SEAL Team Six facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Naval Special Warfare Development Group
Active	November 1980 – present
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Special Operations Forces Special Mission Unit
Role	Special operations Counterterrorism
Size	1,787 personnel authorized (2014): 1,342 military personnel 445 civilian personnel
Part of	Joint Special Operations Command United States Naval Special Warfare Command
Headquarters	Dam Neck Annex NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
Nickname(s)	"SEAL Team Six", "DEVGRU", "Task Force Blue", "NSWDG"
Engagements	Invasion of Grenada TWA Flight 847 hijacking Achille Lauro hijacking Operation Prime Chance Operation Just Cause Gulf War Somali Civil War Operation Gothic Serpent Operation Uphold Democracy Yugoslav Wars Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina War on Terror Operation Enduring Freedom Iraq War Al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen War in North-West Pakistan Maersk Alabama hijacking Operation Neptune Spear 2013 raid on Barawe Operation Inherent Resolve Operation Freedom's Sentinel
Unit awards	Presidential Unit Citation

The Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG), often called DEVGRU or SEAL Team Six, is a very special part of the United States Navy. It works under the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). This group is also known as Task Force Blue within JSOC. Most of what DEVGRU does is kept secret. The U.S. government usually does not talk about their missions. Even though its official name has changed, "SEAL Team Six" is still the name many people know.

DEVGRU, along with similar Army and Air Force teams, is a "Tier 1" special mission unit. This means they handle the toughest, most secret, and most dangerous missions. These missions are ordered directly by the President or the Secretary of Defense. DEVGRU carries out many special tasks. These include stopping terrorism, rescuing hostages, gathering secret information, and performing quick, small attacks. They often target important individuals or groups.

History of SEAL Team Six

DEVGRU started as SEAL Team Six. This unit was created after a difficult mission called Operation Eagle Claw in 1979. During the Iran hostage crisis, Richard Marcinko helped plan a rescue mission for American hostages. After the mission faced problems, the Navy realized it needed a special team to fight terrorism all the time. Marcinko was asked to design and build this new unit.

Navy Unit Commendation award for SEAL Team Six, 1980-1982

Original SEAL Team Six Patch

Marcinko became the first leader of this new team. At that time, there were only two SEAL Teams. Marcinko named his unit SEAL Team Six to confuse Soviet intelligence. He wanted them to think there were more SEAL teams than there actually were. Marcinko personally chose the first members, who were experienced Navy divers and SEALs. SEAL Team Six officially began in November 1980. They trained very hard and were ready for missions just six months later.

SEAL Team Six became the Navy's main team for rescuing hostages and fighting terrorism. It was often compared to the Army's top unit, Delta Force. Marcinko led SEAL Team Six for three years, which was longer than usual. The unit started with 75 trained members and had almost unlimited resources. In 1984, Marcinko and some SEAL Team Six members formed a special group called "Red Cell". This group's job was to test the security of U.S. military bases.

In 1987, SEAL Team Six was officially closed. A new unit, the "Naval Special Warfare Development Group" (DEVGRU), was created to take its place. Even though the name changed, people often still call DEVGRU "SEAL Team Six."

Joining and Training the Team

NSWDG recruiting support personnel, 2007

When SEAL Team Six was first formed, Marcinko had only six months to get the team ready. Because of this, he couldn't create a long selection process like other special units. Instead, he chose recruits by looking at their Navy records and doing interviews. He looked for people who had faced challenges in training but still succeeded. This showed they had strong determination.

Most of the training and how members are chosen is secret. However, some information is now public. To apply for DEVGRU, you must be a male, at least 21 years old, and have completed at least two deployments in your previous jobs. You also need to be approved for secret information. Candidates come from other SEAL teams, special boat teams, and Navy bomb disposal teams.

Those who pass the strict application process go through an eight-month training course called "Green Team." This training is very tough, and about half of the candidates do not finish it. Instructors watch candidates closely to see if they are right for the team. If someone doesn't pass, they return to their old job and can try again later.

Training for special operations units is very intense and can be dangerous. DEVGRU has lost members during training, including parachute accidents. The selection process tests a candidate's mental strength more than just physical fitness. All candidates have already completed other advanced military training before trying out for DEVGRU.

Candidates learn many advanced skills from civilian and military experts. These include free climbing, land combat, advanced unarmed fighting, defensive driving, advanced diving, and survival skills. They also learn how to pick locks on cars, doors, and safes. Members of SEAL Team Six can attend almost any other military course to get more training if the unit needs it.

Like Delta Force, DEVGRU uses live ammunition during shooting drills. Other students sometimes act as hostages to help build trust among the candidates. DEVGRU also trains with special forces from other countries, like Australia, the UK, and Canada.

How the Team is Organized

DEVGRU is split into different groups, each with a color code:

• Red Squadron (Attack team)
• Blue Squadron (Attack team)
• Gold Squadron (Attack team)
• Silver Squadron (Attack team)
• Black Squadron (Gathers information and watches targets)
• Gray Squadron (Handles transport, diving, and quick response)
• Green Team (Handles selection and training)

Each attack squadron is led by a Commander and has three smaller groups called troops. A troop is led by a senior officer and a senior enlisted SEAL. Each troop has about 16 members. These troops are further divided into smaller teams of trained SEALs, called assaulters. These smaller teams are led by experienced enlisted SEALs.

Each attack squadron also has a special nickname. For example, Gold Squadron is called the Crusaders, and Blue Squadron is called the Pirates. Many support staff help these squadrons. This includes people who work with codes, communications, bomb disposal, and dog handlers. Sometimes, airmen from the United States Air Force also help.

In 2014, DEVGRU had 1,787 authorized positions. This included 1,342 military members and 445 civilian staff.

Weapons Used by DEVGRU

DEVGRU uses many different types of firearms. Because the unit is secret, this list is not complete.

Carbines (shorter rifles)

• Heckler & Koch HK416
• Heckler & Koch MP7
• M4A1

Sniper and anti-material rifles (for long-range shooting)

• Knight's Armament Company SR-25
• Remington Model 700 "Mk 13 Mod. 5"
• McMillan TAC-50 "Mk 15 Mod. 0"

Sidearms (pistols)

• Heckler & Koch HK45 "Mk 24 Mod. 0"
• SIG Sauer P226 "P226R Mk 25"
• Glock 19

Commanding Officers

The first leader of the unit was a Commander. After he left, the role was changed to a Captain, and it has been that way ever since.

What DEVGRU Does

Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter learns about the Sentry HP UAV, 2007

DEVGRU's full mission is secret, but it is believed to include stopping terrorism before it happens. They also work to prevent the spread of dangerous weapons. Another key role is finding or rescuing important targets from unfriendly countries. DEVGRU is one of the few U.S. Special Mission Units allowed to take action against terrorists and their bases before an attack.

When SEAL Team Six started in 1980, its main job was fighting terrorism around the world, especially near water. This included targets like ships, oil rigs, and coastal buildings. Sometimes, small teams from SEAL Team Six would secretly go into dangerous areas. They would gather information or check the security of U.S. military bases and embassies. This helped prevent harm in case of a terrorist attack. In 1987, SEAL Team Six was closed, and DEVGRU took over most of its roles.

Since the start of the war on terror, DEVGRU has become a unit that performs many types of special operations worldwide. Some of their successful missions include the rescue of Jessica Buchanan and Poul Hagen Thisted. They also rescued American doctor Dilip Joseph. In 1991, they successfully helped Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and his family during a coup.

The official mission of DEVGRU today is to manage the testing and creation of new equipment and methods for Naval Special Warfare. DEVGRU and the Army's Delta Force often train and work together on anti-terrorism missions. They usually form a joint special operations team. The Central Intelligence Agency's very secret Special Activities Center often works with and recruits members from DEVGRU. These units working together led to the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Operation Neptune Spear.

See also

• Sister JSOC units
  • 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta
  • 24th Special Tactics Squadron
  • Intelligence Support Activity
  • Regimental Reconnaissance Company
• Additional SEAL articles
  • List of Navy SEALs
• Other maritime-based special operations units
  • GRUMEC (Brazil)
  • Frømandskorpset (Denmark)
  • Commandos Marine (France)
  • Kampfschwimmer (Germany)
  • MARCOS (India)
  • Shayetet 13 (Israel)
  • COMSUBIN (Italy)
  • MARSOF (Netherlands)
  • JW Formoza (Poland)
  • Special Actions Detachment (Portugal)
  • Commando Frogmen (Russia)
  • Naval Special Warfare Force (Spain)
  • Special Boat Service (UK)