The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday: A Lesson From the Navy SEALS
At the opening of the first General Session of the 2002 AAHPERD Convention, Rear Admiral Ray Smith, former commander of the 2300-man Navy SEAL force described the SEAL training process. More than just a test of physical endurance Rear Admiral Smith explained how SEAL training, similar to education, was a process of transforming character.
In his opening remarks Smith immediately emphasized that SEAL training was much more than a physical test. Over a period of 6 months, according to Smith, "souls emerge in addition to muscles." Interestingly, SEAL training has changed little since the 1960s consisting of incremental challenges claimed to build self-esteem and help participants to understand that "teamwork is mandatory." The program has several key characteristics:
- Experiencing Multi-Dimensional Stress
SEAL participants quickly learn that simply being physically superior is not enough. They learn that success depends on the ability to control one's physical, emotional, and mental abilities. For example, one of the first tests they face is to tie knots underwater. Initially, most recruits tend to go as fast as possible, believing that they will otherwise run out of breath. They soon discover that by staying calm and relaxed they perform much better. Smith referred to this as part of an "awakening of inner strength," an essential ability we all need when facing life's challenges.
Immediately these recruits experience success, the SEAL program raises the challenge, hence the title of this presentation, "The only easy day was yesterday." According to Smith, in life we need to be realistic regarding the expectations we hold of others otherwise their performance invariably decreases.
Citing another training example, Smith described a SEAL running experience. Just prior to being set on a 5-mile race, recruits are shown a box of everyday items and told to memorize the contents. They are then told that points will be awarded both for their race time and for how well they can recall the contents of the box at the end of the race. Invariably, the fastest runner does not score the highest because exhaustion affects memory. Once again SEAL recruits learn the importance of finding personal equilibrium.
Smith noted that after 25 weeks of SEAL training, those who graduate from the program cannot be intimidated because they have learned to total control over their physical, emotional and mental resources.
- Normalizing the Abnormal
Similar to principles of teaching progression, as SEALS learn to cope with and adapt to stressful situations, they face greater challenges. In essence Smith described this a "normalizing the abnormal." In other words things that were initially major challenges eventually become normal, and recruits move on to higher challenges.
- Experiencing the Leadership Prism
During SEAL training, officers and enlisted men must do everything together. There is a belief that officers are made rather than born and SEAL trainers strive to develop leadership skills in three dimensions: upwards, with peers, and downwards. Smith noted that we typically underestimate other people's abilities and that true leadership demanded a commitment to those we lead.
- Teamwork
According to Smith, "No one goes through SEAL training alone." He explained that SEAL trainers like educators need to build a culture of teamwork for their graduates to be successful.
More information about the SEAL program can be found on the web. The US Navy also has a new "Run, Jump, n'Throw" Program that is freely available and promotes athletic skills. Visit www.runjumpnthrow.org