theparsonski:
Based on what you know and have heard, who do you think is the most deadly fighting force in the world today? I'm talking any military Unit, Regiment, Corps or Service, from any country.

Judge it based on teams of equal numbers facing off against each other, not, say, 22 SAS Regt. vs the entire USMC.

In my opinion, it would be the SAS, and not because I'm British, but mainly because they train about 24 other Special Forces over the world, and I've read a lot about their training process and it seems superior to that of many other special forces. Feel free to contradict me though.

P.S. Let's not let this turn into a flame war, please be polite, and back up your arguments with proper evidence.

I think the History channel did some countdown type thing to this and I dont think SAS or USMC were even in the top 5
I have to go with the Israeli fighting elite. I cannot remember what they are called.

SckizoBoy:

theparsonski:
In my opinion, it would be the SAS, and not because I'm British, but mainly because they train about 24 other Special Forces over the world, and I've read a lot about their training process and it seems superior to that of many other special forces. Feel free to contradict me though.

Heronblade:
But, if we're talking about soldier to soldier conflict, I am undecided between the British SAS and Shayetet 13 (the israli counterpart to the SAS) for first place, with an honorable mention for the US Navy Seals and Russian Spetznaz occupying third and fourth place respectively.

Geeze... if you're going to mention the SAS in a sentence concerning how badass a unit is and not mention the SBS, they'll be mighty pissed! SAS selection trials are hard enough as it is, but SBS training adds another month to the base UKSF selection course, the opportunities to drown are endless.

The SBS seem to kinda suck lately though. I know it's hard to tell because the missions all these units are sent on are usually as low profile as it gets, but there have been a few stories of the SBS screwing the pooch fairly recently.

I'd be inclined after the events of last year to say SEAL Team 6, but seem as most of the exercises that Team 6 use for training (such as the Killing House) were founded by the SAS and then exported to the SEALs, I have to go with the SAS, for basically being the Godfather of all the other badass special forces units out there.

Terminate421:

SckizoBoy:

Terminate421:
Well if we're doing the Space marines than the Spartans from Halo are the greatest. They're pretty much the definition if ass-kicking soldiers.

I blame the fact that I don't like the look or the concept of warhammer 40k. War isn't glorious, it must have an end. Halo has an end.

A couple things... the first bit, yeah, they are the definition of 'ass-kicking soldiers' while Spehss Muhreens look rather cumbersome and look more like the definition of 'ass-dragging soldiers'. However, their fluff makes them ridiculous, power-level-wise (and I'm not a Halo fan, so I'm in no position to judge whether or not they're better). 'sides, I'm an Eldar player, so I go with 'Quins any day, despite the fact they're not soldiers.

And hey, GW can't have its cash-cow dying out can it?! -_- The war must go on! *grrr*

Wow, agreement with someone about that.

I think thats the one thing that also pulls me wrong about Warhammer 40k, the power armor is just too over the top. The helmets can look cool at times but outside of that, its supposed to be armor, not a fucking car.

Even with Gears of war, it looks like their armor is used to protect them rather than make them look tougher.

Fictional wise, I'd say the Spartans from Halo are the greatest soldiers

But real world, I'll go with the Marines. The SEALS, Spetsnaz, SAS, are all tough but from what I can gather, the Marines go all the way and then some.

That bit about it supposed to be armour and not a car, the point of terminator armour (the heavy version of power armour) was that it turns infantry into walking tanks, so the armour is used in effect like an armoured vehicle

Australia or Israel have the best small armies in the world man for man they are significantly better then say the US or China. America how ever easily has the best tech in the world which gives them a huge advatage. As for individual units the Australian SAS are the best by far closely followed buy the brits. SEALS get a good rap but have the huge technical backing of the US behind them so they tend not to be as good as either SAS for individual skills

Factually, my money's on the SAS/SBS. They never stop training, exercising, planning and preparing; and they train many other countries' special forces. It's just damn-right impressive.

You hear about their less-successful operations (see: Bravo-two-zero, Arab Spring insertion) but just think about all the successful missions you haven't heard about. The SBS are constantly in Afghanistan.

My leftover trust would be on the: Gurkas (British Army regiment of awesomeness), Spetsnaz and the USMC, in that order.

Edit: Now, that's based on how effective a unit is. If we're going straight for most deadly - I would say the Gurkas.

I mean, just look at this - they're getting rained on by artillery at the start, and they just don't give a shit.

If the most deadly force in the world existed we obviously wouldn't know about it -_-

If I HAD to say though...

United States Navy Sea Air and Land Teams.

Hell, no one in the generel public really knew just how deadly they were until they took out Osama. At the very least, the Somalian Pirate Crisis woke people up.

From a moving ship, two snipers within the same 0.1 of a second shot simultaneously at a buoy from 300 yards out through a window about 3 feet wide while it was also moving on water at night.

Badass.

If we are talking level of training the Australian Defence Force IS THE MOST TRAINED MILITARY FORCE IN THE WORLD. however that is because they are actualy a rather small force, without much money. So Australian SAS, Bravo 020 8 vs 3000. 3 dead 3 captured 1 gone 1 walked out. Against 1000 dead 500 wounded.

My grammer is crap

hazabaza1:
Ninja bears.
They're fuckin' everywhere. We just can't see them.

I was thinking more along the lines of laser bears ...

NZ SAS

And yes its because I'm kiwi xD

lRookiel:
Me, and I don't need to explain why.

:3

Damn right. Just use that fucking avatar pic and you don't need to fight, you send them screaming in fear.

For realsies: I'll just say the Russians in general. They have never been beaten in a land war on their own soil by anyone who weren't also Russians. How many empires can say that?

The lot of you are insane.

I choose whoever is sitting in one of the US nuke control bunkers, push a button and go 'lol' as the world ends.

T8B95:
For realsies: I'll just say the Russians in general. They have never been beaten in a land war on their own soil by anyone who weren't also Russians. How many empires can say that?

Russians normally win by running away and hiding and waiting for the enemy to freeze to death and starve.

More Fun To Compute:

T8B95:
For realsies: I'll just say the Russians in general. They have never been beaten in a land war on their own soil by anyone who weren't also Russians. How many empires can say that?

Russians normally win by running away and hiding and waiting for the enemy to freeze to death and starve.

Quite a valid way of fighting. Just remember that the Russians are still standing at the end of it all, while no one else who's tried to beat them has been as lucky.

I'm going to have to go with McDonalds, they kill you slowly.

Well the US Marine Corps is the largest and the most versatile of the "elite" forces of the world. A Marine Corps unit would match up very well against virtually any modern military unit in general combat.

In more specialized combat the SEALs are extremely versatile and can fight virtually anywhere and do virtually anything.

However I have to give my support to the IDF since that is the most proven and battle hardened force in the world. They have a diehard mindset, great training, and fantastic equipment.

T8B95:
For realsies: I'll just say the Russians in general. They have never been beaten in a land war on their own soil by anyone who weren't also Russians. How many empires can say that?

Several actually but the Russians have also been defeated several times. WW1 for a start. Then you have the conquest by the Golden Horde. And on.

farson135:

T8B95:
For realsies: I'll just say the Russians in general. They have never been beaten in a land war on their own soil by anyone who weren't also Russians. How many empires can say that?

Several actually but the Russians have also been defeated several times. WW1 for a start. Then you have the conquest by the Golden Horde. And on.

Proof of the fact that the Russians can only be beaten by people who have survived in worse conditions.

Terminate421:

SckizoBoy:

Terminate421:
I'd say the Marines, their practically bred for war.

Well, Space Marines are bred (after a fashion) for war...

And in case you didn't get the joke: whose Marines are you talking about? Virtually every major national armed forces has a Marine branch. I'ma say Royal Marines on your behalf.

Well if we're doing the Space marines than the Spartans from Halo are the greatest. They're pretty much the definition if ass-kicking soldiers.

I blame the fact that I don't like the look or the concept of warhammer 40k. War isn't glorious, it must have an end. Halo has an end.

If spartans cannot hold in a war indefinitely, they are not real bad asses.

Space Marines can.

Honestly, deadliness isn't the best judgement. What job are you trying to get done? You wouldn't send Navy SEALS to do an Army Ranger's job, and vice versa.

Ron Jeremy. He clearly has the biggest dick of everyone.

That's what this is about, right?

If we are talking about full on warfare between nations and their armies than the United States of America is going to win. We have the most advanced and industrialized Military in the history of Mankind and we spend more money on our weapons of war than every other nation combined, in a straight fight no army on Earth could hope to defeat us.

If we are talking about the individual level then there is certainly some leeway. I'm partial towards the American Special Forces, like the Green Berets, Navy Seals, and Delta Force, being the most highly trained soldiers out there. The only Special Forces I think compare is the British SAS who all other Special Forces base themselves off of, they have a well-earned reputation starting as far back as World War II.

ElPatron:
The Afghanis.

They resisted against the Russian and American elite. How about that? Afghanistan is where empires go to die.

The Afghan Army? Because their training is 100% given by foreign nations and this isn't the case where the promising pupil surpasses the sensei on their mountain fortress/temple. As far as overcoming the Russians and Americans, the Taliban were initially trained, armed, and funded by the CIA to combat the Russian occupation.

Things kinda went downhill with the Taliban acting autonomously when they kicked out the Soviets (Russians isn't really appropriate when I think about but hey, digressions are cool) and the U.S. would like people to forget that they had any stance other than "These guys are really bad people and they must die." and actually were used them as a tool to fight the Soviets.

Now that I think about it, the U.S. has a bit of a track record when it comes to this. Did they not support the Japanese Emperor during the Boshin War? Similar time frame and a Shogun might have maintained Isolation. Meaning their would be no embargo by the U.S in the first place and then no Pearl Harbor attack; so no Pacific Theatre.

Actually the British may have done something similar with the Russian Revolution. Did they not maintain relations and weapons deals with the regime that had cast out the relatives (royalty)? And wasn't Rasputin shot with a British spy's pistol? Years later, the world could have ended.

So, good job western society, you are amazing at causing yourself short-term relief and long-term pain.

Disclaimer: I am not a historian and I may be confused, misremembering things, misinformed, or wrong.

O.T. Does it have to be modern? If not, Old Guard, if yes; Special Air Service.

Terminate421:

SckizoBoy:
snip

Wow, agreement with someone about that.

I think thats the one thing that also pulls me wrong about Warhammer 40k, the power armor is just too over the top. The helmets can look cool at times but outside of that, its supposed to be armor, not a fucking car.

Even with Gears of war, it looks like their armor is used to protect them rather than make them look tougher.

Fictional wise, I'd say the Spartans from Halo are the greatest soldiers

But real world, I'll go with the Marines. The SEALS, Spetsnaz, SAS, are all tough but from what I can gather, the Marines go all the way and then some.

You know what really bothers me about the 40k Space Marines? All that ridiculous armor, and their commanders never seem to wear a helmet. Seriously, they're just begging for some sniper to blow their brains out.

The south of America(not south america) as they will kill anybody if given the right motivation and they have very little to lose but will fight for no matter how consequential.

Renegade Shepard:
Anyone I deem worthy to join my team.

Can't argue with that.

Ultratwinkie:
If spartans cannot hold in a war indefinitely, they are not real bad asses.

Space Marines can.

A single Spartan can end a war.

Space Marines can't.

Ectoplasmicz:

hazabaza1:
Ninja bears.
They're fuckin' everywhere. We just can't see them.

I was thinking more along the lines of laser bears ...

Flying laser bears to be precisePHA+PGltZyBzcmM9IiBodHRwOi8vMjkubWVkaWEudHVtYmxyLmNvbS90dW1ibHJfbHQ5Y2x5VTg3MjFxemZ1dGhvMV80MDAuanBnICIgYWx0PSJpbWFnZSIvPjwvcD4=

That picture is unaccurate, I've scene lazer Bear, and he's canadian.

http://ageofempires.wikia.com/wiki/Lazer_Bear

*best rts evah! (not counting total wars)

I'd say all special forces are forces to be reckoned with, the main differential is backing and technology. ATM i'd say Spetznaz and SAS. On a side note, if the third reich never ended, and the SS would still be active today, i'd bet on them. 60 years ago they trained as hard as todays USMC, now i'd imagine it'd be an army sized SF corps.

Navy Seals.

That being said, every elite unit (SAS, Israeli commandoes, Rangers, etc.) train with each other anyway, so any difference between them is pretty miniscule.

Well, I don't think anyone can compete with the US military when it comes to funding and equipment. So, appearently, the Navy SEALS sounds to me like the deadliest conventional non-top secret force.