Brief History of the US Navy Seals

40-1950US Navy SEALs were later split into two teams, one
In the summer of 1941 a division of the US militaryof which would control Pacific operations and the other
called “Amphibious Scouts and Raiders” startedAtlantic operations. They were called SEAL team 1
training. Later in the spring of 1943 a team ofand SEAL team 2 retrospectively. These teams were
volunteers were trained in clearing landing zones forutilized in unconventional guerilla warfare situations in
military operations in which their access point wasboth blue and brown water environments. In 1963 The
from water. These military personnel were laterSEALs were used in the Vietnam War where their
referred to as frogmen which was derived from whatinput was vital and surely a large component of the
they functioned as during operations. In 1947 the firstoverall effort. In 1967 the name NOSG was changed
underwater strike units were organized by the Navy,to NSWG as their role was increased significantly in
before their true utility would be fully harnessed duringwhat is referred to as special operations.
the coming decade.1970-1980
1950-1960During the decade starting in 1970 the role of the Navy
From the middle of 1950 all the way through to JuneSEALs was further consolidated as their weapons,
1953 the Korean conflict utilized the skills ofinfrastructure and equipment were enhanced, as well
underwater demolition units for a host of activities. Thisas their efforts considered increasingly important when
included attacks that weakened enemy infrastructure;taking a cohesive look at the US military as a whole.
including taking down bridges and tunnels which was all1980 +
done from covert under water positions. Above seaAs the US become increasingly patriotic about the role
level they also performed minesweeping functions inof the US Navy SEALs in the military their
harbors which created strong points for militaryachievements would go towards further enhancing this
access.position. In the Philippines they killed the ASG terrorist
1960-1970leader who had made unequivocal attacks on the US.
Every branch of the military was instructed to createDuring the rein of President Bush they have
counterinsurgency squads, in the case of the Navyparticipated in both the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. In
what was earlier referred to as underwater demolitionMarch of 2002 in a mission called Operation Anaconda
teams evolved into what is known today as SEALthey invaded Afghanistan and in March 2003 they
squadrons. In May of 1961 the current president, John Finvaded Iraq. To this day, especially with the rise in
Kennedy, formed the Navy SEALs, however it wasterrorist activity, remote military operations cannot
December of that year before Arleigh Burke (CNO)suffice. That is why the role of the Navy SEALs is still
approved the SEALs as being fit for deployment. Theas prominent today.