The nicest thing I can say about Hackworth's op-ed is it is pure hackery. First he can't get even simple facts straight. Ft. Jackson doesn't produce Grunts. Not one. Ft. Jackson produces soldiers. Big differences. Another fact is no matter what a few think the vast majority of these soldiers are never going anywhere the primary purpose of the Army- kill people and break things. That in Hack's 'story' he seems to see every E-Vile he can conjure up again makes me throw the BS flag. I can tell you that if a Drill can get a 'cruit to do the task once the 'cruit can and will go on to succeed in training. Where the Drill earns his money and why the angry spit flinging Drill of my day is no more is all about understanding most of the 'troops' are not going to be crawling under fire to bring ammo to the machine gun post- part of my training back in the day.
Oh I know what a 'mew' is :lol: There is a wee little Jarhaid I know who's claim to fame is being one of the shortest Marines to certify as a Scout/Sniper. Has a CAR for that oil rig attack in the Gulf. He said force Recon sure, but a dedicated SEAL unit- no.
I'll stand by a Marine's training isn't harder or does 'more' than a SEAL trainee, you should read Kyle's book and talk to some SEALs.
Oh please give a bit more detail on the SEALs swimming in on al-Queera. Yemen and Somalia do have surf n turf, but that in no way means the SEALs are going to do that recruiter poster 'rise from the sea' mission. But like I said you don't need every SEAL team to be scuba qualified. Those Marines like Force Recon can surf and turf as well, maybe not SEALs but not too shabby on Mission Compete.
I don't know where you get your information from, books or movies but you should show a little respect to fallen heros who are no longer with us.
How do you think U.S. Navy SEAL's got to Yemen and were inserted and extracted undetected ? Did they take a Taxi or came on a chartered commercial flight ?
Baicaly I'm not going to argue with an idiot who believes that Navy SEAL's don't need to be able to swim or who thinks all SEAL operations have taken place on dry land hundreds of miles from the sea. I wonder what SEAL Teams 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9 have been doing for the past twelve years ? (You are aware there is no SEAL Team Six ? It was deactivated back in 1986)
ENTITLEMENTS OF COL. DAVID H. HACKWORTH
(U.S. ARMY, RETIRED)
AWARDS & DECORATIONS
COLONEL DAVID H. HACKWORTH
(U.S. ARMY, RETIRED)
Individual Decorations & Service Medals:
Distinguished Service Cross (with one Oak Leaf Cluster)
Silver Star (with nine Oak Leaf Clusters)
Legion of Merit (with three Oak Leaf Clusters)
Distinguished Flying Cross
Bronze Star Medal (with "V" Device & seven Oak Leaf Clusters)(Seven of the awards for heroism)
Purple Heart (with seven Oak Leaf Clusters)
Air Medal (with "V" Device & Numeral 34)(One for heroism and 33 for aerial achievement)
Army Commendation Medal (w/ "V" Device & 3 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Good Conduct Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Army of Occupation Medal (with Germany and Japan Clasps)
National Defense Service Medal (with one Bronze Service Star)
Korean Service Medal (with Service Stars for eight campaigns)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Medal (2 Silver Service Stars = 10 campaigns)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Unit Awards:
Presidential Unit Citation
Valorous Unit Award (with one Oak Leaf Cluster)
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Badges & Tabs:
Combat Infantryman Badge (w/ one Star; representing 2 awards)
Master Parachutist Badge
Army General Staff Identification Badge
Foreign Awards:
United Nations Service Medal (Korea)
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (with two Gold Stars)
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (with two Silver Stars)
Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal (1st Class)
Vietnam Staff Service Medal (1st Class)
Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order, 2d Class
Vietnam Parachutist Badge (Master Level)
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (with three Palm oak leaf clusters)
Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation (with one Palm oak leaf cluster)
World War II Merchant Marine Awards:
Pacific War Zone Bar
Victory Medal
Note: As per a Department of the Army audit conducted by COL Pam Mitchell, Chief Personnel ServiceSupport Division on May 6 1999.
David H. Hackworth [hackworth.com]
Wear you National Defense Ribbon (aka National Firewatch Ribbon) proudly notquiteright, you probably earned it at Camp Snoopy.