[CG Steve]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGurlea

When G.I. Joe came back in the early 80s Delta Force was still kind of new and super secret so Hasbro probably did not know about them at the time. Many years ago (I think early 90s?) there was a big article in a major magazine about how Delta Force was the real life G.I. Joe. I remember reading it when I was young.

Delta Force is real and acknowledge at this point. When I worked for the Government I was told by some people who should know that Delta Force is basically a more highly trained Green Beret unit that is on call 24/7/365 and can deploy anywhere in the world ASAP similar to how Seal Team 6 is just a more highly trained SEAL Team that is on call and deploys at a moments notice. Both teams are tasked with the highest stakes missions and does stuff other teams don't do. Watch Black Hawk Down. That was a major Delta Force operation. Also, one of their first operations, Operation Eagle Claw where they tried to rescue Iran Hostages, there was just a 2 hour documentary on History Channel last year called "Desert One." It was really good and had lots of former Government officials openly talking about the operation and Delta Force.

P.S. While looking up the name of the History Channel documentary I came across this wikipedia page and at the bottom it says this:

"This incident (Operation Eagle Claw) is referenced a few times in the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero comic book, in particular as the source of the injuries sustained by the popular masked character Snake Eyes"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Eagle_Claw

Yes, I'm sure you would agree they are much more than just a better trained Special Forces unit. Delta, or Combat Applications Group as they later became called as well is one of three Tier 1 special ops units in the US military. The Navy's DEVGRU (Seal Team 6) and the Air Force's 24th Special Tactics Squadron being the other two. They are set apart from the "regular" special operations units. I say that with all due respect as I was just a regular USMC reservist in my time.

I've seen some of those guys around when I was deployed but there's no way to tell who or what they were sometimes as they would often don the uniform of the predominant conventional unit in the area. I also read a lot of nonfiction military/current history but there's no way to keep up with how these units evolved without being in them.

[Long Shot]

As a former member of SOCOM, these guys are the top of the food chain. A buddy of mine is a former member of this unit. Shot in the head twice and still served. Able to operate, solo, in any part of the world for extended periods of time. Elite doesn’t even begin to describe. Had an opportunity to try out, but back wouldn’t allow it. “Operations” are occurring all over the world at any given time. They play a pinnacle role in our ability to be here living the lives that we do.

[CapBritain]

Delta Force promise you a medal or a bodybag. Or both.

Early recruiting slogan.

[MGurlea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWOL

From what I understand Delta Force recruits from all branches. That's very GI Joe.

Here is the quote from Wikipedia (it's not a great source but):

"Most Delta Force operators are selected from the United States Army Special Operations Command's elite Special Forces Groups and the 75th Ranger Regiment, as well as from other special operations and conventional forces from the Army and sometimes other military branches."

So most likely it sounds like most of the Delta guys were Green Berets in the Army before. I would bet you need to have at least three tabs on your shoulder, and some stars on you jump wings, air assault wings, and on your diver badge or the equivalent training if you want to make into Delta. See the attached picture for the illustrated version of what I am talking about.

[MGurlea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CG Steve

Yes, I'm sure you would agree they are much more than just a better trained Special Forces unit. Delta, or Combat Applications Group as they later became called as well is one of three Tier 1 special ops units in the US military. The Navy's DEVGRU (Seal Team 6) and the Air Force's 24th Special Tactics Squadron being the other two. They are set apart from the "regular" special operations units. I say that with all due respect as I was just a regular USMC reservist in my time.

I've seen some of those guys around when I was deployed but there's no way to tell who or what they were sometimes as they would often don the uniform of the predominant conventional unit in the area. I also read a lot of nonfiction military/current history but there's no way to keep up with how these units evolved without being in them.

Oh ya, don't get me wrong, Delta and SEAL TEAM 6 are the pinnacle and tip of the spear and on a whole other level than anyone else. I guess these guys were just giving me the very short and simple version of how to think about these teams in context with others. I also assume (so could be wrong) that this is also how these teams are ran, organized, command and control etc. Meaning Delta is ran like a Green Beret team and SEAL Team 6 is ran like a SEAL team. So I have always thought of Delta like a Green Beret team but above all other teams on a level by themselves that do a different role that may involve counter-terrorism, intel gathering, hostage rescue, direct action, etc, involving the highest stakes, most complex, classified, and dangerous missions at a moments notice anywhere in the world 24/7/365. Whereas the regular Green Beret teams are more known for unconventional warfare and foreign internal defense like going in and training, teaching, and working with a foreign military. Like what we recently saw in the movie 12 Strong. And SEAL Team 6 same as above just switch out Delta with SEAL Team 6 and Green Beret with SEAL Team.

It is my understanding as well that the FBI HRT team and the CIA SAD (or is it SAC now?) team are also considered Tier 1 as well but they are obviously civilian agencies. We just saw the FBI HRT team in action down in Texas this past week. It is also my understanding that in my previous life I was technically considered a "Tier 2 operator" but that never came up and of course I could never hold a candle to any of the above guys and would never even try to.

Not considered Tier 1 but the U.S. Secret Service CAT team as well as the Diplomatic Security Service's MSD teams are pretty bad ass. The DSS MSD team does shit in far flung places, sometimes behind enemy lines, and you NEVER hear about it. I also am pretty impressed with the Air Force's PJs.