SEALs rescue American in Somalia

[geronimotwo]

Here's what bothers me....


Obama says this:

“The United States will not tolerate the abduction of our people,” he added.


Yet, the same article says 10 million in ransoms have been paid... and that the gunmen refused 1.5 million for these two

So let me get this straight... we're PAYING RANSOMS NOW?

No wonder abductions are getting so popular in Somalia.... it's FRIGGIN WORKING!

we should be paying ransom with smallpox infected bills.

kudo's to the seal team.  i can appreciate these people were doing humanitarian work over there, but it still sucks to have to risk someone elses life to rescue them. 

i found it interesting that the article referred to the president as "mr obama".

[Fitz]

One of the biggest regrets of my Army career is not trying to go 18 series while i was a hard charging, non-kid/wife having soldier.


Now, with the wife and kid, and me pushing 30, I don't think i can.

[wmenorr67]

One of the biggest regrets of my Army career is not trying to go 18 series while i was a hard charging, non-kid/wife having soldier.


Now, with the wife and kid, and me pushing 30, I don't think i can.

QFT

[roo_ster]

They already do that with High Altitude High Opening jumps.  And they don't have to pop a chute close to the target, thus not revealing they are inbound.  (A chute pop is quite loud at night in the desert)

I dunno.  Two sticks of seals is a chunk of combat power in my book.  Generally a good way to give a group of bad guys a very bad day.

No disrespect meant toward the SEALs, but they have neither the numbers nor the equipment for some missions.  Same thing for Delta.  Which is why they work with other SOF units with more numbers and more firepower.

A job turns out better if you choose the right tool from the get-go.

One of the biggest regrets of my Army career is not trying to go 18 series while i was a hard charging, non-kid/wife having soldier.

It was where I was headed until Newton's Third Law did a number on me at Fryar DZ.

Now, with the wife and kid, and me pushing 30, I don't think i can.

The divorce rate in USASOC is... exceptional.

[Fitz]

No disrespect meant toward the SEALs, but they have neither the numbers nor the equipment for some missions.  Same thing for Delta.  Which is why they work with other SOF units with more numbers and more firepower.

A job turns out better if you choose the right tool from the get-go.

It was where I was headed until Newton's Third Law did a number on me at Fryar DZ.

The divorce rate in USASOC is... exceptional.

Ayup, and I place my family before my aspirations of glory. I will always wonder, though, if i could have hacked it.

Maybe I'll just try to go to ranger school.... some of the "hooah" factor, without requiring me to become part of a special forces group in the guard.


Fryar is big! What happened to you there?

[Tallpine]

One of the biggest regrets of my Army career is not trying to go 18 series while i was a hard charging, non-kid/wife having soldier.


Now, with the wife and kid, and me pushing 30, I don't think i can.

Just wait till you're pushing 60 ... 

[JonnyB]

One of the biggest regrets of my Army career is not trying to go 18 series while i was a hard charging, non-kid/wife having soldier.


Now, with the wife and kid, and me pushing 30, I don't think i can.

I have a nephew in the Air Force - a snake eating Pararescue Jumper (PJ). They do scary stuff all the time. And, they don't get to pick the "when". Someone is down and injured, they go. Now.

Except... He's pushing 40, having joined up at 18. He just had back surgery a month ago to fuse several vertebrae. Nearly *all* his discs are shot, after jumping out of every flying thing in the AF inventory, carrying heavy loads and people, and generally abusing his body for 20 years.

It is very definitely a young man's job. And, shouldn't necessarily be a career. I suspect, though, that lots of things seem pretty boring after a few years in something like that.

jb

[Fitz]

I have a nephew in the Air Force - a snake eating Pararescue Jumper (PJ). They do scary stuff all the time. And, they don't get to pick the "when". Someone is down and injured, they go. Now.

Except... He's pushing 40, having joined up at 18. He just had back surgery a month ago to fuse several vertebrae. Nearly *all* his discs are shot, after jumping out of every flying thing in the AF inventory, carrying heavy loads and people, and generally abusing his body for 20 years.

It is very definitely a young man's job. And, shouldn't necessarily be a career. I suspect, though, that lots of things seem pretty boring after a few years in something like that.

jb

I knew a PJ. he said they had a lot of folk from the Army and Marines who wanted to do cool stuff, but didn't want the BS that the Army and Marine corps entails. Like CSMs whining about PT belts, suck for the sake of suck, etc etc.


Coulda woulda shoulda. As "only" a Drill Sergeant and infantryman, I guess I'm satisfied with where my career has taken me.

[Jamisjockey]

No disrespect meant toward the SEALs, but they have neither the numbers nor the equipment for some missions.  Same thing for Delta.  Which is why they work with other SOF units with more numbers and more firepower.
A job turns out better if you choose the right tool from the get-go.

It was where I was headed until Newton's Third Law did a number on me at Fryar DZ.

The divorce rate in USASOC is... exceptional.

For small unit stuff, though, they are a force to be reckoned with.  Want an entire airfield?  Drop in a company of rangers.

[Waitone]

I routinely come across former High Speed Low Drag types.  Every last one of 'em have skeletal problems.  Legs, knees, backs, necks, etc.  The human body is not meant to withstand the kind of abuse they endure.

[roo_ster]

For small unit stuff, though, they are a force to be reckoned with.  Want an entire airfield?  Drop in a company of rangers.

Absolutely.  Like the mission in the OP & OBL. 

[Fly320s]

One of the biggest regrets of my Army career is not trying to go 18 series while i was a hard charging, non-kid/wife having soldier.


Now, with the wife and kid, and me pushing 30, I don't think i can.

Lots, maybe even the majority, of the SOF guys are over 30. Of course, they started their SOF path before 30.

[Monkeyleg]

OK, you guys have convinced me. I'm going to enlist and try out for SOF.

[Fitz]

Lots, maybe even the majority, of the SOF guys are over 30. Of course, they started their SOF path before 30.

I doubt many of them started their journey after 11 years of service, at 30, with a new wife and kid.


Also, National Guard special forces groups require the same long initial training. So it would mean putting a 2+ year hold on my civilian career, which pays significantly better than E-6 pay.



After I finish OCS, i will start trying to go to ranger school. That might satisfy my urge somewhat. Easy to get a ranger school slot in the VA NG if you're a combat arms officer