The Navy SEALs are getting a new mission and the exclusive elite military group is changing.
Rear Adm. H. Wyman Howard III, the SEAL’s top commander, said the number of SEAL platoons will be cut by as much as 30%, The Associated Press reported.
But the actual team numbers will be increased to make them “more lethal and able to counter sophisticated maritime and undersea adversaries,” according to the AP.
There will be SEALs added to the platoons to help battle against cyber and electronic threats and unmanned systems. They will also work to collect intelligence and deception to defeat threats.
The Navy will also have a new screening process that will be more intensive so they can make sure leaders are high-quality. The screening process realignment comes after scandals that involved murder charges, sexual assault charges and allegations of drug use.
Their mission will change from counterterrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan and will focus more on China and Russia, the AP reported.
For more on the changes, click here.
For more on the SEALs’ current training and mission, click here.