Confessions of a Frog Hog: Who Becomes a Navy SEAL?

Once there was a young man from Redondo Beach, California preparing for his high school graduation. His academic performance was average. He was a well rounded athlete, but he wasn't too keen on team sports. That left academic and athletic scholarships pretty much out of the question.

When this young man inventoried his assets, he realized that much of his daily life was framed around two driving passions--surfing and diving. Neither of those were likely to help him burn up the job market. With graduation looming, the idea of pursuing the nine to five grind felt more like a life sentence than a life goal. He craved adventure, excitement. The perfect job for him was one that would test the limits of his physical endurance allow him the relished thrill of meeting such goals.

Determined to take the road less travelled, he began an earnest search to find a career that would accommodate his passion for the ocean in a meaningful manner. He decided to seek training as a forensic diver. With scholarship money out of the question, the price tag for the required training and equipment to make his dream a reality was more than he could ever hope to manage.

He was left with two choices. Give up, or find another way. Giving up wasn't an option he could stomach. His search for another path led him to a Navy Recruiting Office, which in lit a new path to his goals--the US Navy SEALs. Though the possibility he'd actually make the brutal cuts that could earn him a SEAL trident was dismal, he enlisted on the spot. Mission accomplished.

Little did this young man know that his ability to adapt his strategy in order to meet his end goal made him an ideal SEAL candidate.

According to a study done by the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego, CA, NAVY SEALs possess several common personality traits. One hundred thirty-nine U.S. Navy Sea-Air-Land (SEAL) personnel completed the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI). The average profiles were compared to adult male norms for five broadly defined domains.

SEALs scored lower in:
     neuroticism and agreeableness, average in openness, and higher in
     extraversion and conscientiousness compared to these two populations.

SEALs scored higher in:
     extraversion and conscientiousness

SEALs seek excitement and dangerous environments, but are otherwise stable, calm, and rarely reckless or impulsive. Although this average profile may not characterize any individual SEAL, we believe this study provides the most comprehensive personality profile of Navy SEALs to date.

After many years of living in the SEAL and ex SEAL community, from a personal perspective, I'd say most of this study is spot on. The MISSION is everything. What defines SEALs in my mind is their ability to take the unorthodox route in order to meet their end goal. These are men who truly think on their feet.

Writing SEALs

How does this profile impact personal relationships?

Because SEALs are persons of great conviction, they are fascinating characters to write.The never say die attitude that defines them can fuction as both an enormous boon and an Achilles heel.

POSITIVE:
FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION.
Once a SEAL has dedicated himself to a cause (his family and loved ones), he's likely to go above and beyond in order to keep his MISSION--the protection of those loved ones--intact. When a family member is faced with enormous adversity, a SEALs passion to right what is wrong makes a fierce and stubborn advocate for change.

NEGATIVE:
NEVER SAY DIE.
Daily arguments can escalate into major battles simply because SEALs don't fight to lose. Sometimes the personal feelings become secondary to the objective, to WIN the argument!

BELIEVABLE CRISIS: A hero meeting this archetype is faced with the fact the CONVICTION that has led him to embark on his MISSION is inherently flawed or false.

BELIEVABLE CRISIS: The bigger they are, the harder they fall. SEALs embrace the concept of CARPE DIEM. As thrillseekers, the typical SEAL is hardwired to live hard and love hard.

In the next segment of Confessions of a Frog Hog, we'll discuss who the average SEAL is, and factors that can altar both his personal beliefs and his career choices.