US special operations forces are special — but they’re not ‘elite’ | Business Insider

Recent years have seen an increase in the use of special operations forces by the U.S, with SOF having operated in 141 countries in 2019. As they receive more media attention, the press often refers to them as “elite.” However, this author believes that this implies they are better than someone else, and that someone else is who exactly? Instead, the term “special” should be used as this implies importance but difference. For example, the author says that Navy SEALs are not elite, or better, at doing certain tasks compared to regular sailors; they just do it differently. He also says this is the case because many SOF missions require non-SOF assistance.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/us-special-operations-forces-are-special-but-not-elite-2020-4