09-03-2007, 16:42
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#1
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Asset
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 6
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SEALs called Special Forces?
While reading The Lone Survivor, I noticed the Author(s) referred to SEALs as Navy "Special Forces" over and over. Normally I would figure that the author just did not know the difference between Special Operations and Special Forces, but one of the authors is a SEAL. Is this normal for SEALs to call themselves Special Forces or is it just unique to this book?
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cinsity_rec is offline
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09-03-2007, 17:10
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#2
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Moderator
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I believe that the use of the search button is in order.
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Kyobanim is offline
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09-03-2007, 17:51
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#3
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Asset
Join Date: Apr 2007
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I did searches before I posted the question.
I understand that in the US Military the term Special Forces is used to ID US Army Special Forces, known to most civilians as Green Berets. PJ's, Rangers, SEALs etc fall under the umbrella of Special Operations Forces...that is my understanding. In the book, written by a SEAL, the SEALs are called Special Forces. The only time I have heard SEALs called Special Forces versus Special Operations or Special Operations Forces was by civilians.
Just seems unusual for SEALs to call themselves Special Forces as it is done in this book written by a SEAL.
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cinsity_rec is offline
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09-03-2007, 18:17
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#4
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Area Commander
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: OK. Thanking Our Brave Soldiers
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cinsity_rec
I did searches before I posted the question.
I understand that in the US Military the term Special Forces is used to ID US Army Special Forces, known to most civilians as Green Berets.
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cin,
If I may offer a tip that has been offered to me...read more of the threads, old and new, on this site. It will at least offer insight into your question...
HTH,
Holly
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echoes is offline
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09-03-2007, 19:36
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#5
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
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Well said!
Quote:
Originally Posted by cinsity_rec
The only time I have heard SEALs called Special Forces versus Special Operations or Special Operations Forces was by civilians..
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Do a search on Patrick Robinson in relations to the book...
Stay safe.
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Guy is offline
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09-03-2007, 19:38
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#6
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Quiet Professional
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Quote:
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SEALs called Special Forces?
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They wish...
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NousDefionsDoc is offline
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09-03-2007, 19:46
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#7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Guy
Do a search on Patrick Robinson in relations to the book...
Stay safe.
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He's a Brit isn't he? They call all theirs "special forces". Makes me wonder if Luttrell proofed the book before it was published.
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Somewhere a True Believer is training to kill you. He is training with minimal food or water, in austere conditions, training day and night. The only thing clean on him is his weapon and he made his web gear. He doesn't worry about what workout to do - his ruck weighs what it weighs, his runs end when the enemy stops chasing him. This True Believer is not concerned about 'how hard it is;' he knows either he wins or dies. He doesn't go home at 17:00, he is home.
He knows only The Cause.
Still want to quit?
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NousDefionsDoc is offline
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09-03-2007, 20:01
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#8
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Guerrilla Chief
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Fayetteville
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In more than one instance in the book, Luttrell refers to SEALS as U.S. Special Forces, and/or USSF. Perhaps his ghostwriter was incorrect.
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Radar Rider is offline
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09-03-2007, 20:39
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#9
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I'm not sure if he's British...
Quote:
Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc
He's a Brit isn't he?
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I haven't found anything too indicate that he served in US SOF hence; his referral to the SEALs as SF.
Quote:
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Makes me wonder if Luttrell proofed the book before it was published.
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I wouldn't expect Luttrell to catch every miss-quote in the book. Re-living it and putting it on paper has got to be a nightmare...
Stay safe.
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Guy is offline
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04-06-2009, 16:02
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#10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc
He's a Brit isn't he? They call all theirs "special forces". Makes me wonder if Luttrell proofed the book before it was published.
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At an NRA event, Marcus Luttrell refers to the Navy SEALs as Special Forces (10:14 and 12:03 into the video).
http://copthetruth.typepad.com/cop_t...-luttrell.html
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SF-TX is offline
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09-03-2007, 20:00
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#11
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cinsity_rec
I understand that in the US Military the term Special Forces is used to ID US Army Special Forces, known to most civilians as Green Berets. PJ's, Rangers, SEALs etc fall under the umbrella of Special Operations Forces...that is my understanding. In the book, written by a SEAL, the SEALs are called Special Forces. The only time I have heard SEALs called Special Forces versus Special Operations or Special Operations Forces was by civilians.
Just seems unusual for SEALs to call themselves Special Forces as it is done in this book written by a SEAL.
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You are correct, Special Forces, Rangers and SEALs are considered SOF. There is only one "Special Forces" in the US military.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by NousDefionsDoc
Makes me wonder if Luttrell proofed the book before it was published.
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NousDefionsDoc probably has the best guess on the issue.
TS
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Team Sergeant is offline
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04-01-2009, 06:50
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#12
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Guerrilla
Join Date: Feb 2008
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In the book it also refers to Burrell as a Medic, If you want to get technical about it he was Corpsman. Like in many books, news coverage or people outside the military tend to mix & match terms not necessarily 100% accurate.
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FMF DOC is offline
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04-01-2009, 10:09
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#13
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Auxiliary
Join Date: May 2008
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Luttrell's book was an exciting read and he is a great American with a lot of heart.
But his book does have a few errors. One that I noticed off the bat was when he was talking about his medical training. He said that he attended the 'Eighteenth Delta Force Course at Fort Bragg.' Now, an educated reader knows he meant to say he attended a portion of the Special Forces 18D course, but I'm just surprised someone didn't catch that.
As far as him calling himself Navy Special Forces, I'm sure he just wants to sound like the SF studs that rescued him.
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LR27 is offline
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04-01-2009, 10:37
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#14
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Guest
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All of this happens, because Colonel Bank and LTC Volckmann chose a rather broad generic term in naming the unit.
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