You’re absolutely right. They don’t throw their rank around. They want you to be humble. They officers and instructors don’t ask any of the Sailors going through training to do anything they wouldn’t do. They had the seniors from the U of Michigan’s football team there two days before I was there. Rob had them split up into different teams on the obstacle course. One team did something well and started to celebrate. Well that’s a BIG no-no with the SEALs. Rob started yelling at them asking them if they celebrate after a 1st down then said “That’s it, everyone in the water” had them all take off to the ocean that they thought was warm and submerge themselves in the cold water. Then they had to roll around in the sand, which they call doing the “Sugar Cookie.”
Although when I was there....It was Sunday morning and it was their day off, well one sailor who was trying to become a SEAL who was going through BUD/S training got into a barroom brawl the Friday night before on Coronado Island. Well I would say 75% of the people on the island are either Navy or SEALs. So this guy had to come in on his day off along with two of his instructors who I guess weren’t too happy....and they ran him ragged for about 30 minutes that I saw, who knows how long he had been there. I wouldn’t have lasted 10 minutes. And finally he got up went over and rang the bell three times. And Chief Stella looks over and says, “Well, he’s done” and I said he’s done with his punishment? And Rob said, “No he’s done with trying to become a SEAL, he tapped out.” I was shocked. I guess everyone who walks through the doors are told when you want to quit all you have to do is go over to the bell and ring it three times. And they’ll give you a donut and a cup of coffee and you’re done.
I would never ring that bell.
They would have to disqualify me before I would admit defeat.
Not tough, just wouldn’t quit if that was the option.
About the bell. Becoming a SEAL is voluntary and you can quit at any time. If you quit, you go up and ring the bell 3 times to DOR (drop on request) and you're processed out.
During training phases, there are certain milestones that must be passed. If you don't, you may be setback or given a DOR. If you're injured in training, you'll be setback until you heal. SEAL training is the most difficult of all the Special Operations training. Even the most fit get washed out. Fitness isn't enough — you must want to be a SEAL more than anything in life — because the instructors will push you past your limits.
When you see a guy wearing that trident pin, understand he's the best of the best in many specialties. Plus, he keeps adding to his skill set throughout his SEAL career.