NEW BLOOD

A look at what it takes to

join the SWCC brotherhood
 Waatrthreio
dinlisgm be rs
1: Bupril
ofessiona gins Ce nt er.
Quiet

2: MMMMAAcan help operators

How .
fight on the battlefield

6: RIGG ERS— and can tell you how high!

sa
Theyy “J UM P”

12: H IGHWC ALIbeBstEanRd P EOPLE

brightest
l Special arfare’s
Nava

13: W AVE RID ERS

idate to SWCC:
Cand the cut.
What it takes to make

18: BthIK ER BdrO YS

ey love to ive fast
Why ly.
and how they do it safe

23: Fp OR EIGN AFFTT AIRS

S.
Grou4 takes over NAVSCIA

26: BbuROO MBALL

Teamilding on ice is nice!

28: LO YALTpaYth
ng the right
Findi
and sticking to it.

CATCHING AIR: Students parachute from

1,500 feet above El Centro, Calif. Jan. 19
during a Static-Line Jump Master course
conducted by NSW ATC Air Operations.

COMMANDER > Rear Admiral Edward Winters, III
FORCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER > Commander Gregory Geisen
DEP. PAO/EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS > Lieutenant Nathan Potter
DEP. PAO/INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS > Ms. Patricia O’Connor
S TA F F
PRODUCTION MANAGER > MC1 (SW/AW) Andre Mitchell
ART DIRECTOR > Ms. Mandy McCammon
LAYOUT/DESIGN > MC2 (PJ) Michelle Kapica
STAFF > MC2 (SW/AW) Arcenio Gonzalez, MC2 (SW) Shauntae Hinkle,

EDITOR > MCCS (SW/AW) Scott Williams MC2 (SW/AW) Erika Manzano, MC2 (SW/AW) Dominique Lasco

Ethos is an authorized official production of the Naval Special Warfare Command Public Affairs Office, 2000 Trident Way, San Diego, Calif. 92155-5599.
Send electronic submissions and correspondence to editor@navsoc.socom.mil or call (619) 522-2825.
On the cover: SWCC students triangulate their position on an 11-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat in Coronado Bay, Calif., June 13.
On the back: Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 2nd Class (EXW/AW/FPJ) Justin Birch monitors a Static-Line Jump Master course student
as he performs outside air safety checks from a C-130 Jan. 19 above El Centro, Calif. Photos by MC2 (PJ) Michelle Kapica
 Get Centered
hat is the essence of a warrior? Is it toughness, Ultimately, it makes no difference whether the warrior is
skill, attitude? Certainly our ethos contains many downrange, conducting local training or riding a motorcycle on the
of these tenants, including honor, perseverance, weekend. The operators of Naval Special Warfare live our ethos every
and teamwork. The SEAL/SWCC ethos is the day and are representatives of the special operations community both
fundamental core principles of all that we do at the on and off duty. It is truly a privilege to be work with the young
Naval Special Warfare Center. aspiring warriors and instructor staff assigned to the Naval Special
The core of the training at the Center has remained intact since our Warfare Center.
inception. From the beginning, we have always produced individuals
with an extraordinary will to succeed and never-quit life philosophy. - Capt. Stewart G. Elliott
Commander, Naval Special Warfare Center
With increased demands to grow the force no standards have been
compromised at the Naval Special Warfare Center. Candidates continue
to meet the high standards that have not changed over the past 20 years.
SEALS and SWCC are proven warriors on today’s battlefields and
we will continue to assess and select the finest individuals for Naval
Special Warfare; our force and our country deserve nothing less.
The key to producing a professional warrior is to ensure our
curriculum reflects efficient processes of training that contains all
of the mental, physical and moral attributes we want to instill in
our operators. The instructor is the tool by which we pass on these
attributes, to which end we invest substantially in training the trainers.
Everyone in a teaching position attends the Naval Special Warfare
Instructor Qualification Course, which covers not just training
techniques but also safety, psychology and ethics. Our instructors are
total professionals who perform flawlessly on a daily basis in their
mission to make, train and educate our next generation of Naval
Special Warfare warriors.
In the pages of this magazine, you will
discover the various aspects of our lifestyle
– on duty and off. One article features the
hard-working support staff at Advanced
Training Command as they teach Air
Operations to candidates and conduct
refresher courses for our operators
returning from deployment. You’ll
also see how the instructor staffs
for the Basic Crewman Training
and Crewman Qualification
Training courses create a
SWCC. Additional stories
provide examples of how our
people spend some of their off
duty time.
 It should come as no surprise
that the people who work at NSW -
guys who like
adrenaline,
competition,
challenges,
and face
life or death
situations
– choose off-duty activities
that match their
natural inclinations.
2 ETHOS

hese are the guys who watch, study and
learn the brutal fighting techniques of a
sport that has evolved from blood-thirsty,
cage-fighting wrestlers into one of the
most popular, technical and respected sports
today: Mixed Martial Arts.
- Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Thomas Guimmarra
NSW TRADET, Training Dept LCPO
Modern MMA competition made its debut in popular American
culture in the early 90’s with the creation of the Ultimate Fighting
Championship. It brought together practitioners of different martial arts
styles in a realistic, street-style type of fighting with few rules.
Some SEALs believe development of MMA-style fighting skills
provides a tactical advantage over the enemy in close-combat
situations.
“There are a lot of things you’ve got to be good at (in the teams),”
said Lt. Cmdr. John “Jocko” Willink, Commanding Officer of NSW
Group 1 Training Detachment and co-owner of Throwdown Elite
Training Center in San Diego. “Being able to fight is definitely one of
them.”
Although MMA combines many different forms of martial arts,
Brazilian Jujitsu is considered to be one of the core styles due to its
heavy use of submission holds and grappling.
“Brazilian Jujitsu is definitely the base,” said Willink. “Then you
tie that with Muay Thai, which uses elbows, knees, kicks, punches and
more clench work… finally, wrestling because you have to be able to
dictate where that fight is going to go.”
Putting serious time in at the gym is the only way for fighters to
improve their technique. It’s the time on the mat, in the ring and in
the cage that pays dividends when faced with an enemy insurgent
downrange. It provides the confidence, that extra edge that operators
need to be able to walk into any situation knowing they can handle
anything or anyone – with or without weapons.
“It’s true hand-to-hand, as far as knowing how to manipulate
someone to do stuff,” said Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL)
Thomas Giummarra, Group 1 TRADET training department LCPO.
Giummarra, who has trained in MMA for seven years, said fighting can
be a very humbling experience – a distinct reality check for a fighter
whose skills aren’t on the same level as their opponent.
“I think more guys should do it just for the experience and
knowledge of how much of a bad-ass we aren’t some times,” said
Giummarra.
Besides the obvious tactical benefit, MMA is a great total body
workout that hits the core areas of strength, endurance and flexibility.
It provides focus and is a great way to relieve stress, leading to a
healthier and more productive lifestyle.
Despite its reputation, MMA is a relatively safe sport, said
Giummarra. A good fighter can control a fight, leading his opponent
in any direction. Injury rates in MMA are no greater than sports like
football or basketball, he said.
Getting into MMA is easy. There are hundreds of specialized
gyms all over the country with qualified instructors who teach at all
levels.
“Have fun with it and realize you won’t be an expert overnight,”
said Giummarra. “You must leave your ego at home – the sport
equalizes everyone. It doesn’t matter how strong or big you are you
can still get tapped out by the smallest guy in the gym.”
- MC3 Antontio Ramos and MC2 Hadi El-Abiad
- Photos by MC3 Antonio Ramos
TAKING NAMES: UFC Fighter
Dean Lister takes a break
from training to pose for a
photo at Throwdown Gym in
San Diego. Lister, a native
of Brazil is one of the best
Jujitsu fighters in the world.
He regulary works with local
service members and shows
them new techniques.
 Climbing to altitude, youíre
pretty much doing math ñ
ensuring that your calculations
are correct and the winds
havenít shifted. The ramp
opens. Youíre looking for the
perfect spot. Itís surreal.
Youíre sticking out of the
aircraft at 12,500 feet ñ not
something you probably
thought youíd ever be doing ñ
Itís pretty exhilarating!

6 ETHOS
 eaning over the side of the ramp
of a C-130 travelling at 130 knots,
Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 2nd
Class (EXW/AW/FPJ) Justin Birch
scans the ground. The wind whips
furiously, pulling the skin tight on his
face as he pushes himself out
a little farther. He is a parachute
rigger at NSW Advanced Training Command
in Imperial Beach, Calif. He knows that the
safety of the 25 NSW operators on the bird
is in his hands — a responsibility that he
doesn’t take lightly. To give the “go” in the
wrong spot could result in injury or death.
“As jumpmasters, we’re responsible
for making sure they’re safely exiting the
aircraft at the prescribed altitude, as well as
the proper spot, to give them every chance to
fly as a team, to land as a team and to get the
mission done,” said Birch. “It’s a good jump
when everybody is on the ground safely.
That’s always a good day’s work.”
Birch is a qualified military freefall
jumpmaster with around 190 jumps under his
belt — so far. He is part of a specialized team
responsible for far more than just sewing.
Fleet riggers primarily maintain aircrew
survival equipment such as life preservers,
radios, survival knives, aircrew vests and
oxygen masks. Between ATC and the
Logistical Support Units, NSW’s riggers
take that job one step further. They have the
opportunity to jump out of that maintenance
role to actually perform — to instruct and
re-qualify our SEALs, SWCC and EOD
techs, giving them the skills they need meet
demanding mission requirements.
“The meticulous work that they have to
do in the fleet transfers over here (to NSW),”
said Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st
Class (AW/FPJ) Matthew Taylor, leading
petty officer at LOGSU-1 parachute loft in
Coronado, Calif. However there are additional
responsibilities that NSW’s PRs are given and
the opportunity to attend various schools.
Only the very best fleet riggers are
selected to be part of the NSW community.
“You have to prove yourself to be worthy
of being in this community,” said Birch.
“We’re responsible for the lives of anyone
who puts on any of our parachutes.”
Potential candidates go through a
rigorous screening process to include higher
physical fitness standards. They have to be
able to make it through jump school — a
three-week course at Fort Benning, Ga. Not
everyone can.
ETHOS 7

“We’re in the water in class at HRST
(Helicopter Roper Suspension Training) cast
with operators,” said Taylor. “We need to be
able to jump into that training and climb up
a caving ladder to get into a helicopter. We
have to be second class swimmers and later
first class swimmers to do freefall parachuting
into the water.”
With such high-risk activities, these guys
have to be on top of their game. The training
is extensive. By the time most riggers have
worked at NSW for a couple of years they are
typically qualified in multiple disciplines, to
include static-line and freefall parachuting
and jumpmaster, HRST/castmaster and
Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction. Some of
the qualifications also transfer to the civilian
world since they are accredited by the Federal
Aviation Administration. They are constantly
teaching these skills to operators and have
become the subject matter experts.
NSW parachute riggers are also the go-
to guys when it comes to Combat Delivery
System drops, commonly known as duck
drops. Combat Rubber-Raiding Craft are
dropped from helicopters many miles off
shore with supplies as an over-the-horizon
insertion technique. Training usually occurs
off the coast of San Clemente Island, Calif.
“We not only train the guys in the shop to
run one of those evolutions and build it,” said
Taylor. “We teach the operators how to do it
all themselves. The teams pride themselves in
being self sufficient.”
It takes a team of
roughly 10 guys four
hours to set up for a duck
drop. Each duck has to
be carefully constructed. Two CRRCs are
stacked on specialized wooden pallets. These
are secured, along with required gear, with
honeycomb padding and straps that must be
cranked down simultaneously. This provides
a secure package that will survive a drop from
around 1,200 feet to the unforgiving ocean
surface below.
“Once it’s all dropped, the clean up is the
most intensive work,” said Taylor.
It takes upward of 75 man hours to
recover, transport and store the equipment,
he said. That includes getting the parachutes
and other equipment out of the water and
onto land, then to an aircraft that will fly it
back to Coronado. Another truck ride and it’s
back to the parachute loft to rinse the gear.
The parachutes are untangled and hung in the
tower to dry — a process that takes around
three hours.
The way our operators train and fight
is evolving as a result of current operations.
Though the probability of jumping into a
combat zone today is small, operators must
still maintain their qualifications to stay
mission ready.
“Any guy who goes on deployment and
didn’t jump during that deployment — which
they typically don’t — comes back and
they’re what we would call “out of date,” said
Taylor. “They’re not current.”
Each qualified parachutist must jump
at least four times a year to stay current.
On average, Taylor and his team coordinate
around 400 re-qualification jumps per month
for operators during their Unit Level Training
cycle. Refresher training is always offered
before each jump, which is mandatory for
out-of-date jumpers.
But it’s not as simple as showing up on
the day.
“We have to verify records and make
sure they’re current with paperwork,” said
Taylor.
Flights must also be coordinated,
whether it’s a rotary or fixed-wing aircraft. A
KEEPING WATCH:
Aircrew Survival
Equipmentman 2nd
Class (EXW/AW/FPJ)
Justin Birch watches
closely as a student
performs outside air
safety checks from
a C-130H during a
Static-Line Jump
Master class Jan. 19
at 1,500 feet above El
Centro, Calif.
 s (AW/FPJ) Matthew Taylor
— Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Clas
NSW LOG SU-1 Parachute Loft LPO

JUMPERS, ONE MINUTE:

Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st
Class Matthew Taylor (AW/FPJ) gives
the one-minute-to-jump signal to freefall
parachute jumpers in a C-130 at 12,500
feet above San Diego July 22. Taylor
monitored their position over the drop
zone to ensure jumpers exited the
aircraft at exactly the right moment.

ETHOS 9
 MARKING THE SPOT: Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class (AW/FPJ) Andrew Lightner
plants a wind indicator flag into the ground July 22 at Trident drop zone in San Diego.

10 ETHOS
Notices To Airmen, known as a NOTAM,
must be filed at least 72 hours in advance
to reserve the airspace needed for each
evolution. The NOTAM creates a no-fly
zone for the jumpers to safely enter.
Parachutes are usually packed at least
one day prior to a jump. Each qualified
freefall jumper packs their own main
parachute. These are individually checked
by riggers at specific points during the
process for quality assurance. It takes
around 30 minutes to pack a static-line rig
and around 40 minutes to pack a freefall
rig. That’s just the main chutes. All reserve
chutes must be packed by parachute
riggers. Taylor’s team spends at least 150
hours packing chutes every week.
Responsible for the drop zone, our
riggers are also trained as drop zone
safety officers. The DZSO sets up wind-
speed indicators and the ‘T’ that marks the
landing spot. They measure wind speed
and relay the information to the aircrew
and jumpmaster. When the jumpers land,
the DZSO takes muster, directs medical
emergencies and acts as the malfunction
officer.
While parachute malfunctions are not
common, they do happen and are more
likely with new students, said Birch. Any
number of things can cause a malfunction.
The pack job is important, but proper body
position upon chute deployment is critical
to a clean opening.
“Typically it’s jumper error vice
equipment error” said Taylor. He knocked
on wood. “These systems have been
jumped for decades so they’re proven. It
all comes with experience. Some people
jump thousands of times and never
have the need to deploy their reserve or
someone can jump ten times and have two
reserve deployments.”
It’s those times when the significance
of the PR is clearly underlined.
“My first save was here about
a month ago at the Naval Parachute
Course,” said Birch. “It feels good. You
know you’re doing your job. That’s when GEAR CHECKS: Mark Volpe, a civilian instructor from ATC Air Ops, (right) and Special Warfare Operator 1st
Class (SEAL) Shad Tucker (left), ATC Air Ops LPO, perform Jump Master Personnel Inspections on students
it really is evident and brings things into
Jan. 20 during the Static-Line Jump Master course at Brown Field in San Diego.
perspective.”
It’s the saves, the teaching aspect and
the thrill of flight that keeps NSW’s PRs
doing what they do.
“Having the opportunity to jump out
of planes on a regular basis is a pretty
good way to get paid!” said Taylor.
“Seeing your efforts come to fruition with
things that you’ve built, things that you’ve
rigged, the qualification of individuals
and proficiency that they gain, is typically
only accomplished by working with the
troops. That’s what keeps me going.” - Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class (AW/FPJ) Matthew Taylor
NSW LOGSU-1 Parachute Loft LPO
- MC2 Michelle Kapica ETHOS 11
 Leadership,
perseverance and When people outside of our community hear your amazing
stories of courage and bravery, they realize that it takes more than just

innovation are a call to duty to do the job. Those people are honoring that leadership,
perseverance and innovation by putting a few outstanding individuals
into the spotlight.

qualities that you For the first time a SEAL was honored with the Vice Adm. James
Bond Stockdale award for inspirational leadership, Nov 4, 2008.
Unlike most Navy awards, awardees must be nominated by their peers
expect from your – who are themselves eligible for the award. Cmdr. Robert E. Smith,
commanding officer of Naval Special Warfare Unit 2, received the

teammates and
award for demonstrating the leadership qualities that were embodied
by Stockdale.
Perseverance is defined as a steady persistence in a course of

support community. action, or a purpose in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

You see it as a challenge that you can’t fail. SOCM Douglas M. Day
lives up to that definition and clearly demonstrated his unbreakable

They are not things determination during operations in April, 2007. Despite being hit 28
times by small arms and a fragmentation grenade, he pushed on to
complete the mission.
you take for granted, The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs selected Day as
one of six military members to receive the Grateful Nation award Dec

yet most guys

8, 2008 for his actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The award was
introduced five years ago to recognize the courage and dedication of
those most often in the line of fire. Since then five SEALs have been

don’t want any big honored with the award.

It’s not just military who are doing amazing things. Our civilians
have been at the front line fighting in many different ways too. As a

ceremonious hoopla leading force in new technology, NSW is always looking for more
efficient ways to operate. While working with Blue Force Tracking
software John Locke, a systems engineer for NSW Mission Support
after performing Center, recognized a shortfall and decided he could do better. He
developed specialized software called Mr. Socket 2.0. Mr. Socket

one of them.
2.0 is an information management program that is now being used
by the U.S. military and various government agencies worldwide.
The creation of this program earned him the U.S. Navy League’s
Rear Admiral William S. Parsons award for scientific and technical
progress.
These are just three examples of the remarkable things members
of the NSW community have accomplished. There are many more that
go unrewarded yet are just as important to the mission. Leadership,
perseverance and innovation is the backbone to this community and
without people like you doing great things NSW would fail and that
is not an option.
- MC2 Erika Manzano

12 ETHOS
FORWARD LEAN: Mineman 3rd Class Damien
Drolet (left) and Seaman Colby Cook prepare for
push-ups with their Basic Crewman Training (BCT)
classmates at Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado.

ETHOS 13

The training to be a future “Dirty
Boat Guy” may seem similar to the
BUD/s and SEAL Qualification Training,
but is remarkably different. To become
a SWCC, it takes 21 weeks of hardcore
mental and physical training in two phases:
Basic Crewman Training and Crewman
Qualification Training.
BCT comes first and is a seven-week
program testing the physical strength of
a candidate and his ability to work as a
member of a team. The class begins with
approximately 40 students and includes men
straight from recruit training and seasoned
Sailors from the fleet. A team of highly-trained
and experienced special boat operators serve
as their instructors.
This phase is the most physical part of
training. Some candidates arrive for training
in good shape, but some don’t realize exactly
what they are getting into until the training
has begun.
“During the first two weeks we basically
do the crawl, walk, run method,” said Chief
Special Boat Operator (SWCC) Christopher
Moore, leading chief petty officer of BCT.
“We teach them exactly how to do what they
need to do to make it through the next five
weeks.”
The beginning of the third week of
training is when everything gets kicked up
a notch. Instructors teach candidates the
basics, from proper swimming technique to
equipment maintenance. Now it is up to the
Sailors to decide if they really want to be in
the program.
14 ETHOS
“One of the biggest things that causes
students to drop is that they realize how much
work it is, or how it isn’t as glamorous as
the recruiting video portrayed it to be,” said
instructor Special Boat Operator 1st Class
(SWCC/FPJ) Anthony Blond. “They also find
out how scary it is being on a boat at night
going 40 knots and then decide that it isn’t
for them.”
By the beginning of week five, almost
half of the candidates remain and they
struggle to get into a groove.
“They come here as individuals and
they forget that they have to work well with
others,” said instructor Special Boat Operator
1st Class (SWCC/FPJ) Lawrence Obst. “No
matter how fast or how strong they think
they are, they now have to motivate others
to complete the tasks and get through the
training as a group.”
But the instructors don’t let up on tough
standards. They know the candidates must
learn to cope with stressful environments.
“We can teach them how to use a radio
and shoot a gun,” Blond said. “But when the
stress level goes up that’s when they lose
everything they’ve learned. We have to keep
that stress level up so that we know they can
perform in that environment.”
Blond and Obst know that they will
likely be serving on teams with these students
sometime in their career and they want a
teammate they can trust. It is the instructors’
mission to ensure the strongest candidates,
both mentally and physically, make it through.
They would rather graduate a few strong
candidates that can handle the stress than a
whole class that may not perform.
BCT culminates in a final test of the
candidate’s knowledge and physical stamina.
It is called “The Tour.” This is a simulation
of a basic mission. It consists of more than
36 hours of various physical activities like
swimming and push ups, little to no rest, and
getting in and out of cold water. It begins with
the SWCC physical fitness test then moves on
to navigation at sea in small boats. In the end,
typically 10 to 20 students make it through.
One candidate who was dropped but
made it back into the program and persevered
was Special Boat Operator 2nd Class Michael
Gough.
“This training is physically hard,” he
said. “The job and the camaraderie made me
come back and do this all over again.”
There is much to celebrate after making
it through “The Tour.” Both the instructors
and the newly-graduated candidates gather
in front of BCT headquarters to eat, casually
talk, and relax for a few short hours. The
candidates have finally earned the SB rating.
For those new SBs, it’s time to move on to the
next step of becoming a SWCC.
CQT is a less physical and more mentally
demanding part of SWCC training. This 14-
week school requires candidates to study
for and pass written tests rather than just
concentrate on strength and endurance tests.
“BCT tests the heart and physical
capabilities of a student,” said Senior Chief
Special Boat Operator (SWCC) James
Budrakey, the leading chief petty officer
of CQT. “At CQT we are more interested
in pumping the students with technical
knowledge on how to be boat guys and make
an overall package that is ready to go to the
teams in a more functional manner.”
The students are given a PQS as a
reference for what they are expected to learn
over the remainder of the training. This
book includes everything from the rules of
warfare and 3M to weapons training and
communications.
Over the 14 weeks of instruction,
the students spend about 600 hours in the
classroom and countless more studying
independently. About 150 classroom hours
include labs where candidates learn hands-on
with the equipment they were taught during
class.
The process of going from class to lab to

the practical test is repetitive, but according
to instructors, is essential in making sure
candidates know and are comfortable with
the basic elements of their rating. Repetition
becomes especially important as they
approach the weapons training portion of
their training.
Weapons training starts at week eight of
CQT. Over the one-month period of weapons
training, the candidates train and qualify
on nine weapons from 9mm pistols to .50-
caliber, mounted machine guns. Repetition is
key in order to safely train. According to some
instructors, it is the most challenging part of
the course. Ironically, it is also the training
students look forward to the most.
“Weapons is known as a high-failure
point of training and it has the reputation of
being a very tough part of the course,” said
Budrakey. “A lot of students get excited about
getting out on the range and shooting, but
they are also nervous about it because they
know it’s a pretty strong challenge.”
The weapons training involves classroom
as well as shooting range time. The students
only have three chances to pass their practical
shooting test. This is when paying attention to
detail becomes paramount.
“There are some candidates coming
through that have never held a weapon
before,” said SBC (SWCC) Thomas Sounier.
“Getting them used to the sounds and feel can
only be done by repeating the training from
the classroom to the range.”
Figuring out how to be a Sailor can be
difficult as well for some young candidates
who may have no naval experience.

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nulputpat. Ut am erciduipit ver sum nim diam quis nosto dunt nulla atuerit
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nullam in veliquam venisi.
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autem iliscipisim quisl ea feum ad dolorperil irit ate dolummod minismod
mincipissi etue doleniatetum delisim digna feugait dolenit acidui bla

ETHOS 15
IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?: A SWCC candidate provides security while teammates give medical treatment to simulated casualties in an exercise at Naval Special
Warfare Center in Coronado, Calif.

“The biggest challenge that many of

them face is sailorization and learning what
it means to be a Sailor and a leader at such a
young age,” said Budrakey.
The students also realize that they have
to take more responsibility in order to receive
their warfare device.
“CQT gave you more freedom ... but it
put more on you as an individual to complete
the course,” said SB2 (SWCC) Russell
Manyo, a recent CQT graduate.
“When they leave here they get
their basic 3M qualification, CMS user
qualification, and their warfare designation
pin which encompasses their weapons and
other qualifications,” said SB1 (SWCC)
Justin Beebe, a CQT instructor. “They are
qualified to go to a team.”

16 ETHOS
BOYS DON’T CRY: (above) Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Russell Manyo
wipes water from his eyes while treading water in the Combat Training Tank.
A LITTLE RUN, JUST FOR FUN: (above right) CQT Class 60 runs to the beach.

After nearly 100 days of grueling, brain and gut busting training
and evaluations, the students prepare for graduation. Gear is turned in,
orders to their boat teams are handed out and uniforms are prepped.
Graduation morning, the students and all of their instructors form
up for the final time. The instructors, special warfare members and
family gather to congratulation their loved ones and welcome their new
brothers to the teams.
“It feels amazing,” said SB3 (SWCC) David Hostetter. “I have
been waiting to get this rate and pin for about a year now and everything
I went through was worth it.”
The instructors feel a real sense of accomplishment as well,
knowing they have not just done their job, but created the best Sailor
they possibly could.
“In the end this is not just a SWCC school or a Special Warfare
school,” said Sounier. “We are creating a Sailor.”

- MC2 Dominique Lasco

A PROUD MOMENT: SB3 (SWCC) Christopher Dumph smiles after receiving his
SWCC pin from NSWC commander, Capt. Stewart Elliott, during graduation.

ETHOS 17
HUG THE TURN: Builder 3rd Class
Brantley Honeycutt leans into a turn
on his 2007 Yamaha R1 on Telegraph
Canyon Road in Chula Vista, Calif.

18 ETHOS
It’s a lifestyle that quenchs what cannot be satisfied by a job. It’s a thrilling
hobby or a moonlighting opportunity that many in the Navy are discovering at an
astonishing rate. From motocross to Harleys, the riding lifestyle has become an
entrenched part of the Naval Special Warfare community.
There are operators and techs who are professional riders. People who at
first glance don’t appear to have a need for speed – let alone a desire to drive
anything other than a sensible car. Navy SEAL Capt. Rick May is one of these
professionals.
“I ride because in life you are told what you need to do, but on a
motorcycle you can be your own commander and make your own choices,”
said May. “It’s autonomy that I
look for on a bike. That is what it’s
all about — just making your own
decisions, and that complete and
total freedom. You’re not thinking
about anything else. You’re thinking
about that moment and living in that
moment.”
May has been riding since he
was five years old. His father first
introduced him to motorcycles with
a Honda 90 step-through frame.
Then he started competing. First
it was motocross at age 11, then
every kind of bike imaginable —
dirt bikes, Harleys and street bikes.
“I first got into street bikes
when I went to UDT 21,” said May.
“I got in with the Harley crowd.
At that time Harleys weren’t as
reliable (as now) and required you
to perform maintenance all the time.
Harleys also didn’t provide that thrill
of going fast and being in control.”
May began getting into street
bikes in the 1980s. He started road
racing with Suzuki’s in 1991, but
was drawn to Ducati.
“I am a part of the Ducati
racer program, which involves the company getting me a deal on the bike
and helping me get it on the track,” explained May. “This year I’m going to be
racing in a second class with a Ducati 848. Additionally I will be racing with the
American Motorcycle Association, the premier level of racing in the country for
motorcyclists.”
His most recent triumph was at Willow Springs Raceway in Rosamond,
Calif., where he placed first in the Formula 50 class for 2008 and 10th overall in
the championship series.
ETHOS 19
 “Motocross
is a passion. It’s
something that
grabs your interest
and you run with it.
The competition is
a true measure of
your competence
as a rider. You
become a better
rider from it.”
Special Warfare Operator 1st
Class (SEAL) Stacey Virgin,
16-year sanctioned rider
DUST TRACKS: A dirtbike rider rides up
Oldsmobile Hill in Glamis, Calif., part of the
Imperial Sand Dune Recreational Area.
Dirty Business
Back when May was racing dirtbikes, he never dreamed motocross
would become the hugely popular sport that it is now.
On any given Saturday there is a rapid-fire, dirt-track race happening
somewhere in Southern California.The riders zone in, focusing down the
track to a fast-approaching checkered flag.
So what drives riders to push these high-flying, explosively powered
machines to the extreme?
“Motocross is a passion,” said Special Warfare Operator 1st Class
(SEAL) Stacey Virgin, a 16-year sanctioned rider. “It’s something that grabs
your interest and you run with it. The competition is a true measure of your
competence as a rider. You become a better rider from it.”
Like May, Virgin began riding motorcycles with his father at a very
early age and rode professionally until 1996. Recently he has been riding
in amateur and intermediate opens and welcomes the challenge and
camaraderie of the sport. It requires the dedication of countless hours
on the track to become good. Much of the time is spent in practicing
techniques or working with the bike.
“Nothing replaces actual lap time,” said Virgin when asked about
where people train. “I can practice on a track to improve and hone my skills,
concentrating on repeating the same obstacles. Also, I can look at different
20 ETHOS
lines [of approach] on the track, finding which ones work the best in different
situations. An off-road environment, though fun and challenging with friends
and family, has uncertain terrain and surprises.”
On the open road
If you want to have fun and relax while satisfying a need for freedom
or speed, recreational riding may be just for you. Riding bikes in groups
seems to be the way a lot of people get satisfaction. It is a different scene
that motorcyclists and motocross enthusiasts enjoy. Clubs and groups
associated with motorcycles may bring images of Hell’s Angels or the
Mongols to mind, but it may surprise some people to know that the groups
riding through the canyons are simply friends that enjoy riding.
Many individual commands organize their own rides. An example of
this is the Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewman instructors at the
Center for SEAL and SWCC who recently organized a ride with everyone at
their command that own bikes.
“On the most recent ride we had just seven riders, including a master
chief and our first classes,” said Special Boat Operator 1st Class Lawrence
Obst, a Basic Crewman Training instructor and 10-year rider. “We organized
it through emails between the BCT instructors and the CQT instructors and
we rode through Anzo-Borrego Desert State Park near Julian.”
“Sixty percent of the staff here has motorcycles and we’re all pretty
tight knit,” said fellow instructor SB1 (SWCC) Anthony Blond. “When we do
ride it’s just little rides after work or go ride out and have lunch and come
back.”
Learning from other riders in a group is a huge benefit but other
benefits include a sense of fellowship, community service, and safety.
“In groups you are seen better because there are five or six bike riding
in the slow lane together but that depends on the group you ride with,” said
Builder 3rd Class Brantley Honeycutt. “For the most part they provide safety
and a way to learn from each other.”
Just because a group may be safer, doesn’t mean everyone in a group
is looking out for the new guy. Honeycutt recommends riders they are in a
group with similar riding goals and don’t push past their riding limits.
“Get to know the guys in the club. That’s the only way you will know if
you are going to fit in the club,” said Honeycutt. “The most important thing is
to ride within your limits.”
“I still believe the best way to begin riding in groups is with trusted
friends,” said Blond. “You will be more comfortable and still have fun in the
safest way you can.”
the fast & feeble
You’re a new inexperienced rider with a penchant for the best money
can buy. You yearn for the freedom of choice and the adrenaline rush of
riding, and lets face it, you want to look cool. You’ve got all the hottest gear:
helmet, boots, gloves, long-sleeve shirt, jeans and, of course, the eyewear.
The only thing separating you from total Evel Knieveldom is the ride. You’ve
been reading the latest magazines and you want that turbo-charged death
rocket on all the covers. Local bike dealers are eager to sell you what you
crave, but is it really what you need?
“The number one issue I find with motorcyclists is people exceeding
their ability,” said Officer Brad Baehr of California Highway Patrol. “They buy
the F-18 Hornet of motorcycles when they’re attempting to get their pilot’s
license. These bikes can do one to 200 mph. They’re made for tracks and
for professional riders. They’re hard for them, let alone a novice.”
So what should you look for when getting your first bike?
Chief Operations Specialist (SW) John Hainline, motorcycle safety
course instructor, said it’s not
so much the type of bike that
matters but the amount of
engine power it commands.
“I would recommend a bike with a 500 cubic-centimeter (CC) engine or
less,” said Hainline.
TAKE A KNEE: Navy SEAL Capt. Rick
May leans into a turn on his Ducati during
a recent race. May has been racing
competitively since he was 11 years old.

Photo courtesy Cali Photography

 safety first
When you have your protective gear, bike and license, the next step is “Everyone
to take one of the motorcycle safety courses. These courses are designed to should at least
stem the rising tide of fatalities due to motorcycle-related accidents, and are take the basic
offered on most Navy bases. riders course.
According to the Naval Safety Center web site, 58 Sailors It’s imperative
lost their lives during fiscal year 08 — a 53 percent increase from for new and old
the year before. The majority of these fatalities involved sport riders and it’s
bikes. Thus, training courses are offered not only for basic riding a requirement
instruction, but for experienced riders and sport bike riders. to get base
“Everyone should at least take the basic riders course,” stickers for your
said Personnelman 2nd Class (SW/AW) Charles Rayborn “It’s motorcycles.”
imperative for new and old riders and it’s a requirement to - Personnelman
get base stickers for your motorcycles.” 2nd Class (SW/AW)
The basic rider course offers 15 hours of classroom Charles Rayborn
and hands-on instruction covering everything from types of
motorcycles and how they operate to motorcycle safety
and maintenance. The experienced rider course offers six
more hours of instruction, while the sports bike training
is specifically geared toward skill development.
“The most important thing I was reminded of was
safety habits,” explained Honeycutt. “You don’t realize
how one mistake can quickly spiral out of control.”
Hainline said motorcycles offer less protection
than cars and can be unforgiving in an accident. Risks cars and animals darting in front of you. ”
associated with motorcycles can stem from road debris, weather hazards, May stressed the need for proper safety equipment both on and off the
animals and even the amount of space between yourself and the vehicles track and attributed his racing success to taking classes such as basic and
around you. Riders should also learn basic motorcycle maintenance. One advanced racing techniques.
flat tire, or loose chain can lead to debilitating injuries and costly repairs. The feel of being on a motorcycle for the first time is unmistakable. The
Racing is a physical and emotional outlet for May. It allows him to twist of the grip on your handlebars, and feel of the throttle as your engine
satisfy his need for speed in a controlled, safe environment. roars, letting you know you are in the presence of power. Whether a Sailor
“Even though my passion is speed and going fast on the track, I don’t is a newbie or a world-class racer, they share the same love of two wheels.
do that on the road,” said May. “I commute daily and I never go over the They ride.
speed limit. On the track you don’t have to worry about other distractions like - MC2 Dominique Lasco

map key

Coastal Ride: San Diego to Long

Moreno Valley Beach on the Pacific Coastal Highway.
LONG BEACH
Corona
74 APPLE PIE RUN: Try this ride to
74 Julian, in the fall to catch the famous
Costa Mesa
Apple Festival.
10
Lake Elsinore SAND AND SUN: Ride out to Glamis,
Laguna Beach and hit the dunes!

79

Oceanside 76

San Marcos Julian Glamis

Encintas
Illustration by MC2 Arcenio Gonzalez

Lakeside Imperial
Pacific El Centro
Ocean 5
San Diego 8
98 Mexicali
125 94
Chula Vista
Tijuana

February marked a significant
event in Naval Special Warfare.
Group 4 took control of the
international small craft
training program in Stennis,
Miss., known as NAVSCIATTS.
Illustration by MC2 Arcenio Gonzalez
ontrol of the Naval Small Craft Instruction and
Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS),
switched from the Naval Special Warfare Center
(NSWC) to Naval Special Warfare Group 4 Feb. 1.
NAVSCIATTS mission is to provide partner
nation security forces with the highest level of riverine and
coastal craft operations and maintenance technical training.
The change in structure incorporates the operational
expertise of SWCCs with the NAVSCIATTS schoolhouse.
The latest techniques and procedures in small boat
operations are being taught, along with increased
military-to-military professional engagement with
friendly countries.
NAVSCIATTS has been conducting security force
assistance since 1963 to prepare partner nation forces to
conduct small craft operations in riverine and littoral environments, as
well as develop and sustain professional and personal relationships.
“The reason NAVSCIATTS exists is to provide technical training
to our partner nation security force students, not only to improve
their individual technical skills, but also to enhance the readiness
of select maritime security forces within key partner nations,” said
NAVSCIATTS Commanding Officer Cmdr. Bill Mahoney.
This mission is closely aligned with the Navy’s maritime strategy
of increasing security and alliances in waterways across the globe. With
this waterborne mission, it is a natural evolution for NAVSCIATTS to
fall under Group 4, U.S. Special Operations Command’s maritime
mobility component.
“This is phase zero of the Navy’s maritime strategy: pre-conflict
capacity building,” said Capt. Chuck Wolf, Group 4 Commanding
Officer. NAVSCIATTS provides us with the initial contact with
a potential ally or partner nation force, and helps set the stage for
training with nations around the world.
“Trust and cooperation cannot be surged, and our relationships
with partner nations must include improving regional and cultural
expertise through expanded training, education and exchange
initiatives,” he added. “The defense of all countries against common
threats to security — whether civil conflict; social instability;
humanitarian crises; arms, drug or human trafficking; territorial
disputes; piracy or terrorism; — is best achieved through improved
cooperation, strong coalitions and regional partnerships that provide
for our collective security. This training and relationship building
begins with training programs exemplified by NAVSCIATTS.”
Additionally, NAVSCIATTS conducts security force assistance
missions in support of combatant commanders in accordance with
SOCOM priorities using in-resident courses and mobile training
teams (MTT) to prepare partner nation security forces to conduct
small craft operations in riverine or littoral environments within their
own countries.
The goal of an MTT is to teach both how to operate and maintain
the craft used by the partner nation in their own environment, and
often includes establishing a logistics chain from the ground up.
These are skills that the SWCC instructors are specifically trained for
as SOCOM’s premier maritime experts.
Wolf would like to use NAVSCIATTS to shape Naval Special
Warfare’s combatant-craft global impact through partner nation
capability assessments. He envisions a cohesive strategy for developing
ETHOS 23
PLOTTING TOGETHER: International students attending a course at the Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School on Stennis Space Center, MIss plot points
on a map. Group 4 took control of NAVSCIATTS Feb. 1.
partner nation maritime capabilities that will be formulated by engaging
with the State Department, U.S. embassies and their military advisory
and assistance groups abroad.
Wolf’s enlisting the Naval Post Graduate School to send teams
of inter-disciplinary subject matter experts to designated countries to
determine specific and reliable maritime security forces the government
should work with, what their current capabilities are, and what their
capabilities could become.
“There will be a closer lashing-up of NSW maritime components
with partner nations we should be and are currently working with,” said
Wolf.
NAVSCIATTS in-resident training is an effective first step of U.S.
government development of partner nation forces, focusing on teaching
independent maintenance, limited planning and the basics of combined
operations. This initial training often leads to MTT deployments and
more advanced training.
“NAVSCIATTS in-resident training pipeline is crucial to the
overall security force assistance concept,” said Mahoney. “In fact, most
countries use our NAVSCIATTS in-resident training as their respective
nation’s qualification courses. After completing core in-resident and
“It’s in everyone’s interest to more effectively concentrate U.S. efforts
on building select maritime security force capabilities.”
24 ETHOS
several iterations of train-the-trainer instructor development courses, the
follow-on MTTs help partner nations to develop and sustain programs to
operate independently on their own to effectively provide both internal
and external security of their territorial waters.”
After a period of sustained interoperability the unit will ideally
become more involved with the United States, specifically with special
operations forces, and develop their own training capabilities.
“It’s in our mutual interest to improve security through enhanced
interoperability, improved alliances and increased cooperative security,”
said Mahoney.
Mahoney predicts that the shift in control of his command to Group
4 will improve security force assistance efforts to build select maritime
security force capacities within key partner nations.
“It’s in everyone’s interest to more effectively concentrate U.S.
efforts on building select maritime security force capabilities,” said
Mahoney.
In an ongoing effort to both continually improve the training
provided to partner nation forces as well as sustain their reputation
among its customers, NAVSCIATTS’ schoolhouse instructor cadre
seeks out and learns from best practices among similar DoD training
programs including from the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security the command to the Stennis
Cooperation (WHINSEC), the Inter-American Air Forces Academy, Space Center.
and equivalent NECC and Coast Guard courses. Under the International
For example, this year NAVSCIATTS water-based students will Military Education
participate in a joint training exercise with WHINSEC’s students and Training program,
undergoing land-based training. The maritime students will insert and NAVSCIATTS supports
extract the ground students during a final exercise to demonstrate that a robust Field Studies
the scenario works, as well as the combined training. Program designed to ensure
Mahoney believes that synergies like these are critical as U.S. students return to their
government and DoD efforts increasingly shift from direct toward respective countries with
indirect methods. a greater understanding
NAVSCIATTS is distinct from other commands with similar of U.S. business, military
missions because the school exclusively trains international students; and government cultures.
the cadre are full-time instructors and the command is adjacent to As part of the FSP and in
Special Boat Team 22, allowing the instructors to easily a wealth conjunction with the Navy
of knowledge from the SWCC who operate the riverine attack boats International Programs
known as SOC-R. Office, NAVSCIATTS
NAVSCIATTS is conveniently located near the Pearl River, which coordinates educational trips
provides some of the finest riverine and coastal training environments to local businesses and civic
in the world. activities in Mississippi,
NECC and the Coast Guard offer similar training, but their Louisiana and Alabama.
equivalent courses are not as long, as in-depth, or facilitated by Students have the
a dedicated full-time instructor force, focused solely on training opportunity to learn about
international students. their classmates’ cultures too;
“Despite our relatively small size, our NAVSCIATTS master during each course students
training specialist SWCC cadre provides unmatched professional are asked to share a cultural
knowledge and expansive institutional experience unmatched in the presentation about their
military,” said Mahoney. “Our sustained competitive advantage within home country. This provides
the maritime security force assistance arena is the result not of one single opportunities to cultivate
aspect of our command, but rather a mix of internal excellence through relationships with foreign
a culture of teamwork; a sterling reputation among our customers; and countries, as well as develop
external stewardship from both NSW and SOCOM leadership over our and sustain professional and
48 year history.” personal relationships, in
NAVSCIATTSs instructor force of less than 30 is comprised of order to provide the U.S. with
full-time, bilingual, master training specialists, including SWCC, both access and influence in
government employees, civilian contractors and Navy engineers. The partner nations.
instructor cadre teaches partner nation maritime forces how to protect “The relationships
their own waterways through courses offered at the school house in forged at this small command
Mississippi. in Southern Mississippi,”
Nine courses are offered in both Spanish and English, and cover said Wolf, “will last a lifetime and put a human face on very important
such topics as patrol craft familiarization, outboard motor maintenance, decisions made in the future that may impact maritime security on a
mission planning, navigation, weapons training, rules of engagement, global scale.”
laws of armed conflict and how a military law justice system functions - Naval Special Warfare Group 4 Public Affairs
in accomplishing military objectives.
All instructors are United States citizens, but many are originally
from countries such as Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador and Panama. This
cadre has trained more than 6,000 international students from more than
55 countries in the past 48 years.
The dynamic command that exists today started with somewhat
humble beginnings in 1961, as a Coast Guard military training team
deployed to the Panama Canal Zone to train the local military on small
craft operations. In the midst of the deployment the team recognized
the need for sustained training and based a Coast Guard Small Craft
Inspection and Training Team (SCIATT) at the U.S. Naval Station,
Rodman, Panama in 1963.
Later, control of SCIATTS was transferred to the Navy and it
subsequently came under the control of USSOCOM.
Mahoney said the decision in 1999 by Naval Special Warfare
(NSW) and USSOCOM to take NAVSCIATTS as part of the NSW A U.S. Navy instructor assigned to NAVSCIATTS train personnel from the Iraqi
Coastal and Riverine Training Center concept led to the relocation of Riverine Police Force on special boat maneuvers and weapon handling.

ETHOS 25
 O MBA
BR O
in

LL
S D iego
Illustration by MC2 Arcenio Gonzalez

an

When Lt. Cmdr. Eric Pihl got the notion

to play broomball as one of the Mission
Support Center’s monthly teambuilding
events, he had no idea what to expect. He
had organized some rather odd choices
before, notably kickball and kayak hockey
(a type of full-contact soccer game played
in Glorietta Bay on kayaks), but nothing on
ice.
So why has broomball, an obscure Canadian ice sport, taken off?
Pihl summed it up in five words: Ice is the great equalizer. “Of all
the sports we have played, broomball has really been the most fun and
successful, I think because anyone can play.”
The MSC is filled with officers, enlisted, civilians, SEALs, techs,
young people, old people, men and women with every variance of
athletic ability.
“It doesn’t matter how athletic you are, the ice puts everyone on
their backs,” Pihl remarked.
What is broomball, anyway? Someone somewhere thought trying to
run on ice wearing shoes and pelting a hard leather ball using an aluminum
stick and wearing little protection would be fun.
“Broomball is a bit like a modified version of hockey, but with shoes and
shorter sticks,” explained Pihl.
Pihl’s father was a college professor and his family moved to Montreal,
Quebec, when his father accepted a job at McGill University. His upbringing
in one of the centers of Hockey Night in Canada’s backyards may have
predispositioned him to enjoy colder than normal sports.
“Broomball is actually a very popular intramural sport in colleges,” Pihl
explained. When asked if he played in college, he was quick to add that his
college athletic prowess was not shown in the broomball rink, but rather by
playing football for the U.S. Naval Academy. (Note: raised in Canada, but not
Canadian.)
There are two teams with anywhere from five to 10 players whose goal
is to place a ball resembling the same one you would use for soccer, into a
net roughly a third smaller than a hockey net. A game consists of two, 18-
minute stop-time halves. (For actual broomball rules and history, see sidebar
rules and history.)
The inaugural game in October was more or less a version of this
except they played longer and didn’t care about any other “actual” rules.

26 ETHOS

“She’s called the Gorges Johnson trophy,” Pihl is happy to explain.
MSC awards the trophy after each sporting event. The command had
a contest to decide the name and picked “Gorges Johnson” as the winning
entry. Submitted by Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Dave
Russell, he put the last names of his two coworkers, Justin Gorges and
Scott Johnson, together to create the winning combination.
“The trophy is great, the MVP of the winning team gets to keep the
trophy and the team’s name gets engraved on it,” Russell explained. “And
the losing team gets to pick next month’s sport.”
Although each month brings something new, Russell admitted that
broomball was among the most popular ever.
“Everyone absolutely loved it,” he added. “It was really fun.”
Broomball was so popular, Pihl decided to expand the next game and
invite all of NSW to come out and play. The turnout was good. There were
roughly fourteen players who showed up for the 10:15 p.m. (not a typo, that
was p.m.) game.
“Getting ice time in San Diego is tough since there are only a few
rinks,” Pihl said. “We have to take the late ice times.”
Lt. Mark Sand, the flag secretary for Rear Adm. Winters, was the team
captain against Pihl’s team.
“Most of us were broomball rookies, but we all had a really great time
and didn’t realize the intensity of the sport,” said Sand, who was given the
nickname “White Gold” because of his uncanny likeness to a fictitious rocker
in milk commercials with the name. “I think everyone walked away with
battle scars, sore muscles, smiles and the resolve that Lt. Cmdr. Pihl’s team
would be soundly defeated in the next matchup.”
Sand’s team, while novice, put up a good fight, even withstanding
slanderous smack talk from the other team who were shouting things like
“Milk can’t help you now!” and “I will break your calcium-enriched bones!”
In the end, they succumbed to Pihl’s more experienced — and balance
advantaged — team.
Pihl’s goal is simple – get people together and have a good time.
“I just hope people will come out and have fun and bring great music.”
- Mandy McCammon
Interested in playing?
There are monthly games that anyone in NSW is welcome to attend.
Just contact Lt. Cmdr. Eric Pihl at the Mission Support Center.
.
Broomball as we know it was first played in Canada in
the early 1900’s by street car workers using a small soccer
ball and corn brooms. The sport evolved and was brought
down to the United States. The first games were reportedly
played in Minnesota, the birthplace of USA Broomball,
beginning in the 1930’s. Leagues, however did not blossom
until the 1960’s, when teams like Duffy’s flourished.
Duffy’s, a team from Minneapolis, was the
championship team of Minnesota’s first state tournament,
held in 1966.
Broomball in the United States started out with 10
players on the ice per team (one goalie, three defensemen,
three mid-linesmen and three forwards). By 1967, the
number of players was reduced to eight players per team.
Some leagues still play eight-man broomball. By 1980,
the rules changed to six players per team, as the game is
played today. Also in 1980, the floating blue line rule came into effect
(see The Basics, below).
From Minnesota, the sport was exposed to other states, such
as New York, Iowa and Nebraska. Thanks to the determination of the
Minnesota Sports Federation and due to cold winters and its interest
in hockey, Minnesota, the “State of Hockey,” bears the largest
known concentration of broomball teams in the nation. Some of the
sport’s best teams hail from Minnesota, including Minnesota Red,
the 2002 World Cup Champions, and former team USA Blue, a very
competitive team that has won numerous tournaments throughout
North America.
source: American Broomball Association
Game Basics: A game consists of two halves. Goals are six by eight
feet instead of the standard hockey nets. A game consists of two,
18-minute stop-time halves.
Teams: Each team has a goalie, three forwards and two
defensemen (same line up as hockey). A captain and two alternates
are allowed per team and must be designated prior to game time.
Only these players may speak to an official. The designation must be
marked by a C or an A on the jersey.
On Sides: USA Broomball uses the “floating blue line” concept.
That is, once an attacking player has crossed the blue line in
the offensive zone, the red line now becomes the designated
offsides line. Essentially, the blue line disappears as the offides
marker. The ball must completely clear the blue line before the
player’s shoes and no other attacking player can be in the zone
before the ball in order for the attacking team to be considered
“on-sides.”
Icing: Icing occurs when any player of a defending team shoots
or intentionally deflects the ball from behind their defending zone
blue line and across the goal line of the opposing team. Icing is
ruled automatically.
High Broom: At all levels of USA Broomball play, a high broom
is called when the ball makes contact with the player’s stick
above shoulder level. A minor penalty is called, unless an
injury occurs as a result of the high broom, which is a major
penalty.
 In the military today, the virtue of loyalty isn’t black and white
Essay by Bob Schoultz

Loyalty is clearly an important military virtue. We demand loyalty from our subordinates and we expect
it from our superiors. It is a bond of trust. But just what do we mean by ‘loyalty?’ Is loyalty always a virtue?
Whether loyalty is a virtue, depends on how we answer the question, “Loyalty to what?” Most of
us think of loyalty as something we give to a person or an organization – loyalty to friends, teammates,
one’s service or country. But loyalty which merely serves as the glue which holds a group together has
no independent moral value. Loyalty to the group is a virtue within the Mafia, Enron, a gang culture, Al
Qaeda, as well as within one’s platoon, boat crew, or team. But for loyalty as a concept to have any
real moral content, it must directed at something beyond simply loyalty to an individual or a group.
The willingness to sacrifice and endure hardship for others or for something greater than one’s
own immediate pleasure is how loyalty is associated with honor. But loyalty has an interesting
relationship to honor. Most would agree that not all loyalty is honorable. Giving uncompromising
loyalty to a friend who is stealing from one’s team mates or the government, or who is undermining
the mission and values of the team, is not honorable. Loyalty to an organization whose main
objective is to acquire wealth by illegal or immoral means is not honorable. Giving one’s highest
loyalty to dishonorable people, organizations, or causes is not honorable. These are example of
what most of us would refer to as misplaced loyalty.
For loyalty to be honorable and to have moral content there must clearly be a hierarchy
of loyalties, with an honorable value at the top. In the Navy, there is the commonly taught
hierarchy “ship, shipmate, self,” which serves us well in most circumstances. In officer training
programs, that three-level hierarchy is extended to six levels, in what is referred to by Paul
Roush as the ‘constitutional paradigm.’ His constitutional paradigm begins with loyalty to
the U.S. constitution, then to the mission, then to one’s service, and then to ship, shipmate,
self. This hierarchy is reflected in the SEAL Ethos, which states that “My loyalty to country
and team is beyond reproach,” clearly placing the country and one’s unit above self and
When someone teammates.
Roush also provides guidance on how to honorably disobey or not comply with a
wants you to do legal order that may violate a personal (or religious) principle that one may hold dearer
than the US constitution. Though we expect this rarely to occur, there have been
the right thing, occasions in the Global War on Terrorism when good people have faced this most
difficult dilemma of conflicting loyalties. A duty or loyalty to a “higher law” was taught
they appeal to and demonstrated by Socrates, Plato, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, as well as our
your integrity. own revolutionary Founding Fathers. All of these provided fairly consistent guidance
on how to honorably act when, in one’s own mind, loyalty to a higher law overrides
When they want loyalty to the culture and the laws of the land that have nurtured us.
Loyalty is a complicated topic, but given its importance in the military culture
you to do the and our own SEAL Ethos, it is worth considering and discussing. Loyalty can
easily be misplaced; for loyalty to be honorable, it must have an honorable object
wrong thing, or principle. There is an old adage that has much truth in it: “When someone
wants you to do the right thing, they appeal to your integrity. When they want
they appeal to you to do the wrong thing, they appeal to your loyalty” — that is, to your loyalty
to a person or group — but not to an honorable principle. The loyalty referred
your loyalty. to in the SEAL Ethos is to a principle greater than oneself, to “humbly serve
as a guardian to my fellow Americans, always ready to defend those who
are unable to defend themselves … to serve with honor on and off the
battlefield.”

Bob Schoultz retired from the Navy in 2005 after 30

years in Naval Special Warfare. He is currently the director of
the Master of Science in Global Leadership program at the
University of San Diego.
You can contact him at schoultz@sandiego.edu.

28 ETHOS
ETHOS 31