Since this was brought up recently I will cover this one. We all pretty much know the SEALs are the Navies special operations force. They are known for being the best of the best and are used in all sorts of special operations.
The SEALs have origins going back to World War II. The group was called the US Navy Frogmen and they were used to recon invasion beaches. The main focus of these groups was UDT and recon. During the Korean War the main focus was once again UDT with a slight shift to commando activities.

In the early 1960’s with Vietnam coming into focus president Kennedy was the need for a special operations force. During his famous man on the moon speech he also mentioned the beginning of a new special operations group, the US Navy Seals. They were fashioned after the Army Green Berets, but they are different. Whereas the Green Berets are an insurgent/training team the SEALs are strictly a commando team. The berets will go into a certain area to train possible insurgents. The SEALs will go do a specific mission and leave.

SEAL is shortened for Sea Air Land. This is to show they will operate from anywhere to anywhere. SEAL teams will attack from surface ship, submarines, aircraft, or on foot. No matter what it takes to get there, they will do it.

The SEALs are known for their next to impossible to pass selection and training process. Of the 10 sailors in my boot camp company who wanted to become SEALs none of them passed the opening test. One was close, but the 1.5 mile run in boots and pants got him. Their school in San Diego, BUDS, is known as one of the toughest training programs in the military. I knew a hand full of drop outs from this program. They all said the same thing. That was the hardest 2 days of their life. They all rang out after two days of Hell Week. One took a medical out, he was coughing up blood.
SEAL teams are divided into two groups and stationed on both coasts, even east coast, odd west coast. There are so many stories about them doing all sorts of things. As mentioned before they would “blow up” ships in port. They would write messages in different log books on ships around the harbor.

While the USS Scott was in the Red Sea during Operation Desert Shield a SEAL team arrived on board. They did their PT on the helo deck almost non stop. Held weapon training off the fan tail and pretty much ignored the crew. One night the fantail watch said a SEAL asked him for a smoke and talked with him for a few minutes. The SEAL slapped him on the shoulder and told him, “See you back in Norfolk.” The entire team slipped over the edge of the ship, while underway. Nobody noticed, not even the watch. Even the captain was unaware they had left until he was told by the Commodore.

These guys are some top notch sailors. Both enlisted and officers go through training. Both are treated as equals while going through training. Both would rather die than not pass the training, but they both do it just to earn the Golden Trident.

SEAL teams have been used all over the world in operations we have heard about and in those we have not heard about. These men put their lives on the line every time the go on a mission many have not come back from these missions.