COMMENTARY | The legendary status of Navy SEALs took a monumental step forward when a group of SEALs took down Osama bin Laden, the world's most wanted individual for a decade.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports city aldermen have proposed that a ticker-tape parade be held to honor members of SEAL Team Six, the elite unit that took down bin Laden. A parade would be a departure from the norm for SEALs, as much of what they do is secret and never sees the full light of day.
While I join the nation in honoring SEAL Team Six, I offer three reasons why I couldn't be a SEAL.
Swimming
SEAL is an acronym for SEa, Air, and Land. Meaning SEAL teams can operate anywhere on the planet. A big part of the training involves copious levels of swimming. Although I did spend four years in the Navy, I swim only slightly better than Donald Trump combs his hair.
The water training a person must go through to become a SEAL, to a limited swimmer like myself, seems to border on the ridiculous. Don't get me wrong, I understand the physical training is demanding. I've known a couple of guys over the years who were SEALs, and I think they would agree with me that one of the biggest components of the physical training is mental toughness.
I've committed myself to some serious physical activities in the past, but I have never been able to become a good swimmer. So that, in and of itself, would keep me out. Any person wanting to consider the training should be aware that you will be asked to swim with gear on; in cold, stormy water; and for long distances.
Knot tying
Again, having been in the Navy, you would think I was great at knots. I learned celestial navigation before I mastered the bowline. Can't explain it, but it's a fact. As a SEAL, you will have to be able to master different knots, according to the New York Daily News, and do it underwater. I could probably become a rocket scientist before I could master underwater knot-tying.
I'm just not that gung ho
Not to begrudge those who can do the job, but I could never see myself committing to the SEAL life, if I were still young enough to even qualify. Remember the phrase "Navy, it's not just a job, it's and adventure?" With the SEALs, it's more than an adventure; it's also a lifestyle requiring nearly complete commitment.
Another factor for me would be orders. Sure, who wouldn't want to take out bin Laden? But suppose, if you will, Sarah Palin were president. She decides the best way to bring peace between Israel and Palestine is to take out the Palestinian leadership.
You realize such an action would inflame the region, possibly bring war, and destroy the peace process. However, you are there to act on orders, not discuss them. You become an instrument of foreign policy, like the policies or not.
I will be happy to appreciate that there are individuals who can make those commitments, and work to ensure our political leadership is able to use them sparingly, effectively, and with limited loss of life. My congratulations to SEAL Team Six.
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