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Does anybody have a general idea of the yearly operating costs of a special forces unit i.e Devgru or Delta force
1. This is going to be how long is the string in a ball of twine type of discussion. As a general rule of thumb, it takes:
(i) the US Navy, 18 months and about US$3m to train a SEAL —an estimate given by a former SEAL at a talk; and
(ii) Singapore up to S$6 million and 4 years to train a Special Forces trooper. His special forces basic qualification course is 6 months in duration. Upon completion of the course, he earns the right to go for advanced courses or vocation specific training for the next 3.5 years (be they locally or overseas), before he is assigned to a team.
2. This multi-million dollar cost incurred for each trooper (averaged out for each cohort that start the training cycle)— depending on specialisation, rank and tradecraft — includes medical support, ammunition, missiles and explosives used for the exotic armoury of weapons used to conduct the special forces basic qualification course; and this trooper’s salary and allowances for 4 years.
(i) Other costs after basic qualification include overseas courses, for example, US Army ranger school lasting 61 days, the Q course lasting 143 days, or BUD/S lasting 29 weeks and other fees paid for host nation support for unilateral training, such as, the 65 day Singapore Ranger course (half of which is held overseas).
(ii) BUD/S is considered one of the most physically demanding courses in the American military because of the intensity and duration of the training, it often claims a dropout rate of over 60%. "Out of over 100 candidates in my batch, only 38 made it," recalls Brandon Choo (BUD/S Class 257). The former Special Warfare Group officer earned his "trident" along with two other Singaporeans after enduring months of gruelling instruction.
(iii) I have a friend who went through the Singapore Ranger course twice, as he could not complete in the first instance due to medical reasons. Each cohort of operators will incur significant medical costs (as minor injuries are not uncommon). If these minor injuries occurring any time over the 4 years are serious, an injured trooper may spend months in physiotherapy and posted to a non-combat role within the unit before being recycled into a course — the SAF has to bear the cost of these walking wounded.
3. But this multi-million figure does not actually factor in the host unit equipment, simulators, facilities like the variety of ranges and other incidentals incurred when a trooper is sent there to attend a local course. For example, if a special forces member is sent for:
(i) his compulsory basic airborne course (if he is not already static line qualified prior to his selection) or his military free fall course. These courses are hosted by the Parachute training wing in the Commando Formation as subject matter experts. Incidentally, the aircraft sorties is not costed-in and borne by the air force;
(ii) his sniper course (if that is his role). This course are hosted by the School of Infantry Weapons — the ammunition, the cadre/trainers and facilities needed to host the trooper for the duration of the course is not costed-in;
(iii) his basic and advanced combat medic courses (hosted by the School of Military Medicine as subject matter experts) along with his secondment to a hospital for clinical practice, if that is his role. Operational Emergency Medical Care (OEMC) has increased survival rates and strives to:
(a) treat the casualty with operationally appropriate procedures;
(b) minimise the effects of injuries;
(c) reduce preventable deaths;
(d) prevent additional casualties; and
(e) complete the mission.
This can be summed up by a quote from one of the prominent Chief Medical Officer of a renowned Special Operations Command during a post-mortem workshop on tactical medical lessons in Urban Warfare “We have to deal with a combination of medicine and tactics that medical literature will never be able to address adequately. You (Special Operations medics and personnel) will have to use good judgment.”
(iv) his basic combat diver course (if that is his role). This course is hosted by the Naval Diving Unit in the Navy as subject matter experts — the cadre and facilities needed to host him is not costed-in. Incidentally, the cost of sailing on navy ships and submarines is not costed-in.
4. The costs incurred in the 4 years to train a member of a tier-one team is small; especially when compared to currency training and special operations support costs at team and national level. While the appointment holders and leaders of each SF Team is even more expensive to maintain (as they are typically serving their in 2nd or 3rd tours), setting up the required the cyber and C2 support — as enablers — is an expensive exercise requiring multi-year funding (see
Project Greyfin in the case of Australia) — this includes
specialised boats (like the VSV), assault ladders, diving, parachuting, roping and climbing systems and tools for human performance training.