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"College-prep" for Navy SEALs?
World Defense Review ^ | February 9, 2005 | W. Thomas Smith, Jr.

Posted on 02/09/2006 5:48:46 PM PST by SuzyQ2

The problem is, transforming a good man into a Navy SEAL is not cheap - about $350,000 a copy - nor is it easy. Sure, there are lots of schoolyard scrappers, gym rats, competitive swimmers, and adrenaline junkies who believe they have what it takes to become SEALs. But few pack the gear to endure-to-completion BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) training. Some are injured. Many fail to measure up during various training evolutions. Most simply quit, concluding that the wet, miserably cold life of a frogman is not for them.

None of this, however, changes the U.S. Defense Department's requirement for more special operators, including SEALs.

(Excerpt) Read more at worlddefensereview.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; US: Connecticut; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: command; defense; general; marine; navy; navyseals; operations; paratrooper; quadrennial; recruiting; seal; special; specialforces; thucydides; us
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To: TEXASPROUD

LOL! How you doing?


21 posted on 02/09/2006 7:24:26 PM PST by cyborg (I just love that man.)
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To: killjoy

If you haven't read it, pick up a copy of the book "Red Cell".

It was written by Marcinko and I found it to be a damn good book.


22 posted on 02/09/2006 7:24:26 PM PST by Dr. Marten ((http://thehorsesmouth.blog-city.com))
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To: cyborg

Doing great! Got a new gas-trap AR-15 I'm playing with.


23 posted on 02/09/2006 7:26:27 PM PST by TEXASPROUD
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To: killjoy

C2CO


24 posted on 02/09/2006 7:34:24 PM PST by HuntsvilleTxVeteran (“Don't approach a Bull from the front, a Horse from the rear, or a Fool from any side.”)
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To: Freee-dame

Can I get a rebate of about $300K?


25 posted on 02/09/2006 7:37:22 PM PST by Travis McGee (--- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com ---)
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To: TEXASPROUD

The hype is great. It gets the fear up in folks. It can also be a detriment in other ways. Everybody bleeds, drowns, etc. Everybody.


26 posted on 02/09/2006 7:39:41 PM PST by Travis McGee (--- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com ---)
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To: Dr. Marten

Just as long as you understand that ALL of Marcinko's books are FICTION, written by a co-author/ghost writer.


27 posted on 02/09/2006 7:40:45 PM PST by Travis McGee (--- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com ---)
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To: Travis McGee

Travis, I got the POF gas piston system in. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but appears to be well constructed. I'll give you and Squantos a rundown on it after I've had a chance to work with it for awhile.


28 posted on 02/09/2006 7:44:29 PM PST by TEXASPROUD
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To: Travis McGee
Can I get a rebate of about $300K?

the check's in the mail. :)

Salute to the SEALS. Nothing but respect for these guys from an old Navy diver.

29 posted on 02/09/2006 7:46:02 PM PST by Diver Dave
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To: SuzyQ2

Captain Bissett is the officer who recruited my son. The physical requirements that you must meet before he will recommend you for a slot at BUD/s are tougher than what the Navy requires. My son was not able to participate on-site as he was finishing up his Senior year at Princeton. My son knew before he went to OCS (Officer Candidate School) that he would be going to BUD/s upon receiving his commission -- would not have joined otherwise.

And, to brag a lot -- he was the Honorman (first in his class) of his BUD/s Class.


30 posted on 02/09/2006 7:57:57 PM PST by NavySEAL F-16 (Proud to be a Reagan Republican)
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To: SuzyQ2
Some kids grew up with musicians as their heroes, others had actors, others loved athletes, some idolized comic book superheros . . .

this not-so-young kid loves our service men and women - especially our SOF.

We are a blessed nation to have such true heroes!

31 posted on 02/09/2006 8:01:07 PM PST by DesertSapper (I love God, family, country . . . and dead Islamofacist terrorists !!!)
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To: SuzyQ2
too f'ing cold... I hate cold...

but I sure would have liked to play with the toys....

32 posted on 02/09/2006 9:24:25 PM PST by Dick Vomer (liberals suck......... but it depends on what your definition of the word "suck" is.)
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To: NavySEAL F-16
And, to brag a lot -- he was the Honorman (first in his class) of his BUD/s Class.

it ain't bragging if he did it. you just needed to have 6-7 more sons dang it..... and they need to have a bunch of young ones... God Bless him, I'm sure you worry about him.

My wife is living in fear, because our son loves the Marine Corp,can run forever, has a nasty habit of sticking up for the kids that are picked on.... and doesn't mind going to the deck with a bully.....

I think it's genetic, some dogs are poodles and some are German Shepards.... I'm more of a Pug..hahahahahaha

Hope your son has a long and successful career as a "meat eater". I've always respected the SEALs, they don't hand out anything that isn't earned.

33 posted on 02/09/2006 9:33:33 PM PST by Dick Vomer (liberals suck......... but it depends on what your definition of the word "suck" is.)
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To: Dr. Marten
If you haven't read it, pick up a copy of the book "Red Cell". It was written by Marcinko and I found it to be a damn good book.

If read as works of fiction, his books are very entertaining and I like them a lot. Just take anything he says with a grain of salt.

34 posted on 02/10/2006 5:07:25 AM PST by killjoy (Same Shirt, Different Day)
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To: killjoy

The thing that kills me is how some fail to credit the guy for what he has done.

I knew an instructor when I was going through Orlando who knew Marcinko and while he did say the guy had a major ego, he also said a lot of people give him a bad rap because he never toed the political lines and burned a lot of bridges during his time of service.


35 posted on 02/10/2006 7:26:49 AM PST by Dr. Marten ((http://thehorsesmouth.blog-city.com))
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To: SuzyQ2

Like the President says - Special Operations are our enemies worst nightmare.

No matter what you read about SOF they are better than that.
I had the privledge of being a Special Ops Planner (USAR). The operators will always be my heroes.


36 posted on 02/10/2006 10:30:11 AM PST by SOLTC
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To: Travis McGee

Can I get a rebate of about $300K?....

Maybe. In pesos. ;-)


37 posted on 02/12/2006 9:10:29 PM PST by planekT (<- http://www.wadejacoby.com/pedro/ ->)
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To: SuzyQ2
I watched a program recently on the History Channel about Army Ranger training.

I was a pretty fair athlete in college and still hold a few records. Even thought about competing in the Decathlon as my points were fairly high. We had a former Ranger Captain on the team and I could beat him in all events except distance running.

There is no way in the world I could have completed that Ranger class. Not even close. Just the lack of sleep would have got me. If the Seals are even more demanding, it is surprising to me that anyone can do it.

BTW, the Ranger Captain was one of the finest people I have ever known. I did a search of his name on the internet and was not surprised that he was in fact a war hero.

These people have my complete admiration.

38 posted on 02/12/2006 9:24:01 PM PST by yarddog
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To: planekT

I'll take that, in gold pesos.


39 posted on 02/13/2006 8:09:33 AM PST by Travis McGee (--- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com ---)
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To: Strategerist

Not saying I agree or disagree with the sentiment, but if you create a situation where enlisted special forces are making more $$$ than regular Majors or other officers, that causes a lot of resentment among those people and sort of screws up the perceived pecking order.



Easy solution...Major, go through buds and you too can make that kind of cash. Most SEALs are in Seal Teams where the officers are SEALS also and receive bonuses. If I had a junior SEAL on my staff making more money than me. I can't imagine being upset or jealous. He would be treated like any other Sailor in the division or department. Just do your job.


40 posted on 02/21/2006 1:53:42 AM PST by napscoordinator
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