The COBRA Eel is the best trained member of the U.S. armed forces. They are the best trained underwater troopers available, and their members are taken from the Navy Seals. They then undergo the most rigorous cross training available, from time with the Anti-Hostage Team, the Army Rangers, and several other clandestine groups whose existence cannot be confirmed. The Eels can then be placed with any group of soldiers, either large or small units, and function with them, or they can operate independently in small teams for specific mission purposes.

With the creation and revelation of the renegade "G.I. Joe" team, the importance of the COBRA Eel as an underwater trooper has never been more important. Many of the G.I. Joe members have experience in underwater tactics, and only the tremendous amount of training that the Eels receive prevents any catastrophic incidents from occurring.