Unless a man has trained himself for his chance, the chance will only make him look ridiculous.
—WILLIAM MATTHEWS, quoted at Famous Quotes & Authors, www.famousquotesandauthors.com/authors/william_matthews_quotes.html (accessed December 21, 2009)
In early November 1997, during his senior year at Penn State University, Michael began seriously researching the Navy SEALs, including admission requirements, training, and selection process. During his research he learned of a former SEAL captain who served as the senior Navy representative and facility instructor at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, just eighty miles from PSU. Ryan J. McCombie had more than twenty-six years of service, having previously served as the commanding officer of SEAL Team Two, perhaps the nation’s most elite group of special warriors. McCombie had spent most of his naval career in special operations and was highly decorated. He had received more than two dozen significant medals and awards, including the Bronze Star Medal with V device, which was awarded for valor, a Legion of Merit, and two Defense Superior Service Medals, as well as awards from the French and Vietnamese governments.
With the SEALs, McCombie trained and served with commandos from all over the world. He was the first American to complete the training for French marine special operators and served a two-year tour with the elite Commando Hubert. He served as operations officer of the highly regarded Red Cell Team, a U.S. special operations team essentially comprised of Navy SEALs that was the subject of much media reporting for its innovative and highly effective counterterrorist and antiterrorist missions. Because of his knowledge of French and special operations, McCombie was selected to be the first military attaché to the U.S. embassy in Brazzaville, Congo. Following that billet, he commanded SEAL Team Two from 1985 to 1987, and then served in high-level positions at the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C.
After several requests, Michael was granted an appointment to meet with Captain McCombie at his home. McCombie seldom saw students or anyone there. He had long ago tired of those who were simply curious about the SEALs, as opposed to those with the determination and work ethic to become one. When Michael arrived at the house, he was directed to the backyard, where he found McCombie chopping wood. He stopped a few feet away as McCombie split a log with a single swing of his ax. Without looking up, McCombie said, “So, you are interested in talking about the SEALs?”
Michael responded, “No sir, I want to be a Navy SEAL. There’s a difference.”
Saying nothing, Captain McCombie looked at Michael from head to toe for several seconds, then continued chopping wood.
“We can talk when I am finished.”
As he looked around, Michael noticed several big stacks of wood and another ax leaning against one of the stacks. He took off his jacket and tossed it on top of one of the piles, picked up the ax, and began chopping beside McCombie. Over the next several hours, the two exchanged some casual conversation as they worked. By midafternoon the work was finished.
McCombie invited Michael onto his back porch, where they talked for the next two hours. Michael laid out his background and discussed his studies and activities. McCombie learned that Michael was not only serious about becoming a Navy SEAL, but also a Navy SEAL officer. Michael explained that following graduation, he would enlist with the condition that he was accepted into Officer Candidate School (OCS) and Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training.
Having dealt with many wannabes over the years, McCombie was skeptical regarding Michael’s ambitious agenda; however, by the time their conversation ended, he was impressed with every aspect of the young man. As Michael was getting ready to leave, McCombie told him to contact Captain Andrew Bisset, the Recruiting District Assistance Council (RDAC) district coordinator in Stamford, Connecticut, who coordinated a SEAL training and mentorship program each month at the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, New York.
That night McCombie telephoned Bisset and hold him about his meeting with Michael, including his obvious work ethic, determination, attitude, and desire. Later McCombie said, “If Michael just had watched me work, I wouldn’t have given him the time of day. The fact that he picked up the other ax I had sitting there and helped me complete the work told me a lot about him. It turns out, I was right.”
Prep School for SEALs
Captain Andrew Bisset, a Navy SEAL with thirty-seven years of combined active and reserve Naval Special Warfare (NSW) experience, had served for five years active duty with SEAL Team One and Underwater Demolition Team Twenty-one (UDT-21). While in the Naval Reserve (NR), he commanded two NR Special Warfare Group Two detachments, as well as NR SEAL Team Two and NR Special Boat Squadron Two, and ultimately served as reserve commodore of NR Special Warfare Command, the senior SEAL reserve position.
Following through on McCombie’s instruction, on Monday, November 9, 1997, Michael contacted Bisset, who invited him to attend the RDAC mentorship and training program beginning the following January. Bisset told him about the program’s standards and how it operated. He explained that meeting the U.S. Navy SEAL requirements was not enough to successfully complete the program; all candidates recommended to the Naval Special Warfare Command must far exceed the minimum SEAL standards. Undaunted, Michael accepted the invitation.
History of the SEAL Recruiting District Assistance Council (RDAC)
In the 1970s, with the increased demand for SEALs, the Navy lowered its training standards to increase the success rate, which was 25 percent, meaning that 75 percent of all those who began BUD/S training did not successfully complete the program. This lowering of standards concerned Captain Bisset, who strongly believed that by starting with a better-prepared BUD/S candidate, there would be a corresponding increase in the success rate.
Bisset founded the council in 1994. Its membership is composed of SEAL Naval Reservists and retirees who mentor SEAL candidates and prepare them for BUD/S. Statistics show that the cost of transforming a man into a Navy SEAL is very expensive—about $500,000—so efforts to produce a better BUD/S candidate could greatly increase the effective use of tax dollars and provide the Navy with better-qualified applicants. In addition to the mentors, the council also includes other high-level civilians who network with various spheres of influence within the civilian community that benefits the RDAC. The SEAL RDAC focuses on helping recruiters find qualified SEAL and Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) candidates and then mentors, evaluates, and prepares them for BUD/S. Through Physical Screening Tests (PSTs) and mentoring sessions, candidates are taught swim-stroke and other strength-training techniques and given individual encouragement to prepare them both physically and mentally for the boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes and then for eventual success as a SEAL operator after completing their training at BUD/S in Coronado, California.
RDAC Standards
To help increase the success rate of those recommended and selected for BUD/S, RDAC standards are deliberately much higher than those established by BUD/S. The RDAC PST measures the same five areas: a timed swim, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and a run. To successfully complete the RDAC PST, the candidate must complete a timed five-hundred-yard swim using the breast- and/or sidestroke in under twelve and a half minutes. Following a ten-minute rest, they must perform a minimum of forty-two push-ups in two minutes, followed by a two-minute rest. The test continues with a minimum of fifty sit-ups in two minutes, followed by another two-minute rest. The candidate must then perform a minimum of six pull-ups with no time limit. Following a ten-minute rest, the candidate, wearing boots and long pants, must complete a 1.5-mile run in under eleven and a half minutes.
Saturday, January 16, 1998
Michael reported to the USMMA in Kings Point, where he was introduced to the RDAC mentors, then given a brief overview of the program, program expectations, and his initial PST. Records show that he completed his five-hundred-yard swim in nine minutes flat; did ninety push-ups in two minutes, fifty-eight sit-ups, and eighteen pull-ups; and completed his run in 8:46. While this certainly got Bisset’s and the other SEAL mentors’ attention, they withheld judgment and their excitement. They did encourage him to work out on his own in between monthly sessions, and reminded him that his commitment would be evident by his improved marks each month. Michael committed to continuous improvement, and established a daily workout routine.
Saturday, February 20, 1998
Again reporting to the USMMA, Michael’s PST results were mixed. His 8:02 swim was a fifty-eight-second improvement, but his push-ups dropped to eighty-six. His sit-ups increased to sixty, his pull-ups went down to sixteen, and his run was clocked at 9:22, over his initial time by thirty-six seconds. Although Michael was dissatisfied, his mentors continued to encourage him to work out on his own, and emphasized their satisfaction with his swim. He committed to redoubling his efforts for the next month.
However, Michael was unable to make the March session because of academic requirements. He telephoned Captain Bisset and reiterated his commitment to the program, promising to continue to work out on his own and to report for the April session. He continued his self-designed workout program, and it paid off.
Saturday, April 24, 1998
Michael was able to report to the USMMA for his April session. While his swim was timed at 8:13, up from February, his push-ups increased dramatically, from 86 to 107, as did his sit-ups, from 60 to 83. His pull-up numbers also jumped, from 16 to 21, and he decreased his run time to 8:54. The RDAC mentors realized they had themselves a highly motivated individual. They also began to see Michael’s leadership skills. Being one of the top finishers in the swim, he constantly encouraged the slower swimmers and encouraged others during push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. After he finished the run near the front, he ran back several times and ran with and encouraged the slower runners. Although Michael had caught the attention of Bisset and the other mentors, they did not establish any type of personal relationship with him. They had found it better not to do so with a candidate until a preliminary decision to recommend was made, allowing them to maintain their objectivity.
Spring of 1998
To reinforce among the SEAL candidates the value of a life of selfless service and sacrifice as well as to involve them in a vital community outreach, in the spring of 1998, Bisset partnered with a local outreach agency called Rebuilding Together. This program assisted low-income elderly veterans or widows of veterans who needed home maintenance and repairs. This being the first attempt at such a partnership, Bisset approached Michael to get involved with the project for two reasons. First, as a potential officer candidate, he would need to demonstrate organizational and leadership qualities; second, this would give the RDAC team an opportunity to further evaluate him.
Bisset explained that as the “House Captain,” he would be responsible for assembling a team to assess the property for needed repairs, draft a budget, obtain individual and corporate sponsors to provide the materials, and draft a work schedule. He would also have to assemble a team of SEAL candidates to complete the work. Bisset reminded Michael that he and his team would be under scrutiny during each step of the project and have their work assessed and evaluated at the end of the project. When Bisset asked Michael if he was up to the task, the young man just grinned and responded, “Yes, sir. I’ll take care of it, sir.”
With no other assistance or guidance from the RDAC mentors, in less than three weeks, under Michael’s leadership, the project and all repairs were completed. Following the success of the inaugural partnership, the Rebuilding Together initiative continued as an integral part of the RDAC mentorship program.
In early May 1998 Michael Patrick Murphy graduated from Pennsylvania State University with academic honors and with dual degrees in political science and psychology.
Again demonstrating that determination, hard work, and individual training paid dividends, Michael continued to better his overall PST numbers. He lowered his swim time by fourteen seconds to 7:59, performed one hundred push-ups and eighty-four sit-ups, increased his pull-ups to twenty-three, and finished his run in 8:57. As in the previous month, after he completed each phase of the PST, he encouraged those who were still working out and running. Again, the mentors noted this with admiration.
Saturday, June 19, 1998
After graduation, Michael resumed his position as the supervising lifeguard at Lake Ronkonkoma and other area beaches and began working at Hartcorn Plumbing and Heating in Ronkonkoma as a plumber’s assistant.
On the nineteenth, he reported to the USMMA. His swim time dropped another twelve seconds to 7:47; he did 102 push-ups, 84 sit-ups, and 22 pull-ups; and he lowered his run time to 8:55. He accomplished all this even as he continued to encourage his fellow classmates
After the PST, Bisset called Michael into his office. Following a truly enlightening and revealing interview, Bisset completed the required NAVCRUIT 1100/13 Interviewer’s Appraisal Sheet. He was impressed with Michael’s goal-oriented determination and obvious work ethic. He awarded Michael the highest marks in categories of appearance, communication, leadership potential, and willingness to serve in a command or commissioned role, and made the following remarks.
Mike Murphy is an outstanding and well-rounded candidate who appeared before me confident, clean cut, articulate and above all, committed to become Naval Officer in the SEAL program. He demonstrated to me in his interview that he has researched and is extremely knowledgeable on the Navy SEAL Program and their mission. He has an intensity and focus that are extraordinary. This he has demonstrated notably in his superb answers to me in his interview but also in his drive to obtain only the most competitive PST SEAL scores possible. Furthermore, he has displayed strong leadership skills notably as a supervising lifeguard in Suffolk County, NY but also as co-CAPT of a Penn State intramural football team. A team which he led to a campus championship at Penn State in an extremely competitive environment his senior year. I would be most eager to have this individual serve in my wardroom. Select now.
In his final comments, Captain Bisset added the following: “This is an intensely motivated individual who has the focus, determination and perseverance to carry him through the rigors of Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL (BUD/S) Training.”
On July 26, 1998, RDAC SEAL Mentor Lieutenant (junior grade) Barry McCabe sent the following letter to the U.S. Navy Officer Recruiting Station in New York.
For the past three years, I have been working closely with Drew Bisset, CAPT USNR, in testing, screening and evaluating potential Navy SEAL candidates. Over that period of time, I have had the opportunity to meet, see and talk to many young men who aspire to become SEALs. Recently, one of those men, Mike Murphy, has stood out from the others and I’ll tell you why.
We all know that physical prowess in the SEAL disciplines is a given when considering a SEAL candidate. But what truly counts is the mental determination and commitment to become a SEAL. I have monitored Mike in several SEAL physical screen tests, and each time he has produced excellent scores. And when it came to his commitment, I asked him to put it on paper why he wants to be a Navy SEAL. Well, it came back with one of the strongest, most enthusiastic rationales that I have seen and am convinced he will do the job and then some. And, it’s worth noting, that his father served in Vietnam and his grandfather in World War II, which to me is a real plus.
In talking with Mike, and getting to know him better, I’ve been impressed with his knowledge and his clean-cut straightforward manner, which are important for a Navy officer. He has the energy, intellect, physical ability and attitude to be an asset to the U.S. Navy, and I think I’m in a position to know.
As for my background, I volunteered for Underwater Demolition prior to receiving my commission as Ensign at Columbia University in October 1944. After training at Fort Pierce and Maui, I was assigned to UDT 21 and served in the Pacific during World War II. Our team was the first military unit to land on Japan before the surrender was signed. Currently, as a member of the Recruiting District Assistance Council (RDAC), I assist CAPT Bisset in his recruiting endeavors and demonstrate as well as helping him evaluate SEAL candidates.
Being a senior citizen, and having gone through a war as a Frogman, I think I know how to evaluate a SEAL candidate’s character, capability and commitment, and believe Mike has the necessary attributes and qualifications. Should you wish to discuss this further, please feel free to call me, I’d like to do whatever I can to see that Mike Murphy is given serious consideration.
Waiting for Good News
With his OCS and BUD/S applications in the works, Michael continued to work as a lifeguard and a plumber’s assistant for Hartcorn Plumbing while he maintained his rigorous physical training regimen.
Navy SEALs required 20/20 vision, something Michael did not have. He researched surgical corrective measures, including LASIK. However, LASIK left multiple tiny scars on the cornea of the eye that could cause serious problem at the depths SEALs are required to dive. LASIK corrective surgery was unacceptable, leaving only the photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) as viable option. In November 1998 Michael underwent his PRK, and for the next six weeks he endured the discomfort and physical restrictions that followed.
After recovering from his surgery, Michael continued to work as a plumber’s assistant while he waited on his acceptance into both Officer Candidate School and SEAL training. He also continued to train with the RDAC throughout 1999.
As the weeks and months dragged on, Dan seriously doubted his son’s career decision. He reminded Michael that he had been accepted by several prestigious law schools and had the potential for a lucrative career, and that continuing to work as a plumber’s assistant on the hope of being granted admission to both OCS and BUD/S might not be the wisest of career choices. Michael was also offered a full-time plumber’s apprenticeship, which he declined.
Additional months passed, and Dan became increasingly concerned, which led to several more serious father-and-son discussions. During their talks, Dan posed several questions: What if he was accepted into one but not the other? What if he was accepted into OCS but not BUD/S? Would he be satisfied being a fleet officer? Would he then reapply to BUD/S? What if he was not accepted into OCS? Would he enlist in the Navy and apply for BUD/s after basic training? Would he then reapply to OCS? What about obtaining his law degree first, which, if he was then still interested in the Navy, would certainly strengthen his OCS application? What if the law schools withdrew his acceptances and his Navy applications were denied?
Michael did not have answers for all of his father’s questions, but one thing remained perfectly clear—his goal of becoming a Navy SEAL officer. Despite Dan’s increased persistence, Michael, with faith in himself and his abilities, held his ground and continued working as a plumber’s assistant.
Meanwhile, his best friend, Owen O’Callaghan, had applied for a job with the New York City Fire Department, which required the passing of a demanding physical-fitness test. Michael trained Owen using his RDAC regimen, working one-on-one with his friend. Soon Jimmie and Sean O’Callaghan, as well as Jay Keenan, began working out with Michael and Owen. The training paid off when Jimmie passed his physical with flying colors and entered the New York City Fire Academy.
In the early spring of 2000 Michael’s persistence paid off. He received official notification that he had been accepted into Officer Candidate School (OCS), after which he would enter BUD/S training. He did not attend the two RDAC sessions following his acceptance, but he did notify Captain Bisset that he had been accepted into OCS and BUD/S and was scheduled to begin OCS in mid-September.
The Saturday before he left for OCS, on September 11, 2000, Michael attended his final RDAC session. His PST numbers remained consistent with a 7:49 swim, 103 push-ups, 80 sit-ups, 20 pull-ups, and a 9:10 run.
In 2000 Captain Bisset extended his commission for five years, which allowed him to continue the highly successful mentoring program he had established. As of December 2009, 89 of the 126 candidates Bisset has mentored have completed BUD/S training, for a 70 percent success rate, compared to the normal 25 percent. In addition to Michael Murphy, recipient of the Medal of Honor, Bisset has mentored two United Service Organizations (USO) George Van Cleave Military Leadership Award recipients: Michael P. Murphy and Nathan Hardy.
Assigned to Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG), Senior Chief Petty Officer Nathan H. Hardy, twenty-nine, of Durham, New Hampshire, was killed in Iraq in February 2008 while on his fourth deployment in the Global War on Terror. Buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors, Senior Chief Hardy left behind his wife, Mindi, and a seven-month-old son, Parker.