Military

Hard-charging, old school Navy SEAL considered for top SOF position

by Stavros Atlamazoglou Sep 17, 2019

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The SEAL Trident (Image courtesy of the Naval Special Warfare Command).

Despite a series of misconduct and unprofessionalism incidents, the Trump administration continues to put faith in the Navy SEAL community for the top defence and intelligence positions.

According to a report by Politico, President Donald Trump is considering former Navy SEAL Lou Bremer for the position of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD SO/LIC). In a nutshell, whoever holds the position is responsible for all things concerned with America’s Special Operations Forces (SOF).

The Department of Defence (DoD) describes the duties of the ASD SO/LIC as the “principal civilian advisor to the Secretary of Defense on special operations and low-intensity conflict matters. The ASD (SO/LIC) has as his principal duty overall supervision (to include oversight of policy and resources) of special operations and low-intensity conflict activities… In addition to policy oversight for special operations and stability operations capabilities, the ASD (SO/LIC) has policy oversight for strategic capabilities and force transformation and resources. As such, ASD (SO/LIC), after the Secretary and Deputy Secretary, will be the principal official charged with oversight over all warfighting capabilities within the senior management of the Department of Defense.”

Should President Trump decide to go with Bremer for the ASD SO/LIC position, it will be another testament of trust to the Naval Special Warfare community. Recently, Army General Richard Clarke, the commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), was the guest speaker in the graduation ceremony of SEAL Qualification Training Class 322.

During the ceremony, General Clarke had said that “you can be sure that we will continue to ask our SEALs to accept the most difficult missions. This will challenge you in ways you cannot anticipate, and you need to be ready now. We count your success here as assurance of your courage, your competence and, most of all, your character. I know that all of you are sufficient for the task.”

Policymakers, however, have had their fair share of concerns about the troublesome Naval Special Warfare community. Senator Gary Peters (Democrat-Michigan) highlighted during the nomination hearing of Vice Admiral Michael Gilday for the post of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) that “these issues seem to not be isolated to one team and are being reported from units stationed in California and Virginia, which certainly raises a level of concern.”

Senator Peters, who is the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Service subcommittee, which is responsible for overseeing Special Operations, and a former Lieutenant Commander (O-4) in the Navy Reserves, was referring to the incidents of unprofessionalism and misconduct that have been stemming from the Naval Special Warfare. More specifically, he was alluding to the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), also known as SEAL Team 6, which has been a significant source of drama since the successful operation to kill Osama Bin Laden in 2011. Additionally, SEAL Team 10 recently faced a drug-scandal that involved a large number of operators. And SEAL Team 7 has had its fair of the spotlight first with the war crimes case of Chief Special Warfare Operator Eddie Gallagher, then with the Fourth of July shenanigans of Foxtrot Platoon, and finally with the recent firing of the Team’s entire senior officer and enlisted leadership.

Bremer has held a number of important positions both in national security and private industry. A homeland security aide during the presidency of George W. Bush, Bremer is currently the Managing Director of Cerberus Capital Management. He served as a Navy SEAL from 1992 to 2000, reaching the rank of Lieutenant (O-3). He’s known for his hard-charging and care-free attitude.

Although no one questions his credential, a potential appointment could give the wrong message to those who are trying hard to heal the cultural wounds of the SEAL community.

In August, President Trump appointed Retired Vice Admiral Joseph Maguire, another former SEAL, as Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

COMMENTS

AndyT · 9 months ago

Thanks. I think it would behoove many people to read what General Bolduc actually wrote about strategic thinking in the military these days. Just like any other population of people, officers come in many brands, shapes, and forms. Some good, some bad, many inbetween - and they will attract similar populations and repel the others etc. etc. I think y'all get the point. The military is simply a cross section of US culture. Bolduc - well, he's one of the guys that actually rode horses in Afghanistan in the Autumn of 2001 - 18 years ago.
With the benefit of hindsight and the way my brain works, it's hard not to make the obvious conclusions. We as a country have been duped. BIGLY.
The horrors of the 9/11 attacks most certainly are a huge turning point in time in US History.
There is absolutely no reason I can see to think that the planning and execution of those attacks that day where conducted by some hand within a puppet shaped like UBL. If that were to be the case - doesn't matter much anyway - because like whatever hands were pulling strings that convinced nations to do things in the past that weren't in their best interest - nobody will ever know.
But it's absolutely the case at present, that our true enemies - the enemies that actually can and do threaten the very sovereignty of our great nation and beautiful and fragile experiement in self government - they have used the event of September 2001 as a springboard and massive screen from which to operate behind, while we occupy our entire nation in the pursuit of unattainable goals, with no strategy or end goal in place.
That indeed needs to stop, and the only way - is for the electorate to realize it, and then to elect people who will change it. We're halfway there with Trump in place. We need a legislative body. This - obviously - would be so much easier if our entire American media wasn't so fucked up at present.
The American media industry giants - particularly in the 20th century with the evolution of mass communications technology - enjoyed an unprecedented level of power of persuasion and influence both domestically and globally.
The 21st century technology has not turned out as well.
It truly is a very, very great time in US history - at present.
Steve H · 9 months ago

Mr T,
Erudite and articulate as always!
When your born with warrior fire in the blood and a strong mind that hungers to refine that fire into an instrument of suffering towards evil it’s hard to lay the sword down for contemplation.
There is no greater peacemaker than the one who knows the cost of REAL war. Conversely there is no greater charlatan then the one who hungers for war that wears the uniform.
I hit my twenty in 5 months, 4 USMC the rest Army, and it’s taken me till my 51st year on this planet to become the centurion our creator wanted me to be.
A centurion knows the long war and the short battle. He is an expert in all areas of his trade, but most especially the psychology of the warrior and the charlatan.
As a centurion you hunger no less to stab evil in the face, however your long view knowledge gives you perspective and the ability to make an intelligent cost benefit analysis.
Andy, I thank you for your diligence and research, it benefits all of us.
The shit storm that many say is approaching has been here for many moons, not only our nation but all those who give a crap about real liberty and freedom need to wake.
The charlatans in suits and uniform have played a masterful game. We are at the greatest tipping point of history and the blinded populations are just starting to stir.
Damn its exciting to be alive and aware right now!!
I say again, thank you Andy and the other centurions (the Hand, YP, Alex and all the other SOFREP old crew). To include all you amazing ladies also, I’m not a total misogynist pig.
We are the Centurions of our nation and just because the battlefield has changed our fire must stay lit so the kids can see the light.
Besides, getting long in the tooth just means our bite is more fierce.
Honey Badger Out
AndyT · 9 months ago

Indeed.
An interesting thing about the Politico source used for the article - that US Army Colonel - he apparently thinks that there is a problem with strategic thinking in the US Army currently. Here is a re-tweet of a TAsk and Purpose article (a good one) writting by Brig. Gen. Bolduc.
https://twitter.com/AbuJesh...
It appears though, that while the Colonel agrees with the General in principle, if you read the Army Times article I put in that diatribe post here from yesterday - he is continuing to actively promote never-ending war.
It's truly remarkable to me, how long this is taking for the men and women of our armed forces and our electorate in the federal government - for the Republic in general to realize how badly we as a nation have fucked up for the past 18 years - Strategically.
THere is an old saying among the dirty rotten deceivers and low lifes of the world-
The goal of stratagem is to make the enemy quite certain, decisive to action, and wrong.
Also:
The primary mission of deception operations is to tie up an enemies personnel and resources in the pursuit of unattainable goals.
Now - reread the Army Times quote from April:
“It’s very difficult to kill something that has as much power as the extremist religious fervor of Daesh [ISIS],” Sobchak said. “To declare something over and move on, I think is very problematic.”
Get it? Hmm. The future military histories of many nations will not look back on the early half of the 21st century of the USA as a favorable time for the USA when it comes to stuff like this.
and the generals? They will not accept it. It's going to have to be force fed to them by the electorate - to realize what's happen and shift our entire geopolitical strategy to real enemies.
Political Islam is a miniscule threat to the sovereignity of the USA. The Chinese and their allies? Most indeed are.
Yankee Papa · 9 months ago

Stavros,
"...a potential appointment could give the wrong message to those who are trying hard to heal the cultural wounds of the SEAL community..."
At least the SEALs remaining don't feel like an "outsider" has been appointed over them. Gives them someone to "rally around" if they are of such a mind... If they'd rather behave like Communists on Wall Street, then what comes next won't be pretty...
-Yankee Papa-
AndyT · 9 months ago

Excellent work writing Stavros to keep it to the facts and avoid the Seal propaganda urge. The politico article you cite, did not do that. Very different writing, about the same topic no?
In fact, Frank Sobchak, the guy Politico tapped for their piece? He has a book to sell!! Imagine that.
A very lengthy two volume piece (couldn't fit 1300 pages into one binding I guess) that sells for a nice tidy $90 a pop (that's $90 each). Came out in January - and is geared toward the higher education population types and the DC beltway think tank population that the Colonel (ret.) now firmly sits entrenched.
That all duly noted, it remains to be seen if the new boss is going to be any different than the old. coming from a place like Cerberus, IDK - we'll see. If he disagrees with Sobchak on the course of the GWOT? That's a good start.
I do know that Sobchak and his writing colleague spent years putting together a 1300 page pile of crap that could be best summed up in a single George Hand typo - regarding the US involvement in Iraq from 2003-2014 or so, and came up with the wrong conclusion in the end anyway.
From Army Times in April 2019:
Quote:
“It’s very difficult to kill something that has as much power as the extremist religious fervor of Daesh [ISIS],” Sobchak said. “To declare something over and move on, I think is very problematic.”
https://www.armytimes.com/n...
Well, this no-name, dunce hat wearing, forced to sit in the corner of classroom alone by the esteemed professor for asking the wrong questions, person in this corner of the internet thinks that idea - Sobchak's closing statement, is fucking stupid.
The USA most definitely does not need to have special forces deployed around the globe fighting a never ending ideologic battle with no strategic goal for victory. That's plain stupid. Declaring the GWOT over, and ending the 18 year debacle is most definitely problematic though.
Problematic to the DC beltway dwellers and the think tank political businesses that survive on never-ending war.
Problematic to the global powers that are actually our enemies and would see our nation destroyed, and are capable of doing so, and have enjoyed a very nice two decades of productive years working behind the smokescreen to attempt to divide and conquer.
ISIS, presents a near miniscule threat to the sovereignty of the USA - as does all of the political Islam world.
I think I'll call Vegas and see what the over/under is on how many officer retiree's in the think tank business are going to try to ride some Seal propaganda around this. Hayden probably already is lined up for MSNBC.