27 Questions
What was the outcome for the author and his swim buddy Mark when they finished the swim and crossed onto the beach?
They were told to drop down and do push-ups as punishment.
The "circus" is a reward for students who perform exceptionally well in SEAL training.
False
What is the purpose of a swim buddy in SEAL training?
A swim buddy is the person you rely on to have your back, are physically tied to on underwater dives, and are partnered with on long swims.
The author and his swim buddy Mark were struggling to keep up with the rest of the _________________ class.
SEAL training
Match the following exercises with their descriptions:
Flutter kicks = Designed to strengthen abdominals and thighs Push-ups = Designed to build upper body strength Sit-ups = Designed to improve core strength Eight-count bodybuilders = Designed to improve overall physical fitness
What happens to students who fail to meet the standard on any event in a day?
Their name is added to the "circus" list.
The "circus" is a special training program designed to help struggling students catch up.
False
What is the consequence of being put on the "circus" list?
The student will have to complete an additional two hours of calisthenics and harassment by SEAL combat veterans, which can lead to a cycle of failure and exhaustion.
The author and Mark had to do _________________ kicks as part of their punishment.
hundreds of flutter
What was the purpose of the "circus" in the SEAL training program?
To strengthen students physically and mentally
The author and Mark Thomas were the last pair to finish the final open ocean swim.
False
What was the distance of the final open ocean swim in the SEAL training program?
5 miles
The instructor's reaction to the author and Mark's completion of the swim was one of _______________________.
praise
Match the instructor's words to the event:
"You have made all your teammates look bad" = Finish of the swim "Well done, gentlemen" = Finish of the swim "You'll be honored to serve with you when you get to the teams" = Finish of the swim
What was the result of the author's attempt to change the way his squadron was organized, trained, and conducted missions?
He was relieved of his position
The author's reputation as a SEAL officer was enhanced after being fired from his position.
False
What was the author's decision in response to being fired from his position?
To weather the storm and prove others and himself that he was a good SEAL officer
After being fired, the author was given a second chance to deploy overseas as the officer in charge of a _______________________.
SEAL platoon
What was the author's attitude towards failure in life?
Failure is a stepping stone to success
What was the speaker's motivation after experiencing failure?
To outwork, out-hustle, and outperform everyone in the platoon
The speaker became a one-star admiral leading troops in a war zone in 2003.
True
What did the speaker realize about the past failures?
That they had strengthened him and taught him that true leaders must learn from their failures and use the lessons to motivate themselves.
The speaker had to work hard to regain the respect of their ______________.
men
Match the following quotes with their corresponding themes:
Don't be afraid of the circus = Embracing challenges True leaders must learn from their failures = Leadership I realized that the past failures had strengthened me = Personal growth They know when you have worked all night preparing for tomorrow's training = Accountability
What was the outcome of the speaker's leadership in the war zone?
Hundreds of successes, hostages rescued, suicide bombers stopped, pirates captured, terrorists killed, and countless lives saved
The speaker was selected to command a SEAL team of their own.
True
What was the speaker's approach to mistakes and failures?
To learn from them, use the lessons to motivate themselves, and not be afraid to try again.
Study Notes
SEAL Training
- The author and their swim buddy, Vincent Mark, were struggling to keep up with their SEAL training class.
- The instructors would yell for them to pick up the pace, but the harder they swam, the farther they fell behind.
- As swim buddies, they were physically tied to each other on underwater dives and were partnered on long swims.
- If one of them failed an event, both of them suffered the consequences, reinforcing the importance of teamwork.
The Circus
- The author and Mark made the "circus" list, which meant they had to undergo additional calisthenics and harassment by SEAL combat veterans.
- The circus was a death spiral, causing many students to quit training due to exhaustion and repeated failure.
- The instructors would tailor the circus to target specific weaknesses, making it a punishment for failure.
- However, the circus also made the author and Mark stronger, faster, and more confident in the water.
Overcoming Failure
- The author and Mark were determined not to allow the circus to beat them and continued to persevere despite the pain and failure.
- They eventually completed a five-mile open ocean swim, which was essential to graduating from SEAL training.
- The author learned that failure can be a valuable lesson, teaching them to persevere and strengthen themselves.
Career and Leadership
- The author was relieved of their SEAL squadron for trying to change the way the organization was structured and operated.
- They were given a second chance to deploy overseas as the officer in charge of a SEAL platoon.
- The author took advantage of the opportunity to prove themselves, leading by example and outworking everyone in the platoon.
- They eventually regained the respect of their men and went on to command a SEAL team and lead troops in combat zones.
Leadership and Failure
- The author learned that true leaders must learn from their failures, use the lessons to motivate themselves, and not be afraid to try again.
- They realized that the past failures had strengthened them, teaching them that no one is immune to mistakes.
- The author's experiences taught them to be prepared to handle life's toughest moments and not be afraid of the circus.
Recalling a challenging experience during Navy SEAL training, where the author and their buddy struggled to keep up with the rest of the class. The instructors pushed them to swim faster, but they felt like they were falling behind.
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