Business Insider brings us a look at five “Special Operations” forces employed by non-DOD organizations.
- FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team
- Coast Guard’s Maritime Security Response Teams
- DEA’s Special Response Teams
- Dept. of Energy’s Special Response Teams
- CIA’s Special Operations Group
What I noticed in the descriptions of these groups, is that the Coast Guard’s qualification process is the longest, “almost 18 months,” while the other four groups seem to rely heavily on recruiting former military special operations force members. DEA’s course is only two weeks in addition to prior training.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
“Coast Guard’s Maritime Security Response Teams” have been the least productive.
I think we felt we had to do something about the terrorist threat, but we made the wrong choices about what to do. We created a small organization that could do its own thing without having impact on the rest of the Coast Guard. That virtually guarantees they will never be in the right place at the right time when they are needed.
We needed to make being able to respond ubiquitous. But that means that ordinary Coasties need to have a ready response.
bill wells, i get it buT they really don’t have anything to do but train, now whether or not they have a mission? haven’t really seen one yet. not saying it is not there but? i did a lot of boardings. not contensious mostly fish counting. i do not know.
Because terrorists haven’t seized any cruise liners since being stood up, at least in American waters.