History UsefulNotes / NavySEALs

Deep within the US Navy, an [[EliteArmy elite force]] of special covert commandos remains a closely guarded secret from the Soviet threat. Trained to be among the best in the world, equipped with the latest technology this group of violent renegade soldiers exist for one purpose: to protect America from the threat of communism and terrorism by sea, by air and by land.

Sounds like a comic book doesn’t it? Well the team is real. President UsefulNotes/JohnFKennedy created the Navy Special Warfare Development Group, or Navy SEALS, in the 60’s where they served in UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar, the UsefulNotes/ColdWar, the UsefulNotes/GulfWar and beyond to TheWarOnTerror. Before they were Navy Divers (elite soldiers sent to recover lost nukes at sea) and UDT, underwater demolitions experts sent to blow up enemy ships transporting those nukes for their diver swim buddies to recover.

Several images might come to mind in thinking about SEALS: black clad Frogmen who swim from America to their destination halfway across the world, tiger striped jungle fighters from Vietnam, and bug eyed crazies who underwent TrainingFromHell to become the ultimate warrior. These views are only slightly exaggerated, SEALS are intended to be all three.

* UsefulNotes/WorldWarII: After the bombing of Pearl Harbor America saw the need for coastal reconnaissance and beach landing forces. Thus, the team known as the Scouts & Raiders were born where they operated in Europe and Africa where they supported the invading Americans against the German forces including the Normandy invasion. At the same time, the Navy Combat Demolition Units would blow up beach obstacles preceding a landing.

However the first concept of SEALS came with the OSS Operational Swimmers who would be dropped behind enemy lines to spy and conduct raids. The Navy Underwater Demolitions Team who [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin were teams of demolitions experts blowing up underwater obstacles]] would later adopt the idea and form the Navy SEALS.

* [[ElitesAreMoreGlamorous Seal Team Six:]] After Marcinko was removed from command of SEAL Team Two he was involved as an adviser on Desert One, the rescue of hostages in Iran. The mission ended in tragedy, and a follow up mission was planned with the idea of forming a Joint Task Force for the mission. Marcinko delivered the brief but before he did he read through it and changed the involvement of SEALS from an element to a command, which would greatly expand and broaden their involvement in counterterrorism. His edit went through when the JTF was formed, however in doing so he created the problem of there being no SEAL Team focused on terrorism, so he had to create one. After drafting the proposal and he was given the blessing of his superiors, he ran roughshod over the Navy in recruiting members for the team as well as the specialized equipment and standards he demanded.
* [[FalseFlagOperation Red Cell:]] After relinquishing command of SEAL Six Marcinko was approached by one of his superiors about a threat both considered no one saw coming: terrorism. Marcinko explained the lapses in security he saw before being tasked with creating, essentially, a terrorist group that would attack American targets to show weaknesses in their security. According to accounts from his biography and fictional novels Red Cell blew up Air Force One, kidnapped an admiral protected by Navy Investigation Services because he was concerned they weren't enough to protect him, infiltrated Camp David at the behest of Nancy Reagan, and nuclear sub pens where they could have either stolen the subs or blown them up. So the story goes a witch hunt was launched because Marcinko exposed these secrets and he was eventually removed from command, the incident was covered up (hence {{JAG}} stating the episode based on his exploits were fiction) and Marcinko served prison time.
* TheWarOnTerror: After the 9/11 attacks SEALS were deployed to the Persian Gulf to intercept suspected Taliban vessels, before moving in on Afghanistan to perform recon and help escort [[SemperFi Marines]] to launch the attack, no doubt the mother of all bodyguards. They would continue to work in country over the following weeks and months, specifically when they themselves were captured and had to be rescued by other elite, BadAss special forces. They would later secure Iraqi oil when the country was invaded, [[BigDamnHeroes saved a hijacked ship from Somali pirates]] and on May 1st 2011 were sent on a covert operation into Pakistan at the behest of UsefulNotes/BarackObama. This was the mission every SEAL writer dreams of, a high stakes infiltration and strike that could potentially result in World War III. That dream was realized when with the aid of intelligence agencies the SEALS were able to track down and assassinate UsefulNotes/OsamaBinLaden, with the news a RealLife example of AndThereWasMuchRejoicing with sports events interrupted by the news and the legendary SEALS writing themselves into the history books in the process.

!!Tropes associated with Navy SEALS:

* ColbertBump: Not that they weren't popular before, but after the assassination of Bin Laden they became a very big deal, appearing and being mentioned in everything from ''WesternAnimation/{{Archer}}'' to ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' to ''Series/CallOfDuty'' and everything in between. And yes, they were brought up on ''Series/TheColbertReport'' where Creator/StephenColbert had a huge man crush on the team.

* {{Determinator}}: SEALS are taught to be this, with trainees who gut it out more valued than those who might be more skilled or find the training easier. Richard Marcinko tells a story of a guy Roy Bohem trained, who had to dive for buckets and swim as far as he can before surfacing. Instead he ''walked the length of the pool without coming up for air.'' When asked what the hell he was doing he explain, "I can't swim," and thus was taught how to because despite he he Did. Not. Quit.

** Indeed, the sign outside SEAL Training in Little Creek says, "The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in combat." Harsher SEALS change it to bleed and die.
* FunWithAcronyms: Depending on who you ask SEAL either means Sea Air Land or Sleep Eat And Live it up.

* {{Ninja}}: About as close as you can get to a modern-day version...with guns.
* TheSpartanWay: See TrainingFromHell immediately below, to become a SEAL involves swimming, running, lifting, swimming, underwater navigation, navigating through explosive laden obstacle courses while being shot at, [[RuleOfThree swimming,]] constant harassment and abuse, navigating a series of tall logs spaced far apart without falling, swimming, survival evasion and escape from enemy patrols, withstanding interrogation and [[OverlyLongGag swimming.]] Those who pass move on to demolitions and parachute work.
* TrainingFromHell: Only 25-30% of recruits get through SEAL training successfully. The rest are either rolled out because their [[GameBreakingInjury injuries prevent them from continuing]], or they quit. Most likely during "Hell Week" where they get maybe three hours sleep over five days of constant torture.

* UndyingLoyalty: They say a natural bond develops between men who are forced to share hellish experiences together, where they are forced to rely upon one another or else they die. When you crank those hellish experiences up to 11 then you get the Navy SEALS. When UsefulNotes/JohnFKennedy tasked Roy Boehm with creating the SEALS the veteran Frogman told his Commander in Chief, "I did not vote for you, sir, but I'll die for you."

!!Media where SEALS appear

* ''Comicbook/ThePunisher'': Frank Castle is depicted as a [[SemperFi Marine]] whenever he appears, however in most if not all of his works it’s also noted he trained with SEALS to become deadlier.

* An addition by Rorke Denver, [[note]] Who became the Advanced Training Director of the SEALS[[/note]] ''Damn few'', is about his own experiences in the unit from acceptance to retiring with senior rank, including combat experience in South America and the Middle East.

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

* As well as Delta Force in the video game...um, ''Delta Force'', players can also choose to play as SEALS among other special forces in ''Task Force Dagger.''

* The modern ''VideoGame/MedalOfHonor'' games focused on the absolute cream of the crop special forces such as Tier 1 including SEALS as well as Team Six. Several members were actually caught out advising on uniforms and tactics, and docked several month's pay.

* ''Film/LoneSurvivor'' is about Operation Red Wings, in which a SEAL recon team was cutoff from support and attempting to retreat from the Taliban.

* Obviously, Sony's ''[[SOCOMUSNavySeals SOCOM US Navy Seals]]'' series.
* One of the units available in ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerTiberianSun''. Elites who wipe out enemy soldiers, can swim and blow up buildings. Of course, this being a ''Command and Conquer'' game, they are [[CripplingOverspecialization absolutely helpless against vehicles.]]

* One of the units available in ''CommandAndConquer RedAlert2''. Elites who wipe out enemy soldiers, can swim and blow up buildings. Of course, this being a ''Command and Conquer'' game, they are [[CripplingOverspecialization absolutely helpless against vehicles.]]

Deep within the US Navy, an [[ElitesAreMoreGlamorous elite force]] of special covert commandos remains a closely guarded secret from the Soviet threat. Trained to be among the best in the world, equipped with the latest technology this group of violent renegade soldiers exist for one purpose: to protect America from the threat of communism and terrorism by sea, by air and by land.

* When ElizaDushku is hit on and asked out on a date when she plays an FBI agent in ''TheBigBangTheory'', she asks if her Navy SEAL husband is also invited. Dushku is known for playing Faith in ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'', Echo in ''Series/{{Dollhouse}}'', and Rubi in ''{{Wet}}'', in other words badasses. So she’s matched up with the ultimate BadAss for one hell of a cockblock.

* A recent addition is by Rorke Denver, [[note]] Who became the Advanced Training Director of the SEALS[[/note]]. ''Damn few'' is about his own experiences in the unit from acceptance to retiring with senior rank, including combat experience in South America and the Middle East.

* ''Film/Lone Survivor''

Deep within the US Navy, an elite force of special covert commandos remains a closely guarded secret from the Soviet threat. Trained to be the best in the world, equipped with the latest technology this group of violent renegade soldiers exist for one purpose: to protect America from the threat of communism and terrorism by sea, by air and by land.

* ''Film/Lone Survivor''

* {{Determinator}}: SEALS are taught to be this, with trainees who gut it out more valued than those who might be more skilled or find the training easier.

-->''The only easy day was yesterday.''
-->-'''Motto'''

* TheWarOnTerror: After the 9/11 attacks SEALS were deployed to the Persian Gulf to intercept suspected Taliban vessels, before moving in on Afghanistan to perform recon and help escort [[SemperFi Marines]] to launch the attack, no doubt the mother of all bodyguards. They would continue to work in country over the following weeks and months, specifically when they themselves were captured and had to be rescued by other elite, BadAss special forces. They would later secure Iraqi oil when the country was invaded, [[BigDamnHeroes saved a hijacked ship from Somali pirates]] and on May 1st 2011 were sent on a covert operation into Pakistan at the behest of BarackObama. This was the mission every SEAL writer dreams of, a high stakes infiltration and strike that could potentially result in World War III. That dream was realized when with the aid of intelligence agencies the SEALS were able to track down and assassinate OsamaBinLaden, with the news a RealLife example of AndThereWasMuchRejoicing with sports events interrupted by the news and the legendary SEALS writing themselves into the history books in the process.

* Sam Axe in ''Series/BurnNotice'' is a retired SEAL (played by none other than Creator/BruceCampbell); he managed to retire at the grade of Commander, receiving a promotion from Lt. Commander his last day of duty. This shows in his general attitude: he might be an overweight womanizing boozer, but then as a retired SEAL he has every right to be overweight and drink (and as for the womanizing--look at the page image caption!), and he is definitely the most by-the-book member of Team Westen (Michael having been a [[TheCIA CIA]] field agent and Fiona having been an [[TheTroubles IRA]] operative/weapons expert, Sam is the most likely to appeal to reason and law--as befits a career officer).[[note]]Michael was an Army Ranger, but he was enlisted and quickly departed for the CIA.[[/note]]

Sounds like a comic book doesn’t it? Well the team is real. President JohnFKennedy created the Navy Special Warfare Development Group, or Navy SEALS, in the 60’s where they served in TheVietnamWar, the ColdWar, the GulfWar and beyond to TheWarOnTerror. Before they were Navy Divers (elite soldiers sent to recover lost nukes at sea) and UDT, underwater demolitions experts sent to blow up enemy ships transporting those nukes for their diver swim buddies to recover.

* TheKoreanWar:
* TheVietnamWar:
* The ColdWar:

* UndyingLoyalty: They say a natural bond develops between men who are forced to share hellish experiences together, where they are forced to rely upon one another or else they die. When you crank those hellish experiences up to 11 then you get the Navy SEALS. When JohnFKennedy tasked Roy Boehm with creating the SEALS the veteran Frogman told his Commander in Chief, "I did not vote for you, sir, but I'll die for you."

* ColbertBump: Not that they weren't popular before, but after the assassination of Bin Laden they became a very big deal, appearing and being mentioned in everything from ''WesternAnimation/{{Archer}}'' to ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'' to ''Series/CallOfDuty'' and everything in between. And yes, they were brought up on ''Series/TheColbertReport'' where Creator/StephanColbert had a huge ManCrush on the team.

* Except for [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness the first film]], the ''Film/BehindEnemyLines'' movies are about Navy SEALS who get TrappedBehindEnemyLines and have to fight their way out (North Korea in the 2nd film, Colombia in the 3rd).

* ''Film/ZeroDarkThirty'' climaxes with the real life killing of UsefulNotes/OsamaBinLaden by Seal Team Six.

* [[ElitesAreMoreGlamorous Seal Team Six:]] After Marcinko was removed from command of SEAL Team Two he was involved as an adviser on Desert One, the rescue of hostages in Iran. The mission ended in tragedy, and a follow up mission was planned with the idea of forming a Joint Task Force for the mission. Marcinko delivered the brief but before he did he read through it and changed the involvement of SEALS from an element to a command, which would greatly expand and broaden their involvement in counterterrorsm. His edit went through when the JTF was formed, however in doing so he created the problem of there being no SEAL Team focused on terrorism, so he had to create one. After drafting the proposal and he was given the blessing of his superiors, he ran roughshod over the Navy in recruiting members for the team as well as the specialized equipment and standards he demanded.

* TheSpartanWay: See TrainingFromHell immediately below, to become a SEAL involves swimming, running, lifting, swimming, underwater navigation, navigating through explosive laden obstacle courses while shot at, [[RuleOfThree swimming,]] constant harassment and abuse, navigating a series of tall logs spaced far apart without falling, swimming, survival evasion and escape from enemy patrols, withstanding interrogation and [[OverlyLongGag swimming.]] Those who pass move on to demolitions and parachute work.

* ''RogueWarrior'' is the autobiography of Richard Marcinko, Commander of SEAL Team Two and creator and Commander of Team Six. He turned it into a franchise of fictional stories based on his experience, RealLife self help books and even a video game.
* ''Literature/LoneSurvivor'' is a memoir of a 2005 botched operation in Afghanistan by SEAL Team Ten to kill an Afghan warlord written by the operation's SoleSurvivor Marcus Luttrell. This book was made into a movie with the same name released in 2014.

* The CIA in ''Manga/{{Jormungand}}'' requests the deployment of the "Night Nine" a.k.a. SEAL Team 9's Alpha Platoon to eliminate Koko Hekmatyar's HCLI crew late in the second season. [[note]]It should be noted that SEAL Team 9 is fictional; the actual SEAL teams that exist in reality are 1-5, 7, 8, and 10 (Team Six is officially known as "DEVGRU").[[/note]] [[spoiler: They are the only enemies that take zero casualties against HCLI, and the only reason HCLI survives is because Koko uses her quantum computer to screw with Night Nine's GPS and send them in the wrong direction, right up to the Cuban border. And even then they cane very close to killing off Koko's crew.]]

* TheWarOnTerror:

* CharlieSheen’s movie ''Navy SEALS'' has a reporter who has contacts among terrorists but refuses to divulge information to Michael Biehn's character about terrorist possessing surface-to-air missiles. He takes her into a kill house (where the teams practice fighting inside buildings) and has a team actually engage around them, to give the reporter an idea of how it feels being helpless around a bunch of armed attackers, to get her to divulge the information needed to rescue the captured US personnel.

Several images might come to mind in thinking about SEALS: black clad Frogmen who swim from America to their destination halfway across the world, tiger stripped jungle fighters from Vietnam, and bug eyed crazies who underwent TrainingFromHell to become the ultimate warrior. These views are only slightly exaggerated, SEALS are intended to be all three.