“I’d rather die before I quit” it’s easy to say it and sound cool but to really be in that moment and rather die than quit is another story. Great video
I was in Zweig's class 217 class. We began training with about 168 poeple, by the time I quit at friday of week 3 or 4 we were down to 38 or so. I suffer from PTSD from BUD/S to this day. El Nino was no joke. God bless you Jake, keep it real, wake these kids up, this aint a COD video game kiddies! You better be ready to die.
I was Army and never did the buds route. However, I remember during a couple deployments where we were just getting after it and got into some situations where it was literally the thought “ok I’m going to die here. I’m not going die quitting” and I know it was that mindset at the time that actually kept me alive. It’s a weird place to be to just accept and really be ok with your mortality.
The only difference is you were on deployment and in a situation where you had to fight for your life to survive whereas BUD’s is a voluntary situation where you aren’t fighting for your life and you can just walk away at any second if it gets too hard so that’s where you really find out how bad you want something but regardless thanks for you service and I don’t mean to downplay anything you did.
I went to BUD/S back 1993 (Class 191 & 192) at the age of 29. The mindset when I went to BUD/S was the childhood game 'Musical Chairs.' The goal was when the music stopped you had a chair. I was aware that the failure rate was 70 - 80%. I had 'survived' 5 months of [BUD/S] training before being 'performance dropped' during an ocean swim suffering hyperthermia. So I did not experience the depression that others may have experienced I know that I gave my best! I retired after 21 years in the navy.
Hey Alex if you don't mind me asking where did you grow up? I'm curious if growing up swimming in cold water and living in a Northern state helps guys thru the cold part of BUD/S a little more.
I played college football 1989-1993 University of Kentucky Dline!! There was times in winter workouts where I felt death but a coach named Larry New would scream "KEEP GOING UNTIL YOU DIE, WE GOT PARAMEDICS HERE TO RESUSCITATE YOU". I use that knowledge in my life now!! NEVER QUIT!
@@Drop_off_on_the_right 🤣🤣 Man you are right! We ran that old skool I BONE! And In 93 we came up the hwy to yall! and yall smash us! We underestimated yall and got man handled! Great memories bro! We are in a elite class brother! Not everybody can say they played D1 FOOTBALL! Good to meet you man!
I’m being completely honest. When I first starting watching you Jake I thought you were being a hard ass for no reason and I didn’t like you. The more I watch your videos the more I realize how right you were and now I love your channel and respect the guy you are. These types of videos humbled me quick and snatch the soul out of my ego. Made me realize I’m no where near these guys level yet and I got more work to do. I’m about 1 week into your PDF file and I already got shin splints from the 25 mile a week run lol. I’m working the problem, Already start doubling up on my calcium and ever since I started eating pasta the way you recommended my energy levels were way better then where I started before and after workouts. Just wanted to let you know your definitely helping young guys like me improve so much (21 years old if your wondering). Thank you for everything your doing. Future Navy SEALs will be grateful to have information like this to help get them through to accomplish their dreams !
Jake doesn't sugar coat anything - this whole world is sugar coated and cushioned - that ain't the truth though. The truth is dirty and real and a kick in the pants. We need more Jakes to make it real.
where can I download the PDF file , and I just started doing the 3mile run in the morning and sprint trees in the afternoon he recommended and strained my calf I could def use advice with what supplements to take and foods i should eat.
I was in BUD/S class 243 in autumn 2002. I'm a dual citizen and couldn't get the top secret security clearance without relinquishing my British citizenship so I admin dropped. But I ran into an instructor (who later became a Mission Beach cop) at Fashion Valley Mall and told him why I dropped. He said "whatever you do in life, don't stop kicking ass." Don't worry if you drop. You have value and can contribute to humanity in or out of the SEAL teams.
This might be one of the most important videos Jake has done. Everyone thinks they can go be in SOF. No one really gets what this training is like. A small percentage gets to try out and an even smaller percentage get through that training. It's not fairytale land, it's reality. Cheers to this guy and cheers to Jake for keeping it real.
Mike is a stud. A lot of respect for him. I am horrible swimmer so I know SEALS was never an option. I was a SeaBee (BUCN). I loved it. Great channel Jake! Love your videos and what you are doing mentoring these young people.
Mad respect for Mike. You cant say you ever really tried at anything unless you have failed. If youve never failed you set your goals to low. Good on Mike to have the courage to put himself in the position to go to his limit.
I ran the USMC obstacle course and was surprised by how well I did. Then after a month our OIC challenged the whole series 3 platoons of 60 guys, who started with 85 people. I had made squad leader of 4th squad, class 2045 Echo Company, 1990. The Captain ran the O course in 60 seconds and then challenged anybody to beat him. Myself and 15 others gave it a go. 3 of us 18 year old guys broke his record, a 26 year old grown ass man! We were all 3 in the high 50’s. My time was 57 seconds and I had lost a few tics on the rope climb. I was so happy and everyone was singing our praises. So much fun! It was a great morale boost for all of us. Captain Snow USMC. He joined the CIA right after that.
I enlisted in 2018 thinking I could go from the fleet to BUDs and was sorely mistaken. Everyone listen to Jake, you’re not gonna be able to go back if you quit or get dropped. I even had my package all set and still wasn’t going to get in because of my YG being full. I smoked that crack pipe at 18 thinking that all I wanted was to be a SEAL. Shit happens and life goes on now I’m out of the Navy and have a good job with benefits.
My best friend enlisted in the Navy to be a SEAL, he was on the swim and track team in high school to better his chances but once he got to the Navy they never gave him his chance, he actually served 8 years in the Navy and now has a great job and has 3 houses so he's doing good without being a SEAL.
This is hands down the best explanation and visualization of how brutal that training is..steel pier is a known evolution BUT the details shared here would break almost anyone. Jump in, get your uniforms soaking wet (freezing cold), take them off, lay down on the steel pier, jump in, tread water...get out...back in...out...back in...back out, put said freezing clothes on (timed), I literally felt my core temperature dropping listening to that.
I'm a disabled veteran from ARMY. , but I have been in that water. I don't know how you do it's cold as hell I used to MWR facility over on the the other side at breakers Beach. Sweet loving Jesus. My Tabernacle crawled up into my intestines
Jake speaks truth. Preparation 1st then 2nd willing to die. Told my step son who wanted to go to seal.....to go marine get in elite shape. He was like i can do seal. I said yeah ur 18, ur not a swimmer, u dont run 30-40 miles a week(i mean 18 hour days during buds prob 100+ miles a week, i would guess) I told him he has no idea. Told him hes not even close to physically ready. Step son is in marines working out all the time, learning to swim and working to get into recon next couple of years. Hes loving it.💪 Proud of him
My man still has some shame in there and I feel for the man. I am a Marine and that was tough enough and I would have loved to have gone to BUDs but back in 1976 I never had social media around to tell you the prep needed and that would have probably hurt me.
this guy was as prepared, physically, as anyone could be; Div I swimmer, etc. BUT, just because you are an elite athlete does not mean you have the right mindset to be a SEAL. Once again, the mind is key. Swimming in a heated pool and winning competitions at the highest level is NOT enough. There is a good & "real" reason why most (99.9%) people cannot be a Navy SEAL.
Hey class 270 (drop week 2 of 1st phase after failing 2 mile swim) here. I cannot stress enough about learning how triathletes and ultra marathon runners fuel and recover. That was my mistake. Zero issues with most things besides running but my body started to fail from not fueling appropriately. Also, I shoulda just let them performance drop me and rolled back because I could never get back. It was 2012 and my scores were no match for the new talent. 8:30 swim, 110 pushup/situp, 28 pullups, and like a 10 flat run( genetic issue). My scores needed to have a 8:30 run to go back.
Tons of guys get seriously injured in buds, leave with permanent injuries (heat stroke etc), and even die so I wonder if some people think "I'll just push myself even to death" well shit man you might actually die. Some dudes quit before that happens and others just push through and never recover this is an awesome video talking to a guy who DOR'd, very cool for this guy to get on here
My take on SF is it's more about mindset than fitness. Fitness is important you have to be in shape but if you aren't willing to push yourself beyond the limits or to new limits, if you aren't looking forward to being miserable, if you aren't willing to die to achieve your goal, you have a slim chance of making it through. I was in WC with a girl who could barely do 2 pull-ups 2 months in, she graduated the pipeline top of her class, I know another chick real bad ass crossfit warrior type chick went EOD graduated with ease. I know a couple buddies Diver & EOD that DOR'd at Dive School, they were in better shape than the two girls but mentally weren't/ didn't go to the limits. Even when I was in the ND pipeline for WC, when I would workout after our workout with the SWCC/SO candidates you could tell the ones that were in really good shape, then you could tell the ones that wired with that crazy loose screw mentality, you need that shit for BUD/s in particular. I grew up in SoCal, that water in the Pacific Ocean/SD is ice fuckin cold, year fuckin round. You might as well take an ice bath to the 15th power.
Choose & do not think. Being over prepared or under prepared. Be patient or become the patient. Be a victim or have victims. Kill or be killed. Choose or be chosen. Know more or think more. Heaven or Hell. A pamphlet or RUclips. Life is a blink & balance is key. The only good day was yesterday & the only comfort was never getting comfortable. Platinum Respect to Jake & Mike. 🇺🇸 🌬🧊💎
Great video! The young man who attempted to be a SEAL now realizes he is the Man in the Arena. No shame and total respect. No shame in striving for greatness. Striving is winning. End of story.
This was really deep man. It’s a giant realization check on the reality of digging deeper than what’s sometimes capable for the most capable people. I’ve gotta build more grit now knowing that TACP could easily wash me out in the same way. Thanks for your videos man, I’m still staying strong on the program.
Big up to this guy for trying to be one of the elite.. its not a failure, its a test to see where u r in life.. be a success in being a great human being.
I've met a dude who passed buds/but was safety violation dropped during SQT...so it's wild...dude literally had his baby brother make it through and were both stationed in BAHRAIN at the same time...lol..
Its very easy to be sat nice dry and warm saying i could do that but it's very different when you're in that moment suffering from 4 things a good soldier always tries to avoid being cold,wet,hungry and tired and its not going to be a short period you suffer these things just try not eating or sleeping for 3 days and sitting at the beach trying to stay awake in just a pair of shorts i bet 90% of people wouldn't even manage that and thats without the harassment or exercise these men are a different breed and deserve all the respect they get
In my bud/s class in 2016, our instructors kept us in the water during steel pier (Monday night of hell-week) until they got at-least 5 people to quit. I didn’t think that many people would quit during the evolution but as soon as 1 dude quit about 10 minutes in, a trail of 6-7 people followed with him. That was the coldest I have ever been in my life.
@@toddthomason3412 Nope, DOR'd Tuesday night. I had just turned 18 and while I was physically and mentally solid (never once failed a DOR, and remained off the instructors' radar), I just had a moment of weakness. At the time, and for the following 6ish years, I had thought about my decision and it haunted me every single day. My year group was closed up so they didn't let anyone go back bud/s.
Im sorry dude. I know what its like to be haunted by regret. Had you gotten a chance to go again you would have made it past tuesday and secured I have no doubt. Tuesday night seems to be the breaking point. I have actually been to the BUDs compound twice now as a friend of a phase 2 instructor. Run the O course. Tour'd the compound. Attended a SQT graduation. Its a humbling place and if I were in my 20s again with the wisdom I have now I would do it in a heart beat. @@Spade2481
Jake, I don’t even know how your videos showed up to me…but dayum they are good. I have heard many SEALS on podcasts say “your never hear or meet anyone who QUIT BUDS. Recently I heard Shawn Ryan on his podcast make that statement. And then I see your two videos by the two young men who did. What POWERFUL videos! The first young man was good, but this one with Mike literally made me cry. Look, I am the proud daughter of a WWII Ranger who after Anzio, transitioned to the First Special Service Force….I’m a proud American. These young men feeling like failures, ashamed and as Mike said, feeling that his quitting defined him broke ME. Broke my heart. First any American who serves this country, even the enlisting, is a hero to me. So them feeling shame is heartbreaking. Thank you for interviewing them and for lifting them up in your interviews. They obviously respect you, and you served them well by telling their story, making them feel they DID serve and there IS power in their stories. I am hooked on your channel now! Thank you for the great videos.
Thank you for this great comment 👍....I have a guy who is thinking about telling his story...I sure hope he does!!! Thank you they are powerful and im trying to motivate and prepare the next challengers to BUDs
i got hypothermia hiking in the wilderness in February new York at night time, i ended up getting waist deep in water on some random stream in the mountains to showboat to my friend. man being cold cold is horrible, i used to love the cold and feeling cold before that happened. Now a days if it drops below 60 i hate being outside without a coat.
Loved what you said about BUD/S in the early 80's. No one outside the military knew about the SEALS. In 1980 I went to join army to be a Green Beret. They didn't like that I had a prior, (disorderly conduct) so I went next door and the Navy recruiter said "we got something better". It was both UDT and SEAL back then. Went to Boot, then A school, (photo mate) and then BUD/S class 116. (Mr. Menendez OIC) Hell week sucked. Hallucinated on night 3. But the worst of the worst, was Steel Pier. Butt ass naked on the the cold aluminum. That was the only time I considered quitting, and that lasted about 2.5 seconds. Then it was back to loving the suck. Day 4, I think, we took the IBS through the O course. That was fun. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Thanks Jake for getting these guys on that didn’t make it through it really gives a big perspective on the reality of BUDS IF able to get more guys like this on. the insights from them are really helpful. Also don’t stop the videos Jake love you man !
I really appreciate the comment one event does not define your whole life.... A successful life is Success outnumbers failure by one.... I very much enjoy your videos keep them coming..Hooya
these quitting stories are heart rendering, but the truth is these brave noble men, once they ring the bell, they will never attain that self contained confident look in the back of their eyes, they instantly become second guessing defeated personalities for eternity, if only I bit the bullet for another minute, what if I did that, what if I did this.. a recurring nightmare for life, a pity !!!
These are good listens. There are way more of these guys than guys who made it through BUDs. A lot of great guys like this, too who for one reason or another didn't make it through.
For the past 20yrs or so UKSF have classed those who don't pass as being "unsuccessful" as opposed to being "failures". The rationale is that guys who apply for UKSF are hard charging high achievers who don't want a perceived Black Mark on their records should they not pass. As a mind set it makes total sense, you may not be SF material but you can still be an ultra high performing soldier and achieve significant rank so there's no sense in putting them off applying etc. This guy seems to fit that mould, he'd have been a top 2% soldier just not quite making the 1% and there's no shame in trying to hit that top 1% and not making it. Respect where it's due.
Both takes on the situation will preserve the souls of many. Bravo to both narratological takes on the dark existential reality of SEAL training. My superior in Iraq was grand and he got hurt at BUDS but was a great leader in a combat zone. I appreciate guts like my superior and Mike for their way of making the best out of a tough chapter in life.
@@jakezweig , I am not a Military guy. But, I trained in a Military base ( Fort Mc Coy ) Wisconsin for Law enforcement. So, I fully understand and lived that.
@@jakezweig , I may get in Zoom with you in the near future. But, what I wanna say here is those who failed is what I want to hear. We know those who has succeeded. I am not saying we don't need those. I want to hear what made a person quit, what was going through their minds, and what it made them feel like . What did their family, friends, co workers say? We don't hear enough of those who did not make it. I want to hear more about them. They need A VOICE. I want listen and learn from them. It takes courage to hear these stories. I am proud of them. I was in LE and I work in security. Great show. I just ran across you in my FB feed. Glad I Subscribed.
They say that if they let Hell Week by Hell Month, they would have no one left. No one would have quit (the SEALS in the group I mean), they would work until they died.. Everyone cannot be a SEAL - it is intense. It hurts - but this guy can literally do anything in life he puts his mind to! And dude, if he would have not quit, dude would be a SEAL. He let one bad mistake make his immediate fate.
I can see in his face the anguish,shit I can feel it cos I know the feeling of failure (30 years ago (not military) - got on with life and I’m truly blessed but it wrecked me even though I know for a fact it’s 100% psychological,it still wrecked me,never got over it but that’s life it really is.
HOLY SHIT! Did you hear what he was trying to say, like do people really know what hes saying here?? "Yeah man, its happens to EVERYBODY you just try to keep it from being fatal" He kept repeating this and giving examples. You literally have to be willing to die in the training, the instructors are trying to take you to your literal limit, as in your mental but also physical....as in right up to literally killing you if that means sifting the wheat from the chaff. I always suspected this but the way he said it and hes thinking back and see his blood pressure rising from it, it just hits you different. It becomes more real. Fact: More people died in military training than combat from 2002 - 2011, recently people in the military have been bringing up how evidently the same still. "the war room" podcast talks about it, they are former SEALs. This is an invaluable video.
Jack you Provide a great service to young and women wanting to go into spec warfare..... Even us old guys get something out of your videos keep them coming shipmate....Hooya
I do appreciate the content. I appreciate the work, the effort, and sincerity to this podcast/channel. Hopefully I'm not wrong when I say that, (above). And to further that I believe he is truly doing his best because he enjoys getting these stories, and many times, messages, out to everyone. It just doesn't seem like he is in it for RUclips money or fame. So thanks and good job.
Seems as though BUDs is designed right as far as finding that one weakness one may have and to see how that individual works thru that weakness, whatever it may be to finish BUDs. I may be wrong but that's my take.
Wish there was someone or mentor like you when I was younger and going for the Royal Marines, Someone who just wants to help, doesn’t want money for the great help, and great advice plus motivation, you don’t have any ego in the way, Just really solid advice, I could of done with zach advise, I hope the navy and army are understand the effort and work you put in to help young men to join the military, Respect Adam From England
It didn’t turn out to bad, I work on gear boxes, aircraft, Apache helicopters, lynx, seaking, I managed to get my paper work, become skilled man, Liked to of served though, It is what it is
There are alot of cool jobs out there other than the Specop stuff. Gunners Mate or Security Forces wouldnt be near bone breaking as the SpecWar program....
Winter hell week. I bet he would have made it in a summer class. Numbers don't lie. I've seen 80+ make it through a summer hell week. Winter class usually have 15-25 make it through
Probably one of the only good reasons to enlist with the college degree is if you are going into submarines. To have an advanced degree as a submariner is a huge advantage and will be even more so when you get up to the E7 E8 and especially E9 level. That's how a lot of those people become command master chiefs and some of those chiefs go on to get masters degrees which is typical for the MCPON to have as well
I have nothing but respect for this guy. He got farther than 95 percent of the country ever would. Just attempting Buds is commendable
The man in the arena
farther than 99.99% of the country.
What's the problem buds with simple for me got another right people to get through the program money talks b******* walks😅
“I’d rather die before I quit” it’s easy to say it and sound cool but to really be in that moment and rather die than quit is another story. Great video
Boooooooom
Yup, it’s easy to talk the talk.
I was in Zweig's class 217 class. We began training with about 168 poeple, by the time I quit at friday of week 3 or 4 we were down to 38 or so. I suffer from PTSD from BUD/S to this day. El Nino was no joke. God bless you Jake, keep it real, wake these kids up, this aint a COD video game kiddies! You better be ready to die.
Any Zweig stories?
PTSD from buds is crazy
It’d stupid to not claim disability if we’re being real here
I was Army and never did the buds route. However, I remember during a couple deployments where we were just getting after it and got into some situations where it was literally the thought “ok I’m going to die here. I’m not going die quitting” and I know it was that mindset at the time that actually kept me alive. It’s a weird place to be to just accept and really be ok with your mortality.
YES SIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The only difference is you were on deployment and in a situation where you had to fight for your life to survive whereas BUD’s is a voluntary situation where you aren’t fighting for your life and you can just walk away at any second if it gets too hard so that’s where you really find out how bad you want something but regardless thanks for you service and I don’t mean to downplay anything you did.
BRAVO thank you for kicking ass for the RED WHITE and BLUE
I went to BUD/S back 1993 (Class 191 & 192) at the age of 29. The mindset when I went to BUD/S was the childhood game 'Musical Chairs.' The goal was when the music stopped you had a chair. I was aware that the failure rate was 70 - 80%. I had 'survived' 5 months of [BUD/S] training before being 'performance dropped' during an ocean swim suffering hyperthermia. So I did not experience the depression that others may have experienced I know that I gave my best! I retired after 21 years in the navy.
Thank you for your serves, we had 2 guys get PD for the same thing hyping out on the 5 mile swim
@@jakezweig if you get performance dropped, are you able to try for it 2 more times?
@@bigpop3170 it is a roll of the dice .... They are down in numbers so maybe ...it truly is a case by case deal
@@jakezweig yessir I see, just hope I don't get performance dropped haha
Hey Alex if you don't mind me asking where did you grow up? I'm curious if growing up swimming in cold water and living in a Northern state helps guys thru the cold part of BUD/S a little more.
We need to stop calling finding out something isn't for us as "failure."
Yeah, the guy himself isn't a failure at all. It's just a failure to complete buds,
I played college football 1989-1993 University of Kentucky Dline!! There was times in winter workouts where I felt death but a coach named Larry New would scream "KEEP GOING UNTIL YOU DIE, WE GOT PARAMEDICS HERE TO RESUSCITATE YOU". I use that knowledge in my life now!! NEVER QUIT!
That’s wild. We used to be rivals. I played at IU and made the travel team to Lexington. I think your QB was Pookie if I recall something like that.
@@Drop_off_on_the_right you are right! man! Pookie was our QB!!! Small world!!! IU great rivalries!!! I
@@MrSantified yeah, he ran that damn option. I hated those types of teams because those weeks of practice were always the hardest. 🤣
@@Drop_off_on_the_right 🤣🤣 Man you are right! We ran that old skool I BONE! And In 93 we came up the hwy to yall! and yall smash us! We underestimated yall and got man handled! Great memories bro! We are in a elite class brother! Not everybody can say they played D1 FOOTBALL! Good to meet you man!
I think the interviews with those who didn't make it are more valuable than the ones of the people who did.
Absolutely will be doing more
I’m being completely honest. When I first starting watching you Jake I thought you were being a hard ass for no reason and I didn’t like you. The more I watch your videos the more I realize how right you were and now I love your channel and respect the guy you are. These types of videos humbled me quick and snatch the soul out of my ego. Made me realize I’m no where near these guys level yet and I got more work to do. I’m about 1 week into your PDF file and I already got shin splints from the 25 mile a week run lol. I’m working the problem, Already start doubling up on my calcium and ever since I started eating pasta the way you recommended my energy levels were way better then where I started before and after workouts. Just wanted to let you know your definitely helping young guys like me improve so much (21 years old if your wondering). Thank you for everything your doing. Future Navy SEALs will be grateful to have information like this to help get them through to accomplish their dreams !
BOOOOOOM easy into the running hit me up if you have questions man jake.zweig@gmail.com
Jake doesn't sugar coat anything - this whole world is sugar coated and cushioned - that ain't the truth though. The truth is dirty and real and a kick in the pants. We need more Jakes to make it real.
Zweig says it straight even while running , Hooyah
where can I download the PDF file , and I just started doing the 3mile run in the morning and sprint trees in the afternoon he recommended and strained my calf I could def use advice with what supplements to take and foods i should eat.
@@chillbill1687 jake.zweig@gmail.com
I was in BUD/S class 243 in autumn 2002. I'm a dual citizen and couldn't get the top secret security clearance without relinquishing my British citizenship so I admin dropped. But I ran into an instructor (who later became a Mission Beach cop) at Fashion Valley Mall and told him why I dropped. He said "whatever you do in life, don't stop kicking ass." Don't worry if you drop. You have value and can contribute to humanity in or out of the SEAL teams.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Keep on Killing it!!!!!
This might be one of the most important videos Jake has done. Everyone thinks they can go be in SOF. No one really gets what this training is like. A small percentage gets to try out and an even smaller percentage get through that training. It's not fairytale land, it's reality. Cheers to this guy and cheers to Jake for keeping it real.
Thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Mike for stepping up and handling that 4 years in the fleet.
Can’t imagine you have to be hard as nails on fire to even attempt BUDs. Much respect to this man and everyone that even attempts it
Yes man it is a hard pill to swallow
Mike is a stud. A lot of respect for him. I am horrible swimmer so I know SEALS was never an option.
I was a SeaBee (BUCN). I loved it.
Great channel Jake! Love your videos and what you are doing mentoring these young people.
Trying to give them what I did not have
Mad respect for Mike. You cant say you ever really tried at anything unless you have failed. If youve never failed you set your goals to low. Good on Mike to have the courage to put himself in the position to go to his limit.
Crazy message man it was kicking a**
I ran the USMC obstacle course and was surprised by how well I did. Then after a month our OIC challenged the whole series 3 platoons of 60 guys, who started with 85 people. I had made squad leader of 4th squad, class 2045 Echo Company, 1990. The Captain ran the O course in 60 seconds and then challenged anybody to beat him. Myself and 15 others gave it a go. 3 of us 18 year old guys broke his record, a 26 year old grown ass man! We were all 3 in the high 50’s. My time was 57 seconds and I had lost a few tics on the rope climb. I was so happy and everyone was singing our praises. So much fun! It was a great morale boost for all of us. Captain Snow USMC. He joined the CIA right after that.
I enlisted in 2018 thinking I could go from the fleet to BUDs and was sorely mistaken. Everyone listen to Jake, you’re not gonna be able to go back if you quit or get dropped. I even had my package all set and still wasn’t going to get in because of my YG being full. I smoked that crack pipe at 18 thinking that all I wanted was to be a SEAL. Shit happens and life goes on now I’m out of the Navy and have a good job with benefits.
Thank you man
what is YG?
@@raulpiedra2786 year group😂
My best friend enlisted in the Navy to be a SEAL, he was on the swim and track team in high school to better his chances but once he got to the Navy they never gave him his chance, he actually served 8 years in the Navy and now has a great job and has 3 houses so he's doing good without being a SEAL.
This is hands down the best explanation and visualization of how brutal that training is..steel pier is a known evolution BUT the details shared here would break almost anyone. Jump in, get your uniforms soaking wet (freezing cold), take them off, lay down on the steel pier, jump in, tread water...get out...back in...out...back in...back out, put said freezing clothes on (timed), I literally felt my core temperature dropping listening to that.
It is a bad one. Watch it eat a couple of people in my class
@@jakezweig I wana know what are sea lice and how do they live in freezing water?
@@fusion451 they are little bipod that have a little cutter that cut you and you bleed
Sobering stuff to hear about these pipelines from the people who didn't make it, especially a stud like this dude. Glad I'm going officer.
Beast of dude
I'm a disabled veteran from ARMY. , but I have been in that water. I don't know how you do it's cold as hell I used to MWR facility over on the the other side at breakers Beach. Sweet loving Jesus. My Tabernacle crawled up into my intestines
Jake speaks truth. Preparation 1st then 2nd willing to die. Told my step son who wanted to go to seal.....to go marine get in elite shape. He was like i can do seal. I said yeah ur 18, ur not a swimmer, u dont run 30-40 miles a week(i mean 18 hour days during buds prob 100+ miles a week, i would guess) I told him he has no idea. Told him hes not even close to physically ready.
Step son is in marines working out all the time, learning to swim and working to get into recon next couple of years. Hes loving it.💪 Proud of him
GREAT GUIDANCE still trying to figure out why these kids think that there parents will lead them a stray ... 75+ miles a week
My man still has some shame in there and I feel for the man. I am a Marine and that was tough enough and I would have loved to have gone to BUDs but back in 1976 I never had social media around to tell you the prep needed and that would have probably hurt me.
Your videos save a lot of dreams & lives from being crushed.
The honesty from this dude is unique and commendable.
No question big dude
i really liked these SAS episodes with your commentary. i watched 1-8
"everybody breaks man, you just have to keep it from becoming fatal". Daaaayuummm....
Yup
Damn! 6 min swim, sub 9 min mile in a half, 100push-ups, 115 sit-ups, and 25 pull ups. I need to do some work
Focus on pre-hab work. Get those ligaments strong
Good luck
Fastest run and swimmer always the first to quit
@@jakezweig could you explain more boss?
this guy was as prepared, physically, as anyone could be; Div I swimmer, etc. BUT, just because you are an elite athlete does not mean you have the right mindset to be a SEAL. Once again, the mind is key. Swimming in a heated pool and winning competitions at the highest level is NOT enough. There is a good & "real" reason why most (99.9%) people cannot be a Navy SEAL.
Hey class 270 (drop week 2 of 1st phase after failing 2 mile swim) here. I cannot stress enough about learning how triathletes and ultra marathon runners fuel and recover. That was my mistake. Zero issues with most things besides running but my body started to fail from not fueling appropriately. Also, I shoulda just let them performance drop me and rolled back because I could never get back. It was 2012 and my scores were no match for the new talent. 8:30 swim, 110 pushup/situp, 28 pullups, and like a 10 flat run( genetic issue). My scores needed to have a 8:30 run to go back.
Nothing wrong with wanting to live man. Thank you for putting this up.
This guest has uncommon character for sharing his narrative. Salute
Tons of guys get seriously injured in buds, leave with permanent injuries (heat stroke etc), and even die so I wonder if some people think "I'll just push myself even to death" well shit man you might actually die. Some dudes quit before that happens and others just push through and never recover
this is an awesome video talking to a guy who DOR'd, very cool for this guy to get on here
Thanks man he had massive courage
My take on SF is it's more about mindset than fitness. Fitness is important you have to be in shape but if you aren't willing
to push yourself beyond the limits or to new limits, if you aren't looking forward to being miserable, if you aren't willing to die to achieve your goal,
you have a slim chance of making it through. I was in WC with a girl who could barely do 2 pull-ups 2 months in, she graduated the pipeline top of her class,
I know another chick real bad ass crossfit warrior type chick went EOD graduated with ease. I know a couple buddies Diver & EOD that DOR'd at Dive School,
they were in better shape than the two girls but mentally weren't/ didn't go to the limits. Even when I was in the ND pipeline for WC, when I would workout after
our workout with the SWCC/SO candidates you could tell the ones that were in really good shape, then you could tell the ones that wired with that crazy loose screw
mentality, you need that shit for BUD/s in particular. I grew up in SoCal, that water in the Pacific Ocean/SD is ice fuckin cold, year fuckin round. You might as well
take an ice bath to the 15th power.
"The Man in the Arena" Teddy Roosevelt, applies to everyone who attempts to do something difficult.
Credit to this man for doing what he did and taking ownership. Not surprised hes crushing it right now
Choose & do not think.
Being over prepared or under prepared.
Be patient or become the patient.
Be a victim or have victims.
Kill or be killed.
Choose or be chosen.
Know more or think more.
Heaven or Hell.
A pamphlet or RUclips.
Life is a blink & balance is key.
The only good day was yesterday & the only comfort was never getting comfortable.
Platinum Respect to Jake & Mike.
🇺🇸 🌬🧊💎
Thank you for the awesome comment
Great video! The young man who attempted to be a SEAL now realizes he is the Man in the Arena. No shame and total respect. No shame in striving for greatness. Striving is winning. End of story.
This was really deep man. It’s a giant realization check on the reality of digging deeper than what’s sometimes capable for the most capable people. I’ve gotta build more grit now knowing that TACP could easily wash me out in the same way. Thanks for your videos man, I’m still staying strong on the program.
FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big up to this guy for trying to be one of the elite.. its not a failure, its a test to see where u r in life.. be a success in being a great human being.
Yes sir
Mike, you are a stud just to even attempt it.
Absolutely
I've met a dude who passed buds/but was safety violation dropped during SQT...so it's wild...dude literally had his baby brother make it through and were both stationed in BAHRAIN at the same time...lol..
I'm addicted to these honest self reflection and honest assessment videos.
"Die before you quit" that's a great motivator.
Excellent content!
Thank you we have a couple more rolling out
Dude, How in the FUCK did we go from quitting BUDs to quitting Oprah Winfrey?!?
Its very easy to be sat nice dry and warm saying i could do that but it's very different when you're in that moment suffering from 4 things a good soldier always tries to avoid being cold,wet,hungry and tired and its not going to be a short period you suffer these things just try not eating or sleeping for 3 days and sitting at the beach trying to stay awake in just a pair of shorts i bet 90% of people wouldn't even manage that and thats without the harassment or exercise these men are a different breed and deserve all the respect they get
In my bud/s class in 2016, our instructors kept us in the water during steel pier (Monday night of hell-week) until they got at-least 5 people to quit. I didn’t think that many people would quit during the evolution but as soon as 1 dude quit about 10 minutes in, a trail of 6-7 people followed with him. That was the coldest I have ever been in my life.
did you make it through hell week?
Nope, I dropped out late Tuesday night@@toddthomason3412
@@toddthomason3412 Nope, DOR'd Tuesday night. I had just turned 18 and while I was physically and mentally solid (never once failed a DOR, and remained off the instructors' radar), I just had a moment of weakness. At the time, and for the following 6ish years, I had thought about my decision and it haunted me every single day. My year group was closed up so they didn't let anyone go back bud/s.
Im sorry dude. I know what its like to be haunted by regret. Had you gotten a chance to go again you would have made it past tuesday and secured I have no doubt. Tuesday night seems to be the breaking point. I have actually been to the BUDs compound twice now as a friend of a phase 2 instructor. Run the O course. Tour'd the compound. Attended a SQT graduation. Its a humbling place and if I were in my 20s again with the wisdom I have now I would do it in a heart beat. @@Spade2481
I went to high school with Mike. One of the toughest dudes I have ever known and a great human being! Thanks for sharing Mike and Jake!
Call him and tell him you love him man
Hey, man, you either win or you learn. So don’t feel bad if you didn’t hit a goal. You gave it what you had and that’s what matters.
Yah man the life is not for everyone
Sometimes even when we lose we actually gain. He used his GI bill to get his Master’s degree. I’d say that’s a win.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Jake, I don’t even know how your videos showed up to me…but dayum they are good. I have heard many SEALS on podcasts say “your never hear or meet anyone who QUIT BUDS. Recently I heard Shawn Ryan on his podcast make that statement. And then I see your two videos by the two young men who did. What POWERFUL videos! The first young man was good, but this one with Mike literally made me cry. Look, I am the proud daughter of a WWII Ranger who after Anzio, transitioned to the First Special Service Force….I’m a proud American. These young men feeling like failures, ashamed and as Mike said, feeling that his quitting defined him broke ME. Broke my heart. First any American who serves this country, even the enlisting, is a hero to me. So them feeling shame is heartbreaking. Thank you for interviewing them and for lifting them up in your interviews. They obviously respect you, and you served them well by telling their story, making them feel they DID serve and there IS power in their stories. I am hooked on your channel now! Thank you for the great videos.
Thank you for this great comment 👍....I have a guy who is thinking about telling his story...I sure hope he does!!! Thank you they are powerful and im trying to motivate and prepare the next challengers to BUDs
Another awesome video, thank you Mike, good luck with your future endeavors! Jake, I hope you get better ASAP! Vitamin c, d and zinc help
You should write a book
Magnesium and calcium too for the bone and muscles
I'm back
Zinc is the bullet and Quercetin is the gun.
Damn BUD's sounds really crazy when I hear real testimonials. Thanks for serving!!!
Know a buddy who was in. He said the last toughest class was back in 2004.
@@lnfinitry did he complete that class?
DEATH is real
ask him about the class right now with 20 dudes left before hell week
@@jakezweig how many dudes started in that class??
i got hypothermia hiking in the wilderness in February new York at night time, i ended up getting waist deep in water on some random stream in the mountains to showboat to my friend. man being cold cold is horrible, i used to love the cold and feeling cold before that happened. Now a days if it drops below 60 i hate being outside without a coat.
Loved what you said about BUD/S in the early 80's. No one outside the military knew about the SEALS. In 1980 I went to join army to be a Green Beret. They didn't like that I had a prior, (disorderly conduct) so I went next door and the Navy recruiter said "we got something better". It was both UDT and SEAL back then. Went to Boot, then A school, (photo mate) and then BUD/S class 116. (Mr. Menendez OIC) Hell week sucked. Hallucinated on night 3. But the worst of the worst, was Steel Pier. Butt ass naked on the the cold aluminum. That was the only time I considered quitting, and that lasted about 2.5 seconds. Then it was back to loving the suck. Day 4, I think, we took the IBS through the O course. That was fun. Thanks and keep up the good work.
OLE SCHOOL YAH STEEL PIER WAD BAD!!!! naked in the water was worst and I kicked one of the bolts.
Thank you for your service
@@jakezweig Thank you Jake. Back at you.
Thanks Jake for getting these guys on that didn’t make it through it really gives a big perspective on the reality of BUDS IF able to get more guys like this on. the insights from them are really helpful. Also don’t stop the videos Jake love you man !
Glad you enjoyed it!
The thing is he at least tried. Failure should never define anyone, it should make you stronger.
1000000000% the man in the arena counts
I really appreciate the comment one event does not define your whole life.... A successful life is Success outnumbers failure by one.... I very much enjoy your videos keep them coming..Hooya
Thank you .... Only defined by how many times you get up
these quitting stories are heart rendering, but the truth is these brave noble men, once they ring the bell, they will never attain that self contained confident look in the back of their eyes, they instantly become second guessing defeated personalities for eternity, if only I bit the bullet for another minute, what if I did that, what if I did this.. a recurring nightmare for life, a pity !!!
Yah it steals souls out warriors wantabees
These are good listens. There are way more of these guys than guys who made it through BUDs. A lot of great guys like this, too who for one reason or another didn't make it through.
Yup about 750 a ywar
Being a strength coach with a Navy Seal resume would have been so much better. I actually feel bad for this dude.
Man he is making his way ....the worst part is that 6years he spent in the navy
Much respect to you both ,thank you for sharing and thank you for your service!!
Your welcome this one was all Mike
For the past 20yrs or so UKSF have classed those who don't pass as being "unsuccessful" as opposed to being "failures".
The rationale is that guys who apply for UKSF are hard charging high achievers who don't want a perceived Black Mark on their records should they not pass.
As a mind set it makes total sense, you may not be SF material but you can still be an ultra high performing soldier and achieve significant rank so there's no sense in putting them off applying etc.
This guy seems to fit that mould, he'd have been a top 2% soldier just not quite making the 1% and there's no shame in trying to hit that top 1% and not making it.
Respect where it's due.
Very tall order to come on and discuss
Leaving Buds.....
Way to go Mike we’re with you bud!
Agree great talk
Both takes on the situation will preserve the souls of many. Bravo to both narratological takes on the dark existential reality of SEAL training. My superior in Iraq was grand and he got hurt at BUDS but was a great leader in a combat zone. I appreciate guts like my superior and Mike for their way of making the best out of a tough chapter in life.
Man, I loooove this. Thank you! I quitted something I regret to this very day. This is Powerful!!!!!!!
Tell us more man or lets shoot a zoom
@@jakezweig , I am not a Military guy. But, I trained in a Military base ( Fort Mc Coy ) Wisconsin for Law enforcement. So, I fully understand and lived that.
@@jakezweig , I may get in Zoom with you in the near future. But, what I wanna say here is those who failed is what I want to hear. We know those who has succeeded. I am not saying we don't need those. I want to hear what made a person quit, what was going through their minds, and what it made them feel like . What did their family, friends, co workers say? We don't hear enough of those who did not make it. I want to hear more about them. They need A VOICE. I want listen and learn from them. It takes courage to hear these stories. I am proud of them. I was in LE and I work in security. Great show. I just ran across you in my FB feed. Glad I Subscribed.
@@teanistillmon3341 Thank you and we have more coming
Great interview and this man has nothing but my respect. This video was extremely valuable. Thanks Jake.
I'm glad we could make it
Awesome channel Jake! Thank you for mentoring this nation’s future warriors! We need more men doing what you’re doing! God bless! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
BOOOOOOOOOOOM !!!!!!!!!!!!
Outstanding. Courage.
POWERFUL INTERVIEW!!!
Thank you man
This video and the one before is probably worth more than 100 training and motivational videos put together when it comes to Bud/s.
Man it is crazy how much value between these two
Knew a couple top level swimmers who quit because of the cold as well. It’s another level of psychological challenge.
Yah man its not for everyone
They say that if they let Hell Week by Hell Month, they would have no one left. No one would have quit (the SEALS in the group I mean), they would work until they died.. Everyone cannot be a SEAL - it is intense. It hurts - but this guy can literally do anything in life he puts his mind to! And dude, if he would have not quit, dude would be a SEAL. He let one bad mistake make his immediate fate.
The whole point of the video is he could not push himself to death
@@jakezweig RIGHT.
Bad ass video Jake. Great perspective to see from these fellas.
Fire man
Thank you Jake, Thank you Mike
I can see in his face the anguish,shit I can feel it cos I know the feeling of failure (30 years ago (not military) - got on with life and I’m truly blessed but it wrecked me even though I know for a fact it’s 100% psychological,it still wrecked me,never got over it but that’s life it really is.
Fantastic interview and awesome guest! Love this authentic story
Real talk
man this is so invaluable. thanks jake
God Bless You, man. You have your whole life ahead of you to be successful. Go do it.
KILL
We love you be strong Seals
Much love and respect for the brother!
HOLY SHIT! Did you hear what he was trying to say, like do people really know what hes saying here?? "Yeah man, its happens to EVERYBODY you just try to keep it from being fatal"
He kept repeating this and giving examples. You literally have to be willing to die in the training, the instructors are trying to take you to your literal limit, as in your mental but also physical....as in right up to literally killing you if that means sifting the wheat from the chaff.
I always suspected this but the way he said it and hes thinking back and see his blood pressure rising from it, it just hits you different. It becomes more real.
Fact: More people died in military training than combat from 2002 - 2011, recently people in the military have been bringing up how evidently the same still. "the war room" podcast talks about it, they are former SEALs.
This is an invaluable video.
Thank you and share this bad boy
Jack you Provide a great service to young and women wanting to go into spec warfare..... Even us old guys get something out of your videos keep them coming shipmate....Hooya
Thank you letting them rip
I can’t believe there was guys trying not to go fight
These high performing people that slightly didn’t make it should not be doing menial jobs after, waste of talent and drive
I JUST CAME ACROSS THIS CHANNEL..I LOVE IT...SEMPER FI
Thank you
@@jakezweig You're welcome
BOOM. LEGENDARY INTERVIEW.
BOOOOOOOOOOOM
Great video. i like to the stories. Used to be an Airman. Left the team in a bad way. Got to move past it. Keep it moving! Still an Airman. ; )
Hear the stories
“Swimmers are the first to quit”
Yes sir
Amazing interview. Subscribed.
I do appreciate the content. I appreciate the work, the effort, and sincerity to this podcast/channel. Hopefully I'm not wrong when I say that, (above). And to further that I believe he is truly doing his best because he enjoys getting these stories, and many times, messages, out to everyone. It just doesn't seem like he is in it for RUclips money or fame. So thanks and good job.
Thanks man .....yah I'm not chasing any of that just trying to help more people be successful
Seems as though BUDs is designed right as far as finding that one weakness one may have and to see how that individual works thru that weakness, whatever it may be to finish BUDs. I may be wrong but that's my take.
It does that very well
Really impressive guy.
Yes sir
I wish I would’ve had this channel 13 years ago.
Respect
Wish there was someone or mentor like you when I was younger and going for the Royal Marines,
Someone who just wants to help, doesn’t want money for the great help, and great advice plus motivation, you don’t have any ego in the way,
Just really solid advice, I could of done with zach advise,
I hope the navy and army are understand the effort and work you put in to help young men to join the military,
Respect
Adam
From England
It didn’t turn out to bad,
I work on gear boxes, aircraft, Apache helicopters, lynx, seaking, I managed to get my paper work, become skilled man,
Liked to of served though,
It is what it is
@@stalyjohn9347 hell yah man !!!!!!! Thank you and keep kicking ass
Appreciate his honesty. Great interview.
Humbling
There are alot of cool jobs out there other than the Specop stuff. Gunners Mate or Security Forces wouldnt be near bone breaking as the SpecWar program....
Great interview team
man you are keeping it real,dishing out some real advice!
That's all I know
Don Shipley always says you only have to be a B student to pass BUDS
Dude looks like a seal for real. Crazy how a stud like that didn’t make it.
Winter hell week. I bet he would have made it in a summer class. Numbers don't lie. I've seen 80+ make it through a summer hell week. Winter class usually have 15-25 make it through
Great episode. Lots of great info here.
Glad you like it
Probably one of the only good reasons to enlist with the college degree is if you are going into submarines. To have an advanced degree as a submariner is a huge advantage and will be even more so when you get up to the E7 E8 and especially E9 level. That's how a lot of those people become command master chiefs and some of those chiefs go on to get masters degrees which is typical for the MCPON to have as well
Let's going thank you for that one because I can not say anything except why not go officers in the subs