United States Navy Special Warfare Development Group
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| Special Warfare Development Group | |
|---|---|
 Seal Team Six unit patch |
|
| Active | 1980 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | United States Special Operations Forces |
| Role | Versatile Special Operations Force, specifically counterterrorism |
| Size | approx. 400 operators and support personnel |
| Part of | Naval Special Warfare Command, United States Joint Special Operations Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Dam Neck, Virginia |
| Nickname | DEVGRU, Green Team, Seal Team Six (obsolete) |
| Engagements | Operation Urgent Fury Operation Just Cause Operation Desert Storm Operation Restore Hope Operation Gothic Serpent Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003 invasion of Iraq |
| Insignia | |
| Unit Shoulder Flash |  |
SEAL Team SIX is the U.S. Navy's main counterterrorist unit, whose operatives are drawn from the current SEAL ranks. The unit was created as part of the Joint Special Operations Command in 1980. The origin of SIX can be traced to the aftermath of the failed 1980 attempt to rescue American hostages at the Iranian Embassy (Operation Eagle Claw). Prior to this, the existing SEAL teams had already begun counterterrorism training, including all 12 platoons in SEAL Team One on the West Coast. On the East Coast, however, elements of the SEAL Team Two had taken the issue one step farther. They formed a dedicated two-platoon group known as "MOB Six" (Mobility Six) in anticipation of a maritime scenario requiring a CT response and had begun training to that end.
Six was formally created in October 1980, and an accelerated training program made the unit mission-ready just six months later. At the time, only two SEAL Teams were in existence; popular knowledge backed up by actual SEAL claims say that the name was chosen to confuse Soviet intelligence as to the number of SEAL Teams in operation. It became officially operational in 1981.
In 1987, the unit was given the official title of 'Naval Special Warfare Development Group' (NAVSPECWARDEVGRU, or simply DEVGRU). Reasons for the name change are varied, ranging from operational security, the team's reputation, all the way down to charges leveled at Six founder and now-public figure Richard Marcinko. Whatever the truth behind these, the name "SEAL Team Six" is no longer in use, although most military servicemen and many civilians still recognize them as "SEAL Team Six."
DEVGRU's mission is to provide intelligence and counter-terrorism services for the Dept of the Navy and the overall U.S. Special Operations Command, in addition to providing management for the development and testing of technologies under consideration for use by Naval Special Warfare forces such as SEALs. Both Delta Force and DEVGRU train together from time to time as well as deploy together when the need arises. The unit is currently based out of Dam Neck, Virginia and administrative control is under Naval Special Warfare Command.
DEVGRU is said to be composed of six different teams. Red for Assault with an Indian as mascot, Gold as the Premier Assault Team, Blue for Assault, Gray for Transportation, Black for Recon and/or Surveillance, and, finally, Green for New personnel who are in training. Each team has "Cells", such as an Evasion and Recovery Cell (the new name for E&E is now E&R), a Force Protection Cell (military version of VIP Protection detail), a Sniper Cell, etc.* [1].
At any one time all members of the team will be in one of three categories on the base:
1. SPECTRA (pronounced "spec-tray" and standing for SPECial TRAining where the team goes to HALO, shooting schools, etc.)
2. Standby (this team is on-standby - via beeper - within a certain distance from base and ready to deploy at a moment's notice)
3. Deployment (this team is overseas, for instance conducting foreign training with a host nation, acting as security at an embassy, performing missions as needed, etc.)* [2].
An executive order by President Clinton added DEVGRU to those units excepted from the contents of Title 5, Section 7103 of the US Code.
