Back in 2017, SOFREP founder and CEO Brandon Webb sat down with Navy SEAL legend “Demo” Dick Marcinko for an in-depth series of interviews. In this latest interview, number four of the series, Marcinko describes how he was stationed at the Pentagon during the time of Operation Eagle Claw, the mission to free our hostages from Iran.
As you might recall, Eagle Claw turned out to be an embarrassing failure, resulting in multiple aircraft crashing in the Desert and the death of eight servicemen.
In 1980, the U.S. Navy entrusted Marcinko with the task of creating a specialized counterterrorism squad. Admiral Thomas B. Hayward, the Chief of Naval Operations, appointed him as the inaugural leader of this unit. At the time, there were only two SEAL teams in existence, but Marcinko cleverly named the new team “SEAL Team Six” to mislead foreign intelligence services into thinking there were more active SEAL teams. He meticulously selected members from the existing SEAL teams and Underwater Demolition Teams to establish this new group. For three years, Marcinko was at the helm of SEAL Team Six, shaping it into the highly esteemed force it is recognized as today. He quickly put together the initial cadre of SEAL Team 6 by choosing SEALs from ST-2 (SEAL Team TWO) who had counterterrorism training.
Listen to him tell how it was done in this engaging video.
Back in 2017, SOFREP founder and CEO Brandon Webb sat down with Navy SEAL legend “Demo” Dick Marcinko for an in-depth series of interviews. In this latest interview, number four of the series, Marcinko describes how he was stationed at the Pentagon during the time of Operation Eagle Claw, the mission to free our hostages from Iran.
As you might recall, Eagle Claw turned out to be an embarrassing failure, resulting in multiple aircraft crashing in the Desert and the death of eight servicemen.
In 1980, the U.S. Navy entrusted Marcinko with the task of creating a specialized counterterrorism squad. Admiral Thomas B. Hayward, the Chief of Naval Operations, appointed him as the inaugural leader of this unit. At the time, there were only two SEAL teams in existence, but Marcinko cleverly named the new team “SEAL Team Six” to mislead foreign intelligence services into thinking there were more active SEAL teams. He meticulously selected members from the existing SEAL teams and Underwater Demolition Teams to establish this new group. For three years, Marcinko was at the helm of SEAL Team Six, shaping it into the highly esteemed force it is recognized as today. He quickly put together the initial cadre of SEAL Team 6 by choosing SEALs from ST-2 (SEAL Team TWO) who had counterterrorism training.
Listen to him tell how it was done in this engaging video.
As someone who’s seen what happens when the truth is distorted, I know how unfair it feels when those who’ve sacrificed the most lose their voice. At SOFREP, our veteran journalists, who once fought for freedom, now fight to bring you unfiltered, real-world intel. But without your support, we risk losing this vital source of truth. By subscribing, you’re not just leveling the playing field—you’re standing with those who’ve already given so much, ensuring they continue to serve by delivering stories that matter. Every subscription means we can hire more veterans and keep their hard-earned knowledge in the fight. Don’t let their voices be silenced. Please consider subscribing now.
One team, one fight,
Brandon Webb former Navy SEAL, Bestselling Author and Editor-in-Chief
Barrett is the world leader in long-range, large-caliber, precision rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilians, sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the United States military, and more than 75 State Department-approved countries around the world.
PO Box 1077 MURFREESBORO, Tennessee 37133 United States
Scrubba Wash Bag
Our ultra-portable washing machine makes your journey easier. This convenient, pocket-sized travel companion allows you to travel lighter while helping you save money, time and water.
Our roots in shooting sports started off back in 1996 with our founder and CEO, Josh Ungier. His love of airguns took hold of our company from day one and we became the first e-commerce retailer dedicated to airguns, optics, ammo, and accessories. Over the next 25 years, customers turned to us for our unmatched product selection, great advice, education, and continued support of the sport and airgun industry.
COMMENTS
There are
You must become a subscriber or login to view or post comments on this article.