Military

The US Navy SEALs vs the British SAS

Although both accomplish some of the same missions, the SEALs and SAS are very different organisations. Firstly, the SAS numbers around 300 ‘badged’ operators while the US Navy has over 8,000 SEALs divided into ten officially recognised Teams.

SEALs conduct a wide range of primarily maritime missions including beach reconnaissance, hydrographic surveys, and short duration raids and ambushes on coastal targets. Many are stationed at sea, where they support the Marines.

Since the 9/11 attacks, the SEALs have increasingly worked a long way from the water in places like land-locked Afghanistan, where they have carried out the full spectrum of special operations. This includes training local forces and long reconnaissance missions like that portrayed in the film and book Lone Survivor.