SEAL Missions

The previous chapters have presented a brief introduction to the type of initial training Navy SEALs participate in. I would like to now introduce you to some of the types of missions these men routinely perform, both during training and during actual operations.

It can’t be denied that being physically fit is a prerequisite in order to be a Navy SEAL. However, physical fitness is NOT the most important trait that is needed. This may come as a surprise to some of you, but there are many other qualities that are paramount if you are to succeed the life of a Navy SEAL. An unwavering iron will, resolve, tenacity, and mental toughness are all attributes necessary for these men to be able to conduct the types of missions that they do, and to persevere in the types of environments in which they operate and the life-and-death situations they often face. Combat is not a competition—you are not there to compete, you are there to dominate and overwhelm the enemy, otherwise you won’t be coming home.

During an interview on a nationally-televised talk-show, the host of the show was discussing with a Navy SEAL the various countries he had been sent to during his career. She was quite impressed that this SEAL had been to so many different places around the world, however, she was completely missing the main reason behind his travels. This brief exchange, which happened during the interview, brought to the show’s host an immediate focus on the reality of what SEALs do, and I thought it was worth sharing.

Interviewer: “Did you have to learn several languages?”

Navy SEAL: “No, ma’am, we don’t go there to talk.”

Interviewer: “Oh…I see…ok.”

It is important that you understand that Navy SEALs exist for one purpose—as implied by the comment made by the SEAL during that interview—to kill the enemies of the United States.

Sound cruel or barbaric? Perhaps… but it is also reality. The cold, hard truth is that the battlefield is often associated with conditions and actions that most people would consider savage or uncivilized. The battlefield isn’t at all like the sports arena or the business world—it is combat, and it usually means death for someone. If you walk onto a battlefield only looking to compete with the enemy, more than likely you will be that someone who ends up dying. No one walks off a battlefield unscathed, you may walk away bloodied, bruised, and battered, but alive; it all depends on the training and the mindset with which you begin the battle. The competitive nature of Navy SEALs is one of the factors that usually dictates a winning outcome when they operate.

Developing an attitude of “domination versus competition” begins from the moment they start their preparation for selection, and it is infused into the entire culture of the Teams. Everyone associated with the SEAL community, be they SEALs or support personnel, operates with a mindset of “maxing out” and achieving excellence in everything that they do. This mindset stems from the early lessons all SEALs learn at BUD/S, where students are constantly reminded that “It Pays to be A Winner!” This mindset is developed through various forms of competition and brutally difficult training. Through the various methods utilized by the instructors, and later on the members of a SEAL unit, the mentality of trainees and SEALs starting out is transformed and shaped into that of a warrior who perseveres against all odds and relentlessly seeks to dominate the enemy and any other factor that might threaten the successful accomplishment of the mission.

I know that the vast majority of people reading this book will have no association with the military, and therefore have no chance of actually going to war in the literal sense. But, as stated previously, the mission of the book is to help you understand the mindset and invincible mentality that infuse the iron will of Navy SEALs. To do so, one must always remember why the SEAL teams exist and why the training to become a SEAL is so difficult.

Much of the information contained in this chapter was extracted from a research study conducted by the Naval Special Warfare Command. The purpose of the study was to identify physically demanding missions and mission segments performed during SEAL operations and to rank them according to their importance to mission success. The ultimate objective was to identify the abilities that contribute to success as a SEAL operator. Not surprisingly, some personality traits and intellectual skills, such as problem solving, assertiveness, and the ability to work effectively as a member of a Team, emerged during interviews of several dozen highly experienced SEALs as being even more important to the probable success of a SEAL operator than many physical attributes and abilities.

The study results imply a need for high-levels of mental toughness in SEALs, which, of course, aligns with the main purpose of this book—learning about the mindset common to all SEALs.

 

Survey Results

Interviews of the veteran SEALs revealed 23 traits and abilities that were felt to be the primary factors associated with successful SEAL operators. It is important to note how many of the most important traits and skills, as defined by highly experienced SEALs, are mental versus physical. If you review, for example, the definitions for teamwork and problem solving , you’ll quickly realize that there are many, perhaps dozens of associated traits and skills implied in each, almost all of which are mental attributes.

 

Most Important Traits (in order of importance according to the study)

Important Traits (in order of importance according to the study)

SEAL Missions and Physical Tasks

The research study produced a long list of missions, mission segments, and physical tasks associated with SEAL operations. I selected a number of them for inclusion in this chapter as a means of introducing you to the physical demands placed on SEAL operators. Reviewing this material will also better enable you to contemplate the mindset and attitude necessary for nearly continuous participation in high-risk, dangerous and physically demanding operations.

As you review these missions and physical tasks, you’ll note that many are associated with walking long distances in extreme weather conditions while bearing heavy loads of equipment, including ammunition and explosives. Some require surface swimming for many miles in frigid waters in both daylight and darkness; and others entail several hours of sub-surface, clandestine infiltration of an enemy controlled area to emplace mines, conduct direct action missions, or to perform various reconnaissance-related activities.

I’ve only listed about 50% of the missions and physical tasks that were included in the study. I contemplated limiting what I showed here even more, for brevity’s sake, but decided that the more readers could learn about SEAL operations, the better they could understand the mindset that is associated with these warriors. I doubt that anyone can read what follows and not be impressed by the magnitude of what America demands of its naval commandos. Likewise, learning more about what SEALs do on a frequent basis will allow you to fully understand why the physical and mental standards associated with joining the SEAL community are so high.

I don’t think anyone could argue, after reading this material, that it takes a special breed of man to be able to endure such extreme environments, withstand such punishing conditions, bear such strenuous loads, while at the same time executing difficult tasks; oh, and let’s not forget, possibly fighting off an enemy and trying to stay alive—they do this day after day, constantly and continuously.

None of the material you are about to read is classified or otherwise sensitive information from a military intelligence or operational security perspective, it has all been cleared by appropriate authorities for public dissemination. That said, an astute reader will note the absence of specific missions and physical tasks more closely aligned with recent SEAL operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Much has been learned over the past thirteen years of operating in these challenging environments, resulting in the modification and enhancement of several training techniques and programs.

 

Navy SEAL Missions and Physical Tasks

It would be safe to say that it takes an immeasurable amount of determination, perseverance, discipline, and mental toughness to make it through even the shortest of these missions. All of these men feel the extreme heat and cold, exhaustion, fear, and pain that any human would feel under those conditions; the difference is that through the incredibly rigorous training that they put their bodies and minds through, they have reached that “next level” of fortitude. You can also elevate your mental toughness and level of resolve to such high-levels. I won’t tell you it’s easy, I won’t tell you it won’t take long, but what I can tell you is that IT CAN BE DONE!

 

What’s Your Battlefield?

Assuming that you are not serving in the military or law enforcement, chances are that your battlefield is a bit more sedate and safe than the environments SEALs operate in—and that’s a good thing! For many reading this book, the battlefield is the business world, while for others it may be associated with academia or athletics. For many, the battle is happening in their minds as they try to cope with the challenges of health issues or personal relationships. Whatever your particular battle is—your goal—no matter where it will be fought, the main concept that is woven throughout this book is that you should approach it as a SEAL would: Utterly dominate the battle through hard work, intelligent and consistent preparation, confidence, and focused actions.