260 Physical Fitness and Training Recommendations
Final Comments From: RADM Smith
This manual is a superb guide covering all the major focus areas required to
maintain fitness as a SEAL. I offer as a final piece of SEAL culture, my version of "burn-
out PT" in Table 15-11. The progression of the program is as follows: start at Stage 1 and
cycle through the first set of each exercise, followed by the next sets. Next, move on to
Stage 2 and use the same sequence. Begin with lower reps per exercise, with the goal of
eventually completing the PT as set forth in Table 15-11. Those who have done it, know it
is not what a modern fitness expert would necessarily approve of e.g., no stretching, (do it
on your own time), over repetition of the same exercises, and several stomach exercises
clearly not beneficial for the lower back (an understatement!). Having said that, you can do
it practically anywhere, (if you have two or more hours); it exercises the vast majority of
muscle groups; and finally, it imposes great pain and discomfort on the body - an instinct
carefully nurtured, although sometimes avoided, (what's the water temp?) by even the most
driven of us.Its origin stems from a legendary SCPO in UDT-12 - Frank Perry, who reigned
supreme among the West Coast teams for at least 15 years. I have omitted one of his
favorite exercises -- the eight-count body builders -- invoking the principle that if you do
my PT fast enough (it's structured to do that), you will get the requisite cardiovascular
benefit without the 100 eight counts we did every Friday morning (one set- non-stop).
Enough is enough! While I suspect it was only Frank Perry's way of reminding us who
WAS "the king" in those days, I certainly don't recall any challenges to his reign!I've also picked up many of these exercises from working out with the various
SEAL teams. I've attempted to incorporate unusual or esoteric exercises to provide the
more easily-bored SEAL with a bit of variety. I've also attempted to work opposing muscle
groups - my one compromise to modern-day fitness.Of course, do not feel constrained with what I offer - add your own or modify mine
as you see fit. However, if you can do this program in less than 2 hours 15 minutes, you
might try marketing the program to the public (plenty of former SEALS are already doing
so with their programs)!More importantly, do it with your platoon! It makes for great brotherhood when one
shares pain with one's teammates!Hoo-Yah!
RADM Smith