39 Questions
What is the main objective of the ship attack mission during Seal training?
To practice underwater attacks against enemy shipping
What is the central message of the University of Texas commencement speech in May 2014?
Never give up, no matter how difficult life gets.
The students are informed that many students have been eaten by sharks during the night swim.
False
What is the name of the area where the students are taken during the ninth week of training, also known as Hell Week?
The mud flats
Adam Bates, the young Army Ranger, had both his legs amputated in Afghanistan.
True
What was the instructor's promise to the students on the first day of SEAL training?
He would do everything in his power to make the students quit.
During the obstacle course, one student decided to go down the slide _______________ instead of swinging his body underneath the rope.
head first
The instructor told the students that if they didn't like the pain, they could ring the bell ______________ times to quit.
three
Match the following phrases with the corresponding themes mentioned in the text:
Don't back down from the sharks = Facing challenges head-on Start singing when you're up to your neck in mud = Finding hope in difficult situations Never ever ring the bell = Perseverance and determination
What did Adam Bates sign to the author when they met in the hospital?
I will be okay.
According to Admiral McRaven, if you want to change the world, you must _______________ in the darkest moment.
be your very best
Match the following people with their roles:
The Instructor = Led the SEAL training Colonel Eric Carrillo = Regimental Commander of the Ranger Regiment The Author = A wartime leader
What was the nickname of the best boat crew?
The Munchkins
The instructors would praise the students for their efforts during the uniform inspections.
False
What was the effect of the uniform inspection failure?
A sugar cookie
The obstacle course contained a _______________ foot high wall.
10
Match the following events in Seal training with their descriptions:
Uniform inspection = Instructors would check the students' uniforms for perfection Circus = Two hours of additional calisthenics for those who didn't meet standards Obstacle course = A challenging course with 25 obstacles Swim = A test of the students' swimming abilities
The students who constantly made the circus list became weaker over time.
False
Who was the Director of Strategy and Military Affairs in the Office of Combating Terrorism?
General Wayne Downing
The author was asked to draft a letter from the President to the Pope justifying the war in Afghanistan.
True
What was the author's new position in the White House?
Director of Strategy and Military Affairs in the Office of Combating Terrorism
The author, along with George Ann and their 10-year-old daughter Kelly, were temporarily living at _______________________ in northern Virginia.
Fort Belvoir
What is the University of Texas's slogan?
What starts here changes the world
Match the following individuals with their respective descriptions:
General Wayne Downing = A legend in special operations Congressman Dana Rohrabacher = A California congressman with connections to mujahideen leaders Captain Bill McRaven = A Navy SEAL and Director of Military Affairs Admiral Olson = Not mentioned in the passage
What was the purpose of Congressman Rohrabacher's visit to the White House?
To request supplies and airstrikes for General Dostum
If you change the lives of 10 people and each of them changes the lives of another 10 people, in 5 generations, you can change the lives of 800 million people.
True
What is the significance of making your bed, according to the Navy SEAL's experience in basic seal training?
Making your bed gives you a small sense of pride, encourages you to do another task and another, and reinforces the fact that little things in life matter.
Basic seal training is a grueling process that seeks to find students who can lead in an environment of constant ___________, chaos, failure, and hardships.
stress
What is the importance of having someone to help you, as mentioned in the passage?
You can't change the world alone
Match the following phrases with their corresponding meanings:
Phrase 1: 'What starts here changes the world' = Meaning 1: University of Texas's slogan Phrase 2: 'Make your bed' = Meaning 2: Little things in life matter Phrase 3: 'Find someone to help you paddle' = Meaning 3: You can't change the world alone
Who was the author's boss in the White House?
General Wayne Downing
The author was a Navy SEAL.
True
What was the purpose of the letter the author was asked to draft?
The letter was to justify the war in Afghanistan to the Pope.
The ______ barked
dog
Match the following individuals with their respective positions:
General Wayne Downing = Director of Strategy and Military Affairs Admiral Olson = Captain Bill McRaven = Director of Military Affairs
The author was asked to help Congressman Rohrabacher with a project.
True
What was the purpose of Congressman Rohrabacher's visit to the White House?
To resupply an Afghan warlord
What was the author's new position in the White House?
The author was the Director of Strategy and Military Affairs in the Office of Combating Terrorism.
General Wayne Downing was a legend in ______.
special operations
Study Notes
Navy SEAL Training
- The narrator, a Navy SEAL, began his training with 150 students, but only 33 graduated after six months.
- The instructor's goal was to push students to their limits, making them quit; however, quitting would lead to a lifetime of regret.
The Importance of Perseverance
- The narrator shares the story of Adam Bates, a 19-year-old Army Ranger who lost both legs in combat but remained optimistic and determined.
- Bates' attitude exemplifies the importance of never giving up, even in the face of extreme adversity.
Changing the World
- The narrator, an experienced Navy SEAL, addresses the graduating class of 2014 at the University of Texas.
- He emphasizes that changing the world starts with small actions, like making your bed every morning, which can lead to a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Ten Lessons Learned from Navy SEAL Training
- Make your bed: Starting the day with a small task completed gives a sense of pride and encourages more accomplishments.
- Find someone to help you paddle: You can't change the world alone; it takes friends, colleagues, and strangers to help you achieve your goals.
- Measure a person by the size of their heart: Success is not about physical strength or appearance but about inner strength and determination.
- Get over being a sugar cookie: Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, things won't go as planned; accept it and move forward.
- Don't be afraid of the circuses: Life is filled with challenges, but it's how you respond to them that matters; use them to build inner strength and resilience.
Additional Lessons
- Every morning, a new day begins: A made bed gives encouragement for the day ahead, even on bad days.
- Teamwork is crucial: In Navy SEAL training, boat crews worked together to overcome obstacles, demonstrating the importance of collaboration.
- The power of the human spirit: The "munchkin crew" in Navy SEAL training, despite being the shortest, outperformed other teams, proving that size doesn't matter.
- Uniform inspections: Instructors would find faults in students' uniforms, teaching them that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, things won't be perfect; move on and focus on the bigger picture.### Navy SEAL Training
- The obstacle course is a crucial part of Navy SEAL training, where students are required to slide down a rope headfirst to complete the course.
- The students are flown to San Clemente Island, off the coast of San Diego, for the land warfare phase of training.
- During this phase, they have to complete a series of long swims, including a night swim, where they are briefed on the various shark species in the waters.
Shark Encounter
- Students are taught to stand their ground if a shark approaches, not to swim away, and to punch the shark in the snout if necessary.
- This is a crucial skill to learn, as sharks are abundant in the waters off San Clemente Island.
Underwater Attacks
- One of the jobs of Navy SEALs is to conduct underwater attacks against enemy shipping.
- During training, students practice this technique, swimming over two miles underwater using only a depth gauge and compass to navigate.
The Darkest Moment
- The most challenging part of the mission is swimming under the ship, where it's dark, noisy, and easy to get disoriented.
- To be successful, students must be calm, composed, and use all their tactical skills, physical power, and inner strength.
Hell Week
- The ninth week of training is referred to as "Hell Week", where students are pushed to their limits with no sleep, constant physical and mental harassment, and a special day at the mud flats.
- On this day, students spend 15 hours trying to survive the freezing cold mud, howling wind, and pressure from instructors to quit.
The Power of Hope
- During this challenging time, one student's voice raised in song gave others the courage to persevere.
- The power of hope and one person's determination can change the world.
The Brass Bell
- In Navy SEAL training, there is a brass bell that students can ring to quit.
- If students want to change the world, they must avoid ringing the bell and persevere through the challenges.
Life Lessons
- To change the world, students must start each day with a task completed, find someone to help them through life, respect everyone, and know that life is not fair.
- They must also take risks, step up when times are toughest, face down bullies, lift up the downtrodden, and never give up.
Admiral McRaven's Story
- Admiral McRaven was assigned to the White House as the Director of Strategy and Military Affairs.
- He was tasked with drafting a letter from the President to the Pope, justifying the war in Afghanistan.
- He worked with General Wayne Downing, a legend in special operations, who was the President's point man on the war on terrorism.
The Congressman's Request
- Congressman Dana Rohrabacher asked Admiral McRaven to help with a warlord named Dostum, who needed supplies and airstrikes.
- McRaven was hesitant to get involved, but eventually, supplies were air-dropped into the mountains of Afghanistan.
The Letter to the Pope
- Admiral McRaven finished the letter to the Pope, which was presented to the Papal Nuncio for delivery to the Pope.
- This was a pivotal moment in the war on terrorism.
Navy SEAL Training
- The narrator, a Navy SEAL, began his training with 150 students, but only 33 graduated after six months.
- The instructor's goal was to push students to their limits, making them quit; however, quitting would lead to a lifetime of regret.
The Importance of Perseverance
- The narrator shares the story of Adam Bates, a 19-year-old Army Ranger who lost both legs in combat but remained optimistic and determined.
- Bates' attitude exemplifies the importance of never giving up, even in the face of extreme adversity.
Changing the World
- The narrator, an experienced Navy SEAL, addresses the graduating class of 2014 at the University of Texas.
- He emphasizes that changing the world starts with small actions, like making your bed every morning, which can lead to a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Ten Lessons Learned from Navy SEAL Training
- Make your bed: Starting the day with a small task completed gives a sense of pride and encourages more accomplishments.
- Find someone to help you paddle: You can't change the world alone; it takes friends, colleagues, and strangers to help you achieve your goals.
- Measure a person by the size of their heart: Success is not about physical strength or appearance but about inner strength and determination.
- Get over being a sugar cookie: Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, things won't go as planned; accept it and move forward.
- Don't be afraid of the circuses: Life is filled with challenges, but it's how you respond to them that matters; use them to build inner strength and resilience.
Additional Lessons
- Every morning, a new day begins: A made bed gives encouragement for the day ahead, even on bad days.
- Teamwork is crucial: In Navy SEAL training, boat crews worked together to overcome obstacles, demonstrating the importance of collaboration.
- The power of the human spirit: The "munchkin crew" in Navy SEAL training, despite being the shortest, outperformed other teams, proving that size doesn't matter.
- Uniform inspections: Instructors would find faults in students' uniforms, teaching them that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, things won't be perfect; move on and focus on the bigger picture.### Navy SEAL Training
- The obstacle course is a crucial part of Navy SEAL training, where students are required to slide down a rope headfirst to complete the course.
- The students are flown to San Clemente Island, off the coast of San Diego, for the land warfare phase of training.
- During this phase, they have to complete a series of long swims, including a night swim, where they are briefed on the various shark species in the waters.
Shark Encounter
- Students are taught to stand their ground if a shark approaches, not to swim away, and to punch the shark in the snout if necessary.
- This is a crucial skill to learn, as sharks are abundant in the waters off San Clemente Island.
Underwater Attacks
- One of the jobs of Navy SEALs is to conduct underwater attacks against enemy shipping.
- During training, students practice this technique, swimming over two miles underwater using only a depth gauge and compass to navigate.
The Darkest Moment
- The most challenging part of the mission is swimming under the ship, where it's dark, noisy, and easy to get disoriented.
- To be successful, students must be calm, composed, and use all their tactical skills, physical power, and inner strength.
Hell Week
- The ninth week of training is referred to as "Hell Week", where students are pushed to their limits with no sleep, constant physical and mental harassment, and a special day at the mud flats.
- On this day, students spend 15 hours trying to survive the freezing cold mud, howling wind, and pressure from instructors to quit.
The Power of Hope
- During this challenging time, one student's voice raised in song gave others the courage to persevere.
- The power of hope and one person's determination can change the world.
The Brass Bell
- In Navy SEAL training, there is a brass bell that students can ring to quit.
- If students want to change the world, they must avoid ringing the bell and persevere through the challenges.
Life Lessons
- To change the world, students must start each day with a task completed, find someone to help them through life, respect everyone, and know that life is not fair.
- They must also take risks, step up when times are toughest, face down bullies, lift up the downtrodden, and never give up.
Admiral McRaven's Story
- Admiral McRaven was assigned to the White House as the Director of Strategy and Military Affairs.
- He was tasked with drafting a letter from the President to the Pope, justifying the war in Afghanistan.
- He worked with General Wayne Downing, a legend in special operations, who was the President's point man on the war on terrorism.
The Congressman's Request
- Congressman Dana Rohrabacher asked Admiral McRaven to help with a warlord named Dostum, who needed supplies and airstrikes.
- McRaven was hesitant to get involved, but eventually, supplies were air-dropped into the mountains of Afghanistan.
The Letter to the Pope
- Admiral McRaven finished the letter to the Pope, which was presented to the Papal Nuncio for delivery to the Pope.
- This was a pivotal moment in the war on terrorism.
The first day of Navy SEAL training, one of the toughest courses of instruction. Students are warned not to quit, and a brass bell hangs as a symbol of surrender.
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