Everyone in the military respects the U.S. Marine Corps, but at the same time, hardly anyone can stand the SEALs.
This doesn’t mean the SEALs aren’t an elite unit: individual for individual, they’re better trained than most Marines. But in military circles, being good isn’t enough to earn you a decent reputation.
The issue with the SEALs is the large gap between how good they think they are (and how much they constantly promote themselves) and what they actually deliver in the field.
Other units, such as the U.S. Army Special Forces or the British Special Air Service, are probably better, but they don’t boast about it. In the world of Special Operations, the “silent professionals” are respected far more than the loudmouths.
Great warriors: A group of former US Marines in Ukraine.
What has further damaged the SEALs’ reputation are the hyper-arrogant, smug former SEALs-turned-influencers (like Jocko Willink) who shamelessly cash in on their service. Jocko is selling, among other gimmicks, “warrior soap.”
The Marines, on the other hand, are much more down to earth. They’re proud of their service, as they should be, but they don’t pretend their sh*t doesn’t stink.
I’ve met several former U.S. Marines now serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They are great guys, true professionals, and highly respected by their peers.
Unfortunately, the only two U.S. Navy SEALs I heard of serving in Ukraine didn’t stay long. After refusing to go on a mission, they quickly left the country. That mission was later carried out by Ukrainian and British volunteers—successfully.
