RE: http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,160286,00.html

Now that's what I call covering your own ***. I agree wholeheartedly, they all have their strengths and specialties. And I wouldn't want any of them on my A--.

This is the age old, my dad can beat your dad argument. Geeze! Unless you've slogged the miles in the other guys boots, you've got no credibility. My advise for all those arm chair warriors that puff their chest and talk about the other guy is,...Go eat your bag of patato chips and shut the frig up!

Too bad Stew Smith does not know about the Air Force Special Tactics Teams of Combat Controllers, Pararescuemen, and Combat Weathermen. Routinely in all theaters, they are attached to Beret, SEAL, and Ranger units to provide close air support, combat medicine, and weather support. Their standards and training parallel the SEALS and their records of support to troops in contact are very impressive.

I think this articl was long overdue. My training went on almost thirty years ago and we cross trained with marine Recon, SEALS, anArmy Mountaineer division and the 82nd Airborne ...all were tough. I used to be( and still am somewhat) a martil arts nut and cross trained in styles after a few years. People have always asked me which art is the best and as Steve Smoith states, they all are in one cse or another. It all depends on hat you the individul want, or wht is required then you work your a%% off to be the best, simple as that.
Those folks that compare spec ops teams or martial arts should understand there is always focus on certain techniques and tactics depending on the environment and warfare necesssary to win. You'd think the "may dad can beat up your dad," BS would be a thing of the past but until a person enters the realm of the "special Ops tems" or a certain " Martial arts style' there will always be a sort of elementry school arrogance and in a sense, that's okay because it's good to be proud of your achievements and your bros in arms, but through time and experience a person will finally be content to be humble and accept every team, every style has it's unique style, it's unique deadly force and you can appreciate the warriors in all teams.


Well, that's my take anyway
respectfully
CK( ret)

I notice one thing and maybe its a lethargic way of thinking. Anytime I see AF "spec ops" in photos, they are always smiling. Now, call me crazy, but what are they always so happy about? Rangers, SEALS, Green Berets, Recon/Force Recon, serious mugs, down to business. AF, the "I'm so happy to be here" smiles.I dont doubt they do some tough ish, but I just cant envision the soft AF in any capacity being hard. My personal bias.

Agree, you do have a lethargic way of thinking and a lot of personal bias. Do some research on ST, CCt, and PJ in the current conflicts in Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan and your lethargic thinking and bias will change. Read about Tim Wilkinson (PJ) and Sgt Jeff Bray (CCT) in the Mogodishu battle (Blackhawk Down). The courage and calmness of Jason Cunningham (PJ) and Combat Controller Gabe Brown on Takur Ghar (Roberts Ridge) (Not a good day to die) and SMSgt Bill Sine who led a HALO jump into a minefield to get a wounded Aussie SAS (None Braver. Try getting your lethargic mind wrapped around the books that have the stories of these Air Force ST rocks, not softies.

Hey slim aka twodogs, dont get your panties in a bunch. I know that some of your "heroes" have done some valiant things under fire, BUT, they pale in comparison to an INKLING of what non spec ops Marines have done under the gun. YES, these instances you named have made news (covert ops usually dont), but the AF is still SOFT. And for the record, I am well aware of the individuals you've mentioned and what their accomplishments are. Like anything else, when you have a short list, its easy to rattle them off. The AF can kick rocks for all I care. I didnt make the comment based on your spec ops "accomplishments", it was to note how "happy" you fellas appear. Simp.

No problem pit bull. Just thought you were looking for some references to read up on.

The air force pararescue haven't done much to the best of my knowledge, and compared to the seals, berets, and the marine recon airforce is nothing when it comes to combat marines focus on rifles, berets, are a little of everything and seals do mainly water demolition, so can someone infor me what the airforce guys do other then tell the weather, because i have no idea what they do. And two dogs you can mention three of four people that have done great but i can mention hundreds of non special forces marines who did that and more so i agree with pitbull 110%.

Wow, spitbul and dragion really are hungry for info about ST. Here are some urls you all can log onto to get all the info you need.
http://www.specialtactics.com/
http://www.military.com/air-force-special-tactics/training.html
http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=187
Good reading guys

quote:

Originally posted by TwoDogs48:
Too bad Stew Smith does not know about the Air Force Special Tactics Teams of Combat Controllers, Pararescuemen, and Combat Weathermen. Routinely in all theaters, they are attached to Beret, SEAL, and Ranger units to provide close air support, combat medicine, and weather support. Their standards and training parallel the SEALS and their records of support to troops in contact are very impressive.

SOME books by and in coordination with Stew Smith:
-Navy SEAL workout series
-US Army Physical Training OCS/ROTC/USMA/Bootcamp
-Army Ranger/ Spec Forces
-Marine Corps Recon
-Combat Conditioning (All services)
-Coast Guard/ Navy SAR/ Helicopter Rescue Swimmer
-FBI and State Police Prep
-FLETC and BlackwaterUSA
-Air Force PJ/ CCT
-ATF FLETC
-USMC OCS

I feel supremely confident that Stew Smith is fully aware of the Air Force Spec Ops career fields.

A few of you have managed to completely disregard the whole intended point of the article; Each serves a purpose and is tough in their own unique way.
And we are right back to a dick measuring contest about who is the toughest/oldest/fastest/strongest/smartest etc.