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Hello RallyPoint, I hope you are all doing well. I happened to have read an article by Jack Murphy (former Army Ranger and Green Beret) about the disbanding of Green Beret CIF companies (perhaps another topic for another time). In one of his statement, he stated: "even the conventional Army and Marines can do direct action". With this, I have to ask what your guys' thoughts are on this? Perhaps a more specific definition of Direct Action may be needed? Either way, hope you are all doing well.
11B: Infantryman
0311: Rifleman
MARSOC
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 12
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Absolutely correct. While I can't speak for today's Army, but in the 80's when I was a Grunt, all the light units repetitively practiced raids, ambushes and infiltration. While most regular Army Infantry and Marine Infantry units don't get the trigger time the Rangers get, they are still quite capable of doing these missions. I have a lot of respect for Rangers and will give them credit for pissing the highest up the wall, but there are a number of units that piss pretty high too.
SOCOM has become the problem that they were formed to solve, misuse and overextension of units that are generally not designed for sustained combat. But if you are a carpenter, every problem is a nail and every solution is a hammer.
SOCOM has become the problem that they were formed to solve, misuse and overextension of units that are generally not designed for sustained combat. But if you are a carpenter, every problem is a nail and every solution is a hammer.
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Jake Lang
If I may ask sir, how much distance in difference is between the pissing contest and was it enough to warrant taking DA away from conventional light infantry and giving it solely to SOCOM?
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CPT Lawrence Cable
Jake Lang You need to understand the command structure. The Army does not decide the disposition of it's units, that is controlled by the area commands, CENTCOM as an example, and the Sec Def. SOCOM can operate in any of the area commands without consulting them, have a smaller footprint that makes them politically expedient to deploy. In theater, regular units are often part of direct action, a Styker unit was part of the capture of Saddam Hussein, Marine 3/3
Was the original planners of the Lone Survivor mission and got booted by SOCOM, but ended up finishing off that bad guy in a follow on mission without SOCOM being involved. Regular Army Infantry units are designed to be deployed now in Brigade combat teams, which is a fairly large unit and most politician don't have the balls to deploy one, even though in many cases, it would have a better choice in the long run.
Was the original planners of the Lone Survivor mission and got booted by SOCOM, but ended up finishing off that bad guy in a follow on mission without SOCOM being involved. Regular Army Infantry units are designed to be deployed now in Brigade combat teams, which is a fairly large unit and most politician don't have the balls to deploy one, even though in many cases, it would have a better choice in the long run.
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Listen all forces on the ground are subject to Direct Action. One would have to read the context in which he used that phrase while referencing the Army and Marines. In any case, there are situations when conventional forces perform non standard roles as well, as I said up front depending on the circumstances.
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Direct action requires dedicated assets that are either organic or non-organic. One reason I don’t believe a conventional unit would be successful at direct action is the availinility of those such assets. Air movement and support, dedicated medical assets, QRF assets, targeting assets, and many other behind the scenes support. Can it be done? Yeah, effectively and sustained? In my opinion... no.
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CSM Michael Chavaree
Understood, however, is this unit fully trained in supporting yhat units specific METL? Do they have dedicated operational control over the air asset to use them for thier specific direct action no notice national mission force mission? CWO3 (Join to see)
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CWO3 (Join to see)
CSM Michael Chavaree - MEU (SOC) = yes. The BLT is just the ground Infantry BN whose turn it is to float. Coupled with a task-organized Air and CSS unit, they all form the MEU. Additional agencies fall under MEU blue/green team, DAP (Seals), MSPF , Radio BN, ANGLICO, Intel, R&S etc. During workups each element has to get a go/no go on the many MEU missions. TRAP such as Capt. O'Grady, GOPLAT, NEO, Raid, Mass Casualty, and more. The unit doesn't sail with the SOC (Spec Ops Capable) icon if they don't pass. They have to pass, or keep at it until they do. It's not equal to the Tier 1 assets, but is very capable. MARSOC is a different element under US SOCOM. Thanks for your posting, and I only offer this for info. https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a284632.pdf
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CSM Michael Chavaree
Thats incredible! I believe there is a need for this capability as we transition to a surgical strike Counter Terrorism capable force. Thanks for the info!CWO3 (Join to see)
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CWO3 (Join to see)
CSM Michael Chavaree - Long read and dated. The Major that wrote is has retired as Lt Gen. Thorough thesis with background. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_D._Nicholson
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