Dear Readers,
Chances are you’ve watched a movie, read a book, or seen
stories of the exploits of SEALs on the news.
The acronym SEAL identifies the environments in which SEALs
operate: sea, air, and land. Though equally adept (and deadly) in any of
these environments, it is the water where SEALs feel most comfortable, where
they return after completing a mission on the land or in the air.
SEALs trace their beginnings to the Naval Combat Demolition
Units (NCDUs) of World War II. Initially,
Scout and Raider units were joint Army and Navy, but were later composed of all
Navy personnel. Scout and Raiders made
up amphibious reconnaissance units.
Lt. Commander Draper L. Kauffman was hand selected as the
leader of the NCDU project. Kauffman had
a wide experience of demolition work and bomb disposal which he incorporated in
the training, setting up a vigorous program, including Hell Week, which remains
a cornerstone of SEALs training today.
The NCDU had as their mission statement, “To have the
responsibility for removing natural and manmade underwater obstacles, which are
likely to obstruct landing operations.
This mission is performed in close cooperation with other units of the
amphibious forces.”
More to come next week about the storied SEALs.
May the Lord bless you and the United States of America,
Jane
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