News
Pre-SOF US Tactical/NSC Course
Posted March 5th, 2008
I happened to be allowed to participate even though I missed the first two phases: Indoc and Assessment, both of which you can read about in the CrossFit Journal. Which means I arrived just in time for Phase 3 - Water! Considering I've been in a pool twice in the last 12 months, and maybe swam a total of 800 yards in those 12 months (700 of them last Tue!), this was bound to be quite an experience.
Well, I've got to hand it to Rord for putting together an amazing program to provide hopeful BUD/S candidates a taste of what is to come. It was a definite eye opener for me, considering I've done very little ocean swimming in my life and very little swimming in general in recent years.
Weather conditions: overcast upper 50Fs/low 60Fs, water temp: 56-57F.
Seven guys in total attended, all in cammies and boots. We got paired up with a swim buddy, and did some warm-up PT at their Encinitas facility, a couple of brief runs, then to the beach to hit the water. Rord sent us in to do some surf passages w/ fins, where we stayed in the water slightly longer each successive swim. I sucked in the water, definitely the slowest guy (my stoke was a mess), and even lost a fin on the final surf passage (not good). While I struggled, surprisingly I didn't mind being in that cold water, and am now determined to improve my swimming. But I can definitely imagine how the water activities, especially based on the stories of Hell Week, can shake a lot of guys to point of DOR. So I thought this pre-SOF was a good primer to get a glimpse of what life would be like, even though it only lasted two hours and Rord didn't crush us to death when I lost the fin, like the instructors absolutely would at BUD/S.
After the surf passages, Rord spoke to us about staying together, and about not leaving anyone behind, EVER, and about how to use stealth when entering the water. All of which was very informative. After the last surf passage, we did some more PT, and some soft sand runs in boots and cammies.
I was impressed by the abilities of the other guys in the class, and their dedication to preparing for their arrival in basic training to begin the long journey to try and become a SEAL.
Now I flew out from NYC on Fri morning, landed in LAX at 10am and drove 2 hours to Encinitas for the pleasure of jumping in the frigid pacific, which by most standards is borderline insane. But I do recommend that anyone serious about trying to become a SEAL should try and pay Rord a visit, and give the pre-SOF training program a go. I have a newfound appreciation for what is required to become one of these elite warriors, and I think it would help others figure out if this is something they are really cut out for.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to join for the SEAL Challenge weekend Rord et al are hosting, which I think is a brief Hell Week simulation, but I'd encourage people to do so if possible. I think getting a taste of what is to come is a smart additional program for anyone serious about going BUD/S.
My assessment of myself? Well, I've got some swimming to do, and lots of it!
Hooyah!
Source: Anonymous NavySEALs.com Member
Hey guys, I wanted to share my thoughts on the pre-SOF course Rord and the guys at US Tactical/NavySEALs.com host at their Encinitas facility. I happened to be allowed to participate even though I missed the first two phases: Indoc and Assessment, both of which you can read about in the CrossFit Journal. Which means I arrived just in time for Phase 3 - Water! Considering I've been in a pool twice in the last 12 months, and maybe swam a total of 800 yards in those 12 months (700 of them last Tue!), this was bound to be quite an experience.
Well, I've got to hand it to Rord for putting together an amazing program to provide hopeful BUD/S candidates a taste of what is to come. It was a definite eye opener for me, considering I've done very little ocean swimming in my life and very little swimming in general in recent years.
Weather conditions: overcast upper 50Fs/low 60Fs, water temp: 56-57F.
Seven guys in total attended, all in cammies and boots. We got paired up with a swim buddy, and did some warm-up PT at their Encinitas facility, a couple of brief runs, then to the beach to hit the water. Rord sent us in to do some surf passages w/ fins, where we stayed in the water slightly longer each successive swim. I sucked in the water, definitely the slowest guy (my stoke was a mess), and even lost a fin on the final surf passage (not good). While I struggled, surprisingly I didn't mind being in that cold water, and am now determined to improve my swimming. But I can definitely imagine how the water activities, especially based on the stories of Hell Week, can shake a lot of guys to point of DOR. So I thought this pre-SOF was a good primer to get a glimpse of what life would be like, even though it only lasted two hours and Rord didn't crush us to death when I lost the fin, like the instructors absolutely would at BUD/S.
After the surf passages, Rord spoke to us about staying together, and about not leaving anyone behind, EVER, and about how to use stealth when entering the water. All of which was very informative. After the last surf passage, we did some more PT, and some soft sand runs in boots and cammies.
I was impressed by the abilities of the other guys in the class, and their dedication to preparing for their arrival in basic training to begin the long journey to try and become a SEAL.
Now I flew out from NYC on Fri morning, landed in LAX at 10am and drove 2 hours to Encinitas for the pleasure of jumping in the frigid pacific, which by most standards is borderline insane. But I do recommend that anyone serious about trying to become a SEAL should try and pay Rord a visit, and give the pre-SOF training program a go. I have a newfound appreciation for what is required to become one of these elite warriors, and I think it would help others figure out if this is something they are really cut out for.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to join for the SEAL Challenge weekend Rord et al are hosting, which I think is a brief Hell Week simulation, but I'd encourage people to do so if possible. I think getting a taste of what is to come is a smart additional program for anyone serious about going BUD/S.
My assessment of myself? Well, I've got some swimming to do, and lots of it!
Hooyah!
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