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That decision reflects the broader Pentagon strategy to prioritize China and Russia, which are rapidly growing their militaries and trying to expand their influence around the globe. U.S. defense leaders believe that two decades of war against militants and extremists have drained resources, causing America to lose ground against Moscow and Beijing.
The counter-terrorism fight had its benefits, allowing the SEALs to sharpen their skills in developing intelligence networks and finding and hitting targets, said Howard, who heads Naval Special Warfare Command, which includes the SEALs and the special warfare combatant-craft crewmen. “Many of these things are transferable, but now we need to put pressure on ourselves to operate against peer threats.”
Navy SEALs to shift from counterterrorism to global threats
by Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press
Posted Apr 28, 2021 12:19 am EDT
Last Updated Apr 28, 2021 at 12:28 am EDT
FILE - This May 4, 2020, photo provided by the U.S. Navy shows SEAL candidates participating in surf immersion during Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training at the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Center in Coronado, Calif. U.S. Navy SEALs are undergoing a major transition to improve leadership and expand their commando capabilities. (MC1 Anthony Walker/U.S. Navy via AP)
WASHINGTON Ten years after they found and killed Osama bin Laden, U.S. Navy SEALs are undergoing a major transition to improve leadership and expand their commando capabilities to better battle threats from global powers like China and Russia.
US Navy SEALs to shift from counterterrorism to global threats
28 Apr, 2021 02:31 AM
5 minutes to read
SEAL candidates participating in surf immersion during Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training. Photo / AP
SEAL candidates participating in surf immersion during Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training. Photo / AP
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Ten years after they found and killed Osama bin Laden, US Navy SEALs are undergoing a major transition to improve leadership and expand their commando capabilities to better battle threats from global powers like China and Russia.
The new plan cuts the number of SEAL platoons by as much as 30 per cent and increases their size to make the teams more lethal and able to counter sophisticated maritime and undersea adversaries. And there will be a new, intensive screening process for the Navy s elite warriors, to get higher-quality leaders after scandals that rocked the force and involved charges of murder, sexual assault and drug use.
Ten years after they found and killed Osama bin Laden, United States Navy SEALs – an elite military force used in special operations across the globe – are undergoing major changes to improve leadership and expand their commando capabilities to better battle threats from powers like China and Russia.
The new plan cuts the number of SEAL platoons by as much as 30 percent and increases their size to make the teams more lethal and able to counter sophisticated maritime and undersea adversaries.
And there will be a new, intensive screening process for the Navy’s elite soldiers, to get higher-quality leaders after scandals that rocked the force and involved charges of murder, sexual assault and drug use.