You have probably heard whispers about them on the news or seen dramatized versions in movies. They are an elite force cloaked in secrecy, tasked with the nation’s most dangerous missions. When you ask what SEAL Team 6 is, you’re tapping into the story of one of the world’s most formidable special operations units.
Their official name isn’t actually SEAL Team 6 anymore; it is the Naval Special Warfare Development Group or DEVGRU. This group represents the absolute peak of the U.S. Navy’s special forces. Understanding DEVGRU means exploring a force operating in the shadows, built for missions most people never know happen.
Table of Contents:
- The Birth of a Legend: From Crisis to Creation
- What is SEAL Team 6 DEVGRU? Beyond the Nickname
- The Mission Set: More Than Just Kicking Down Doors
- Who Gets In? The Grueling Selection Process
- Inside DEVGRU: The Squadron Structure
- Gear and Technology: A Step Ahead
- Secrecy and Public Perception
- Conclusion
The Birth of a Legend: From Crisis to Creation
To understand DEVGRU, we have to go back to 1980. The world watched as a daring but ultimately failed mission to rescue American hostages in Iran, known as Operation Eagle Claw, ended in tragedy. This event sent shockwaves through the U.S. military and intelligence communities.
The failure showed a critical gap in American military power. There were no standing, full-time hostage rescue units with a maritime specialty. The military needed a newly formed team that could respond to hostage situations and terrorist threats anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice.
A Navy Vietnam War veteran named Richard Marcinko was tasked with building this new unit from the ground up. He was given a wide mandate and a seemingly impossible timeline. Marcinko was known for his unconventional and aggressive style, but he consistently delivered results.
Why the Name “SEAL Team 6”?
At the time Marcinko was building his team, there were only two active Navy SEAL Teams. The choice to name the new unit Team 6 was a simple but brilliant piece of psychological warfare. This tactic was common during the Cold War against the Soviet Union.
Marcinko chose the name to confuse Soviet intelligence agencies. He wanted them to believe the United States had at least three other SEAL teams they did not know about. This was a classic move of deception intended to make a potential adversary overestimate American strength and capabilities.
The name itself was born from a strategy of misdirection, a theme that would define the unit’s secretive nature for decades to come. Even after its official name changed, the legend of SEAL Team 6 persisted. This mystique became part of its identity.
What is SEAL Team 6 DEVGRU? Beyond the Nickname
In 1987, the unit was formally dissolved and redesignated. SEAL Team 6 was officially gone, and the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) was born. While the public and even many in the military still use the old name, its official title reflects a much broader mission.
The name change signaled a shift from a purely counter-terrorism focus to a wider range of special operations. The “Warfare Development Group” part of the name points to their role in developing, testing, and perfecting new tactics and equipment for the entire Naval Special Warfare community. This naval special warfare development makes them tactical innovators for all Navy SEALs.
DEVGRU is designated as a “Tier 1” Special Mission Unit (SMU). This is a critical distinction, placing them at the apex of all U.S. special operations forces. Tier 1 units, like DEVGRU and its Army counterpart, Delta Force, work under the direct command of the Joint Special Operations Command, or JSOC.
JSOC is a component of the broader Special Operations Command and coordinates the activities of America’s most elite forces. These operations forces are drawn from every military branch for missions of national importance. DEVGRU and Army Delta Force are the primary direct action units within this structure.
The Mission Set: More Than Just Kicking Down Doors
While movies love to show nonstop action, DEVGRU’s responsibilities are broad and varied. Their skills are applied across a spectrum of operations, many of which are proactive rather than reactive. Their mission set constantly adapts to global threats, from piracy to nuclear proliferation.
Counter-Terrorism (CT)
This is the cornerstone of their legacy and the unit’s most high-profile job. Counter-terrorism involves direct intervention to prevent terrorist acts or rescue American hostages. This was demonstrated in the 2009 rescue of Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates.
CT also involves high-value target (HVT) missions to capture or eliminate key enemy leaders. The most famous example was Operation Neptune Spear, the 2011 raid in Abbottabad, Pakistan. That mission resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden and thrust the secretive unit into the global spotlight.
The Bin Laden raid was the culmination of years of patient intelligence gathering. It demonstrated the unit’s ability to execute a complex mission deep inside a sovereign nation. Success hinged on the flawless performance of every team member.
Direct Action (DA)
Direct Action missions are short-duration strikes and other small-scale offensive actions. These are raids, ambushes, and assaults on specific, high-value targets. Unlike large-scale battles fought by conventional forces, these operations are surgical and precise, aiming to achieve a specific goal with speed and overwhelming force.
These missions could involve destroying an enemy weapons cache or disabling key infrastructure. It could also mean capturing a key figure in a hostile area. Every operation requires intensive planning and flawless execution by the members of the SEAL team.
Special Reconnaissance (SR)
Before any action can be taken, operators need good information. Special Reconnaissance involves operating deep in hostile territory, often undercover, to conduct intelligence gathering. This could mean observing enemy movements, mapping a location for a future raid, or placing advanced sensors.
This is a high-risk, low-visibility job handled by specialized elements within DEVGRU. Operators may spend days or weeks behind enemy lines, relying on their training and wits to survive while completing their mission. The data they gather from the Intelligence Support Activity is often the difference between success and failure.
Maritime Interdiction Operations
Given their naval roots as Navy SEALs, DEVGRU has a deep specialty in maritime operations. This includes complex ship boardings at sea, known as Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS). They are experts at taking control of vessels, whether they belong to pirates, terrorists, or state actors.
This skill set also applies to securing offshore gas and oil platforms or other critical maritime infrastructure. It is a dangerous environment that requires a unique set of skills not found in other Tier 1 units, such as the Army’s Delta Force. This capability makes them the go-to force for complex problems at sea.
Who Gets In? The Grueling Selection Process
You cannot just sign up to join DEVGRU. The candidates are not fresh-faced recruits out of boot camp. They are drawn exclusively from the existing U.S. Navy SEAL teams, which are already an elite force.
Only seasoned operators with several years of operational experience are invited to try out for what author Don Mann called “the upper echelon of the military special operations.” Candidates are typically in their late 20s or early 30s, often holding the rank of Petty Officer or higher. They bring a level of maturity and combat experience that is essential for Tier 1 operations.
The selection process itself is a closely guarded secret, known by its nickname: “Green Team.” Lasting around six to eight months, Green Team is a brutal test of physical endurance, mental toughness, and character. It pushes candidates to their absolute limits and far beyond what regular SEAL teams endure.
The course finds individuals who can think clearly and solve problems under unimaginable stress. It is not just about being the strongest or fastest; it is about being a creative problem solver who never quits. The attrition rate is incredibly high, with some sources claiming only 20% of the veteran SEALs who start Green Team finish it.
Inside DEVGRU: The Squadron Structure
DEVGRU is organized into several squadrons, each with a specific color name and function. This structure allows the unit to handle a wide variety of tasks simultaneously. It functions as a team of highly specialized teams, each a master of its domain.
The squadron teams work together seamlessly to accomplish missions. Some provide direct assault capabilities, while others offer specialized support. This integration is a key component of their success.
| Squadron | Primary Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gold, Blue, Red, Silver Squadrons | Assault “Shooters” | These are the primary direct action and counter-terrorism teams. Squadron members are the operators who carry out the raids, such as Red Squadron’s role in the raid on Osama bin Laden. |
| Black Squadron | Reconnaissance & Surveillance | The unit’s dedicated intelligence and reconnaissance element. Black Squadron members often deploy ahead of assault teams to gather vital information. |
| Gray Squadron | Mobility & Transportation | This team operates specialized vehicles, aircraft, and maritime craft to transport assault squadrons. They are experts in covert insertion and extraction. |
The “Shooters”: Assault Squadrons
These are the primary direct action and counter-terrorism teams. The four main assault squadrons are Gold Squadron, Blue Squadron, Red Squadron, and the newest, Silver Squadron. Each of these squadrons has its own distinct identity, history, and legacy of operations.
Black Squadron: The Eyes and Ears
Black Squadron is the unit’s dedicated reconnaissance and surveillance team. They are masters of espionage, technical surveillance, and advanced force operations. They often deploy ahead of the assault squadrons to prepare the operational environment with critical intelligence.
Gray Squadron: The Drivers and Pilots
Gray Squadron is the mobility team responsible for getting assaulters to their targets. This squadron is filled with expert drivers and pilots of specialized small boats. They are trained for unique infiltration and exfiltration methods under the most challenging conditions imaginable.
Support and Specialized Roles
DEVGRU is not just made up of operators who kick down doors. A vast support activity structure includes communicators, intelligence analysts from the intelligence support network, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians. These individuals are the best in their respective fields and are vital to the success of every mission.
Gear and Technology: A Step Ahead
As a Tier 1 unit, DEVGRU has access to a level of funding that is unmatched by conventional forces. This allows them to acquire the most advanced weaponry and technology available, a significant leap from the standard gear of War II. They often work directly with manufacturers to create equipment for their exact specifications, contributing to warfare development.
They are famous for using weapons like the Heckler & Koch HK416 rifle, which they helped refine after issues with other platforms. They also use advanced night vision, thermal imagers, and sophisticated communication gear. This technological edge, combined with support from the Air Force for air assets and the Marine Corps for specialized roles, makes them an exceptionally lethal force.
Secrecy and Public Perception
Officially, the U.S. government rarely acknowledges the existence of DEVGRU or its operations. The phrase “the U.S. military does not comment on special operations” is a standard response to media inquiries. This secrecy is vital for protecting the operators, their families, and their operational methods from exposure.
However, high-profile missions have brought the unit out of the shadows. Books like Don Mann’s accounts and reporting from outlets like the New York Times have shaped public perception, sometimes accurately and sometimes not. This secret history has slowly become more public over time.
For an organization built on being the “quiet professionals,” this public attention creates a tricky balancing act. It is a clash between operational security and the public’s desire to understand what is being done in its name. This tension defines the modern reality for a unit that was never meant to be famous.
Conclusion
To answer the question of what SEAL Team 6 is, it is the nation’s premier maritime special mission unit. To answer the question of what SEAL Team 6 is, it is the nation’s premier maritime special mission unit. It is a team forged in the aftermath of failure, built on a foundation of brutal selection and relentless training. It is the pinnacle of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, or DEVGRU, an organization dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in modern combat.
More than just a name, DEVGRU is a system of expert warriors and specialists designed to solve the country’s most complex and dangerous problems. While its official name may have changed and its missions remain hidden, its legendary status as SEAL Team 6 continues to capture the imagination. They are the quiet professionals operating in the gray areas of the global war on terror to keep threats at bay.
The full scope of their work will likely never be known to the public. The history of SEAL Team 6 and its members is one of sacrifice and silent service. This is exactly how past and present operators prefer it.