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E is for Ethos

The definition of Ethos is: Greek word meaning character, that is used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideas that characterize a community. Here is the Navy SEAL Ethos Creed:

In times of war or uncertainty there is a
special breed of warrior ready to answer our Nation’s call. A common man with
uncommon desire to succeed. Forged by adversity, he stands alongside America’s
finest special operations forces to serve his country, the American people, and
protect their way of life. I am that man.
My Trident is a symbol of honor and heritage.
Bestowed upon me by the heroes that have gone before, it embodies the trust of
those I have sworn to protect. By wearing the Trident I accept the
responsibility of my chosen profession and way of life. It is a privilege that
I must earn every day.
My loyalty to Country and Team is beyond
reproach. I humbly serve as a guardian to my fellow Americans always ready to
defend those who are unable to defend themselves. I do not advertise the nature
of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions. I voluntarily accept the
inherent hazards of my profession, placing the welfare and security of others
before my own.
I serve with honor on and off the battlefield.
The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance,
sets me apart from other men. Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My
character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond.
We expect to lead and be led. In the absence of
orders I will take charge, lead my teammates and accomplish the mission. I lead
by example in all situations.

I will never quit. I persevere and thrive on
adversity. My Nation expects me to be physically harder and mentally stronger
than my enemies. If knocked down, I will get back up, every time. I will draw
on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and to accomplish
our mission. I am never out of the fight.
We demand discipline. We expect innovation. The
lives of my teammates and the success of our mission depend on me – my
technical skill, tactical proficiency, and attention to detail. My training is
never complete.

We train for war and fight to win. I stand ready to bring the full spectrum of combat power to bear in order to achieve my
mission and the goals established by my country. The execution of my duties
will be swift and violent when required yet guided by the very principles that
I serve to defend.
Brave men have fought and died building the
proud tradition and feared reputation that I am bound to uphold. In the worst
of conditions, the legacy of my teammates steadies my resolve and silently
guides my every deed. I will not fail. 

Above picture is of red lifeboat where Somali pirates held Captain Phillips hostage for 5 days, until they were returned to the source on Easter Sunday by SEAL snipers, rescuing Captain Phillips in April of 2009.

This special tribute motorcycle was built by a Navy SEAL and dedicated to the men who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Operation REDWING, June 2005.

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Comments (14)

  1. This is why i enjoy reading about SEALs so much, they remind be of the Knights of old. Warriors, valour and in born integrity. Thanks Sharon this ws very imformative

  2. Fantastic post Sharon. I really enjoyed reading it. If you ever get the chance to visit it, you may enjoy the UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida. We took our oldest son there when he was younger and he really enjoyed spending the day hanging out with the SEALS.

    1. Yup, that's where all these pictures came from, Cheryl! I joined the Museum as a member, and we got to meet the director, a former SEAL. Fascinating!! The bike, the red lifeboat and all the pictures came from the SEAL/UDT Museum at Fort Pierce. Leaving today for home.

  3. Thank you for recognizing the strength of character of these brave and dedicated members of our armed forces special forces. Coming from a family of military and law enforcement personnel, I know that too often their dedication, loyalty, perseverance, and sense of honor are often overlooked.

    Here's to all of these brave service men who protect America each and every day with their lives.

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