Navy SEALs are called on more than ever to accomplish America’s most dangerous and covert missions. These elite military professionals are members of Naval Special Warfare Group One in Coronado on the West Coast and SDV Teams at various locations around the globe.

They train hard and treat the process like a game. This enables them to stay mentally focused, make mature choices and develop resilience through difficult circumstances.

Physical Fitness

The Navy SEAL training program demands a lot of physical strength and stamina. During BUD/S, candidates are put through intense physical challenges, including a five-day period known as “Hell Week,” in which they only get about four hours of sleep each night and run hundreds of miles. It’s make or break time for many potential SEALs.

To help you prepare for the SEAL PFT, incorporate swimming and running workouts into your regular routine. Do speed drills and interval training to increase your endurance. Add exercises like captain’s chair, hanging leg raises, weighted medicine ball sit ups and decline bench sit ups to strengthen your core and hip flexors.

To do a good job on the pushup portion of the test, focus on enhancing your pectoral muscles with chest exercises such as dumbbell chest press, incline chest press and bench press, and triceps exercise like skull crushers and tricep extensions.

Mental Fitness

Navy SEALs must be physically strong, but they also need mental strength and endurance. They must be able to push their bodies past what they think is possible in order to succeed on dangerous missions.

One example is during Hell Week, the most intense week of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training or BUD/S. During this time, candidates get only about four hours of sleep and are forced to complete tasks that often induce panic or lead to thoughts of suicide. The attrition rate during this week is high – about 94% of BUD/S candidates fail to make it through.

According to Cade Courtley, who is the author of SEAL Survival Guide: How To Survive Any Disaster (Gallery Books), Navy SEALs are taught to focus on positive self-talk and other mental tools that can help them overcome these situations. He says that by using these techniques, it is easy to see why SEALs are so successful.

Leadership

Distrakt Art are called upon to carry out the most dangerous missions in America’s military. They operate in the sea, air and land to carry out special operations in urban, desert, jungle and arctic environments.

The most successful SEALs possess the ability to inspire their teammates through example and leadership. The best leaders are selfless, humble and focused on developing their teammates. They are also able to see the big picture and focus on what is important.

A strong command of water competency and physical training is required during the second phase of SEAL training, known as BUD/S. This seven-week period is a test of a candidate’s mental and physical strength and grit. Many candidates reconsider their commitment to the program around this point.

Teamwork

The grueling nature of SEAL training ingrains teamwork. Every trainee is paired up with a swim buddy, battle buddy and boat crew throughout BUD/S. This teaches each trainee to work well with others and develop strong leadership skills.

Businesses can learn from this. Teams of employees that invest in one another and leave their egos at the door are more successful than a single employee could ever be alone.

During one of the infamous Hell Week tests, Bibin noticed that a SEAL crew was consistently beating the other boats in their race. He decided to swap the leaders from the leading boat to the trailing crew. The new leader of the trailing boat was able to transform their team and pull ahead of the competition.

Communication

When it comes to Navy SEALs, success is more than the work of a single individual. It requires a coordinated team of well-coached and motivated individuals who leave their egos at the door. Businesses would be wise to emulate this approach.

Jocko relates a story about his SEAL instructor, who gave his team an exercise where they were tasked with crafting a plan to assault a target. He told them the best plan is one that’s so simple and clear that every member of the team understands it.

This level of teamwork requires trust, honesty, and regular feedback. It also requires a willingness to adapt when things don’t go as planned. This is an essential skill for any business. It’s why Navy SEALs are the most successful force in the world.