Why is it that people always overlook the smaller countrys special forces?

Question

Most experts regard the British SAS to be the most elite all round special forces unit yet they (the Birtish SAS) admit that there smaller commonwealth cousins special forces are easily just as good if not better e.g. The New Zealand NZSAS whom a tiny force of just 160men have been believed to be resposible for capturing or killing up to 2000 Al Queada in Afganistan with no casualties and only 2 woundings or the Australian SASR whose desert fighting skills are so highly recognised among the SEALS and Delta Force in Iraq. Is it that all these units are at such a high level of expertise in what they do that basically you can't get any better and so for the bigger units are the ones whom get the recognition?

Answer 1

Actually, special operations mostly would say that's a blessing in disguise. By very definition they don't like to be recognized for what they do, and like to keep what they do in the shadows....

Answer 2

Perhaps because MOST are built and trained on the model of their "bigger" cousins and often BY their bigger cousins.

I also liked the answer stating that SPECWAR types really aren't "recognition" seekers... at least thru the media and most of the world. The SEALS I knew and worked with were quiet and professional.

The only other country's Special Forces I ever met (and knew about) was a Det of ROK-SEALS who came to PUSAN to help me cut a 4 inch line off the shaft of our ship. The ship didn't have a diver... I was a SAR Swimmer (with recreational tanks). Those guys were in and out of the water, job done, hands shook.... bye bye.

Answer 3

Because specail forces of small countries have no special obligations.The training might be the same, but because the big countries have enemies in the international theatre, like Iran and Kurdistan, therefore special forces have to be more alert than other countries' special forces. Who knows when a bomb would explode at the Buckingham Palace?

Answer 4

The big guys always get the recognition. When I was active duty we did some joint training with Republic of Korea Marines, and those guys were tough and very well trained. By the time we were done, I was really glad that we were allies, because I would hate to fight those tough little buggers.