Investigating the Feasibility of Establishing a Naval Special Warfare Rating

摘要

The Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community originated during World War II to chart hydrographic information for amphibious landings, and has evolved into a community that requires special skills to be used in a variety of combat situations. Throughout this evolution no rating was ever established to consolidate the specific skills required for conducting NSW operations. The purpose of this theses is to investigate the possibly of creating an NSW rating by evaluating the manpower needs of the NSW community. The thesis discusses the history and evolution of the NSW community, as well as the mission and training of NSW enlisted personnel. It delves into the manpower requirements of Seal teams, which comprise the majority of enlisted personnel within the NSW community, and evaluates existing manpower models within the Navy with the intent of modifying an existing model to accommodate Seal team manpower requirements. Seal teams are organized, trained, and equipped to conduct unconventional warfare, counter-guerrilla, and clandestine operations in maritime areas and riverine environments; this includes, but is not limited to the following: demolitions, intelligence collecting, and training and advising friendly military and paramilitary forces in the conduct of Naval Special Warfare. A recent approved expansion by the Chief of Naval Operations of NSW billets for POM 86 is addressed, as well as how the expansion affects the NSW community. Historical data concerning the creation of a NSW rating is discussed, and arguments for and against the creation of a NSW rating are evaluated.