Navy SEAL
The Navy SEALs are an elite special operations force of the United States Navy, renowned for conducting covert and high-priority missions globally. Established in 1962, their origins trace back to World War II, where early maritime commando units were formed to support amphibious operations. The SEALs gained prominence during the Vietnam War, where they executed disruptive operations and trained local forces, maximizing their effectiveness in combat scenarios characterized by extensive waterways. Over the years, they have participated in significant military engagements, including operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, where they adapted their maritime training for land-based missions.
A landmark operation was the 2011 mission that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden, which marked a pivotal moment in the U.S. fight against terrorism. To become a SEAL, candidates must undergo a grueling training program that lasts 18 to 24 months, testing their physical and mental endurance, with many not completing the rigorous demands. The Navy SEALs continue to embody a legacy of resilience and specialized skill in modern warfare, engaging in complex operations that range from reconnaissance to direct action missions.
Navy SEAL
The Navy SEALS are an elite military special operations force. They are recruited from the United States Navy. The SEALs conduct covert, high-priority operations all over the world. While they are traditionally deployed in maritime missions, which originate from or conclude in a water source, SEALs have been utilized in various important land-based scenarios. They specialize in counter-guerilla tactics, disrupting enemy lines of communication, and training local resistance groups. They have fought in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The SEALS are also well known for their assassination of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
Background
The Navy SEALs were officially formed in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy but their roots can be traced back to the Second World War. The first maritime commando units were at the Amphibious Training Base in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1942 and were formed for the allied invasion of North Africa. The units consisted of three Scouts and Raiders groups: the mission of the Amphibious Scouts and Raiders was to scout out effective landing locations; a second Scouts and Raiders group conducted operations throughout Africa; and a third Scouts and Raiders group aided the Sino-American Cooperation Organization in China.
The Special Mission Naval Combat Demolition Unit (NCDU) was also trained at the Amphibious Training Base. Members of this group were trained in explosives use, explosives disarming, rubber boat usage, and general elite commando tactics. They were deployed in small teams throughout the Pacific Front during World War II, including the famous Normandy landing. Soon afterwards, the NCDU pioneered naval combat swimming by electing to covertly swim to a beach when their rubber boat could not pass a reef. The NCDU was expanded throughout the Korean War.
Overview
During the Vietnam War, President Kennedy wanted to advance the navy's "unconventional warfare" capabilities. The army had developed its green berets, a land-based special forces organization, and Kennedy wanted to develop something similar for the navy. He looked at the navy's covert underwater demolitions teams and selected the most skilled and experienced among them. Kennedy grouped them into Navy SEAL Teams ONE and TWO.
Vietnam has many rivers, lakes, and waterways, making it an excellent place for aquatic commando teams to work. The SEALs began by disrupting their enemy's lines of communication. They then began to covertly train Vietnamese rebel groups, drastically increasing their military effectiveness. Eventually, the SEALs progressed to launching aquatic, nighttime raids against high-value targets. They proved highly effective and were kept in Vietnam in an advisory role until 1973.
In 1986, Congress passed the Goldwater-Nichols Defense Reorganization Act. It organized the special forces of the various US military branches into one organization, the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM). This provided more accountability and oversight to the commanders of the various special forces teams. At this point, six SEAL teams comprised of more than one thousand members in all were in existence. Though reluctant to do so, navy officials eventually surrendered control of the SEALs to SOCOM.
Following their introduction to SOCOM, SEAL teams conducted important recognizance missions to prepare for the later invasion by America's traditional armed forces. They also fulfilled their usual counter-guerilla and high-priority missions during the conflict itself. SEALs used explosives to damage enemy infrastructure and ran aquatic raids to capture targets deemed high-value by intelligence services.
Since then, the Navy SEALs have been deployed in a variety of other military situations. When the United States declared war on Iraq and Afghanistan after the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in 2001, SEALs were quickly deployed in support of the army, navy, and air force. Despite the untraditional desert environment, the SEALs were incredibly effective. The Taliban, Al-Qaeda, and other terrorist groups utilized guerilla warfare, and the SEALs had conducted counter-guerilla operations since their original inception. They assisted other special forces in training the local police and armed forces to handle the terrorist organizations. Additionally, they conducted complex operations to rescue hostages, as well as to attack key targets in the terrorist organizations' infrastructure.
In 2011, when US intelligence learned the location of infamous Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, Navy SEALs were chosen to undertake the mission. Intelligence revealed that the terrorist leader was living in a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan. The compound's phones and Internet service were disconnected, and it was protected by two security gates as well as high walls and barbed wire.
SEAL Team Six, a specially chosen, elite SEAL team, stormed the compound in a pair of specialized Black Hawk helicopters. A firefight quickly ensued. The SEALs fought their way through the three-story compound, eventually slaying Osama bin Laden. This act struck a devastating blow against Al Qaeda. According to President Barack Obama, it was the most significant act the United States has ever accomplished in its fight against the guerilla terrorist organization.
Becoming a SEAL
To become a Navy SEAL, a candidate must already be a member of the navy. He can then elect to undertake SEAL training. SEAL recruits are trained for eighteen to twenty-four months prior to graduation. If they successfully complete the program, they are assigned to a SEAL team and begin taking part in operations around the world.
The SEAL training process is incredibly difficult. Candidates are expected to push their endurance to its limits. More than 70 percent of SEAL candidates voluntarily drop out of the program after its first phase, often during "Hell Week" at the end of the first month of training. During Hell Week, SEAL candidates sleep only three to four hours a night and spend most of their time wet, muddy, and cold. They perform extremely strenuous exercise outdoors. While harsh, this week begins to prepare SEAL candidates for the survival situations they may encounter as special forces operatives. Candidates may drop out of the training program at any time, and medical staff is always kept on hand to deal with injuries.
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