I love my job—no kidding. Granted, I just finished a tour as a lieutenant in command and that is—hands down—the best job in the Navy. We hear a great deal of negative comments about all that is wrong with the Navy, but I would like to talk about some things that are right. I believe that the challenges we face provide us with the opportunity to improve the status quo. Much like the current discussion focusing on the revolution in military affairs, we need to seize the initiative and create an environment of change: a shift in deck-plate perspective. Those of us in leadership positions (especially junior officers and chief petty officers) have the opportunity to mobilize our strengths to create a great Navy. I would like to share my perspective about a great training opportunity that exists for surface warfare officers in the Naval Special Warfare community.
A special boat squadron is a superb blend of fast ships, boats, combatant craft, and unique equipment. Most important, it consists of dedicated personnel who support missions in the littorals. When assigned to duty in a special boat squadron. you are exposed to many other services in terms of traditions, tactics, techniques, and operating procedures. Within the squadron organization are SEALs, SeaBees, surface warfare officers, limited-duty officers, communications specialists, weapons experts, intelligence specialists, a JAG officer, and a medical support team. The team also includes some talented civilians.
A special boat unit is commanded by a Navy commander (a SEAL) and composed of Mark V combatant craft and rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) detachments. The Mark V special operations craft is an 82-foot combatant craft designed to support medium-range special operations. It has a crew of five: one officer/chief petty officer officer-incharge, a coxswain, a navigator, an engineer, and a communicator. In addition to the crew, each craft can carry an additional 16 passengers, four combat rubber raiding craft (CRRC). and six CRRC engines. With a range of 500 nautical miles and a cruising speed of 40+ knots, the Mark V is a formidable platform. Each Mark V detachment also has its own maintenance support team.
Surface warriors assigned to this duty can expect to support missions that include infiltration, extraction, special reconnaissance, combat search and rescue, direct action, diversion and deception, foreign internal defense, maritime law enforcement, denial ops, limited coastal patrol and interdiction, and unconventional warfare. These combatant craft use advanced digital navigation systems and a full communication suite (VHF, HF, UHF, and SatCom capabilities). They leverage technology to the fullest by using a computer-controlled water jet propulsion system powered by two 16cylinder diesel engines.
The RHIB detachments also are an exciting area for surface warriors to provide service to their country. A RHIB provides the ability to transit from an open-water environment into shallow coastal areas, and this capability affords the Naval Special Warfare community an additional method of small-unit insertion and extraction. These craft are II meters long and have a fully loaded draft of about 3 feet. Imagine being on a boat with a maximum speed of more than 40 knots and a range of approximately 200 nautical miles. Truly, it is one of the most maneuverable and physically demanding craft ever put in service. The officer-in-charge of a RHIB detachment has the same level of authority and responsibility as his Mark V counterpart. Mission planning, detachment logistics, detailed mission execution, navigation, and personnel management are integral parts of each day's work.
The most visible commitment that the surface community makes to Naval Special Warfare is found in the patrol coastal ship. Used primarily for special operations missions, these ships are 170 feet long, 25 feet in breadth, displace about 350 tons, and have a draft of 8 feet. The top speed is in excess of 30 knots, and their nominal range of 2,500 miles makes them prime long-range insertion platforms. The crew consists of four officers and 24 enlisted members. All but one—the dedicated combatant crewmember—are from the surface Navy. Armament includes two 25-mm guns, four gun mounts to support .50caliber machine guns, Mark 19 grenade launchers and small arms, a Mark 52 chaff system, and a Stinger station. Several unique special and Coast Guard operations have allowed these ships to prove their worth as a mission platform.
The Cyclone (PC-1)-class ship is a modem warship and relies heavily on technology. The ships have taken advantage of "smart" thinking as evidenced by the use of a computer-controlled propulsion plant, touch-screen panels on the complex electronic voyage management system, an integrated bridge system, upgraded radar, and advances in the communication suite. The PC meets every requirement that a "big" ship does for training. This includes light-off assessment, command assessment of readiness and training, and tailored ship's training availability. These ships also must complete a demanding Naval Special Warfare tactical training period to certify capability for unique mission specialty. This process alone is a significant challenge, but the sailors on the PCs have a track record of performance that is better than the fleet average.
The members of the special boat squadron team maintain a presence in the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf, and several have made highly successful European Command and West African deployments. The Hurricane (PC-3) and Monsoon (PC-4) completed the first Western Pacific cruise for modem-era PCs. Ships in the Southern Command have distinguished themselves during actual weapons firing in counter-narcotics chases as well as being credited with seizures of illicit drugs. Indeed, there are more requests for the platforms than can be met. RHIB detachments are embarked in amphibious ready groups, and Mark V detachments are located all over the world. Naval Special Warfare is learning how to develop the full potential of all these maritime assets by conducting in-depth interoperability training.
No matter the assignment, this is not a community for those who are unwilling to reach down deep and give their best. Getting lost in the crowd is not an option when you are assigned to duty in a special boat squadron. It is true that the "regular" Navy sees some people who "appear to disappear," and conduct missions that often are not in the public eye. This situation has spawned some interesting myths:
- Myth #1: You're out of the loop and not competitive. Fact: Enlisted members and junior officers have gone on to assignments in cruisers, destroyers, amphibious warfare ships, and premier shore billets at the same rate as their contemporaries.
- Myth #2: You get responsibility too early. Fact: Guilty as charged. If the system works, however, these members already have been exposed to responsibility in other positions and this type of assignment is an advanced lesson.
- Myth #3: Competition against the best is dangerous. Fact: Special-boat-squadron duty allows for increased personal development. This community, like every other, is grappling with its competitive evaluation system. But if you are on board a brand new LSD, an Aegis destroyer or cruiser, or even in a shore billet, you are in a competitive environment. Duty in Naval Special Warfare has a track record on par with that of all other communities.
- Myth #4: Early command can kill you. Fact: PC commanding officers have gone on to great assignments, including Harvard studies, flag aides, war colleges, overseas joint duty, and lieutenant-commander commands. Although the limitation of the detailing triad (members' needs, needs of the Navy, and availability of billets) still factors into any assignment, it is untrue that early command hurts a career. The sooner you can get this job, the better.
The surface line community should took at what it gains from encouraging its members to accept assignments in Naval Special Warfare. First, its gets members who are motivated and have seen unique and unusual missions. That helps the Navy better meet its "Forward ... From the Sea" posture by developing broad perspectives. Second, assignment to Naval Special Warfare helps develop a group of senior enlisted and junior officers who are competitive for further promotion and assignment. They are learning lessons early, so they return to the fleet with a level of experience and exposure that only can serve the surface line well. Finally, although duty at a special boat squadron does not qualify as joint duty, it does expose one to joint concepts and situations where a member works side by side with other services in real-world missions. As our military decreases its size and technology is used to maximize interaction within the services, the understanding of joint fundamentals gained from these assignments is going to be a highly desired commodity.
While the surface community gives up some top-level performers when they go to the Naval Special Warfare community, we gain so much more in terms of operational expertise and exposure. You cannot have a sharp knife without tempering the blade, and Naval Special Warfare allows us to temper the steel of future war fighters and leaders in the surface community.
Lieutenant Commander Shaw is the former commanding officer of the USS Thunderbolt (PC-12) and USS Firebolt (PC-10).