Getting Through the Toughest Part of SEAL Training
BUD/S Class 97 was just over a dozen strong when we reached the major milestone of Third Phase, Land Warfare.
At that point, we were all confident we’d make it through training. We knew that San Clemente Island, the culmination of the phase and of BUD/S training, was tough but we were tighter than an ocean-soaked, sun-dried bowline knot. We had each other’s backs.
No one was going to quit, and there wasn’t any instructor who could make us if they tried. Even our newly inherited ‘Enswine’ was one of us now, though prior to him rolling into our class we were all E-2s and E-3s, led by our brightest Seaman.
Sure, we still had to knock out our 12-mile run in Boots and Utes, complete the five-nautical mile open ocean swim, and survive three weeks of sleep-deprived San Clemente Island with its countless demolition exams, grueling Physical Trainings (PTs) and Field Training Exercises (FTXs).
Tough days were ahead, and the only easy day was yesterday, but we’d be filling out our dream sheets, soon identifying our Team choices following graduation and jump school. Most of us looked forward to San Clemente Island because it put into practice all we’d learned in BUD/S up to that point and what we’d learn in Third phase.
Facing My Fear Rapelling
Rappelling was one skill we had to learn early on. It involves descending a near-vertical surface using a doubled rope coiled around the body and fixed at a higher point. It’s a highly practical and simple way to get somewhere below you, quickly and easily, even with a fair amount of operational gear on.
Like most evolutions at BUD/S, our introduction to rappelling – followed with practical application – was fast and furious. It began in the classroom, then to the BUD/S rappel tower, then lunch in the chow hall, then an afternoon bus ride to the Otay Reservoir for the real deal.
My recollection of that day is still vivid, especially rappelling down the Otay dam. The reservoir and its surroundings were scenic, but all eyes and ears were on our instructors as they led us to the dam and informed us we’d descend from the top.
Really?
The rappel tower back at BUD/S looked like a knee wall compared to the dam.
Here at the dam, EVERYTHING was concrete and rock, making for a ‘splatacular’ ending, which only my buddies might enjoy and celebrate over the weekend after observing what NOT to do, and getting pounded by the instructors for my Failure to Follow Instructions (FFI).
The learning styles (Watcher, Thinker, Feeler, Doer) sprung into my stream of consciousness immediately as I eyed the dam and reluctantly peered down from the top. In the span of a microsecond, I decided I’d be quite content to watch my classmates rappel, think about how they did, then decide how I’d feel about trying it in the distant future, if ever.
Do it now? Nope. That thought made me want to wet myself…and my cammies weren’t designed to hide big wet spots.
If I had to rappel that dam – and I knew I did – I’d have to overcome my fear NOW, focus on the task at hand, follow instructions, trust the process, and get it done.
It Was My Turn to ‘Do’
My watching, thinking and feeling time was up. It was my turn to DO.
My instructor could clearly tell I was scared s—less. He had my undivided attention as I went on rappel, scaled the railing, and prepared to descend the bottomless dam. Was the rappel line long enough? Would it hold? Would my soaking wet palms enable me to keep from descending uncontrollably fast?
“On belay”, I heard him say. “I’ve got you. Trust yourself, your equipment, and the rope. Get your legs in front of you, pike position. That’s it. Give yourself more slack. Good. Some more; and lean back. More. Lean back more while you give yourself more slack. Keep going until you’re upside down and looking at the bottom of the dam, head to earth.”
I did exactly what he told me to do, and there I was, completely upside down, back against the dam, looking at its base far below. I remained there long enough to almost breathe normally, and calmly look around.
Then, following his instructions, I returned to a pike position and quickly rappelled down to the bottom.
I made it safely and without incident…or wetting myself.
In hindsight, my instructor’s calm demeanor and power of suggestion were inspirational. And my openness to his power of suggestion worked! Never mind that he had my life in his hands, and this was BUD/S…
Surprise yourself. Try something challenging that you’ve never done before, whether on the suggestion of another or because you feel compelled to do so.
Keep an open mind, and eyes and ears wide open as you delve in. Bring a friend, form a team, and do it together. It’s powerful, and could even be transformational, giving you a newfound elemental edge.
