ISSUE 18 DIVINGDIVING takestakes centercenter stagestage AsAs the war inin AfghanistanAfghanistan drawsdraws down,down, traditionaltraditional NSWNSW trainingtraining andand operationsoperations movemove toto thethe forefront.forefront. ISSUE contents The NSW Legacy 18 From a historical perspective, 2012 is a banner year for the Navy and Naval Special Warfare. Celebrations and ceremonies mark the anniversaries of the Battle of Midway, the bicentennial of the War of 1812, and Oct. 13 we will celebrate the Navy’s 237th birthday, recognizing that date in 1775 when the Continental Congress passed legislation authorizing the construction and purchase of America’s first Naval ships. And, of course, we continue to celebrate 50 years of Navy SEALs. All are historically significant dates, but at the time, the people involved were focused on the work and On Our Cover Navy Divers play a significant the challenges at hand. They likely thought little about how they’d be remembered for their efforts a role in NSW operations and half century later. Those SEALs who went before us operated with honor, courage and commitment. training throughout the Force. It was who they were. It IS who we are today. As Rear Adm. Pybus puts it in describing our identity. Photo by: MC3 Megan Anuci “We are THE TEAMS.” We must remember our history, our Character, our Ethos and the sacrifices that were made to get us where we are today. We must earn our Trident every day. To that end, I’d like to reiterate here in our magazine “Ethos,” Rear Adm. Pybus’ message to the FEATURES Force that was promulgated in early September: “Naval Special Warfare, 6 NSW Navy Divers 24 A look at the critical role NSW Divers ‘We do NOT advertise the nature of our work, play within the force. NOR do we seek recognition for our actions … .’ NSW Ethos In recent months, a number of people associated with Naval Special Warfare have violated this part of our Ethos. As the Commander of NSW, I am disappointed, DEPARTMENTS 71 Days of Dedication embarrassed and concerned. Most of us have always thought that the privilege of 9 A retired Navy SEAL bikes across working with some of our Nation’s toughest Warriors on challenging missions would America for country, teammates and self. be enough to be proud of, with no further compensation or celebrity required. Today, we find FORCE NEWS former SEALs headlining positions in a Presidential campaign; hawking details about a mission against Enemy Number 1; and generally selling other aspects of NSW training and operations. For an Elite Force that should be humble and disciplined for life, 2 News from Around the Force Coastal Campus we are certainly not appearing to be so. We owe our Chain of Command much better than this. Annual blood drive, Joggin’ for 12 NSW’s plan to expand west- At risk with irresponsible disclosures is NSW’s reputation and security. In Special Operations, trust and reputation are Frogmen 5km, “Extortion 17” coast assets to meet growing everything. Senior Leaders in SOF and the Department of Defense cannot be given reason to doubt NSW’s ability to operate memorial and more. requirements. successfully and maintain secrecy always. Dive Safety is No Accident The security of our Force and Families is also put at risk by the release of sensitive information. Our real or potential adversaries FOCUS 18 NSW’s diving protocols and safety ON THE accumulate information about the U.S. Military, including NSW, and unauthorized personal forays and activities into the Public 14 FORCE precautions breed sucess. Domain that propagate NSW details expose us to unnecessary danger. 14 Surface Mobility We must immediately reconsider how we properly influence our people in and out of uniform NOT to seek inappropriate A look at the evolution of SEALs monetary, political, or celebrity profit from their service with NSW. This is a challenge to both the Active and Former NSW and the surface craft and men that Force—we all have much to gain or lose. In the weeks ahead, we will be taking actions to meet this challenge, and I appreciate your helped shape the future of the Rise of the SWCC Master leadership and support of our community in this effort.” NSW community. 21 The SWCC community looks to overhaul qualification standards. This issue of Ethos devotes its pages to remembering our history, On page 6 you will find “Behind the Mask and Snorkel,” an article ONYOURYOUR honoring our fallen and highlighting not only the here and now but plans highlighting Navy Divers and their support of NSW below the surface and a MIND aimed at supporting the future of NSW more than a decade from now. related article on NSW dive training safety and the importance of operational A Day of Rememberance Two news-features in Ethos issue 18 focus on how a group and an risk management and good safety practices (page 18). 28 Reading about War 24 Seven years to the day since Operation individual chose to memorialize our fallen. “A Day of Remembrance” on Lastly, page 12 includes an article on NSW’s Coastal Campus Initiative, Retired SEAL officer Bob Red Wings, the command honors the page 24 details the 5km run that honors the men who were lost seven a proposed land-use plan, which if approved, will address our need for new Schoultz discusses the need fallen with a ceremony and a “Run to years ago during Operation Red Wings, and “71 Days of Dedication” on facilities to support current and future logistics, operations, training and for Operators to not only be Remember.” warriors, but scholars. page 9 highlights retired Navy SEAL Evin Thompson’s personal story of his administration requirements. The initiative is based on SOCOM’s 10-year, 6 4,638-mile journey across America, in part, to honor the men with whom he $700 million, 21+ MILCON project plan for NSW. This singular project, served. one of several being worked in the Southern California region to support There are two articles chronicling the evolution of the Navy’s boats that NSW, has been many years in the planning, will continue to take significant COMMANDER > Rear Adm. Sean A. Pybus ASSOCIATE EDITOR > Ms. Mandy McCammon have supported SEALs (page 14) as well as the development and evolution effort by hundreds of dedicated personnel over the next decade to fully FORCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER > Capt. William Fenick PRODUCTION MANAGER > MC2 (SW/AW) John Scorza DEPUTY PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER > Ms. Patricia O’Connor STAFF > MC2 (SW) Shauntae Hinkle-Lymas, MC2 (SW/AW) Dominique of the community of sailors (SWCC) who operate the mobility platforms in execute and have a lasting impact on the future of NSW. Remember Honor, ASST. PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER > Lt. Cmdr. David McKinney Canales, MC3 Megan Anuci, MC3 Geneva G. Brier support of maritime special operations missions (page 21). Courage, Commitment because history is being made today. EDITOR > MCCS (SW/AW) Michael Raney ISSUE 18 > July - September 2012 STAFF Rear Adm. Garry Bonelli, Ethos is an official production of the Naval Special Warfare Command Public Affairs Office, 2000 Trident Way, San Diego, CA 92155-5599. Deputy Commander, NSW Command Send electronic submissions and correspondence to [email protected] or call (619) 522-2825. STAFF ETHOS 1 Personnel Specialist 1st Class Joshua highest number of U.S. forces killed during a FORCE Delong has given blood more than a dozen single event in support of Operation Enduring times in his life and advocates the importance Freedom. Guest speakers included Army NEWS of donating. Ranger Sean Parnell, John Kelsall, father “It saves lives. It’s that simple,” said of fallen SEAL Jonas T. Kelsall and ultra Delong. “It is just an easy and good way to marathon runner Mike Rouse who all offered help out.” memories and motivation. Naval Special Warfare Hosts “One donation can save three lives,” said Rouse ran for 24 hours non-stop prior to Annual Blood Drive Rekoksi. “We have saved thousands upon the start of event in honor of his close friend, thousands of lives both at home and in Jonas. CORONADO, Calif. – Naval Special forward deployed areas over the years.” “Those men made the ultimate sacrifice so Warfare Command (NSW) hosted a Naval “Everyone should donate because it’s we could enjoy ourselves today,” said Rouse. Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) blood such a small price to pay for the possibility “We didn’t do this for ourselves or for our donor drive July 24 to support service of saving someone’s life, especially for our own profit, but to those who we want to thank members around the globe. troops,” said Yeoman 2nd Class (AW) Linda and support.” MC3 Geneva G. Brier NSW donors answered the call for Barriga. The main sponsors for the event were the MC3 Megan Anuci MC3 Geneva G. Brier potentially lifesaving blood, as Sailors and Veterans United Foundation, Navy SEAL Personnel Specialist 1st Class Joshua Delong donates blood during a blood Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (FMF) Eugene Lewis carries a flag to honor his best civilians joined in the effort and contributed Foundation, Special Operations Warrior drive conducted by the Naval Medical Center San Diego Blood Donor Center friend, Special Warfare Operator 3rd Class Denis Miranda, while running in the more than 30 pints that will benefit military Foundation, USO and Navy Federal Credit at WARCOM. Joggin’ for Frogmen 5k at San Diego State University. members and their families around the world. Joggin’ for Frogmen 5km Union. “We are a military blood donor center Run Honors Fallen Troops “We raised a lot of money for our heroes,” said Lewis. “We’re going to continue the mission, the men, and “Bart” the dog of ombudsmen, family support personnel and and our mission is to help the military,” foundations and that was our main goal,” to build his legacy with word of mouth and Extortion 17,” said Pybus.