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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated
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To: unclewest who wrote (130070)8/5/2005 6:50:41 PM
From: TimF  Read Replies (1) of 793826
 
I would probably agree that the strategy page writer didn't use the most relevant definition, and that he should probably have used the official terminology. I can even see an argument that the author of the article might not be informed, based on his use of the term as not entirely unreasonable. I don't think anything in the article gave me a high level of confidence in his knowledge of special ops.

OTOH I don't think that the term "special forces" was invented by the US army in the 20th century and never existed at all before then. I don't think the combination of words becomes totally invalid for any other use other then the officially designated one when some military force (even that of my own country) defines it as something more specific.

In rare cases they are wannabees. I met one yesterday who claimed he was in the US Navy's Nuclear Submarine Special Forces.

It can't be said that he was using the term special forces generically (force or forces that are special), he is rather making a highly specific claim and a bogus one whether or not he served aboard a nuclear sub. (and I'm guessing not).

Odd side note - When I spellchecked this post, Outlook considered "wannabees" to be an incorrect spelling and suggested "cannabis". Perhaps your wannabee was smoking some. <g>

Tim
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