
However, the point of the supporters of these men is that they have been prodded to use these techniques by the Assymetric Warfare group, which has SpecOps ties. Some of them might well have been in Ranger units or have qualified as Rangers and been taught these special techniques as well.
I would think that any sniper is told not to speak of his mission, and infantry units do have snipers.
It is a fact that Special techniques enter into regular line units because those units are regularly cross-fertilized with officers and NCOs who come from SpecOps units.