The Surprising Reason Why “Six” Was Added To The Name Of “SEAL Team Six”

The “SEAL Team Six” is an elite group of the U.S. Navy and a component of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). Their missions are shrouded in secrecy and for a good reason: they are the group that’s called to carry out the most difficult military operations. But have you ever wondered why “Six” was added to their name?

Well, we all assumed the obvious, right? There were already five teams and this was the sixth. But when the team was created in 1980, only two other SEAL teams were in existence. So why Six?

The true reason and the story behind the name comes from the most trustworthy source: the Team’s first commander, Richard Marcinko. (the article continues after the ad)

In his interesting book Rogue Warrior, Marcinko explains that the “Six” was added in order to confuse the Russians during the Cold War. The Soviet Intelligence was most probably aware that only two SEAL teams were active at the time, so it was a way to trick them into believing that there were more elite squads than they actually existed.

Even though we’ll never know if the trick worked or not, we have to admit that it’s a quite clever way to throw off your “enemies”.

If you like what you read, then you will definitely love this one: Why Do British Pubs Have Weird Names Such As The Cat & Fiddle And My Father’s Moustache? 

Photo: Wikimedia, U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric S. Logsdon
Photoshop: I’m A Useless Info Junkie
Sources: Who Are The Navy SEALs And What Is Team Six? | The Birth of SEAL Team Six