quote:

There has been some sort of special ops group, unit or team since Korea. I knew an old GM from WWII, he had some stories.

Maybe we are disagreeing over something that is purely semantics. The CG has always done some unique stuff, such as the ELD teams in Nam, but those were not so much an official organization, more like a group put together solely to address a need. Once the need was gone so were the folks that had been on that team, back to their regular work.

I can definitely see better places for that funding to go. Isnt that why the Navy has SEALS?

quote:

Originally posted by SaltyGm:
Who but a very few, knew about the deployable narcotics team out of Detroit in the 90's. They went through some very interesting training, ie.. undercover narc ops, vehicle tactics, and much more. They routinely used resources like, Air Force drug dogs, and Boarder Patrol resources. Also worked with the Secret Service on the first lady detachment.

OK, this has peaked my curiousity. When I was a Cox'n/BO in the Keys, 85-88, we routinely used K-9's from other agencies including USAF from Homestead, worked with USBP and USCS on many nights. We worked USSS details for Bush Sr. I think we were called, "Duty Section 2"

Undercover narc ops....is the Coast Guard authorized to do this? I don't think so, maybe the Investigators. Vehicle tactics....in the ports maybe.

During my time in the Keys, I remember the USCG L/E teams coming down from Miami to Key Largo in a van with a blue light while patrolling the roads and shoreline....that all came to a sudden halt when the Admiral found out and told them to get their butts back to Miami!

Hey, I'm all for any added extensive training the USCG will give you guys. It will only keep you safer in my opinion. The thing I always questioned about such special response teams, ie; Special Ops, is that they were never able to respond in a timely matter. Usually it was the duty section onscene and unable to wait for a two hour response.

Seriously, I am not taking jabs at you or the USCG, my brother is still in and I know how aggressive he is about L/E.

Don USCG 82-88, USCS 89-06

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 21yrsUSCGUSCS,

quote:

Originally posted by kylefm:
I can definitely see better places for that funding to go. Isnt that why the Navy has SEALS?

SEALS don't do Law Enforcement, We do.

Until the CG makes (if)an LE rate there is no logical need for this. Yeah it sounds real cool. Yeah I am sure the MSST's think they need it but honestly. WE do LAW ENFORCEMENT not commando raids. Maybe SWAT training or specialized training on how to board a ship more stealth. As it stands right now we transfer in and transfer out of units so oftewn the training that you would get would be lost.

AS far as having your gear in your car including weapons. I do not see that happening. There has already been a bunch of uniforms and gear stolen from members cars and houses. lol

I am not at a MSST nor do I evwer want to go to one. Yes I have LE background and I have worked with PSU's. I have done both green and blue sides of the CG and in no way do I think PSU's should have SOF capability.
Larry

"SEALS don't do Law Enforcement, We do."

What type of LE needs special ops???? We have planes that are haveing a hard time staying in the air, and boats that cant float any more, how old are most the Cutters?....but we need to spend a lot of money on "special ops" training? And gear in personal vehicles? Starting to sound like a big city swat team. Maybe police cruzers, and light bars should be next. Not trying to get anyone all angry or anything, it just sounds like a bad place for resorces to go.

Here's another point on the subject. When I was at Station Islamorada and we got our FCI 43503, the station took the added personnel and made up three duty sections for SAR/LE and two L/E specific crews.

We in the duty sections (SAR/LE) had to work during the day, do at least 4 hrs of L/E at night if SAR permitted. The L/E crews did not stand duty. They would come in and get u/w for maybe 5-7 hours and go home unless they did a rare deployment when the FCI was not in Charlie status. They all got new tactical gear where as we did not.

Guess what??? In my last couple of months in the USCG, it was my crew who got a cold hit bust on a boat coming in at 0400 with 542lbs of cocaine.

My point is, it did not take a so-called "specially trained unit" to make the bust. Boarding Officers and BTM's throughout the Coast Guard should all receive the same training in an effort to keep them ALL safe.

As I stated before in my earlier post, it is probably more likely that the duty crew, whether it be on a WPB, station, or port, that will be the team that has to handle things with "it" hits the fan.

For any boardings that might have info of a severe threat, don't let agency pride get in the way of asking for help from other agencies. In my time with Customs in Key Largo, from time to time, we would request a SWAT team from Homestead, FDLE and/or State and Local agencies. Many seizures we made, we had SRT members from the Florida Marine Patrol, FHP and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office right alongside us. The same went on during my time at West Palm Beach where we worked closely with the Palm Beach Co S.O. and the FWC Officers.

Whatever ends up happening..just stay safe!

Don, USCS Warrant Entry Tactical Team, (WETT) for 10 yrs.

Listen....the last thing I want to do is burst someone's bubble if they are enthusiastic about being better. Sometimes I will post something and think about it later. I wonder how many posts are taken the wrong way from how I intended them?

My son became a U.S. Marine last year. When he came home on leave after bootcamp, I sat him down and told him that I know the Marine Corps pounds into them the pride of the Marines to a point where they think they are the elite. No doubt, this way of thinking helps motivate them for the tough positions they may encounter. I made sure that he realized, however special he thought the Marines were, if they are ever pinned down and in need of immediate help, you never know when it will be the Army soldiers or USAF or US Navy aircraft that saves their butts.

I bring this up to once again point out why I argue that if there is money available for training, I think it would be better spent on training for ANYONE in the Coast Guard who does boardings.

I hope no offense has been taken as I appreciate anyone who is full of enthusiasm. It's always sad when someone from the old days beats you down for trying to improve things. I saw that too many times in my days.

Don

Don, I made you a new signature. lol
-Pete

Don (crewman on 44315, Merrimac River, 84-85)
Don, USCS Warrant Entry Tactical Team, (WETT) for 10 yrs.
Don USCG 82-88, USCS 89-06
DJO
Don

quote:

Originally posted by PDonahue22:
Don, I made you a new signature. lol
-Pete

Don (crewman on 44315, Merrimac River, 84-85)
Don, USCS Warrant Entry Tactical Team, (WETT) for 10 yrs.
Don USCG 82-88, USCS 89-06
DJO
Don

Thanks a pantload Pete, now I feel old! A true prior BM I guess, jack of all trades. But you left out my favorite, Father to a US Marine LCpl, Amphibious Assault Vehicles

Don

quote:

Don, USCS Warrant Entry Tactical Team, (WETT) for 10 yrs.

So, you are only "WETT" behind the ears for 10yrs with all of that time on the water, what gives?

GUNS

The story with that is the Key Largo and Key West offices started up a team for use in the Keys. We trained together and made numerous raids together. The best by far was a simultanious raid on two waterfront homes in the Lower Keys which resulted in 9 arrests and 5,200 lbs of cocaine seized.

The Miami team was much more skilled with training as was the Homestead P.D. and maybe the FDLE but we did pretty well ourselves.

I transferred to West Palm Beach so that was the end of that. When I later transferred to Clearwater, I was asked if I was interested in the Tampa team but I thought I'd leave it to the younger, more healthy guys.

With WETT, I was fortunate to be sent to training out in Nevada to a part of Nellis AFB called Silver Flag Alpha in Indian Springs. We were trained by USAF and USCS people for High Risk Encounter Tactics (HRET). The training lasted 2 1/2 wks and involved lots of range time, taking down vehicles with hostages, aircraft takedowns, building raids, land navigation. We had one night where our group had to navigate across the desert to be in a location on time to take down an offload (training personnel). The only light was a street light 2 miles away and the glow of Las Vegas about 40 mins south. No GPS's, only land nav plus we all were suited up with Miles Gear.

For the building entries we used simunition. The sting of those rounds will certain remain in your head when doing a real entry.

The whole experience was outstanding and I wish the training was still available to include the Coast Guard. I heard it was shut down due to lack of funding.

Don

Before any ligitimate thought of CG special forces can happen, something has to change with the assignment process to these units. You can't just walk into special forces. These MSST's were a quick solution to check a box. I've been out of it for a while, and I'm sure improvements have been made. Still no one should go to a "special forces" type unit until they've been to some sort of school designed to weed out the unprepaired, and push everyones comfort levels.

Sorry for the necropost but.....

http://www.uscg.mil/announcements/al...COAST36708.txt

ALCOAST 367/08
COMDTNOTE 1000
SUBJ: ASSIGNMENT OF COAST GUARD PERSONNEL TO TRAIN AND SERVE WITH
U.S. NAVY NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE (SEALS)
1. I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE I RECENTLY SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH THE U.S. NAVY AND THE U.S. SPECIAL
OPERATIONS COMMAND THAT WILL ALLOW COAST GUARD PERSONNEL TO TRAIN
AND SERVE IN THE U.S. NAVY NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE COMMUNITY,
SPECIFICALLY AS U.S. NAVY SEALS. THIS MOU IS THE CULMINATION OF A
PROCESS STARTED IN JULY 2007 AND WILL ALLOW SELECTED COAST GUARD
PERSONNEL TO BE ASSIGNED TO TRAINING AND DUTY AS A NAVY SEAL TO
SUPPLEMENT U.S. NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE FORCES. IN ADDITION TO
PROVIDING CAPABILITY TO THE NAVY AND SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND,
THIS PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE COAST GUARD PERSONNEL THE OPPORTUNITY TO
GAIN EXPERIENCE IN THE PLANNING, TRAINING AND EXECUTION OF SPECIAL
OPERATIONS.
2. BACKGROUND. THE COAST GUARD HAS A PROUD AND DISTINGUISHED
HISTORY AS AN ARMED SERVICE. THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
NAVY SEAL PROGRAM MARKS ANOTHER CHAPTER IN THE COAST GUARDS HISTORY
OF SUPPORTING OUR SISTER SERVICES IN MEETING THE CHALLENGES FACING
OUR NATION AND PROVIDES ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO OPERATIONALIZE THE
NATIONS MARITIME STRATEGY. SINCE 9/11, OUR SAFETY AND SECURITY
MISSIONS HAVE GROWN CONSIDERABLY, AND WE MUST CONTINUE TO LEARN AND
INCREASE OUR SPECIALTY KNOWLEDGE BY PROVIDING OUR PERSONNEL WITH
THE REQUISITE SKILLS. THIS NEW PROGRAM PROVIDES AN OUTSTANDING
OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR SERVICE MEMBERS TO GAIN VALUABLE SKILLS AND
KNOWLEDGE TO SUPPORT DOD AND INCREASE THE COAST GUARDS CAPABILITIES
IN OUR PORTS, WATERWAYS AND COASTAL SECURITY (PWCS) MISSION,
SPECIFICALLY COUNTER-TERRORISM AND ANTI-TERRORISM OPERATIONS.
3. PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION AND ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS. THE DEPLOYABLE
OPERATIONS GROUP (DOG), IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COAST GUARD
PERSONNEL COMMAND AND NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE COMMAND WILL
ADMINISTER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM IS OPEN
TO ALL MALE PERSONNEL BELOW THE AGE OF 29 WHO MEET THE RIGOROUS
ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS REQUIRED TO ENTER SEAL TRAINING. A
SOLICITATION MESSAGE DETAILING SPECIFIC PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS AND THE APPLICATION/SCREENING PROCESS IS FORTHCOMING.
4. SEAL TRAINING AND OPERATIONAL TOUR. THE SEAL TRAINING PROGRAM
INCLUDES BASIC UNDERWATER DEMOLITIONS/SEAL AND SEAL QUALIFICATION
TRAINING THAT WILL LAST 18 MONTHS TO TWO YEARS. UPON TRAINING
COMPLETION, SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A SEAL AND
ASSIGNED TO A SEAL TEAM. PERSONNEL WHO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE SEAL
TRAINING CAN EXPECT TO BE ASSIGNED TO NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE FOR A
TOTAL OF FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS, WHICH COULD INCLUDE THREE TO FIVE
OPERATIONAL DEPLOYMENTS.
5. THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COAST GUARD AND ITS
PERSONNEL. I ENCOURAGE ALL ELIGIBLE PERSONNEL TO CONSIDER THIS
PROGRAM.
6. ADMIRAL THAD ALLEN, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.

also see.....

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg1/cgpc/epm/AO/Seals.asp

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agSaTttT7oQ

SEALS that I know are somewhat uncomfortable with this.

quote:

The MSST's will want to have nothing to do with learning combat infantry moves and I can see certain members of the green side resisting boardings and LE OPS...It will sure be interesting!

The original PSU MARSEC Teams used to train with Force Recon Marines at Quantico and Army Rangers at Camp Perry. We practiced "combat infantry moves" on a regular basis. We threw FBI SWAT training into the mix (for room clearing training) and that was the standard of MARSEC Team training for the infant PSUs.

quote:

Special forces, lol.

Why? We now have the opportunity to train CG SEALS. What's so funny about that?

Anyone have a clue if they will open the doors into the SWCC side of NSW community? I almost left the CG last summer to pursue SWCC... but the wife decided otherwise!

quote:

Originally posted by nateljen80:
also see.....

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg1/cgpc/epm/AO/Seals.asp

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agSaTttT7oQ

SEALS that I know are somewhat uncomfortable with this.

I wave the B.S. flag.

How could they be "uncomfortable" when any applicant will have to pass BUDS just like everyone else? This is absolutely no different than the foreign students that go through BUDS.

If you pass BUDS then you get a trident. Get the Trident, you're a SEAL. Where you came from makes no difference at all.

There's more to it than just passing BUDs. Geez. SEAL completion takes about two years.

quote:

Originally posted by BTDT:
There's more to it than just passing BUDs. Geez. SEAL completion takes about two years.

But you get your Trident as soon as you graduate. It might be two years before you "go to war", but you're a SEAL as soon as you graduate BUDS.
That "integrate with a team" thing isn't done anymore.