The Painful Story of How U.S. Special-Operations Forces Grew Up

The only experience I have with the SF Community (of all branches) was when they became my patients at LRMC. I can certainly attest that they were some of the best patients I ever had. Not really caring about their own wounds, but concerned about their buddies. Never really complained (other than about the food). Real easy going down to earth people..........even though they could kill me with a paperclip.

I don't have any direct experience with Special Operations forces LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. but I have worked with many special operators on other missions especially post 9-11-2001.
1. Additionally I know many who have led Special Operations forces including General Wayne Downing, General Joe Votel and General Raymond 'Tony' Thomas and many others. In each case I have found these men to be of the highest caliber of character, integrity and personal bravery.
2. As a student of history who studied the US Civil War, WWI, WWWI and Vietnam War I understand the background of the rangers in the revolutionary period; raiders in the Civil War; OSS, Rangers and special Army, Navy and Marine units in WWII.

I disagree wholeheartedly with the premise of the National Review article you cited" Special operators came to be a favorite tool for fighting terror after 9/11. But the success went to their leaders’ heads, with disastrous consequences. "
This is a biased and false series of assumptions: The "75-year rise of special operations forces from humble origins in World War II to the present day is, at bottom, a coming-of-age story. Special-operations forces began as unwanted stepchildren, and they languished in that status for more than four decades. From time to time, they found supportive stepfathers in Washington, but for the most part they were left at the mercy of jealous stepbrothers."
Special Operations forces trace their heritage back to the French and Indian War and Revolutionary War rangers and the raiders of the Civil War. Those men risked all for causes that believed in frequently with no recognition or acknowledgment from the government they served.
These forces generally consisted of volunteers which is a proud tradition which has continued to this day.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Greg Henning Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown CW5 (Join to see) SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) TSgt Joe C. SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright

The only things that I know about SF units is what I've read. Great brave men that take the training.