Latest news with #SEALTeam6
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
What it's like growing up with a Navy SEAL dad
Dispelling the myths and confirming the truths. I get asked a lot of ridiculous questions about my dad. They usually revolve around how many people he's killed, or how easily he can kill someone with one finger. On one hand, I get it. He's an interesting guy. My dad was a SEAL for decades. He commanded SEAL Team 6 from 1999 to 2003. He doesn't like it when I tell people that but ah well. He's fun to brag about. There's always been a mystique around SEALs. That mystique turned into borderline celebrity status following the War in Afghanistan and the legendary stories that followed. Yet here I am, almost 41 years old, still getting asked the same stupid questions about having a SEAL dad. I thought I'd put it all to rest. This is what it was like with both my dad and other SEALs around me. Levels of strictness My dad probably is a bit stricter than the average dad. SEALs aren't the kumbaya types, smiling after a mistake and saying, 'Now what did we all learn from this?' But it was never anything extreme. I can say, with certainty, that most marine dads are way stricter. SEAL communities are all about being tough, competent, and brave. They trade a lot of currency on those values. When they are around each other, that tough-guy culture can be heightened, particularly with younger SEALs who are eager to prove themselves. I suspect that for many, family life is a welcome break from a day job that involves 'being hard'. And they are generally smart enough to know that acting like a drill sergeant with your kids doesn't exactly build a great relationship. If there was ever a moment when my upbringing felt different, it was in my freshman year of high school. I was at a local private school. Many of the kids my age were quite spoiled. There was a memorable moment as we milled around before soccer practice. All my teammates were comparing how much their parents paid them to mow the lawn. Our coach was a bit mortified. I said, 'I mow the lawn, or else.' Coach looked at me, and with a smile said, "Sean knows what actual work is." It was a rare moment of affirmation that I wasn't used to getting. I also hung out with some of these kids. There was one incident where my friend got in a screaming match with his parents. It ended with him slamming the door in his dad's face after dropping an F-bomb. That wouldn't have gone over well at my house. There's a healthy level of respect that you should have your elders. It's good for a kid. But again, it wasn't crazy strict. SEAL communities are very teamwork-oriented. It necessitates a level of compassion, an ability to sense how your teammates are doing, and knowing when they are down or weak. That necessity instills a softer side in these guys that translates well to civilian life. Put more simply, they teach us a lot of lessons that don't involve beating up other kids. Not every nail requires the hammer. 'Why didn't you become a SEAL like your dad?' New rule. Don't ask that. The question is beat to death. And for inquiring minds, the gene just skipped me. I never felt that calling. Most team guys don't pressure their kids to be SEALs. I actually can't even name a single son who followed his father's footsteps. I don't even know of another dad who pressured their son to be a SEAL like him. It's an extreme career path, harder than most know, even after seeing all the movies and TV shows. If you aren't born with a burning desire, a primal urge to be a SEAL, you won't make it. It needs to be your Olympus. I'd speculate that many fathers feel the same trepidation that a pro athlete feels when their kid pursues a pro-sports career. They know how hard the path is and how many good people came up short. They probably don't want their kid living in their shadow. Also, serving messes a lot of these guys up. SEALs see a lot of bad stuff and have a lot of bad stuff happen to them. It leaves a lot of scars, many of them hidden. Sports and athleticism Most SEAL families I've known are indeed athletic. You won't meet many kids who can't swim. And I haven't met any SEALs, retired, or active, who are significantly overweight. In the community, staying physically fit is held in high regard. It's seen as a sign of work ethic and discipline. And it can definitely affect your upward mobility. If my belly started to grow too much, I'd hear noise about it. Heck, I still will. It's given me a tough inner voice that says, 'You are gaining weight. Time to work out.' It's good motivation. But fitness is a good value to take with you. Getting older isn't for wimps. You need to bring as many good habits with you as you can. The vow of silence One of the problems with all the dumb questions about ninja fighting techniques and kill counts is that I don't really know. My dad was deployed to warzones for literally half my life. He chased war criminals across Yugoslavia. He's spent months in remote, extremely dangerous environments. Anytime there was some crazy situation involving terrorists, he and his guys got the call. I don't have any illusions that he may have seen and done a few things. After all, it's in the job description. However, anytime I've asked, I've never gotten anywhere close to an answer. I actually stopped asking after childhood because, one, it's kind of rude, and two, because I don't particularly care to know. Most SEALs take that vow of secrecy very seriously. That is why there is always tension over these books that get written every now and then. It goes against their credos. The warrior philosophy 'I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.' — SEAL Creed. Most men who become SEALs have an underlying belief that evil exists in this world. They believe that becoming a SEAL grants them a great opportunity to not only rid the world of darkness, but also to protect the vulnerable from those who wish to do them harm. Being allowed to operate with, arguably, the most elite soldiers in the world is treated as a privilege. They are given access to the best training and equipment available. Their peers are as talented and loyal as one could ask for. Being able to serve and protect is seen as an honor. This flows into their parenting. They promote humility. They tend to be watchful of who their kids spend their time with. They know the importance of the company you keep. They also tend to have a strong orientation toward right and wrong (again, good vs evil), which they pass down. But it was never too bad. Growing up with a SEAL dad was a good experience. I have only lived one life, that I know of. Given the choice, I think I'd repeat. Even if I have to deal with a few dumb questions. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
What it's like growing up with a Navy SEAL dad
Dispelling the myths and confirming the truths. I get asked a lot of ridiculous questions about my dad. They usually revolve around how many people he's killed, or how easily he can kill someone with one finger. On one hand, I get it. He's an interesting guy. My dad was a SEAL for decades. He commanded SEAL Team 6 from 1999 to 2003. He doesn't like it when I tell people that but ah well. He's fun to brag about. There's always been a mystique around SEALs. That mystique turned into borderline celebrity status following the War in Afghanistan and the legendary stories that followed. Yet here I am, almost 41 years old, still getting asked the same stupid questions about having a SEAL dad. I thought I'd put it all to rest. This is what it was like with both my dad and other SEALs around me. Levels of strictness My dad probably is a bit stricter than the average dad. SEALs aren't the kumbaya types, smiling after a mistake and saying, 'Now what did we all learn from this?' But it was never anything extreme. I can say, with certainty, that most marine dads are way stricter. SEAL communities are all about being tough, competent, and brave. They trade a lot of currency on those values. When they are around each other, that tough-guy culture can be heightened, particularly with younger SEALs who are eager to prove themselves. I suspect that for many, family life is a welcome break from a day job that involves 'being hard'. And they are generally smart enough to know that acting like a drill sergeant with your kids doesn't exactly build a great relationship. If there was ever a moment when my upbringing felt different, it was in my freshman year of high school. I was at a local private school. Many of the kids my age were quite spoiled. There was a memorable moment as we milled around before soccer practice. All my teammates were comparing how much their parents paid them to mow the lawn. Our coach was a bit mortified. I said, 'I mow the lawn, or else.' Coach looked at me, and with a smile said, "Sean knows what actual work is." It was a rare moment of affirmation that I wasn't used to getting. I also hung out with some of these kids. There was one incident where my friend got in a screaming match with his parents. It ended with him slamming the door in his dad's face after dropping an F-bomb. That wouldn't have gone over well at my house. There's a healthy level of respect that you should have your elders. It's good for a kid. But again, it wasn't crazy strict. SEAL communities are very teamwork-oriented. It necessitates a level of compassion, an ability to sense how your teammates are doing, and knowing when they are down or weak. That necessity instills a softer side in these guys that translates well to civilian life. Put more simply, they teach us a lot of lessons that don't involve beating up other kids. Not every nail requires the hammer. 'Why didn't you become a SEAL like your dad?' New rule. Don't ask that. The question is beat to death. And for inquiring minds, the gene just skipped me. I never felt that calling. Most team guys don't pressure their kids to be SEALs. I actually can't even name a single son who followed his father's footsteps. I don't even know of another dad who pressured their son to be a SEAL like him. It's an extreme career path, harder than most know, even after seeing all the movies and TV shows. If you aren't born with a burning desire, a primal urge to be a SEAL, you won't make it. It needs to be your Olympus. I'd speculate that many fathers feel the same trepidation that a pro athlete feels when their kid pursues a pro-sports career. They know how hard the path is and how many good people came up short. They probably don't want their kid living in their shadow. Also, serving messes a lot of these guys up. SEALs see a lot of bad stuff and have a lot of bad stuff happen to them. It leaves a lot of scars, many of them hidden. Sports and athleticism Most SEAL families I've known are indeed athletic. You won't meet many kids who can't swim. And I haven't met any SEALs, retired, or active, who are significantly overweight. In the community, staying physically fit is held in high regard. It's seen as a sign of work ethic and discipline. And it can definitely affect your upward mobility. If my belly started to grow too much, I'd hear noise about it. Heck, I still will. It's given me a tough inner voice that says, 'You are gaining weight. Time to work out.' It's good motivation. But fitness is a good value to take with you. Getting older isn't for wimps. You need to bring as many good habits with you as you can. The vow of silence One of the problems with all the dumb questions about ninja fighting techniques and kill counts is that I don't really know. My dad was deployed to warzones for literally half my life. He chased war criminals across Yugoslavia. He's spent months in remote, extremely dangerous environments. Anytime there was some crazy situation involving terrorists, he and his guys got the call. I don't have any illusions that he may have seen and done a few things. After all, it's in the job description. However, anytime I've asked, I've never gotten anywhere close to an answer. I actually stopped asking after childhood because, one, it's kind of rude, and two, because I don't particularly care to know. Most SEALs take that vow of secrecy very seriously. That is why there is always tension over these books that get written every now and then. It goes against their credos. The warrior philosophy 'I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight.' — SEAL Creed. Most men who become SEALs have an underlying belief that evil exists in this world. They believe that becoming a SEAL grants them a great opportunity to not only rid the world of darkness, but also to protect the vulnerable from those who wish to do them harm. Being allowed to operate with, arguably, the most elite soldiers in the world is treated as a privilege. They are given access to the best training and equipment available. Their peers are as talented and loyal as one could ask for. Being able to serve and protect is seen as an honor. This flows into their parenting. They promote humility. They tend to be watchful of who their kids spend their time with. They know the importance of the company you keep. They also tend to have a strong orientation toward right and wrong (again, good vs evil), which they pass down. But it was never too bad. Growing up with a SEAL dad was a good experience. I have only lived one life, that I know of. Given the choice, I think I'd repeat. Even if I have to deal with a few dumb questions. Solve the daily Crossword
Khaleej Times
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
'Doctor Sleep', 'American Manhunt', 'MurderBot', 'Voy! Voy! Voy!': Our top picks for the weekend watch
Doctor Sleep Apple TV+ | Horro Imagine if you could travel worlds while you slept, seeing new realities and creating new dreams. Now, what if you open your eyes mid nap to see that you are a child and slowly it dawns upon you that you are stuck in your most traumatic memory? You wake up terrified, but the worst part isn't that you keep seeing scary things – it's that you know that things that go bump in the night are real – because they've been coming for you your entire life. This tale by horror guru Stephen King is set years following The Shining, and in it, functioning alcoholic Dan Torrance is drawn into a situation where he must save a young child who has similar powers as him and is being hunted by a cult. But to do this, he must go back to the place where it all started, to those haunting corridors that hold his nightmares. By Karishma Nandkeolyar American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden Netflix | 3 Epidoses | Docuseries Want to indulge in a little bit of education, but in the most cinematically engaging format possible? Netflix continues to reinvent the infotainment genre, and this week's pick is the gripping docuseries American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden. Told over three tightly edited episodes, it traces the decade-long global pursuit of the al-Qaeda leader, from the aftermath of 9/11 to the secret SEAL Team 6 raid in Abbottabad. What sets it apart is the emotional storytelling, including firsthand accounts from CIA analysts, rare archival footage, and a real sense of moral tension: Can you really kill your way out of terror? It's part history lesson, part spy thriller, and all-consuming. And even if you think you know the story, this one hits differently! By Somya Mehta MurderBot Apple TV+ | 10 Episodes | Sci-Fi / Comedy / Action A robot gone rogue? In 2025, that hits a little too close to home. But MurderBot takes that premise and flips it into something surprisingly funny and heartfelt. Alexander Skarsgård is brilliant as a Security Unit that hacks its own governor module, giving it free will. Instead of going full Terminator, it tries to keep a low profile by babysitting scientists on a dangerous alien planet, while secretly just wanting to binge soap operas in peace. It's weird, witty, and has way more emotion than you'd expect from a show featuring a bot with sarcasm issues. With just one season featuring 10 sitcom-length episodes, the show is perfect for a weekend binge. Season 2 is already confirmed. By Husain Rizvi Voy! Voy! Voy! Netflix | Arabic | Dramedy Based on a true story, Voy! Voy! Voy! tells the story of a man fed up of his life in Egypt and dreams of making it big in Europe. His modus operandi? Feign blindness and become a member of a blind football that's travelling to Poland. Directed by adman-turned-filmmaker Omar Hilal, the movie boasts a stellar cast, including the Arabic stars Mohamed Farrag, Nelly Karim and Bayoumi Fouad. Voy! Voy! Voy! is part screwball comedy and part touching, as it dwells on people's aspirations, hope and disappointment — and how the world works. Prepare to laugh, ponder and empathise as you witness Hassan's (Mohamed Farrag) journey. This production released alongside Barbenheimer (yes, Barbie and Oppenheimer) and went on to taste resounding success at the Arab box office. As for the title, it refers to the word blind footballers say when they have the ball to themselves to avoid bumping into others. For fans of: Drama, genuine laughs, and rooted Arabic cinema. By Rajagopalan Venkataraman
Time of India
15-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Inside America's most secretive warriors: Delta Force and SEAL Team 6
When people talk about the most dangerous and secretive military units in the world, two names inevitably come up: Delta Force and SEAL Team 6 . Officially, they go by less dramatic titles — 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D) and the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) . But inside military circles, they're simply known as Delta and Team 6 . Both are considered Tier 1 special mission units under the U.S. military's Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) . They handle the kinds of missions that rarely make headlines: hostage rescues in hostile territory, hunting down terrorists, and carrying out operations so sensitive even members of Congress might not hear about them. Army Sgt. 1st Class Randall 'Randy' Shughart (left) and Army Master Sgt. Gary Gordon are two of the most celebrated Delta Force operators, honored for their incredible bravery during the Battle of Mogadishu (Oct 3, 1993) Born from different branches, united by mission Delta Force belongs to the U.S. Army . Modeled after the British SAS, it was founded in the late 1970s with a clear purpose — to give the U.S. military a dedicated, ultra-secret counterterrorism force. Their specialties include covert hostage rescues, high-value target raids, and precision assaults deep behind enemy lines. SEAL Team 6, meanwhile, emerged from the U.S. Navy in the aftermath of the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. Originally designed to focus on maritime counterterrorism (ships, oil rigs, coastal threats), it has since evolved into a global strike force capable of executing any mission Delta might handle, but with unique expertise in waterborne and coastal environments. How they operate and why both exist While their missions often overlap, the reason both exist comes down to strategy and flexibility. JSOC wants options. If one unit is deployed, the other can step in. Geography also plays a role — Delta's roots are in land-based operations, while Team 6 retains capabilities better suited to maritime missions, though both are now fully capable of global operations on any terrain. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Chevrolet SUV LTZ: Tecnologia e Conforto LocalPlan Busque agora Undo Both forces are kept separate not just by branch but by culture . Delta's operators often come from Army Special Forces or Rangers , bringing a wide range of experience from conventional warfare and special operations. Team 6 recruits exclusively from within the Navy SEALs , selecting only the most capable and experienced. This difference influences their tactics, personalities, and approaches. An official shot of DEVGRU operators during a training or mission-ready posture, showcasing the elite capabilities of SEAL Team 6 — released by the U.S. Navy in the public domain Missions you've heard about — and some you haven't If the names sound familiar, it's because both units have been behind some of the most historic military operations in recent memory. Delta Force captured Saddam Hussein. SEAL Team 6 killed Osama bin Laden. But those are just the missions the public knows. Most of their work remains in the shadows — fast, violent, and surgical operations where failure isn't an option. They often work alongside the CIA and other intelligence agencies, operating in places where the U.S. technically isn't 'at war.' Who's better? That's not how it works. Inside the military, there's no official answer to which is 'better.' Both are the best at what they do . They exist to complement each other, not compete. Their operators train relentlessly, often pushing the limits of human endurance and skill. Both are said to operate on the mantra of 'quiet professionals.' Live Events In a world where modern warfare increasingly depends on precision and speed, Delta Force and SEAL Team 6 remain the sharpest edges of America's spear — unseen until the moment they strike.
NBC News
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Jurors see more texts between Cassie and Diddy as prosecutors prepare to rest case
Diddy's trial was abbreviated this week. The proceedings were effectively canceled Wednesday after a juror called in sick, and federal court wasn't in session Thursday in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. But this morning, all the key players returned to the courtroom to hear testimony from one of the rapper's former personal assistants. Here's what you need to know about Day 27 of the trial: Brendan Paul testified about the demands of his job as one of Diddy's former assistants. He told jurors he once went without sleep for three days. He recalled being asked to buy thousands of dollars' worth of drugs. He said the music mogul didn't take 'no' for an answer and compared his staff assistants to the U.S. military's SEAL Team 6. Paul, facing cross-examination from defense attorney Brian Steel, agreed that Diddy's ex-girlfriend ' Jane ' did not seem hesitant or apprehensive before 'freak offs.' Paul said Jane appeared to be a willing participant in the sexual encounters — contradicting her testimony and the government's narrative. U.S. government prosecutors walked jurors through text messages from Cassie Ventura to Diddy. In one text, Ventura said she didn't deserve to be beaten by him. 'That's not love, that's possession,' Ventura wrote, apparently referencing the 2016 hotel assault recorded on video. The defense again attempted to portray 'freak offs' as consensual encounters. They entered into evidence a March 2017 text message in which Ventura wrote: 'I love our FO's, when we both want it.' 🔎 The view from inside By Adam Reiss, Chloe Melas, Katherine Koretski and Jing Feng Diddy, wearing a white sweater and black pants, appeared engaged in today's testimony. He seemed to pay close attention to prosecutor Maurene Comey as she questioned U.S. government summary witness Joseph Cerciello, a special agent with the Department of Homeland Security. Paul, the ex-assistant, struck an ambiguous note as he concluded testimony for the day. When asked by prosecutor Christy Slavik how he feels about Diddy today, Paul replied with two cryptic words: 'It's complicated.' 👨⚖️ By Danny Cevallos Cerciello, the Homeland Security special agent, testified about charts of evidence compiled by prosecutors to confirm they correspond to thousands of pages of records, including text messages. Diddy will almost surely not testify. But it doesn't really matter. That's because in a modern criminal case — especially a federal criminal case — prosecutors can get witnesses and defendants' 'testimony' in front of the jury without them ever taking the stand. Combing through thousands of pages of text messages is something at which special agents and federal prosecutors excel. It doesn't matter that a single text message or a short series of messages could be taken out of context. Prosecutors will introduce it and add their own context. After all, if the defendant thinks these statements are misleading, he can take the stand and dispute them, right? Except, most of the time, the defendant does not take the stand. In this case so far, the star witnesses have arguably not been the humans. They have been things like text messages, financial records and other documents. For some reason, people have always put things in text messages as though they could never become public. We're all guilty of that, too. All of us are likely part of a text message 'group' with our friends or family where we say things that, if publicly revealed, would cause us a lot of problems. Certainly for Diddy, these texts have caused him a lot of problems — arguably more than the people who testified against him. U.S. government prosecutors are expected to rest their case on Monday. Diddy's defense team has signaled it will need around two days to present its case. If that rough timeline holds, closing arguments could take place Thursday. PSA: Every night during Diddy's trial, NBC's 'Dateline' will drop special episodes of the 'True Crime Weekly' podcast to get you up to speed. 'Dateline' correspondent Andrea Canning chats with NBC News' Chloe Melas and special guests — right in front of the courthouse. Listen here.
