Morgan - ELITE UNITS OF THE U.S MILITARY

Copyright 2014. Text by William E. Morgan

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles.

All statements of fact, opinion, or analysis expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official positions or views of the U.S government. Nothing in the contents should be construed as asserting or implying U.S government authentication of information or endorsement of the author s view.

This material has been reviewed to prevent the disclosure of classified information.

Published by Warrior Mind Press

Visit our website at: SpecialWarrior.com

Cover design by Emz Wright

Book cover images are a compilation of photos taken by Kristopher Kirsop, Richard Jones, and Michael Hight.

The author would like to acknowledge and thank the Defense Video and Imagery Distribution System for the use of many of the images used in this book.

Printed in the United States of America.

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A photographic primer to special warfare and elite units of the U.S. military

This book introduces the reader to the well known and lesser known elite military units within the Unites States military. It is rich with content and high quality photography.

Highlights of this book:

Descriptions of sixteen elite units, including selection, training, and mission.

Hundreds of high-quality photos unveiling the rigors of selection, training, and missions.

Introducing some of the lessor known elite warriors like SARC corpsman, Marine FAST (anti-terrorist), and SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) units for the first time in a book.

Special Amphibious Recon Corpsmen (SARC) continually train to maintain proficiency in special warfare insertion techniques. Here a recon dive team prepares to enter water during combatant diver and beach reconnaissance. Marine Recon uses the MK 25 rebreather system to stealthily advance toward their objective instead of scuba equipment, which creates a trail of bubbles. These operators are reconnaissance men with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Photo by Matthew Manning.

U.S. Marines and Navy corpsmen with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (MARDIV) practice survival swimming techniques at the Courthouse Bay pool on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Drown proofing includes prolonged swimming with the hands and feet bound. Marines and Sailors take a pre-dive class to strengthen their confidence in the water before attending the naval dive school at the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center in Panama City, Florida.

Photo by Christopher A. Mendoza.

Special operation divers are trained to insert from submerged submarines and arrive at a target undetected.

Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal operative performing a water parachute jump.

Marine special operations units (MARSOC) train in fast roping onto ships to liberate them from pirates. Photo by Robert Storm.

Frogmen from a Marine Reconnaissance Battalion emerge from the ocean to reconnoiter the beach and hinterland.

Freefall parachuting at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. Photo by Reece Lodder.

Seventh Special Forces Group (Airborne) Green Berets exit the back of a SKYVAN aircraft while conducting a high altitude low opening parachute jump in Eloy, Arizona., January 10, 2012.. U.S. army photo by Steven Young.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1:

Special Warriors

The United States has the most capable and diverse special operations troops in the world. This has come about through a great effort and expense by the United States military. In the post 9-11 world, the United States military has realized that it cannot rely on the overwhelming might of its conventional military forces alone to win future conflicts. Because of this, it has gone on to develop a broad field of elite and special operational units that are highly trained, well-equipped, and specialized. Each of these units is proficient in highly specific tasks: such as combat diving, reconnaissance, direct action, anti-terrorist/hostage rescue, sniper operations, airborne operations, maritime raids, expeditionary warfare, pilot rescue, enemy harassment and sabotage, ship boarding, anti-pirate activities, and other special warfare specialties.

Western culture is obsessed with the mystique of secretive and elite military units. Think of the last time you saw an action adventure movie. Was the main character a former Navy SEAL, Green Beret, or Marine? Probably. It seems the character of virtually every leading man in film and fiction is a special operator of some sort. Whether he is fighting Godzilla, aliens, terrorists, a rogue assassin, or human traffickers, the main protagonist is frequently a former special operator.

Hollywood loves to give these characters superhuman characteristics. They are all experts in martial arts, mountain climbing, marksmanship, and wilderness survival. They are fluent in several languages, able to withstand torture, operate boats, drive motorcycles, and swim underwater for two minutes on one breath.

I had originally intended to refute the last two sentences, but at second glance I realized that much of what Hollywood portrays is based on fact. With the exception of all special operatives being polyglot (that tends to be an Army Special Forces trait), most of what Hollywood projects is based on some fact, if not wrought with hyperbole. These men are tough, uncompromising, and daunting.

Elite versus Special Warfare Units

Not all elite units are special warfare units, and not all special warfare units are elite. A unit may be elite and not be considered a special operational unit. Examples of elite servicemen that are not in special operational units include Navy deep sea divers, rescue swimmers, Marine Corps officers, and Navy submariners. These units have rigorous training that is highly selective, but do not perform special warfare missions. Conversely, there are some within the special operational units who are involved in special operations and are not elite: psychological warfare personnel, intelligence officers, boat operators, and medical support units. This primer will give the reader a brief overview of the various elite and special operational forces (SOF) units in the United States military, including some of the lesser publicized units.