Tadpole215, question about experience

[Future_Warrior]

Hey Tadpole215, your posts so far have been interesting, and I read that you switched from SEALs to SF because of lack of real world experience with the SEALs. Now, just to let ya know, I'm dead set on becoming a SEAL and I'm curious as to why you didn't get much action on the Navy side of the fence. Was it possibly because of the Team you were on? Or is it because of the SEAL Admiral or something with the higherups like ya said in a previous post. I ask this because when I get to the teams, I really want to actually do my job and get experience with operations in the real world. Actually, any Team guy or former Team guy can answer this, it's just directed to you Tadpole215 because of all your recent posts.

[tadpole215]

Hey bro,

Good question, this is the kind of stuff I like. The Teams are organized a bit different now a days, a cuurent Frog could answer your question better. The Teams used to have AOs (Areas of Operation). So back then it had to do with a lot of luck whether or not your platoon got a chance to do a real world mission. Right place at the right time sort of thing. I really think the bad deal for the Teams came from falling under the SOCOM chain of command. Being with an SF unit now, I can see how the Army views the SEAL Community, like I said before it isn't good. The facts are that the jobs are going to SF and to agencies. It is a shame, because SEALs are GREAT Operators. Most of the SEALs that I got to work with have a passion for what they do. I am sure that now a days there are more jobs due to 9/11................but even with that, all my friends through out the Teams seems to be sitting around in some crappy base on some crappy continent. Mean while SF is in country tearing it up. I can't explain it more than that, other than the Army runs the show these days. The only Team I know of that keeps busy for real is the "Team" we can't talk about on here, and I have to repsect that.

To answer a question of your, it used to be that the East Coast Teams saw a bit more real world. Not sure about these days, but I always heard god things about Team 2.


Sorry I can pin point an answer for you. Thanks for the question.


-clark

[Future_Warrior]

Hey man, thanks for the quick response. I understand why you can't go into more detail and it's not a problem. You pretty much answered my question.

-Josh

[rockinrollin]

Tad-
How does the pay stack up? For example, I know in regular Army units you perform small amts of demo frequently without demo pay. **** , many (can't speak for all as different MOS's go through different basic) are throwing grenades in basic. In 3rd phase in BUD/S, you start drawing demo the minute you throw a grenade. Whay about per diem? You can be in the field in the Teams (Niland, Fallon, etc) and get per diem, in the regular Army, you are **** out of luck, unless you are gone 30+ days and get p***y pay, which of course they bring ya in on day 29. How does it work in SF?

[tadpole215]

Hey man,

Thanks for the question. You do get a lot of special pays in the Teams. I was making about $3,000 per month as an E-5, plus travel related pay. The deal is in SF, they promote much quicker. The teams are packed with E-5 or below. You take a rating test over things you don't do. For example. I was a SM (Signalman)......but as a SEAL, I never worked in my rate, but I still have to take the SM rating test to make advancement. Pretty stupid if you ask me. SF promotes a lot quicker and in a better manor. Most of my SEAL buddies are E-5 and below, my SF buddies are all E-6 - E-8. So they pay evens out in the end I guess. Still not too sure how special pays work in the Army. They are there, but not as easy to get.

Take care

-clark