RockPile
Contributor
Don Burke:That is often an excellent way to get someone killed.
Sure, shop talk about how a rebreather works is fair game, but the subject of this thread would not be casual conversation.
I have found that the majority of "SEALs" one meets out and about have never been SEALs.
I've never met a SEAL out and about so I'm not sure what that's about. The conversations I've had with SEALs and other special forces personnel have been in the confines of a military institution. Maybe they talk more.
I'd never waste valuable time with such an interesting person talking about the inner workings of a rebreather. It sounds like you've never had a good conversation with one about their job. I suggest giving it a try, next time you bump into one out and about. For starters, ask about an engagement you've read about in the paper. SEALs were involved in some widely publicized engagements during the last couple of wars (there is a good lag between events and when they make the news, but contrary to popular belief some of what SEALs do is not classified). More often than not, you'll get a second story for the price of one. Here is some advice someone in the know once gave me when talking to a SEAL: "Don't ask how they feel about Navy Intel and bringing up GI Jane is a really bad idea, other than that, ask away." It's worked so far.
I've heard some drop-jaw stories from SEAL officers and as far as I know no one is dead because of it. These aren't spies.
JB