SEALs
Elite naval operators
SEALs are members of the U.S.
Navy's elite special operations force, trained for missions on sea, air, and land—the acronym's source.
SEAL teams conduct counterterrorism, reconnaissance, and direct action operations: Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden in 2011.
The singular is SEAL: He was a SEAL for twelve years.
Organized cooperative unit
- squadronMilitary aviation unit
- platoonSmall infantry formation
- troopMobile group, organized
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
taskforce · operators · frogmen · commandos · special forces · element · assault team
Purpose-driven task
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- raidSudden armed incursion
- extractionAct of removing
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
reconnaissance · hostage rescue · counterterrorism · direct action · amphibious assault · covert operation · insertion · exfiltration
Secret, undetected movement
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- navigationDetermining position and course
survival · hand-to-hand · breaching · sniper · demolition · HALO jump · tactical shooting · air operations
Intense preinitiation ordeal
- parachutingControlled freefall using canopy
- marksmanshipAccuracy in shooting
- demolitionsDeliberate structural destructions
- selectionChosen item or items
Three-pronged fishing spear
- brotherhoodKinship among men
- frogmanMilitary underwater operations specialist
- warrior ethosFighter's honor system
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
team
Organized cooperative unit
detachment · taskforce · operators · frogmen · commandos · special forces · element · assault team
mission
Purpose-driven task
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
- raidSudden armed incursion
- extractionAct of removing
infiltration · reconnaissance · hostage rescue · counterterrorism · direct action · amphibious assault · covert operation · insertion · exfiltration · night raid
stealth
Secret, undetected movement
- precisionAccuracy of measurement
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
navigation · survival · hand-to-hand · breaching · sniper · demolition · HALO jump · tactical shooting · air operations
Hell Week
Intense preinitiation ordeal
- parachutingControlled freefall using canopy
- marksmanshipAccuracy in shooting
- demolitionsDeliberate structural destructions
selection · attrition · trident · qualification · obstacle course
trident
Three-pronged fishing spear
- brotherhoodKinship among men
- frogmanMilitary underwater operations specialist
- warrior ethosFighter's honor system
SEALsconventional forces
Traditional armed units
line infantry · regular army · grunts · conscripts · draftees
SEALsdesk jockeys
Sedentary office employees
rear echelon · administrative staff · clerks · non-combatants · pencil pushers
SEALscivilians
Non-military population
non-combatants · pacifists · conscientious objectors · draft dodgers · peaceniks
- at seaConfused or perplexed
- sea saltOcean-sourced sodium chloride
- sea legsAdjusted to ship motion
- sea levelElevation reference point
- sea turtlesOcean-dwelling shelled reptiles
- Yellow SeaMarginal Pacific between Asia's coasts