What the Picture Never Shows

When this picture was taken on December 2nd, 1994, I couldn’t have known how impactful that moment would be on my life. We had just completed one of the most arduous bits of military training in the world, Basic Underwater Demolition/ SEAL Training (BUD/s) Hell Week. One of the things many who hear about SEAL Training don’t know; this was only the 6th week of training out of a 26-week course. People tend to conflate the difficult task of completing Hell Week with graduation of training. Frankly, it is just the beginning.

Completing Hell Week now means BUD/s is now just 20% completed. What remained were some of the most difficult days and nights ahead. While to this point, First Phase may only represent the first 20% of training, it accounted for over 95% of the attrition. SEAL Training frontloads much of the adversity in order to ensure the students remaining after such a tough portion, are the ones dedicated and mentally strong enough to undertake the remaining 20 weeks, as well as what life as a SEAL entails. Nearly 80% of those who begin this training, don’t see it through until the end. In our class, the attrition was higher (86%) partly due to the “full benefit” of a Winter Hell Week.

“This too shall pass” was echoing through my bewildered head while I laid down on Steel Pier, being sprayed with water by (what I thought were) sadistic Instructors, shivering like I never comprehended a body could shiver. Until this point in life, I didn’t even know what a hip-flexor was, much less know the pain of what felt like an ice pick being jammed into it. Fortunately, I was still shivering; my core temperature was still at least 95 degrees. Whether it was Steel Pier, rock portage, miles run with a giant inflatable boat on your head – jackhammering any scalp you had left under that thin little cover, or simply the cold water; most quit because they could not see past temporary discomfort.

There was nothing special about me. In fact, I often joke, “I was just too dumb to quit,” however some truths were uncovered during this period of training. Truths that were embedded into me to this day. These may seem like buzzwords in today’s vernacular, concepts like Delayed Gratification, Goal Setting, and Grit. They were written by people more articulate and intelligent than me, however these things became intrinsic and helped make me the person I am today. I really wish I could go back to that young, 19 y/o man, and let him know all the wonderful things he was going to experience due to the fact he had the perseverance necessary to complete the “toughest military training” in the world.

Jerzy Gregorek expressed this point perfectly and it is a phrase my children hear from me often, "Hard choices easy life. Easy choices hard life."

I will never forget the words that rang out from the Commanding Officer, Captain Park, 26 years ago today, “Gentlemen, Hell Week is secure.” Hoo Yah Class 198. Happy Anniversary. I am forever grateful to this training.

~ Chris Gomez