ADVANCED TRAINING REVIEWS
This course did not help me decide whether or not I wanted to be a SEAL. My mind was made up well before attending the course, so I approached this course as simply preparation for BUD/S. I had one goal going into the course, which was to become familiar with the "switch" inside me that tells me to stop caring about my personal discomfort and to just "get it done." Going into the course with this mind frame was great, as I learned how to turn my switch on and off on command very early into the first day.
Pushups in the mud -who f**king cares Pond camo -who f**king cares Drinking hot goat’s blood straight from the jugular -who f**king cares Putting on wet socks and boots for seven days straight when your feet look like Beef Carpaccio -who f**king cares Let the healing begin. I didn’t care about a goddamn thing. Whether that was something the course taught me or whether I did that to myself...I don’t care about that either. The point is, I now know the place I have to go within myself to get the job done, and that’s because the course gave me that pportunity. Its as close as it gets to the real thing...just ask the 15-20 SEALs that came and visited us throughout the week. To me, there is no such thing as too chaffed, too cold, too miserable, too wet, too sad. Granted, the conditions at BUD/S are going to be far worse, far colder, and the stakes much higher (so ask me 6 months from now whether I still believe that)...but when you know what you want to do in this world, everything else is just background noise. This course wasn’t going to stand in my way of going to BUD/S, and I’m not going to let BUD/S stand in my way of becoming a SEAL.
Moving away from the philosophical side of the course, Anybody wanting to attend one of these types of courses is going to have a really hard time getting as much bang for your buck that ESE and Ole’ Senior Chief gives you.
The amount of gear that Don Shipley has is astounding. He has at least five Zodiacs. He’s got weapons (airsofts, shapes, and the real deal), communications, survival gear, tactical gear, fins, hammocks, warm weather clothing.
Anything you could possibly need for the course he’s got and he handles issuing all that gear like he’s done it hundreds of times before. What was even more surprising is where this course takes place. I’ve never been to Virginia, but I was expecting some sort of suburban area with a limited amount of SEAL terrain to play in. Boy was I
wrong. Hundreds of thousands of acres of national parks and lakes and hundreds of miles of rivers. You guys are out there...way out there. To top it all off, Don Shipley is a man with connections. He’s so well connected locally and within the SEAL community that we basically got to go wherever we wanted, whenever we wanted, and however we wanted (ever hear of a Tom Car ).
The amount of insurgents he has to plan ops against is astounding. I don’t have too many friends who’d let me fully assault their home and family (aka terrorists) with fifteen or so "SEALs". I have done it all ladies and gents...I have been skydiving for years, raced high speed go-karts for years, scuba diving, pro muay thai fighting, played almost every single sport imaginable, traveled the world...and none of it comes close to the rush I got when we assaulted a farm house and used force against some "unruly" Marines. Not even close. The moment I knew for sure that I had made the right choice in life to go to BUD/S was when I sank in a full rear naked choke on a disorderly Marine who did not want to comply. It felt so natural, so pure, and what I was born to do. I adjusted his flex-cuffs extra "comfortable"...he got some blood on the driveway. Get some boys.
-Anonymous
Over all I thought the course kicked ass! I really thought Hell Night gave me an insight at what we can except in BUD/S and Hell Week especially. And the evolution was challenging, both mentally and physically, but was not impossible. It was great when the feeling of ’I don’t give a shit anymore’ came over me. And that meant I knew I could do whatever, whenever and that everything was possible, I wish we could have stayed in the wilderness longer maybe like 3 or 4 days, but I’m sure the news year class will take care of that. All the guys we had were great and we all came together really nice. Shooting all the different weapons was of course excelled and Chris was a wealth of knowledge of what goes into becoming a sniper. All the instructors were great as well. They were hard at times, but with good reason and it meant the world when they gave any praise or complement. You always hear people saying anything is possible if you put you’re mind to it but that is just words. Experiencing something like extreme SEAL Experience really is something I will never forget-Joe Williams
Hell night kicked f**king ass it was hard-core Ive never had so much fun. I have learned what I need to work on. The whole week has been a blast I can’t wait till my dad comes next summer with me then I will be able to skydive- Cole p
The survival course was great. I liked learning all the animal prep and ways to survive in the woods. Shooting the variety of weapons was great. And the pistols were awesome. The shotgun course was second to the point man course; with the m4 both were the best parts of the course. The jump on Friday was the most intense thing I ever did. I am very glad I went to this course. I don’t think I could have learned as much about SEALs anywhere else- David Murgo
This was a kick ass time. Doing missions against the enemy and missions for survival all in the middle of the night. I got to see what the job of a Navy SEAL is like and what is in store for the future Thanks you Senior Chief Shipley and Master Chief Maddog
-Torin Mccullough
What a G*ddamn hooyah of a time. Hell night tested us and made us work as a team and it really showed in the platoon and advanced training. We worked in a proper military order and followed commands well. The mission planning was very extensive and something that will test you to the bone. The survival course really brings out another side of yourself as you put yourself in unknown and uncomfortable situations. Its simple, stay alive and put your mission first no matter what all character building this training is a definite first step on the road to BUD/s Hoo-F**kin-Yah! ’Luke Scalise
What can I say about Extreme SEAL! At first I was skeptic when I saw a short 5.00 min clip on you tube. It looked badass for a civilian SEAL Training experience. So I decided to check out for myself. When I arrived Friday I recognized the cabin from the video and settled in base camp. For the week that I was here I learned some things that I had not in boy scouts. About the only negative thing I have to say is that that water was f**king freezing cold on Hell Night. You just have to man up and deal with it. Everything else was well worth the cost. Don, one of the coolest most awesome flying times (jumping out of an airplane!). Id be back for more with more money to keep myself knowledgeable. I learned that I started out as rough cookie dough at Hell Night and molded into a slab of stone ready for anything at end of the week. All the instructors’ Yell,’ Hurry up, Hurry up’. Cool guys to chill with, when you’re not doing Hell Night. That’s about it, almost. Best for last Diane’s food is some of the best home made cooking you’ll ever find. I suggest you get a plate full before it’s gone! Everything I’m leaving out you’ll just have to come down and challenge yourself and see all the kick ass shit you do. Round 2 in summer! - Matt Campbell
Platoon and advanced training was pretty f**king badass. Living in those woods for a couple days really tops off the not giving a shit lesson. I had a great f**king time. The dog-gone skydiving out of the hooyah was awesome and so was the weapons handling.
Loved every second of it- Schultz
The rest of the week after Hell night was totally kick ass. The whole survival course was one of my favorite parts, starting with the raid on the air soft team and then the chicken op was really cool. Spending a couple days out in the woods and surviving with just the stuff on your back is a great feeling, even though it gets hot and sweaty and uncomfortable at times. The whole week gave me a great taste for what SEAL Teams are really like and they are 100% BADASS ’Ned Kingsley
The platoon and advanced training was so f**king kick ass the 48 hr survival course was awesome. The ops were really bad ass and the food this week was great. The chicken op was a huge adrenalin rush and so was the airplane stuff even if I was too young to jump. The course was amazing- Justin Kemph
The whole platoon + advanced platoon training was very useful. Not so much in preparing us for BUD’s physically, rather helping us prepare mentally by showing us what’s to come: The fun stuff. The gun shooting, survival class and skydiving help give me the motivation. This course helped me notice that all the training to become a SEAL is only a small price to pay for a life filled with excitement living on the edge Thanks- John Longest
If there is one thing that platoon and advanced emphasized it is that the only easy day was yesterday. While Hell night was challenging, platoon and advanced rap it up. It shows what is on the other side of BUD’s it shows that the training never really ends. The gift that one develops, as well as the attitude during Hell night plays a major role in dealing. The training is very high speed and valuable stuff. Its difficult at times and some parts suck but everything is for a reason and everything ends. It teaches you how to apply the ’don’t care’ attitude and why having it makes all the difference. - Jt Colones
I was asked to describe and critique the course, but frankly it kicked so much ass it’s difficult to collect my thoughts and write them down. I did so many things in 7 days its mind-boggling. Without giving away too many surprises, I jumped out of a helicopter, a plane, and shot live ammo from guns, and learned from the most elite warriors on earth. Don and Maddog have a combined 54 years of experience in SEAL Team and they love passing on their knowledge to the next potential generation of Naval Special Warfare, especially to obnoxious, adrenaline addicted, young bucks like myself, I learned most about myself in a week than I have in 14 years of formal schooling. Everything here is perfect, the chow (thanks to Diane) is f**king delicious, the pond kicks ass and the cabin is crammed with enough SEAL memorabilia to make a second UDT museum. I promise whoever reads this that you will not find anything like E.S.E outside of the military and it will be one of the best times of your life. This is the most fun I’ve ever had. Essentially, I had the honor and pleasure of learning from and interacting with the hardest and coolest mother f**kers on the planet. Thanks to Don and Maddog. The curtain to a whole new lifestyle has been lifted and I had a glimpse into an amazing brotherhood of warriors. I am seriously considering BUD/s and the Teams because there is nothing else like it and not to long ago the military was not even an option in my eyes. Whether you want a challenge to find out what being a SEAL is really like or simply for an unbelievable experience, come on down to Chesapeake and see for yourself. You wont be disappointed. I promise you. Hell yeah July 08, Ill never forget this time I spent here or the awesome guys I spent it with. Hopefully well all be in the Teams in the future. The only easy day was yesterday right See you boys around and HOO-F**KING-YAY E.S.E thanks for everything ’Alex Guzzo
Extreme SEAL Experience was everything I expected and much more. They delivered and have an awesome course. They gave me what I needed in order to determine if the SEAL life is what I really wanted to pursue, and I have to say the course made me want it more than ever. The eveloutions were well run and on point. Aside from Mr. Shipley and Mad Dog they also got a lot of other SEALs and active duty SEALs to come and we really got a lot of info and knowledge on any question we needed answering. This course allowed me to do many things for the first time. Even when things were rough they made it fun. There was never a dull moment. This course was well worth the money and I would do it all over again. I would absoulty recommend it to anyone with thoughts of becoming a SEAL or if you want an experience you cant get anywhere else. Last but not least, Diane’s cooking is f**kin awesome. There isn’t a thing I would change. I would like to see what they come up with next. James Glass III GET SOME’
Really enjoyed the Survival course didn’t think I could go on that little food. Both ops and the Survival course gave me a feel of what it will be like in the Teams on deployment. The PT was excellent. More pt would be nice, maybe two sessions a day. The jumps and jumpmasters were awesome. If there was a way for people to get 2 of 3 jumps that would let people get the first jump freakouts outta the way and just chill on the next ones. Defiantly worth the money, just for the food. Ryan Williams
Mr. Shipley, the Extreme SEAL Experience was an awesome camp. I found out what I needed to work on in order to get into SEAL Team. Swimming, pushups, and sit-ups I need to get a lot better on. Hell Night even though it was tough I found it to be fun and I enjoyed it. The ops were awesome and the Survival course was pretty fun as well. The only thing I wish we did a little more of was running and swimming and a little more PT. Other than that I thought this experience was one never to forget and hopefully I’ll make it through BUD/S after I get in better shape. The food Mrs. Shipley provided was awesome as well. I’d like to say thanks to the Shipley family, Mad Dog, and all the others that helped us out at the camp.
Andrew Doucette.
This camp was so helpful to me and will help me going through BUD/S. Don and Jim are some of the funniest guys I’ve met. This camp sucked at times, which made it fun and useful. I had a blast meeting guys that have the same mind-set and want the same thing as me. This place gave a new idea of what SEALs do. I mean some of it sucked, but that’s what I like because it’s better than sitting behind a desk for the rest of my life. The food was great, Diane was AWESOME and everyone was just sweet. I can’t wait to go to BUD/S and become a SEAL and do some of the most badass shit ever. Thank you so much for kicking my ass and showing me what its like to be in the Teams.
Michael Strahler
Don,
I found this course beneficial because it forced me to do things I didn’t want to do & face my fears. Hell Night showed me that being cold and tired is uncomfortable but it comes to an end. A person must believe that he is capable and can endure more than he thought possible. It was a great confidence booster and I enjoyed witnessing the inner strength at each teammate presented it’s self as we laughed at our shared misery. The tracking and survival glasses taught me a variety of techniques that are applicable to real life situations and I was given the opportunity to utilize them on the survival course. I was squeamish about dead animals but after skinning the goat and chickens and eating them I feel I have conquered that.
Shooting the weapons and patrolling was fun because I felt like a SEAL while I was doing it. Also meeting Patsy Dietz and other SEALs was a beneficial experience because they were all-inspiring and motivated me to want to succeed. It really meant a lot to me to know others succeeded before me and believed I could do also
My over all experience from this course has significantly increased my confidence and given me something to inspire me when it gets hard at BUD/S Thank you for everything and tell Diane the cooking was excellent. You’re family’s hospitality and passion for what you do made this an amazing week. ’Mike
The whole program was awesome. Going through this really inspired me to become a Navy SEAL. The whole week was tons of fun and I really enjoyed it. Talking to all the SEALs and asking questions about different things was great. It feels really good to ask actual SEALs for advise about BUD/S and all different questions instead of looking online and looking up some bullshit people say about BUD/S when their not even a SEAL. The training and going through Hell Night was a blast. The whole night was very fun. A little chilly, but fun. Doing all the night patrols and shooting things like Snipers were awesome. I never shot a Sniper rifle before and that was awesome. All the Pt, ops, and Hell Night was a blast. Everyone here is really fun to hang out with. Mr. Shipley and Mad Dog are really fun to hang out with along with the other SEALs that visited us. The food was great. Every morning, afternoon and night we had excellent food. Mrs. Shipley made us excellent food and worked hard to make sure we had enough to eat because of all the training. Coming out of this I have a much higher confidence in myself about everything. Thanks a lot guys. Craig Apple
I had a great time. Diane is a terrific cook. I think that you taught us as much as you could in one week. It’s an experience I won’t soon forget. Thanks for everything.
Pat Halsey
The course was phenomenal. It exceeded my expectations in every way. The training was excellent as was the food Diane made. After this course, I’d leave for BUD/S tomorrow if I could. Sean Geddis
This course really gave me what I needed. It gave me a taste of what BUD/S and SEAL Team is like so that I would know where I am in terms of the physical and mental aspects. It was very well run by Mr. Shipley, great Instructors from SEAL Team, and very good skydiving Instructors. I now am even more confident and committed to getting into SEAL Team. I know what I need to work on for the PST as well. I got a good taste of what Hell Week was like too. I really enjoyed the hand too hand combat as well. Now I can go home and really kick some ass. The stealth and concealment op was really fun even though I got my ass handed to me by Luke and Ryan. Great PT by Master Chief Matto. Now I know what every exercise looks like. The op’s were definitely so freaking awesome. They were a great simulation of real SEAL Team Op’s. The combat survival course sucked but now I know what I need to do for survival in the forest. Firing weapons was amazing as ever and I always enjoyed shooting stuff. The only thing I would recommend is more running. That’s it. The course was worth twice as much as I paid for it. A fantastic preparation course. Finally, Diane’s cooking was freaking awesome!!! Adrian Bilyk
Extreme SEAL Experience was a great experience and only reinforced why I want to be a SEAL. This course was a thrasher. It shows all the sides of what life is like being a F**KIN Badass SEAL! Don and Mad Dog, you guys ran and outstanding course with outstanding results. I loved every minute of it especially now looking at everything we accomplished as a class. I met some awesome Bro’s and will keep in contact with them and be kicking some ass with them at BUD/S here soon. It is a brotherhood!!! Another special thanks to Instructors Ryan and Luke. You guys ran an awesome hand-to-hand combat course, which was my favorite part. And last but certainly not least my new mother away from home Diane. Thank you so much for taking good care of all of us guys and shoving all that chow down our throats to keep us strong. This course I would recommend to anyone aspiring to be a SEAL. It shows you what it is really like’ NO BULLSHIT. Prepare to get your ass kicked around and have some fun. Thanks again everybody from Extreme SEAL Experience for all your hospitality and I will keep in touch. This is one week I will never forget’ Ryan Beason
I think this was the funnest most experiencing week of my life. I am supper happy I decided to do it and if I had to do it again I would. To be honest, I went into this week NEVER wanting to go into the Navy but now I’m actually going to think about it. Although all the Survival and shooting was fun I would have to say Mom (Diane) and all the food and care taking she did was the best. Mom made me feel super comfortable and made it feel like home. My real Mom doesn’t even worry about me as much as she did. Thank you so much for the experience and a great time. It will be hard leaving you guys. Thank you. Frank O’Gara
P.S. God Damn I can’t wait for this last meal!!!
The knowledge gained can be applied to a whole myriad of circumstances. The classes were mostly hands on. And those that weren’t were soon applied in real life scenarios.
Hell Night was a bear. The instructors were mean and the water was "therapeutic". I think we had it worst when we were given breaks because then we had time to contemplate what was to come. But by the end of Hell Night we had gone from soup sandwiches to a problem solving team.
After Hell Night the instructors relaxed a great deal. The focus was more on instruction instead of torment. The wilderness survival was amazing and Ben, one of the instructors, really knew how to explain the lessons to us who were ignorant. We built a shelter that survived the torrential rainfall that cancelled our free fall. We built fires. And we even learned the basics of how to track people through the woods, over sand, and in mud. We were instructed on what plants were edible and what to avoid. I learned, through ingestion, that dandelions are edible but rather bitter.
Other instruction was given in Close Quarters Battle, CQB, and we raided local farmsteads and captured the inhabitants to simulated real life scenarios. We would be given a mission brief on what to look for and who to capture. And then be left to our own devices to formulate a plan to get the task done.
We were taught how to shoot various guns used by SEALs. Instruction was given on how to shoot accurately and smoothly. And on how not to accidentally "sweep" guys on your side with the barrel of your gun. We were put through stress courses. Which basically just put you under physical strain and then you shoot for score.
The only part which I didn’t like was that, because of the weather, we were unable to do the free fall course, but everything else was right on target. I would highly recommend this course to anyone. Especially those who want to be SEALs. The instructors here are all current or retired Navy SEALs. And then on top of that other SEALs, active and retired, come in to talk. They are all open to conversation, and ready to tell stories and answer questions.
Special thanks to all the instructors: Luke, Nick, Ben, DJ, Matto, and Don. To all the guys who came in to share their experiences, to mention a few, Bill, Scotty, and Mike. And last but never to be considered least Diane, and Patsy. Whose experiences should never go over looked.
Final Words, Diane is probably the greatest cook to ever live. I ate better when she cooked than at any multi-star restaurant. And I am sure my peers would agree.
-Luke Burgan Class 09-08
Senior Chief & Master Chief-
Words can’t describe’ I’ll never be able to fully explain how much inspiration this course has given me. From crawls through gravel, to the speeches that DJ and Patsy gave it was worth every penny I could spend.
Ironically my favorite parts of the course were not the skydiving or the airsoft op, instead they were the Hell Night and the survival op. these were the times I will always remember. Hooyah and I’ll see you both very soon. Zack Franenberg
P.S. This quote is something I think encompasses every great challenge. ’It’s never an adventure while it’s happening’’
First off. Thank you so much for running this course! I learned so much and it just confirmed it more that I am going to be a SEAL. Everything was great and challenging. Hooyah and thank you so much. Spence. P.S. I will not fail.
This had been a wonderful experience-I will remember it forever. Thank you for teaching me so much about fighting, survival, and life. I enjoyed everything. I am thoroughly glad I did this. I will keep the lesson I have learned w/me forever. Jonathan Winkler
Food was awesome. The training, jumping out of helo’s, shooting AK’s, M-14 and pistols. Being taught how to navigate and move silently at night. Best week of my life and showed me what I need to work on before BUD/S. Travis Stewart
This course was one of the best experiences of my life. Everything we did after Hell Night showed me a small part of what being a SEAL is like. I loved it. I can’t wait to finish college and go to BUD/S and kick ass’ Bryan Uncur Class 0608
Denior Chief and Mad Dog. Thank you so much for the training. It built and strengthens so many skills. I learned how to kill and cook wild animals. Survival was fun, limited water, but still kicked ass. That jump was so amazing; I never thought I could get a rush like that. Thank you to your wife as well. Amazing food. Micah Ambrose
This course was absolutely phenomenal! Don ensured that we had the best instructors for each of our classes and each instructor was happy to answer any of our questions that we could possibly have about life in the SEAL teams. The training we have received on tracking and survival was top notch and extremely practical. Hell Night was cold and changeling but also very calculated and thorough. Each training exercise prepared us for the operations that we were performing and we were well equipped for each one. Don stressed the importance of safety during each evolution and his handpicked team of extremely knowledgeable instructors carefully kept a well-trained eye on us all. One of the best things about the course was that it took a group of guys that has never met us before and transformed us into a smooth flowing team that trust and respects each other, the friendships that have been created this week will last forever, the food was outstanding and Diane made sure that we had plenty to eat thanks Don for an extremely awesome week!! - Brain Mercil
I came here to get a taste of what Team life is all about. I think this course will help anyone see that side of being Navy SEALs. I enjoyed the week, loved the Point Man Course and shooting in general. Diane did a great job with the food. Loved the skydive and helo. I thought it was a very well planned and organized week. John Mckee
Outstanding course Senior Chief, I learned a lot about myself and how capable a man can be. This past week has been a non-stop adventure which at times sucked but has proven tremendously rewarding. Thank you for the experience. Justin Coscia
Don. List of things I didn’t like: NOTHING!!! This course is always done with the utmost professionalism. I’m glad that I took this course. It gave me a sense of camaraderie and the best feel for what a SEAL does. I hope this course is available for my kids. I have a better feel for what a SEAL does and I’m thinking more critically about going. Thanks. My gratitude is weighted in pain and sweat. Kicking Ass. Baron Quan. P.S. MAD DOG YOU CRAZY MOTHER F&%KER!
Holy Mother F**kin Shit, that was a great F**king Kick-Ass course’ F**k (That one was for Mad Dog) Hell Night hurt. The only thing that really f**ked with me was the ass beating that morning after the PRT and the log PT. But I should have had my ass beat for showing up in such pitiful shape. I’m grateful for the ass kicking though, cause I now know what I need to do to get ready for the real thing. The night boat exercises were fanf**kingtastic. I loved all of that. Even the toasty warm water. Even though I know the kick in the balls is important on Hell Night, I think it’s great that the entire week isn’t a beating. Also, thanks for the Pearl for dealing with pain. Just don’t give a f**k and know it will end. The land nav was very cool and great stuff to know. The night patrol sucked, but that was also the point, so good stuff. The survival course really f**king sucked, but that was also the point, so I’m glad it was part of it. The shooting course was very cool. Very f**king cool. The chicken op, that was badass. The Airsoft op was poetry in f***in motion. Great planning Don. We murdered every motherf**ker on that dock with no casualties of our own. Those assholes had no f**king idea what hit them. I actually felt a little bit like a real SEAL on that one. I also liked Luke and Ryan coming out to help. It was the first time I met active duty pipe-swingers. One of the most important, kick ass parts of the entire course was that I could tell that Mad Dog and Don both truly care about the guys and giving them the tools they need to become SEALs. You guys kicked our ass, but it was clear that you did it because you really wanted us to make it. Good stuff man. After this course now I really want to do it. I’m not really looking forward to Phase one, but I don’t really give a f**uck. You guys are great, the course was a riot. Mike Lanier AKA. 60 Gunner
Holy Mother F**kin Shit, that was a great F**king Kick-Ass course’ F**k (That one was for Mad Dog) Hell Night hurt. The only thing that really f**ked with me was the ass beating that morning after the PRT and the log PT. But I should have had my ass beat for showing up in such pitiful shape. I’m grateful for the ass kicking though, cause I now know what I need to do to get ready for the real thing. The night boat exercises were fanf**kingtastic. I loved all of that. Even the toasty warm water. Even though I know the kick in the balls is important on Hell Night, I think it’s great that the entire week isn’t a beating. Also, thanks for the Pearl for dealing with pain. Just don’t give a f**k and know it will end. The land nav was very cool and great stuff to know. The night patrol sucked, but that was also the point, so good stuff. The survival course really f**king sucked, but that was also the point, so I’m glad it was part of it. The shooting course was very cool. Very f**king cool. The chicken op, that was badass. The Airsoft op was poetry in f***in motion. Great planning Don. We murdered every motherf**ker on that dock with no casualties of our own. Those assholes had no f**king idea what hit them. I actually felt a little bit like a real SEAL on that one. I also liked Luke and Ryan coming out to help. It was the first time I met active duty pipe-swingers. One of the most important, kick ass parts of the entire course was that I could tell that Mad Dog and Don both truly care about the guys and giving them the tools they need to become SEALs. You guys kicked our ass, but it was clear that you did it because you really wanted us to make it. Good stuff man. After this course now I really want to do it. I’m not really looking forward to Phase one, but I don’t really give a f**uck. You guys are great, the course was a riot. Mike Lanier AKA. 60 Gunner
Holy Mother F**kin Shit, that was a great F**king Kick-Ass course’ F**k (That one was for Mad Dog) Hell Night hurt. The only thing that really f**ked with me was the ass beating that morning after the PRT and the log PT. But I should have had my ass beat for showing up in such pitiful shape. I’m grateful for the ass kicking though, cause I now know what I need to do to get ready for the real thing. The night boat exercises were fanf**kingtastic. I loved all of that. Even the toasty warm water. Even though I know the kick in the balls is important on Hell Night, I think it’s great that the entire week isn’t a beating. Also, thanks for the Pearl for dealing with pain. Just don’t give a f**k and know it will end. The land nav was very cool and great stuff to know. The night patrol sucked, but that was also the point, so good stuff. The survival course really f**king sucked, but that was also the point, so I’m glad it was part of it. The shooting course was very cool. Very f**king cool. The chicken op, that was badass. The Airsoft op was poetry in f***in motion. Great planning Don. We murdered every motherf**ker on that dock with no casualties of our own. Those assholes had no f**king idea what hit them. I actually felt a little bit like a real SEAL on that one. I also liked Luke and Ryan coming out to help. It was the first time I met active duty pipe-swingers. One of the most important, kick ass parts of the entire course was that I could tell that Mad Dog and Don both truly care about the guys and giving them the tools they need to become SEALs. You guys kicked our ass, but it was clear that you did it because you really wanted us to make it. Good stuff man. After this course now I really want to do it. I’m not really looking forward to Phase one, but I don’t really give a f**uck. You guys are great, the course was a riot. Mike Lanier AKA. 60 Gunner
Critique my ass! This course is the true meaning of buying a set of balls! I’ve paid thousands of seminars and life coaching but one week here for the cost of a days coaching anywhere else you can straighten yourself out with the help of some of the best warriors on earth, my first trident and Bud/S t-shirt are going on this cabin wall and the proudest day of my life will be when Don introduces me to one of his classes as an instructor- . . .talks cheap come on down here and put your money where you’re mouth is and see what you’re made of-Jamie Knox
Don, this was badass. I really did have the time of my life, keep making everyone dig deep and suffering in silence, it works I did everything I came here to do. Thanks for everything especially the sniper training, cant thank you enough man, don’t know how you could get any better than it was. Thanks man-Hoo-Yah ’Tim Jennings
Everyone leads, everyone follows. One of the key concepts I learned. It was an extremely educational experience that you couldn’t get anywhere else. It was hard, cold’very.. very’cold but it was good. The instructors were amazing, knowledgeable and approachable. Back for the second time I loved every minute of it and soaked up every word they said even when times got hard. Very hard. It made you dig deep. Very deep. But it was absolutely amazing and one of the best times of my life
P.S Thanks you so much Senior Chief and Ben, Dan, Chris, D.j and Luke it was amazing and thank you so much, I will see you again that’s for sure! ’I will not fail’ HOOYAH! ’Spencer Foslien