When it comes to the elite military forces of the United States, the Army Special Forces, commonly referred to as the “Green Berets,” and the Navy’s SEAL Teams are two of the most highly trained and versatile units. Among their extensive skill sets is combat diving, a critical capability for underwater operations including sabotage, recon, and infiltration. But which of these groups can lay claim to being the best at combat diving?

Firstly, it’s important to recognize that both Green Berets and Navy SEALs receive rigorous training in combat diving. However, the nature of their missions and their overall training emphasis differ.

The Navy SEALs are renowned for their proficiency in maritime operations. As their name suggests—SEAL standing for Sea, Air, and Land—their training prepares them for action in any environment, but with a particular focus on waterborne activities. All SEALs undergo Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, which includes a demanding ‘Hell Week’ and a segment on combat diving. This program is known for its intensity and high attrition rate. Additionally, SEALs can attend the SEAL Qualification Training (SQT), which further hones their diving skills.

SEAL operatives are adept at various types of diving including open circuit (using standard scuba gear) but specialize in closed-circuit diving with Draeger LAR V rebreathers that don’t leave telltale bubbles – a critical asset for stealth operations.

On the other hand, Green Berets also have combat diver capabilities within their ranks. Army Special Forces soldiers can attend the Special Forces Underwater Operations School in Key West, Florida—one of the toughest courses in the military—to become qualified as combat divers. This schooling is based on long-duration dives and emphasizes infiltration techniques.

While all Green Berets undergo airborne training as part of their qualification course, not all receive underwater operations instruction due to how Special Forces groups are structured with different operational detachments focusing on specific areas like mountain warfare or desert warfare—though there always exists capacity for combat diving within each group.

Comparing who is ‘the best’ isn’t entirely straightforward. Both units are designed to excel according to their unique operational requirements. The Navy SEALs might be considered superior in aquatic environments due to their extensive naval dive training as well as operational heritage related to water missions. In contrast, Green Berets may not be as intensely focused on aquatic environments but have a skill set broad enough to include effective combat diving.

Therefore, it’s not about who is better overall; rather it’s about understanding each unit’s particular strengths. In a purely aquatic scenario like undersea sabotage or ship interdiction perhaps SEALs could be viewed as having an edge due to their specific training and missions. For operations where underwater activity is one part of an expansive land campaign or where there’s need for direct support with indigenous forces ashore immediately after an amphibious insertion—then Green Berets could have the advantage.

It is clear that both Navy SEALs and Green Berets are formidable forces when it comes to underwater operations; declaring one as definitively ‘the best’ would be both subjective and diminishes the extraordinary capabilities each brings to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Whether conducting covert surveillance or preparing a beach head for larger land-based missions, they bring unparalleled expertise to the table—on land, sea or below it.