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Comment by cj | Hacker News Reader

The simplest explanation is that it’s possible, but there isn’t an obvious ROI for having a highly trained tactical team.

Highly trained tactical teams are useful for precision strikes. Most goals of a militia don’t require that much precision, if I had to guess.

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Also, having that level of skill makes you valuable. You could probably earn a decent wage and therefore have more to lose and be less likely to use or want to pass on those skills for free. If you have the skill, you’re probably not desperate enough to use it. If you’re desperate enough to use those skills, you probably can’t afford to learn them.

A very good point. Also, if you are a professional, few things are more frustrating that working with amateurs. Mostly you are wasting time, trying to prevent fundamental mistakes, and failing.

The “new generation of paramilitary leaders” described by the article includes “doctors, career cops and government attorneys”. All of these would seem to have a lot to lose. If this is true, one would think that elite military operators might be even more likely to take risks for what they believe in. They’ve already made peace with the possibility of death.

But like they aren't doing anything, what implies they are making peace with death?

Sorry if I wasn’t clear. I meant that elite military forces make peace with death as part of their training. So, “having a lot to lose” would be less of a deterrent compared to those without such training.

> elite military forces make peace with death as part of their training

That seems like a narrative someone might tell, but I don't know it's true at all, or if it's part of their training. Lots of PSTD out there, even among elite soldiers. Look at the person who blew up the vehicle in Las Vegas.

I've read interviews with them saying that killing is unnatural and you never get used to it.

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