Blog Miscellany II. [Conclusion]

This is coolbert:

The U.S. Navy SEAL force is having trouble both finding recruits and retaining those already qualified.

"The rigorous weeding out is one reason the SEAL ranks face a shortage. They've also failed to recruit enough new SEALs and are having trouble keeping veterans from leaving."

[SEAL recruiting, qualification and training for deployment is demanding and meticulous. ONLY 1/4 of those that attempt to qualify actually make it through the program!!?? Rough, that is for sure!!]

"New blood is needed more than ever as this commando force of 2,450 - roughly half based here, the other half in Coronado, Calif. - is being asked to do far more because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."

"These days, nearly 90 percent of Special Forces deployments are focused in the Middle East, leaving other volatile areas unchecked."

"The Pentagon has ordered a 25 percent increase in SEAL forces by 2011. SEAL recruiters say they are making progress, but the Navy's top admiral, Mike Mullen, fears that there aren't enough men to reach the goal."

Everybody wants to be a Ranger, Marine, Special Forces [Green Beret], SEAL, etc.

Easier said than done. Much easier said than done.

The SEAL program has so far not reduced it's requirements to meet the shortage. The difficult program has NOT been made any easier for the purpose of boosting numbers.

I do recall that during the Vietnam War, the entry level and qualification requirements for becoming a Green Beret was lessened. It became easier [??] to become a SF man!

Prior to Vietnam, only CAREER soldiers could serve in Special Forces [SF]. This "must" was done away with as the manpower shortage was so acute in SF.

The entire program for qualification and receiving the green beret with flash was severely shortened. Raw recruits enlisting for three years and having potential and desire were sought out and DID become SF. Served in Vietnam too. An abbreviated SF course was designed for those troops headed to Vietnam.

[those enlisting and entering into the abbreviated SF course had to understand from the get go that they were headed in one direction ONLY, to Vietnam, upon graduation.]

I do not think the quality level was reduced by that much? Some resentment was felt by the old-time SF, but has to be understood during a time of war?

coolbert.