Military

Who Has the Best Motto? 7 Special Operations Mottos Ranked

February 15, 2022Mac Caltrider
seal motto

“The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday” reflects the mentality that the hard work never ends. Graduating from BUD/S is just the beginning. Composite by Coffee or Die Magazine.

In the shadowy world of special operations, America’s most elite military units each bring something unique to the battlefield. Whether that is Navy SEALs’ expertise in counterterrorism and direct action raids, or the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment’s dominance in the sky, America’s special operations units are unmatched on the world’s battlefields. With each unit’s speciality comes a unique motto to capture their ethos. We ranked seven of the best US special operations mottos. 


7. 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment


160th motto
The 160th SOAR is home to the US military’s most elite pilots and advanced aircraft. Composite by Coffee or Die Magazine.

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) is composed of the most skilled aviators and aircrews in the world. The “Night Stalkers” of the 160th fly US special operations forces into some of the most austere environments on earth using the most advanced aircraft in the US military inventory. Famous for the roles they played in the Battle of Mogadishu and the SEAL Team 6 raid that killed Usama Bin Laden, they are revered throughout the special operations community. But while the unit’s official motto — “Night Stalkers Don’t Quit” — does a good job of summing up the Night Stalkers’ attitude when times get tough, it’s a bit too bland to land high on our list. Their unofficial motto, on the other hand, is the stuff of nightmares: “Death Waits in the Dark.” More of that please.  


6. Marine Raiders


Raider Motto
Raiders are among the youngest special operations units, but they trace their roots to the Marine Raiders of WWII and the Corps’ elite Force Reconnaissance companies. Composite by Coffee or Die Magazine.

Marine Raiders are the Corps’ special operations unit and the newest addition to US Special Operations Command. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC) was established in 2006, and the unit’s “critical skills operators” were officially designated “Raiders” in 2015 — a tribute to and extension of the proud legacy of the Marine Raider battalions of World War II, which were developed as a special missions force in January 1942 and disbanded two years later.


While we at Coffee or Die Magazine have mad respect for Marine Raiders, their official motto is one of the weaker among SOCOM units. “Always Faithful, Always Forward” simply builds on the Corps’ Latin motto of “Semper Fidelis,” or “always faithful.” As the United States’ premier expeditionary force in readiness, the Marine Corps already prides itself on being “America’s 911 force,” so even when we account for the ambiguity of “always forward,” this stellar unit misses the mark of what we’re looking for in a great motto, especially when we consider some other related options. The Marine Raiders of WWII had the unofficial motto of “Gung Ho,” which was adopted from the Chinese phrase meaning “work together,” and the Marine Raider insignia is inscribed with “Spiritus Invictus,” meaning “unconquerable spirit.” Both are respectable options that speak to the elite Marines’ unwavering drive to accomplish any mission. But since we’re ranking official mottos, Raiders come in at No. 6 on our list.


5. Navy SEALs


The Navy’s most elite warfighters have a stellar reputation as the best of the best, but their motto is … just okay. Don’t get us wrong: “The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday” is a cool motto that reflects the SEALs’ work ethic and promise that BUD/S is just the beginning of a career filled with hard work and tireless commitment to mission accomplishment. But given Naval Special Warfare’s storied history of handily executing hostage rescues, high-stakes direct action missions, and generally being all-around savages, we feel their motto is good but definitely not the best of the best. 


4. Army Special Forces


De Oppresso Liber
The Special Forces motto means “to free the oppressed,” and speaks to the Green Berets’ expertise in foreign internal defense and unconventional warfare. Composite by Coffee or Die Magazine.

US Army Special Forces have one of the most recognizable mottos: “De Oppresso Liber.” The rough translation of the Latin phrase is “to free the oppressed.” The Green Berets’ motto highlights their primary mission of foreign internal defense and unconventional warfare, usually waged against oppressive, authoritarian regimes. It’s a great motto but it comes in at No. 4 only because it doesn’t quite capture the close bond of Green Berets, which “transcends blood.” There’s no unit in the world quite like the US Army Special Forces, and a motto with an edge would seem more fitting for a group of warriors that produces such legendary soldiers as Jim Gant and Robert Howard.


3. 75th Ranger Regiment


Sua Sponte
The Army’s premier direct action unit uses the motto “Sua Sponte,” or “of one’s own accord.” Composite by Coffee or Die Magazine.

The Army’s premier direct action unit has a history of kicking ass that predates the country. Born of Church’s Rangers in King Philip’s War and Robert’s Rangers in the French and Indian War, Rangers have never stopped leading the way when it comes to crushing America’s enemies.


While their unofficial motto — “Rangers Lead the Way!” — comes directly from the beaches of Normandy, the Rangers’ official motto — “Sua Sponte” — is a more direct commentary on the Ranger mindset. The Latin phrase roughly translates to “of one’s own accord,” or more simply “voluntarily.” It’s said that Rangers volunteer three times: to join the Army, to attend Airborne school, and to endure the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program to become a Ranger.


What makes this one stand out to us, however, is if you drill down the language even further, the Rangers’ modified English translation “of their own accord” subtly expresses an idea similar to the now-famous maxim first expressed in a William Shakespeare poem: “One for all, or all for one.”


2. Marine Recon


Marine Recon motto
With the official motto of “Swift, Silent, Deadly,” Recon was the Marines’ premier special tactics unit for decades, and the plank owners of MARSOC came from Force Recon companies. Composite by Coffee or Die Magazine.

Though the Corps’ Reconnaissance battalions and Force Recon companies are not technically special operations units, legendary Force Recon Marines who lived and breathed the Recon motto of “Swift, Silent, Deadly” were among the first commandos ever to be enshrined in the US Special Operations Command “Commando Hall of Honor.” Recon Marines were the Corps’ premier special tactics operators for decades, and MARSOC’s plank owners came from Force Recon companies. That incredible unit lineage is justification enough in our minds to recognize Recon’s official and unofficial mottos as some of the best of the best. While “Swift, Silent, Deadly” is iconic and well known, we’re even more partial to Recon’s lesser-known unofficial motto: “Never Above You, Never Below You, Always Beside You.” Its emphasis on unwavering fidelity to one’s teammates and individual commitment to tactical proficiency makes it one of the most honest and motivating mottos in the military. 


1. Air Force Pararescue


PJ
Air Force Pararescue is unique in its focus on saving lives rather than taking them. Composite by Coffee or Die Magazine.

The Air Force has several special operations units, but Pararescue’s motto — “That Others May Live” — tops our list for its emphasis on selfless sacrifice, which — if you haven’t figured it out by now — is an ideal we’re biased toward. No one in the world is better trained to recover and provide medical aid to injured service members than pararescuemen, also known as PJs. The elite airmen are the best at what they do and are unique among operators for their dedication to saving lives rather than taking them. Anyone who’s needed a quick casualty evacuation and heard “Pedro” over the radio can attest to the relief felt knowing PJs were on the way. 


The PJ motto is such a perfect representation of the operator’s dedication to helping others that another group of similarly selfless professionals had to use it. The Coast Guard’s elite rescue swimmers use the similar motto: “So Others May Live.”  


Read Next: US Army Sniper vs. US Marine Scout Sniper — Who’s the Sharpest Shooter?



Mac Caltrider
Mac Caltrider

Mac Caltrider is a senior staff writer for Coffee or Die Magazine. He served in the US Marine Corps and is a former police officer. Caltrider earned his bachelor’s degree in history and now reads anything he can get his hands on. He is also the creator of Pipes & Pages, a site intended to increase readership among enlisted troops. Caltrider spends most of his time reading, writing, and waging a one-man war against premature hair loss.

More from Coffee or Die Magazine
Intel
Ukraine: Russia Hits Apartments and Dorm, Killing Civilians

“Russia is shelling the city with bestial savagery,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote in a Telegr...

March 22, 2023Associated Press
cold brew coffee soda float
Coffee
The Bitter Barista's Cold Brew Coffee Soda Float

Today, we combine the best of both worlds with this indulgent recipe, smashing together our love of coffee and ice cream with a cold brew coffee soda float!

March 21, 2023Heather Lynn
abrams tanks ukraine
Intel
US Speeds Up Abrams Tank Delivery to Ukraine War Zone

The original plan was to send Ukraine 31 of the newer M1A2 Abrams, which could have taken a year or ...

March 21, 2023Associated Press
Coffee Or Die Photo
Intel
US: War Crimes on All Sides in Ethiopia's Tigray Conflict

The Biden administration announced Monday that it has determined all sides in the brutal conflict in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region committed war crimes and crimes against humanity.

March 20, 2023Associated Press
military pilots cancer rates
Military
Higher Cancer Rates Found in Military Pilots, Ground Crews

In its yearlong study of almost 900,000 service members who flew on or worked on military aircraft b...

March 20, 2023Associated Press
whiskey pour
Military
Veterans Lead the Way Among America’s Growing Craft Distilleries

American veterans are taking the lessons they learned in the military and changing the craft distilling industry.

March 20, 2023Mac Caltrider
military suicide veteran suicide
Military
Military Moves To Cut Suicides, But Defers Action on Guns

In a memo released Thursday, Austin called for the establishment of a suicide prevention working gro...

March 17, 2023Associated Press
us military drills japan-south korea
Intel
US, Partners Stage Military Drills Amid Japan-South Korea Talks

The Sea Dragon 23 exercises that started on Wednesday will culminate in more than 270 hours of in-fl...

March 17, 2023Associated Press
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
Contact Us
  • Request a Correction
  • Write for Us
  • General Inquiries
© 2023 Coffee or Die Magazine. All Rights Reserved