The Rarest Type Of Soldiers In The World
In a Nutshell
Elite special operators are rare because they combine very high IQ (130+) with both intellectual curiosity and willingness to fight, a combination that occurs in an extremely small percentage of the population. The military cannot mass-produce them because the job requires people who can operate in moral and procedural gray areas, prioritize mission outcomes over rigid rules, and reject conventional military formality. This mindset makes post-service transition difficult, as the freedom to bend rules for results conflicts with civilian law enforcement structures and modern constraints on warfare.
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A chart shows the prevalence of violence perpetrated by IQ standard deviation. The data tracks responses to the question: "Have you been in a physical fight or deliberately hit anyone in the past 5 years?" The prevalence percentage decreases linearly as IQ increases. At the middle of the distribution around 100 IQ, approximately 10% of people report having hit somebody or been in a physical fight within the last 5 years. The percentages drop to 5.2% between 110-119 IQ, 2.9% between 120-129 IQ, and become extremely small at 130+ IQ.
A tweet observed that the percentage of guys with 130+ IQ who both enjoy books and bar fights is incredibly small. This combination explains why elite special operators cannot be mass produced for the military. One guest confirmed enjoying both reading books and punching people in the face.
Special operations units operate with significantly less formal constraints than conventional military. Team members do not maintain flat top haircuts, blouse their boots, say "sir," or salute as standard practice. These formalities are viewed as unnecessary pomp and circumstance that does not contribute to mission outcomes. The "song and dance" of clean-shaven faces, no tattoos, and strict appearance standards is only enforced as punishment when personnel do something wrong. Upon leaving service, most special operations personnel grow beards and let their hair grow out, explicitly rejecting the constraints they endured.
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