Temporary Archive: Suzanne Brockmann's Message Board

) do SEALS (and any other service personnel) have to purchase all of their own gear; uniforms, etc, or does the military provide you with one of everything, and then you have to purchase any extra that you want or need? The military purchases what they think you need--based on their budget, so you usually get one or two of everything and then you have to replace it. SOF is different because we are beter funded and represent a higher per person trainng cost, we are well equipped and get just about anything we want. Back in the early 90s guys were buying stuff (Black Hawk Industries) and then the Teams started buy and now it is purchased by SOCOM.

2) If you are purchasing your own equipment, are you required to purchase specific items, or is it a matter of personal preference (in your weapons; dive gear, etc)? Again in SOF you can do just about anything you want to as long as it works, which makes it conform to a certain range. No personal firearms are allowed and no "exotic" blades--i.e. battle axes or fantasy swords. Stuff like dive gear is pretty wide open

3) Is there a difference in what is provided to enlisted vs. officers; spec ops vs. regular troops? No real difference between O and E except job specific stuff. Huge differenc between SOF and Regular, even more difference between Regular "combat" Units and regular "support Units" (doesn't seem to matter they are driving on the same streets) and between regular and guard/reserve units---well, least when I was there I felt sorry for the Res/guard folks