Posted on 08/15/2008 5:51:34 PM PDT by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2008 Coast Guardsmen soon will be training to join Navy SEAL teams, a senior Coast Guard officer said today.
Rear Adm. Thomas F. Atkin, commander of the Coast Guards deployable operations group, said four Coast Guardsmen -- two officers and two enlisted sailors -- will be selected to begin basic underwater demolition school later this year.
If they graduate, the admiral said, they will become full-fledged members of Navy SEAL teams and deploy with those teams worldwide.
Atkins called the development the beginning of an exciting new era in the Coast Guard.
Certainly this is historic, its different, but its very consistent with the long partnership weve had with the United States Navy, he said during a conference call with bloggers.
SEAL teams are among the most elite military units in the world, he noted. We understand that, and we will strive to find the best and the brightest here in the Coast Guard to support that program, the admiral said.
The Coast Guard will get a capability it does not have right now, he said. We will get a great skill set and experience set from what they will learn, the admiral said. We think this program will bring a lot of experience back to the deployable operations group and the Coast Guard as a whole.
The service will accept applications through the middle of next month. At that point, the service -- in coordination with the Navy Special Warfare Command -- will select the Coast Guard candidates.
The Coast Guard has a military mission; we have a counterterrorism mission; we have an anti-terrorism mission; and we also have a mission to conduct high-end specialized law enforcement in the Caribbean, the Eastern Pacific and around the homeland, Atkins said.
SEAL training provides the service with increased capabilities and more experience, and it also will help Coast Guards relationship with the Navy and the U.S. Special Operations Command.
The Navy also benefits from the Coast Guardsmen becoming SEALs, the admiral said.
The Coast Guardsmen will bring their knowledge base on maritime operations, law enforcement operations, port security and homeland security to the SEAL teams, Atkins said. These are experiences these folks dont have.
The more diverse an operational group is, the better off it is, he said.
It doesnt mean the SEAL teams are going to conduct law enforcement operations, but understanding how law enforcement operations work and understanding the experiences a new person brings to the team will only make them better, he said.
TONK must be so proud watching from above.
He would be thrilled. I am thrilled. Gutsy bunch. Much needed.
Remember what branch mounted that incredible rooftop rescue in New Orleans after the flood.
Yep.
OOH-RAH!
GODSPEED AND GODBLESS TONK!
She's a 4'11 machinist mate but a tough little ——. Coast Guard said they needed people that can fit in tight spots.
God Bless her and her crew.
My Father was a CPO in the Coasties in WW2. They never received the credit due them for their service in some really nasty areas.
IIRC there was a similar article a month or so ago.
I work as a civilian for the Navy but the last two years I’m sort of “contracted” to the Coast Guard. For the most part, I find the officers much more approachable and less apt to be on a high horse than some of the Navy guys I’ve worked for. I am lucky I get to work with such a good group.
I can't believe they can find guys that can tolerate that f'ing cold water. I hate the cold. I've been in the cold, I've trained in the cold...but I'd never be able to do BUDs training cause of that weakness..... maybe other weaknesses that the cold would bring out as well.
I'm kinda wondering about the "mission" statement of the program with the Coast Guard. I can see it for boarding and searching, but the "law enforcement" part bothers me a little.
I have 2 friends that were/are SEALs and those guys would be just nasty on a "no knock" raid. I can see that the fire discipline and intel acquisition the SEALs have would be a lot better than ANY LEO would have in this country, but holy crap if they got in a firefight.... cause the meat wagon would be real busy after those guys got through.... and not to the ER but to the morgue.
My dad was a Sparky in WWII. He taught me Morse Code when I was a little girl. Very cool...
The Knee-Deep Navy of Puddle Pirates takes a big step forward.
Perhaps a nasty surprise awaits MS-13.
That's what I'm wondering about. As I understand it, the Coast Guard is basically in law-enforcement mode and defends themselves as necessary when deadly force is called for. The SEALs on the other hand basically operate "with authorization" and the usual doctrine is to stay covert if at all possible, as long as possible. But when it hits the fan, shoot first and never ask any questions. (until maybe the debrief and after-action) To the SEALs who are generally outnumbered in most operations, swift application of overwhelming firepower is the norm. It'll be interesting to see how (or if) they can square the two missions...
"I once told Mack that when the Marines are told to take a hill, they take the hill come hell or high water. When the Coast Guard is told to go save lives in stormy seas or hurricanes, they do it also come hell or literally high water. The difference is the Marines have weapons that they can fire back at the enemy while the Coasties cannot shoot back at screaming gales and killer waves, they must rely on skill, determination and sheer guts.
"To me that is a superior form of bravery in taking on Mother Nature head on to save other lives in jeopardy. Rest easy Mack, you are the bravest of the brave and I know you are in a better place."
BTTT
Dayum! I had to join the Navy back in the 60's, as they said I was too short for the Coast Guard. Had to be six feet, so you could walk to shore if the boat sank! ;^)
Seriously, good for her, and thanks to you both. As my Mother told me, "Good things come in small packages!" and even though I had her by a head she'd still tan my hide if necessary.
Gotta make it through BUDS first.
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