Are the SEALS getting too much publicity?

[strickj]

The Obama administration has been forthright with information regarding SEAL missions.

In addition, the Obama administration urged the SEALS in the movie "Act of Valor" to be in the movie when approached by the movie's directors. This "urging" came after each SEAL turned down the movie directors' offer to be in the movie.

This has caused some backlash in DC, from both citizens and Military officials, since the SEAL's best tool has always been their secrecy, which is now becoming a thing of the past.

After the successful takedown of Osama bin Laden last year and rescue of western hostages last month, Navy SEALs been have gotten quite a lot of media coverage. It's too much, according to retired Army General James Vaught who told the commander of the Navy SEALs that America's enemies are paying attention.

"You're going to fly in and he's going to shoot down every damn helicopter and kill every one of the SEALs," argued General Vaught.

Admiral Bill McRaven agreed.

"We don't want to get to the point where our sensitive tactics, techniques and procedures are open for everybody to take a look at, so next time we come in on a target we're exposed," McRaven added.

Former Navy SEAL Scott Taylor of Virginia Beach recently told 13News he feels the SEALs are getting too much coverage.

Read full: http://www.wvec.com/news/military/Coverage-of-Special-Op-missions-sparks-outburst-on-Capitol-Hill-138962499.html

[Guest Plainsman]

I'm going to see the movie this weekend, but I wholeheartedly agree with there being excessive exposure of SEALs as of recently.

[Garufa]

There is nothing secret about the SEALS. The whole world knows they exist and have so looong before OSB was put down. You can go to Coronado Island in San Diego if you want to see them train.

That being said, there really is no reason for all the exposure. It serves no purpose whatsoever, except maybe as a recruiting tool.

[Guest Bassman17SC]

There is nothing secret about the SEALS. The whole world knows they exist and have so looong before OSB was put down. You can go to Coronado Island in San Diego if you want to see them train.

That being said, there really is no reason for all the exposure. It serves no purpose whatsoever, except maybe as a recruiting tool.

Just more candidates to weed out.

[Guest drv2fst]

This particular cat has been out of the bag for a LONG time now. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100232/

This movie came out in 1990 but they were already well known before that.

I was seriously considering joining the Navy in 1987 just to take my shot at getting on the SEAL teams. I could already swim 5+ miles nonstop on the surface, about 100 yards underwater without equipment, free dive about 40 feet down, and run 10 miles (not all at the same time ). But I spoke to a few former SEALS and they said those abilities did not really improve my odds that much. They replied something like "sure but can you do all that in freezing weather, carrying gear, after 72 hours without sleep, and in the dark?". That's about when I found something to set my sights on.

Edited February 23, 2012 by drv2fst

[Lumber_Jack]

There is nothing secret about the SEALS. The whole world knows they exist and have so looong before OSB was put down. You can go to Coronado Island in San Diego if you want to see them train.

That being said, there really is no reason for all the exposure. It serves no purpose whatsoever, except maybe as a recruiting tool.

This.

There is a difference between secret and Elite. One you don't know exists, the other you know exists, but you can't do sh*t about it.

But it does seem to cast a "cocky" factor on a group of soldiers who were once believed to be quiet and humble(unless you meat one in a bar and then they are cocky)

[Guest bkelm18]

This particular cat has been out of the bag for a LONG time now. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100232/

This movie came out in 1990 but they were already well known before that.

True, but Act of Valor stars Active Duty SEALs and all the fight scenes were choreographed by them as well. Now, I really don't think that all this publicity is really hurting them as much as some people are saying, but I don't think it's helping.

[TMF]

To answer the OP, yes.

[Caster]

This.

There is a difference between secret and Elite. One you don't know exists, the other you know exists, but you can't do sh*t about it.

But it does seem to cast a "cocky" factor on a group of soldiers who were once believed to be quiet and humble(unless you meat one in a bar and then they are cocky)

I wouldn't want to meat anyone at a bar, certainly not a Navy Seal.

[Guest drv2fst]

It's long been my opinion that we fought these last wars the wrong way. We should have done it with more stealth and precision and FAR less boots and equipment on the ground. I think 1 billion $ spent on stealthy warfare is much more effective and efficient than 1 trillion $ spent on "open to the public" warfare.

[Guest HvyMtl]

Um. I think it is a way to distract. We have a lot of "special forces" which are well capable and active. What better way to distract from the others, than to key on one small unit?