We all know Special Operations are the best at conducting Combat Operations. What type of unit do you feel is the best support unit?

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 06:21:04 -0400

This is opinion only. What is the best support unit? It can be based on who they support, how they support, or the technical expertise required.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jul 2 at 2016 7:16 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 07:16:45 -0400

The best support units are the ones that support GREAT combined arms units whose senior 1, 2 level up commanders understand supporters ..and only fills those leaders slots with GREAT leaders not all others, because "They are just supporters"

I had one my best platoon sergeants taken from me one deployment to fill a support platoon leader position...He was livid, take his infantry platoon from him to be a supporter? ....
Then I asked him,,,,when was the last time you had all your Bradley's up because mechanics had parts? How many times have you and your men eating MRE's for days in a row because rations were not here? Remember Being critically short on coax for two weeks because the support platoon kept forgetting that crate of ammo at the FOB?
I told him not only does YOUR platoon need YOU doing that job for now, the company needs you, the battalion needs YOU in that job.. Now go fix it, find your replacement and let me know when that platoon is ready....and I will your ass back here to your platoon.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jul 2 at 2016 11:30 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 11:30:14 -0400

To use a few Air Force flavored responses.... "Nobody kicks ass without tanker gas!" "No COMM, no bomb!"

ALL of the support units are critical IMO. The most lethal SF unit in the world won't stay that way long without resupply, MX, Comm, Medical, et al. I think we need to stop playing the "whose penis is bigger" game and realize we all have vital roles to play. To say that one is more important than the other is ludicrous.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2016 1:27 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 13:27:26 -0400

The one that helps the unit accomplish the mission.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 2 at 2016 2:31 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 14:31:09 -0400

The best support units are the successful ones that integrate themselves with the combat arms units.

Response by GySgt Joe Strong made Jul 2 at 2016 10:49 PM

GySgt Joe Strong — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 22:49:29 -0400

Best Support Unit covers a lot of ground.
For best Comm Support I'm going to nominate the Joint Communications Support Element out of MacDill AFB.
Its members are comprised of all 4 major services, deployable & task oriented teams are mostly comprised of all service members who work together daily in 3 years stints leading to a tight knit well integrated unit.
The vast majority of JTF's on their initial tour call on this unit for their initial Comms capability until their organic support can trickle in.
The full spectrum of Comm Suites is available, including even the rarely called out long haul HF.
Various sub-units within JCSE add Airborne capabilities and a Joint Airborne Command Control and Communications Post (Jackpot) was part of the options available the last I knew.
It's an amazing group of Professionals who get the job done with short notice, quickly deploy & recover, and get ready for the next call out.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 2 at 2016 11:19 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 23:19:29 -0400

Never heard anyone wish the Seabees weren't around....

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Jul 3 at 2016 1:34 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Sun, 03 Jul 2016 13:34:08 -0400

This goes without saying. your friendly local Communications unit.
You can talk about us, but you can't talk without us....

Response by MAJ Robert E Beach made Jul 5 at 2016 6:45 AM

MAJ Robert E Beach — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 06:45:38 -0400

I would disagree with your premise. Special Operations are very good at certain "Specialized" operations, general small unit in nature. I would never expect them to be the best at heavy mechanized operations for example. To answer your question, the best support unit trains with the supported unit and can anticipate the needs of the supported unit.

Response by 1SG Harold Piet made Jul 5 at 2016 7:26 AM

1SG Harold Piet — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 07:26:54 -0400

Not sure in today's terms, but in my day mine was the best or I improved it.

Response by CPT Alec L. made Jul 5 at 2016 9:01 AM

CPT Alec L. — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 09:01:56 -0400

Actually Special Opns are best at certain. limited size operations. They are invaluable when a highly trained, highly skilled, well coordinated unit is needed for a specific mission. But large scale combat operations (think invading Iraq) still require large scale units like multiple infantry divisions. Same is true of support units. We need them all.
Having been an infantryman in jungle combat, I say the best support unit is the one you desperately need at the moment who responds to your needs. They're all the best, just at different times.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 9:24 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 09:24:59 -0400

I know I'm going to get a lot of flak for this, but I say Rangers. Now, I DO understand that Rangers are (or at one point, WERE) a Special Operations combat force. Although, here lately, it seems their primary mission has been to guard roads, and provide external security for CAG. If that ain't support, then I don't know what is. They aren't being utilized the way that they used to, and have, essentially, become glorified road guards for the higher echelons. SF uses them, CAG uses them, SEALs use them, and so does PSYOP. So can we really say that Rangers are the best of the best if they are being stuck doing the b*tch work for the other SOCOM departments? Or have they become a combat-oriented Support entity?

Response by COL Jeff Williams made Jul 5 at 2016 9:41 AM

COL Jeff Williams — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 09:41:16 -0400

The best units are the ones who do their job, accomplish the mission and take care of their people, regardless of their branch or service

Response by LTC Zachary Hubbard made Jul 5 at 2016 11:22 AM

LTC Zachary Hubbard — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 11:22:20 -0400

"Every single man in this Army plays a vital role. Don’t ever let up. Don’t ever think that your job is unimportant. Every man has a job to do and he must do it. Every man is a vital link in the great chain." GEN George S. Patton

I would add that every single unit plays a vital role in the great chain.

Response by MAJ Philip Crabtree made Jul 5 at 2016 12:49 PM

MAJ Philip Crabtree — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 12:49:09 -0400

Special Operations is not the best at conducting Combat Operations. They are two different, broad areas of specialization. Combat Operations forces are the best at what they do with force on force conflicts. SPECOPS, on the other hand, is pretty dang good at Direct Action and FID missions among others. There is NO best support unit either. The caliber of support from a specific unit changes over time with a series of highs and lows based on readiness and changes in leadership over time. Both your initial assertion and your question is an attempt to compare apples to oranges.

Response by SPC Jesse Barber made Jul 5 at 2016 1:17 PM

SPC Jesse Barber — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 13:17:39 -0400

In my opinion, HHC is the best support unit. They generally have most of the various support all their other units need, and have it readily available.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 1:32 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 13:32:41 -0400

As a Special Forces Officer, I must disagree that Special Operations Forces are the best at Combat Operations. We exist for limited high value targets and missions that require extremely expensive training. We are the support to conventional forces which actually win the wars.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 1:39 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 13:39:07 -0400

I think it comes down to to understanding the mission, the requirements, timing and anticipation. I agree with SGM Marquez. It's about the right leaders in the right position. I was not happy when I was selected as a QM Lt. My NCO at the time gave me a similar speech about logistics not being on time and wrong. So for ten years I prided myself on being in the right place with the right stuff. I switched to a functional and I still end up doing logistics but with a different spin because it's important. At the same time it's critical to get your soldiers trained in their skill set even if you have to go to industry or on the economy to do it. They have to have the right tools and sufficient time for the task. Respect from the supported unit is critical. Respect results in security, places to sleep, escorts, and extra hands. But you also need to keep on top of your basic warrior tasks, because you can always be an extra weapon. Ask the supported units to help with your training and offer assistance with their logistics/ maintenance tasks.

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Jul 5 at 2016 2:20 PM

SPC Byron Skinner — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 14:20:59 -0400

Sp4 Byron Skinner…I would have to agree with Major Robert E. Beach and add my opinion…The military right now has an estimated 50k "Special Operations" to include soldiers Sailors and Airman …The Marines have their own Special Operations Community…in the year 2000 there were only 5k allocated for "Spec. Op's" as it has become called…I'm very much aware of how little is no in the public domaine…the activity of these units… and I would assume that most of the ground force in Africa are members of what we would call Spec. Op's..From what I have see though, I'm not seeing anything that couldn't have been done by a well lead battalion, done cheepers and…I know this will light up the board…done better and more efficiently…Spec. Op's is very expensive and rank heavy…Spec. Op's is a heavy investment in resources, which is paid for by regular units who can't get what the need to properly train and deploy…the resources spent on Spec. Op's would be better spent in upgrading the Army's BCT's.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 3:22 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 15:22:19 -0400

Special Ops are great, but not at wholesale combat operations. Your question is too board too even approach.

Response by SPC Brian Stephens made Jul 5 at 2016 7:47 PM

SPC Brian Stephens — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 19:47:21 -0400

My unit, 1st Fire, Bravo Battery, 1/32 FA. Reactivate the Lance Missile Program and those Green Berets will get such accurate nuclear missile support they will have no reason whatsoever to complain.

Response by SGT Stanley Bass made Jul 6 at 2016 12:26 AM

SGT Stanley Bass — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 00:26:10 -0400

Postal/mail operations

Response by 1LT Roger Soiset made Jul 6 at 2016 6:55 AM

1LT Roger Soiset — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 06:55:13 -0400

As we heard so many times, it depends on the situation. What do you need, who can supply it and do it the fastest with the fewest mistakes? Army aviation gunships when available are wonderful things to see, but maybe what you really needed was an ammo resupply or the evacuation of a wounded man. So, turn the question around--support for what?

Response by SGT Tim Fridley made Jul 6 at 2016 8:54 PM

SGT Tim Fridley — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 20:54:12 -0400

All support units are important. The best ones get their job done in a timely and safe manner with as little down time for the units they support as possible

Response by CW2 Louis Melendez made Jul 14 at 2016 10:39 PM

CW2 Louis Melendez — Thu, 14 Jul 2016 22:39:28 -0400

I think that the elements that you mentioned are spot on. I would add the quality of the values of each individual assigned to a unit.

There are other factors involved in the mix but usually the best support units will have those qualities that we mentioned above.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2016 3:06 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 15:06:25 -0400

The most important ones are the ones working the job at the time to get the mission done. Ie, mechanics getting vehicles, cooks for keeping the soldier fed, MI for getting intel to get troops out and provide SA. There is no support unit that is better than the other, but some support units are better for certain support roles than others.

Being attached to a SOF unit, as some have said above, ODAs are very good at SUT but what I feel they do best is that they integrate all support to maximize mission success. Their philosophy of what do you bring to the table and exploiting that is what makes them great. The ODAs I worked with never pretended to know what you did and would ask how you worked and what you needed to have maximum success. They constantly asked what could be done better and integrated everyone they worked with, regardless of MOS, rank or anything else.