Amid all that’s been written about our special operations components in general, and Navy SEALs in particular, there is one group of special operators that gets far less attention than they deserve. Or perhaps it just seems that way as SEALs, Green Berets, Rangers, and Marine Raiders are a daily news item. I’m talking about the Navy Special Warfare Combatant Craft Crewmen, abbreviated as SWCCCs or simply, “Swicks.” They are both special and professional, and on deployment around the world just like their SEAL brothers. They are special today as they were back in my day, and they serve in harm’s way. On my last Vietnam deployment, I had one Purple Heart in my platoon and no fatalities—something I’m very proud of. My Special Boat detachment had four Purple Hearts. The following article applies to these unsung heroes:
http://www.scout.com/military/warrior/story/1747554-what-makes-special-warfare-crews-so-lethal
