PATH
Member
I am appalled! Why is there no mention of some of the elite tactical Mall Ninja teams? I am rather put out by this oversight! They are the best at being TACTICAL!
Best Special Forces in the world?
- Thread starter natedog
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Mack's logic about the selection of Delta seems pretty sound. I think I heard there are only about 250 SAS at any one time and that number also sounds ridiculously selective. Going into hostile jungles in Vietnam with a company or platoon was incredibly brave. Getting dropped far into enemy-controlled jungle with a handful of other guys, at night, with no ready backup and then going on the offensive as some of those SEAL teams (and other SFs) did was insanely brave. Having the training to complete such missions successfully speaks for itself. Einstein or Newton? Hemingway or Faulkner? Don't know. Just glad so many of the good ones are on our side.
yayarx7
Member
Since the Brits invented them I give them the nod. Though I bet the Isrealies are the best at their particular jobs.
NotQuiteSane
Member
No one is as good as the Mall Ninjas
but I hear they often recruit from the Navy Seels
NQS
but I hear they often recruit from the Navy Seels
NQS
rick458
Member
The Seals have the best PR
and so are voted the highest But I had to go with Force Recon
I got to support my Brothers......Semper FI
and so are voted the highest But I had to go with Force Recon
I got to support my Brothers......Semper FI
UnknownSailor
Member
I'd say the British SAS, but the SEALS and DELTA aren't much behind.
I'd hate to have to count on the difference.
I'd hate to have to count on the difference.
It is hard to really say who is the best. Just about all of the special operations units have different missions and such. Like it was said before, if there was a specific task we were talking about, it maybe easier to choose who is the best at that task.
BTW, since USAF Pararescue is up there, may as well add USAF Combat Control to the list.
But if we are talking about the meanest, best equipped, all round dangerous, snake eaters, then I pick the Mall Ninja.
BTW, since USAF Pararescue is up there, may as well add USAF Combat Control to the list.
But if we are talking about the meanest, best equipped, all round dangerous, snake eaters, then I pick the Mall Ninja.
I think a good metric that doesn't discriminate by type of force would be something like:
rating = qualifications + equipment + training + experience
where training is something like
Avg(i=1 to n, Q_i) * (1-.75^n)
Where n is the number of suitably distinct types of training and Q_i is the quality of a particular type of training.
There are probably some quasi-guerrilla "special" forces in places like the former Yugoslavia that have so much experience that they might rival special forces in more developed countries.
Given that formula, even though Rangers do have their unique specialization, they probably aren't a candidate for "best overall," nor are the USAF paratroopers . SWAT teams have experience but their mission is so different that most do not have the same level of firefight experience or training as military units. Some foreign intelligence service groups probably qualify; I don't know which ones.
Blain, that assumes that such groups exist. Unless you're talking about 3rd world countries' guerrilla forces, I submit that information about such groups in more developed countries, especially those with blood-sucking press reporters, would leak. If they're so secret that nobody knows about them, what *good* are they? I don't think any group could be good enough to be effective and yet fly under everyone's (including the media's) radar at the same time.
rating = qualifications + equipment + training + experience
where training is something like
Avg(i=1 to n, Q_i) * (1-.75^n)
Where n is the number of suitably distinct types of training and Q_i is the quality of a particular type of training.
There are probably some quasi-guerrilla "special" forces in places like the former Yugoslavia that have so much experience that they might rival special forces in more developed countries.
Given that formula, even though Rangers do have their unique specialization, they probably aren't a candidate for "best overall," nor are the USAF paratroopers . SWAT teams have experience but their mission is so different that most do not have the same level of firefight experience or training as military units. Some foreign intelligence service groups probably qualify; I don't know which ones.
Blain, that assumes that such groups exist. Unless you're talking about 3rd world countries' guerrilla forces, I submit that information about such groups in more developed countries, especially those with blood-sucking press reporters, would leak. If they're so secret that nobody knows about them, what *good* are they? I don't think any group could be good enough to be effective and yet fly under everyone's (including the media's) radar at the same time.
T.Stahl
Member
I have to say that, if I'd be sitting in a hijacked airliner, I'd hope it belongs either to British Airways or Lufthansa.
My vote goes to the guys who come from the town where I started to drink my tea with milk.
My vote goes to the guys who come from the town where I started to drink my tea with milk.
Leadbutt
Member
I also voted other, for my brothers who are no longer
"Long Range Recon Patrol" we were so good the Rangers sucked us up to help form them out
"STAY ALERT STAY ALIVE"
"Long Range Recon Patrol" we were so good the Rangers sucked us up to help form them out
"STAY ALERT STAY ALIVE"
I wouldn't want to tangle with these guys
Sleeping Dog
Member
"Best" at what?
If I wanted a small team to get a picture or snatch a prisoner, I'd think of Delta Force or Seals.
If I wanted a small team to organize residents of an area into a viable resistance force, I'd think of Special Forces.
A big team to capture a harbor or airport or capital? Rangers.
Send the wrong team for the mission, as we sometimes did in Panama and Grenada, and things can get messy.
To send a team in ahead of Force Recon, Seals, etc, we have super-elite groups, like "Tactical Volunteer Human Shields" and "Reporters and Photographers". They established the beach-head at Mogadishu.
Regards.
If I wanted a small team to get a picture or snatch a prisoner, I'd think of Delta Force or Seals.
If I wanted a small team to organize residents of an area into a viable resistance force, I'd think of Special Forces.
A big team to capture a harbor or airport or capital? Rangers.
Send the wrong team for the mission, as we sometimes did in Panama and Grenada, and things can get messy.
To send a team in ahead of Force Recon, Seals, etc, we have super-elite groups, like "Tactical Volunteer Human Shields" and "Reporters and Photographers". They established the beach-head at Mogadishu.
Regards.
Tom C.
Member.
Elite forces
I voted for the SAS because they are the ones everyone else has copied to develop their own, like Delta, GSG9, etc. That said, SEALS and Delta are two of the best in the world. Delta often mixes with the Rangers or are called Rangers, so they never get credit for anything they do.
I voted for the SAS because they are the ones everyone else has copied to develop their own, like Delta, GSG9, etc. That said, SEALS and Delta are two of the best in the world. Delta often mixes with the Rangers or are called Rangers, so they never get credit for anything they do.
trooper
Member
I'll second T.Stahl on the GSG 9 because I've seen them demonstrating their skill and trust them.
Regards,
Trooper
Regards,
Trooper
seeker_two
Member
Skunkabilly's Korean All-Girl Sniper Force...
Stealthfixr
Member
US Army SF *is* the largest in the US armed forces! As a member of said armed forces (USAF), I only track other air forces now. I used to be US Army, once upon a time, and I am sure the Green Berets are the largest dedicated SOF force we have. Rangers and Marine Force Recon are NOT SOF, though they can perform some SOF missions--there is a difference between specialized, highly trained infantry and SOF.
Waitone
Member
What's the mission.
Not all special operations units do the same missions.
Offshore drilling platforms? Seals.
Long range, long duration recon? SAS.
Take down airfields? Rangers.
Hostage rescue from an airliner? GSG-9.
Body snatching? Delta.
In terms of having the largest set of brass privates day in and day out, the award has to go to Studies and Observation Group (SOG) during the Vietnam conflict in NV, SV, Laos, and Cambodia.
Not all special operations units do the same missions.
Offshore drilling platforms? Seals.
Long range, long duration recon? SAS.
Take down airfields? Rangers.
Hostage rescue from an airliner? GSG-9.
Body snatching? Delta.
In terms of having the largest set of brass privates day in and day out, the award has to go to Studies and Observation Group (SOG) during the Vietnam conflict in NV, SV, Laos, and Cambodia.
Dannyboy
Member
I say SAS because they probably have more experience than any other unit.
Sean Smith
Member
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My guess is that almost anybody here would have no basis whatsoever for knowing the real answer. And it depends on the mission anyway. Having said that, I'd guess the SAS or Delta for all-around badditude.
I'd suggest that you don't underrate U.S. Special Forces, however. When it comes to their real specialty (insurgency/counter-insurgency) they are ridiculously competent. Remember, a few A-teams basically facilitated the total collapse of the entire Taliban regime in about a month.
I'd suggest that you don't underrate U.S. Special Forces, however. When it comes to their real specialty (insurgency/counter-insurgency) they are ridiculously competent. Remember, a few A-teams basically facilitated the total collapse of the entire Taliban regime in about a month.
pale horse
Member
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The Mossod (sp??)
Honestly I have no basis to judge. The only experience I have is My brother has a friend who is a Ranger. He's a pretty good shot and a good guy but never hit me as anything special. Honestly I've known regular Marines who had more "BADITUDE"
Then again I don't know what he does when he's at "work" .
I would think the Israelis may be the toughest bunch right now. I'd guess they see more action than the rest.
I think I saw something on the History channel once aboout them helping started Delta Force? Not sure.
I am sure I wouldn't want any of them coming after me.
Then again I don't know what he does when he's at "work" .
I would think the Israelis may be the toughest bunch right now. I'd guess they see more action than the rest.
I think I saw something on the History channel once aboout them helping started Delta Force? Not sure.
I am sure I wouldn't want any of them coming after me.
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