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FAS Valid source or no? special ops manual link attached.

Posted: 30 Mar 2003, 10:12
by Grifter
The Federation of American Scientist (FAS) has been an online resource for geopolitical and military info for a while now. Just recently, CNN cited them as a source; however, I'm still cautious to use them as a source. It is curious that this organization would be able to dig up so much info. Below is athe link for a Special OPs manual distributed to the Army recruit. Is'nt it a bid odd that they would get access to this? Does anyone know anything about these guys?

http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/dod/socom ... index.html

Posted: 30 Mar 2003, 17:44
by KODIAK
Grif,
I just had a quick brief with the manual, doesn't appear to be anything odd in there, and certainly nothing that would be a potential threat to national security. Most of the info is just general stuff, and it's all public data.
As far as the organisation itself - FAS, is concerned, if they were a considererd threat to security you'd probably find that the FBI, CIA, NSA anybody who is somebody in the national security business is concerned, would have beat-up on them already. I think it's fairly safe to say they are legit.

Posted: 30 Mar 2003, 19:34
by Grifter
well I did'nt think they were a threat really. But, thanks Kodiak you answered my question. they should prove to be a good source.

Posted: 30 Mar 2003, 21:19
by Hammer
Ummm...Army recruits do not get SOC manuals. SOC recruits will, and this manual just explains overall structure and function, et al of the SOC. Like Kodiak said, nothing special in this manual.

If you did not know it, just about every single manual the Army has is available online to the public in .pdf format.

Posted: 31 Mar 2003, 17:48
by Grifter
My original post was ambiguous. When I said that "they" would get access to the manual. I mean the FAS. Of course, I did not know that these manuals could be publicly accessed. My original concern really was whether or not FAS could be used as a credible souce and it would seem that they can.