"...hundreds of veteran SEALs have not re-enlisted, while others have resigned their commissions..."
"Right now," says Jackson, who spoke to NEWSWEEK after attending a memorial service for the 10 dead Seals, "the SEALs are galvanized as one." Considering the circumstances, the SEALS did not do so bad in that engagement. At least one SEAL escaped and survived. In the Russian Afghan war, the Afghan irregulars destroyed a Russian Spetznatz battalion to the last man plus several fighter and helicopter aircrews. Then as now, the Afghan irregulars were able to operate from and retreat to Pakistan (our ally?). It is obvious that the lessons learned from their war against the Russians, developed after we gave them Stinger missiles, have not been forgotten. Interdict the ground force and set missile teams on each hill to fire from the rear (to achieve impact with little warning) on aircraft attempting to provide ground support or land to rescue or augment troops. No doubt that lesson was widely taught in the Taliban and Al Qaeda training camps in Afghanistan and now Pakistan...our ally. No doubt that lesson is also taught by Al Qaeda in Iraq... David Bier http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8525634/site/newsweek/ Military: Frustration for the Fabled SEALs Newsweek July 18 issue - It was the worst setback in the 43-year history of the Navy SEAL program. At least 10 of the elite commandos died when a reconnaissance team came under fire in the mountains of Afghanistan's Kunar province, and a SEAL rescue helicopter crashed trying to save them. For many proud SEALs (an acronym for Sea, Air and Land Team), the Afghan debacle was just a bitter new chapter in a very frustrating war on terror. Since 9/11â"but especially since the Iraq warâ"many SEALs have come to feel like second-class citizens in the exclusive world of Special Forces. Why? "The main reason has been severe restrictions on the types of missions they are allowed to undertake," says a U.S. defense analyst under Pentagon contract who works closely with Special Forces (he declined to be identified because his work is classified). While the Army's Delta Force and Green Berets get the best "direct action" and unconventional warfare missionsâ"going after the bad guysâ"SEALs say they are often relegated to doing VIP escorts in Iraq or rescue missions, the defense analyst says. The Afghan recon mission was a rare "bright spot," he says, despite its tragic end. The Army also dominates the senior command, with Gen. Bryan Brown and Lt. Gen. William Boykin running Special Ops worldwide. The result is that hundreds of veteran SEALs have not re-enlisted, while others have resigned their commissions, says the defense analyst, citing official Pentagon numbers. That has deprived the overall SEAL population of about 2,500 of experienced commandos, he says. Asked to respond, SEALs spokesman Cmdr. Jeff Bender said: "We can't go into the nature of our missions. But it's categorically untrue that morale is low." He also said that "retention is better than it has been." Still, many SEALs have left for higher-paying jobsâ"and sometimes better actionâ"with private security firms, like North Carolina-based Blackwater USA (founded by ex-SEAL Gary Jackson). The Defense Department has offered a "retention incentive" $150,000 bonus for SEALs senior officers (and other Special Ops forces) who re-enlist for six years. But John Arquilla, who teaches at the Naval postgraduate program in Monterey, Calif., says the offer of extra money is "a sign that we need to reconsider how we are employing them. These men don't become SEALs for the money. They do what they do for the prospect of action." Some experts say the SEALs might do well to revert to their maritime origins by dealing with terror threats on the high seas or in ports. Blackwater founder Jackson doesn't see a morale problem. "Right now," says Jackson, who spoke to NEWSWEEK after attending a memorial service for the 10 dead Seals, "the SEALs are galvanized as one." â"Michael Hirsh and Jamie Reno -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: osint@yahoogroups.com Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. 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