How are Special Operations Forces still so misunderstood after almost 15 years in the spotlight?

2015-05-01T03:14:09-04:00

Since 9/11 SOF has been pushed to the breaking point to confront and evolve to what the world faces. Even with all the evidence, press, and media the misconceptions continue to grow. Exercises of the unconventional and irregular type have taken place year round for decades to prepare the force. Statements like this from Greg Abbott aren't contributory to training value or constituent. Below are two articles of polarity looking at the same type of exercise. Thoughts?
http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/2015/04/30/texas-guard-jade-helm/26603719/

http://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/136/Article/586698/emerald-warrior-2015.aspx

Governor asks Texas State Guard to monitor SOCOM exercise

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott asked the Texas State Guard to keep an eye on a military exercise some say is preparation for martial law.

Response by SFC Charles S. made May 1 at 2015 3:26 AM

2015-05-01T03:26:20-04:00

1SG Private RallyPoint Member Just because they are in the spotlight doesn't mean that anyone really knows their true mission or what it takes to accomplish it. And one does not just go out and do PR for a Special Operations Unit. Politicians wouldn't understand even if you drew it in crayon for them.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 1 at 2015 10:10 AM

2015-05-01T10:10:49-04:00

Paranoia is actually a survival trait. It's one of our most powerful ones. A healthy amount of paranoia is a good thing. You should think everyone is out to get you. You should have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

You should also temper those things with rational thought.

Just because these particular exercises aren't about martial law, doesn't mean the next batch won't be. Just because we didn't fake the moon landing, doesn't mean we won't fake the mars landing.

I'm the first person to drop "tinfoil hat" when it's due. I'm also the first one to go "hmm.. that's an interesting thought. Let's research that, if someone comes up with a good fear."

Nothing wrong with TX Governor monitoring the exercises. Good for him. Alleviates the People's fear a little. That's part of his job.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2015 11:21 AM

2015-05-01T11:21:35-04:00

As a Texan, all I can say is WTF?
We still have people wanting secession from the union

Response by SGT Richard H. made May 1 at 2015 11:46 AM

2015-05-01T11:46:55-04:00

Just because it bears mentioning - Texas Sate Guard is not an armed force. Its primary role is disaster relief and search and rescue, with some secondary roles to "assist" the National Guard in the case of a declared emergency. They are NOT the same as the same as the National Guard, and this is not Texas mobilizing a defense force. I am fairly certain that the Governor isn't downplaying in calling this a liaison role.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made May 1 at 2015 12:11 PM

2015-05-01T12:11:47-04:00

He's clearly playing to his base when he should be the voice of reason instead. What's saddened me is the number of veterans I've seen passing the Jade Helm conspiracy crap around. This is not a faceless organization. This is every single freaking one of us.

You'd (general you!) not tolerate for a moment if he got up there and said "Vets are dangerous, broken and can't be trusted." So why do we tolerate the insult that we'd take up arms against the American people because someone most of us don't really like all that much said so?

Essentially, the message is "Don't trust the military! They're dangerous and mindless!" and we're lapping it up instead of being extremely angry.

Response by SPC Angel Guma made May 1 at 2015 1:45 PM

2015-05-01T13:45:10-04:00

We can say the same thing about the Afghans, Iraqis, war veterans, and a whole list of other things. For some reason, 15 years is just never a enough.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2015 2:51 PM

2015-05-01T14:51:46-04:00

I do think you are on to something. I think hollywood has contributed a lot to this. You have movies like Act of Valor that don't help. You see a Seal Team as being the only unit in the Army that can do anything and they do nonstop missions. Then you have fanboys out there that eat it up. I would like to be a 18A one day. Later this year I will be eligible to try. I am in the Guard so 20th is where I will end up if all goes well. But I have see so many people out there thank they are Delta Dan and spread some wild story about SF. The best I have ever heard was a guy in the guard in an old unit I was in. He was prior 82nd so they thought he was telling the truth and they were all eating it up. He was saying that if you are at FBNC and you go out to he compound for SFOD-D and jump the fence they will bring you to their CSM and will offer you a chance to join. I charmed in saying that is nothing but BS and if you try that you will end up getting shot. It will go on.

Response by SSG Leonard Johnson made May 1 at 2015 4:12 PM

2015-05-01T16:12:56-04:00

I really don't know about the political stuff of who can do what, but I have no problem with a sitting governor having things monitored in his state or his people state. this should be a no harm no foul.on either side of the issue I really don't see what the big deal is.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made May 1 at 2015 4:57 PM

2015-05-01T16:57:24-04:00

Well, when the money change over happens in Jul or Sept and the system as we know it crashes and they are there and martial law is put in place by the POTUS you seen it here first!

Response by CPO Greg Frazho made May 1 at 2015 8:28 PM

2015-05-01T20:28:51-04:00

A lot of the misunderstanding, such as it is, is ironically the product of SOF itself, or at least a by-product of its necessarily furtive ambience.

As a sign I saw years ago said, "You're either in [the unit], or you're not!" It's that simple. If you're not in SPECWAR, that's exactly how you're regarded: as an outsider, i.e., one to be distrusted. Because of the extremely dangerous potential of their missions and the fact that they are small in number, they take a very dim view, at best, of their non-SOF counterparts and often don't give them the time of day.

As regards the watchful eye being maintained by the government of Texas, I do have to wonder this, which probably transcends the discussion here: are we, as a nation and a society, that distrustful and that suspicious of our government that we think there needs to be constant or nearly-constant overwatch of combat exercises? Does somebody really think this is the first in a string of events that's going to subdue or inculcate Texas?

Now, I'm going to contradict myself. On the other hand, as our first-ever commander-in-chief, George Washington, once said famously, "When we assumed the soldier, we did not lay aside the citizen." That's something I think some of our particularly hard-core SOF units could take to heart. Now that I think about it, that's something I think a lot of our full-of-themselves colleagues of any flavor should take to heart.

Response by SPC Matt Johnson made May 2 at 2015 4:56 PM

2015-05-02T16:56:44-04:00

town hall meeting video
http://www.rawstory.com/2015/04/governor-orders-texas-guard-to-stop-us-troops-from-imposing-martial-law-during-jade-helm-15-exercise/

Governor orders Texas Guard to stop US troops from imposing martial law during Jade Helm 15...

Gov. Greg Abbott is hoping to assure Texans that martial law will not be imposed during an upcoming military training exercise that has triggered a cascade of conspiracy theories.

Response by SPC Matt Johnson made May 2 at 2015 5:14 PM

2015-05-02T17:14:55-04:00

due to the current political environment the republican party of my parents and grand parents knew no longer exist. It has been hijacked by people of who only speak to the farthest fringes of the party. This has unfortunately gives every single loony toon to talk over voices of reason and sanity. Now I have to worry about my buddies who are still serving being shot when they get home by some idiot that believes Obama is using the Army to impose martial law to take there guns because some politician or talk show host said so.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2015 2:24 AM

2015-05-03T02:24:08-04:00

Not really nessisary, but who can blame em with the anti american treasonous POS running things

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made May 3 at 2015 11:38 AM

2015-05-03T11:38:39-04:00

Texans and Cali's are the biggest state factions in the USMC. I don't get this abbot guy, take over texas? what is there to take over? its already a state. I think its' ridiculous to think just because we're doing military drills that the military is somehow looking to take over Texas. I think this is just to get himself in the spotlight, but its the wrong way to do it. I know there are a great many people who do not like the president, but take over texas, come on now, lets get real.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 3 at 2015 2:55 PM

2015-05-03T14:55:34-04:00

Fundamentally, I look at the reaction in Texas as a reflection of our lack of trust in this Administration and it's not without cause.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2015 8:53 AM

2015-05-24T08:53:34-04:00

Can you blame people. You see movies where Navy Seals are freely operating in any area or country they want. Movies like the Act of Valor where they go into Mexican. Or other shows on TV like "The Unit" where they operate in US cities. I am glad that show is gone. But people really only know what they see on TV. So that is what they are basing their assumptions on. SF does this in NC. I did a war game in uwharrie national forest in NC with my LRS company. It wasn't a big deal. But what bothers me the most is when soldiers or veterans start complaining about this.