We at Difesa Online like to give our readers all the tools possible to better understand the fascinating and mysterious military world, full of secrets par excellence.
And that what public opinion knows is only the tip of the iceberg, there is no doubt. Just think, for example, that before the blitz that led to the death of Bin Laden, the world ignored the existence of the Seal Team Six. But let's make it clear.
What is the difference between the Delta Force and the Seal Team Six?
Respondents are the veterans of the departments in an interesting article published on the Sofrep or Special Operations Forces Report. Both the Delta and the ST6 are two very distinct special units. All ST6 components come from the Seal teams while the Delta is made up of personnel from the Ranger, special forces and conventional army regiment.
The Seal have a single purpose: to strike every threat with maximum violence. The Delta, on the other hand, are masters in training and counseling. They are also called Multipliers.
When, in the 1980, the United States was involved in El Salvador, they sent some special teams to organize and train the army of San Salvador. What the public opinion did not know was that the US government secretly sent some Delta Force teams to form anti-terrorism units.
If we wanted to look for a feature common to both departments, we could find it just in secrecy. The highest military secret covers both the Delta and the Seal, with virtually non-existent information.
We know that one of the main differences between the two units is the way their members are selected. Entering the Delta Force selection process is very simple: twice a year the unit holds a one-month selection course in a secret area in the Appalachians. Approximately one hundred candidates from the Rangers and from all branches of the US military are present at the course. The Rangers and US Special Forces soldiers trying to become Delta have all experienced battle. They are masters in the handling of weapons, in the fight to mortal body, in unconventional guerrilla techniques.
Despite the exceptional curriculum, for the 90% of candidates, the doors of the Delta Force will not open. The 10% of accepted candidates will attend a training course for Delta Operators lasting six months. The 70% of them will not be able to complete the training. The others will become operators of the Delta Force.
The admission into the Seal Team Six is even harder. It takes place in two phases. In the first, the Seal submit their application for admission to the 6 Team. Once the dossier is presented, something unique happens in the panorama of special departments. The photos of the candidates are posted on a wall in a corridor in Dam Neck. It will be up to the individual members of the ST6 to block the candidate's photo or not. If all the members of the ST6 do not write anything on the candidate's photo, the candidate will be admitted to the selection process. Once admitted, the Seal will attend a six-month course called "Green Team". The 50% of those admitted will not complete the course. At the end of the Green Team, ST6 are deployed in their respective teams.
They are also called Tier 1, the ne plus ultra of the modern warrior. Both units have the same mission profile. From special operations to the fight against terrorism, from the rescue of hostages, to direct action. Just to try and figure out what an ST6 sniper is capable of.
In 2004, Iraq, a Tier 1, from the roof of a hotel, defended an Iraqi police station attacked by some rebels during the Battle of Mosul. He was alone and unleashed hell.
Franco Iacch
(photo: DoD USA archive)
