Theo Springer nicknamed Blue stood waist deep in the chilly water of the Pacific Ocean. His core temperature was plummeting. The incessant waves were pounding down on his shivering body. Blue and the rest of Navy SEAL recruit class number 86 was standing in what is commonly referred to as the “Surf Zone”.
Theo and six other recruits struggled to hold a telephone pole log above their heads. A Navy SEAL Instructor paced the sand in front of the men with his deep voice bellowing, “ Its mind over matter people, if you don’t mind it doesn’t matter”. Blue’s teeth were chattering as the instructor asked the group if they were cold. The answer to that question was obvious as the recruits fought to stand against the icy waves. The Navy SEAL Instructor’s piercing eyes looked right through the recruit class as he stated sarcastically “ You think you are cold now, people you don’t know what cold is”. The rumbling voice continued to motivate the recruits to endure by saying” The only easy day was yesterday. You are striving to become a member of a Navy SEAL team. Pull together right here and right now because failure is not an option”.
The team of recruits holding the log next to Blue fell forward into the surf. One by one the seven men rose from the water and took hold of their log. Just as they began lifting the log one of the men broke from the group. He stumbled forward and collapsed on the beach in front of the instructor. With a wavering voice and tear filled eyes the recruit looked up at the instructor and announced his decision to quit. He left to the main compound where he rang the big brass bell outside of the instructor’s office three times. This ringing out signified that he no longer had what it took to continue SEAL training. The instructor’s eyes scanned the cold wet recruits as he growled “Anybody else want to quit? Navy SEALS don’t ever quit. Remember people if you want to wear the name you have to play the game”. The recruits were tired and hurting but stood ready for his next command.
The instructor directed the recruits to keep the log up above their heads and to stand still. While Theo’s team of recruits faltered they did not fail in their task to keep the log aloft. Blue was learning a valuable lesson in teamwork as the men struggled to do together what none of them could have accomplished alone. Blue was experiencing log physical training, one of the many training “Evolutions” that must be endured to become a United States Navy SEAL.
Written By Steven King as featured in ONYX Magazine www.onyxmagazine.com
