I started this process about 2 years ago and had no idea at the time that it was going to take as long as it has.  It has been a long and drawn out route but I know that in that 2 year span, I have become stronger both metally and physically and I now feel fully prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead of me. 

 

Last Thursday, I had just completed a Physical Screen Test (PST) and was driving home when I got a call from my recruiter.  She broke the news to me that I had been selected to be a SEAL Officer Candidate for the U.S. Navy, which is the best news I have gotten in a long time.  There were about 100 different packages submitted to the selection board and they selected 11 guys from around the country.  This is the 3rd board that I submitted my package to, and I guess 3rd times a charm.  I am scheduled to leave for Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI in about 2 months.  I will be there for 3 months and then after graduating from there, I will then head out to Coronado (San Diego) for BUD/s (Basic Underwater Demolition Seal Training).  BUD/s is a 6 month long process that is comprised of 3 different phases (each lasting about 2 months).  Phase 1 is the physical conditioning phase which is where you go through the infamous Hell Week (week 4) and all of the conditioning runs and swims and physical training on the beach.  Phase 2 is where you learn underwater dive combat and have to go through all of the pool comps.  Phase 3 is the landwarfare phase and mainly takes place on San Clemente and you finally get to start playing with weapons and explosives.  If I make it through BUD/s, I will graduate and then move on to Jump School, which lasts 3 weeks long and is where I learn to do all types of jumps like HALO (high altitude low opening), HAHO (high altitude high opening), static line jumps, etc.  After Jump School, I would then go to SQT (SEAL Qualification Training) which is where you refine the basic skills that you learned at BUD/s and you learn the skills necessary to become a SEAL Operator.  SQT is 18 weeks long and after completion of that training I would then get assigned to a SEAL Team.  All west coast SEAL teams are located in Coronado and all east coast teams are in Norfolk, VA. 

 

Running is said to be one of the most emphasized activities at BUD/s.  My mentor has always said that they use running as a gauge to judge how hard a candidate has trained because it is not a skill that comes overnight and takes not only takes physical but also mental fortitude to become a good runner.  At BUD/s you run 1 mile to eat and 1mile back to train, so that is 3 meals a day.  That is 6 miles a day, 5 times a week, so just to eat each week you run 30 miles, and then on top of that you have 4 mile timed runs and 8 mile conditioning runs (soft sand).  Needless to say, running is a focal point at BUD/s.  When I started running with you, my 1.5 mile timed run for my PST was a 9:18.  On my PST last week, I ran an 8:39.  Training with Without Limits Running, has allowed me to become physically and mentally tougher.  The SEAL motto is, "The only easy day was yesterday", which basically means that each new day, you set new and greater goals for yourself.  Training under Tom and Kristen has helped me to understand and embrace this mentality.  The enthusiasm that you two bring to practice today is unmeasurable and at times I wondered whether y'all cared more about my goals than I did.  Since running with this group I have learned so much about myself and my capabilities.  I can't thank you enough.  I also have to thank everyone else in the running group for the support and the push each and every practice.  My mentor always says that in order to get ready for BUD/s you have to run with the runners, swim with the swimmers, climb with the climbers, and workout with the meat heads.  I have definitely been running with the runners and it shows.  Thank you all and I owe you all so much for where I am and where I'm going. 

 

Keep Charging,

Will Martin