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NAVY SEAL BUDS TRAINING COURSE REVIEWS

Dear Senior Chief Shipley:

Sir, I want to thank you for allowing me to attend your October Advanced Course. Being recently retired, I thought I could use a challenge. At 55 years of age I have the typical collection broken parts/ailments and it was my goal to keep up with the youngsters. I must admit that when we rolled into your property and the "fun" started I began to question my sanity.

Your course was well run and exceeded my expectations. I was continually challenged and surpassed my own goals while earning respect from the young men who aspire to become Navy SEALS.

By the way, this was an excellent group of characters, almost evenly divided between youngsters and oldsters. The Class, Instructors and Staff are all fine people and I am honored to have met them.

Thanks, Again
Chris Dale


Whoyaa Senior Chief!!!

The testimonial (below) is from our Class Leader in September 2012. "Joe" is the oldest guy at 66-years to complete Hell Night and the Advanced Course...

Hello Y’all
I just wanted to stop by and say THANKS for the recent Extreme Seal Experience!!! In every possible way it was over the top!!! You all were way to kind to me and I Really Appreciate the leadership, inspiration and challenges!!!
I do a number of multi-day events every year and yours is Absolutely, Positively 1000% out of this world!!! The food, the accommodations, the lack of pampering, the full days, the variety and equally important the friendship makes all of you The Best Of The Best.
Not only have you helped me take my game to a whole new level, but you have taught me and inspired me to continue to always reach for the level of all of You!!!
I look forward to returning for the Sniper Course and PLEASE let me be Number 1 on a Winter Training Course!!!
And Thanks A Gazillion To All Of You For Your Service To Our Country!!!!!!
See you further up the Trail? Joe?

Hi Senior
Greetings from England. I just wanted to write you a quick line to say thanks for the fantastic time I had and for the wonderful hospitality you showed Stuart and i on our first visit to America. I just wanted to let you in on a little secret. I am an Alcoholic in my thirteenth year of sobriety. I was brought up by my Grandmother and Grandfather who fought in WW2 IN THE 8TH army AKA The Desert Rats. He fought at El Alemein,Tobruk and was captured in Crete. I always wanted to follow his footsteps but drink and drugs took me down a road of madness. Detox and rehab’s and living rough on the streets and being homeless. I tried to join the Army at 21 but they rejected me because of my record. They told me to stay out of trouble for a year and apply again but by that time I was wasted. When I went to AA they promised me a life beyond my wildest dreams. When by chance I came across your website the thought of going somewhere like Extreme Seal was way beyond my wildest dreams and I knew I just had to go. I go to so many meetings and hear people piss and moan about how hard life is and unfair and they have it rough because they are an Alcoholic and it drives me mad. One of the reasons I wanted to come was to be able to go back home and tell people what I had done to show them what is possible. So you see there was never ever any chance that I would quit ,no matter how hard it was, no matter how tired I felt, no matter what.
13 years ago i was homeless, unemployed, unemployable, unskilled, broke, in huge debt, my brain had blown up and i was at deaths door. Now i have a successful career as an Electrician, am comfortable financially and own my own home. I know all too well about persevering to overcome adversity. QUITTERS NEVER WIN/WINNERS NEVER QUIT. That is it now, I will never ever listen to one person wallowing in self pity and playing the victim. I absolutely loved the way that you and the other instructors constantly pushed a positive message of never giving up, of always battling to overcome, to succeed, of not giving in to hardship/pain/hunger/injuries/tiredness, of facing fears and overcoming them etc. I know myself that if you don’t push past barriers you will never know the personal satisfaction of achievement and victory.
Now I don’t know if i could have cut it in the military but now i sure know i would have had a good go. It was truly inspiring to be around people like you Doug and Bill. Absolute professionals and Warriors in the truest sense of the word. You know in the UK the American military are regarded as being gung-ho, trigger happy and over the top. From now on I will be more the happy to correct anyone if the subject comes up. I would want you guys in my foxhole every time. You know we aren’t allowed to have guns in the UK? I was really buzzing after firing the 50 CAL,AK47 and the shotgun! And as for that chopper ride WOW.
To sum up the whole week was outstanding, awesome ,brilliant and fantastic. I learned some fantastic lessons that will stay with me for life Finally i found this link the other day it is from one of the biggest papers in the UK
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2162455/The-Navy-SEAL-vacation--civilians-endure-hell-training-elite-group.html
Kick some Ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dave

I want to send you guys a HUGE THANK YOU for giving Austin such an AMAZING experience! The stories alone, from picking him up at the airport tonight and driving to the house, were fantastic, unbelievable, and hilarious to hear. He had the time of his life, learned many life lessons (we joked that he learned more in the last two weeks than the last year of school!) and this has brought him one step closer to his future goals. He said you were all AWESOME!!! He goes back to work tomorrow at the grocery store bagging groceries, to start saving for the course in 2013!
Thanks for everything!
Helen Baker

Gentlemen and Mrs. Shipley,

I wish to again personally thank all of you for your time and efforts with respect to Extreme SEAL Experience. I wish I could put into words the experience I received while training, but it?s more than anything I could attempt to say. I opulently value and appreciate what True SEALs do on a day to day basis. I will forever have all of you in my prayers. If I can ever do anything for you, please don?t hesitate to contact me, I will make sure it happens.

Respectfully, Michael Keyes

This is Brendan, AKA: New York, Long Island and Rambo.
Just wanted to say thanks again for everything it was a blast. Senior and Mrs. Shipley you guys have a great thing going there. Just to tell you the guys I was with at the airport were just geeked up about you and the instructors you had, you touched their hearts and minds as well as mine. When I went there I was looking to get my ass kicked, I am always looking to push myself to the edge and back physically and who better to do that but you guys, Navy Seals. But your system is different and its good that you dont physical go hard core, you build them mentally and I saw that with what you did with Nick on the tower. When we were at the bar I heard Chief White saying that to Austria that you guys aren’t showing use how to build muscle but to build the mind and he was right, you guys effected them in a great way. Im just happy to see that there are people like yourselves out there, the Community that
you represent and show a little glimpse of it, the hard work, pride and brotherhood is, America needs more of that. With that said I will be seeing you guys next year and tell Chief White I said what’s up.
Your Friend, Brendan

Dear Don,
I just wanted to let you know what a wonderful experience our son Michael had at camp. He trained for months to be in the best shape possible, but I was still worried about my youngest child going away into what is a very challenging experience. Well I need not have been worried, because he came back with an inner strength and confidence that just quietly shines through. He had some leadership stuff to do for school, and could not do the second week, but I know he will be back. I really believe he was inspired by his instructors to someday become a Seal. Thank you for all you and your staff did for him. And thank your wife for the food he raved about! Yours truly, Pat

Dear Don and Diane, I want to thank you both for the wonderful time my son Michael had for the two August classes. Michael had only planned to stay for the first week and before it was over we were signing him up to stay the second week. All the text messages I received while he was there was ?have I told you I am having the best time of my life.? I appreciated so much being able to come home after work and getting on the computer to see the pictures and videos you posted every day to keep the families posted of what was going on. I understand after talking with you what a very sad day you were having as the guys were arriving on that first Saturday. The guys never saw your sadness and sorrow as you grieved for your fellow SEALs and friends. I can?t imagine how hard those two weeks were for you. My heart and prayers go out to each of you.

Everything about the courses Michael loved. Michael has known what he wanted to do for a while now but after attending the two courses, he said it just makes him want it more and now.

I want to thank Fallon and Sidney for all they do. I know they work very hard every day and they are both so sweet. I have heard nothing but praises for all the instructors and I appreciate all the time and effort they contribute.

If anyone is thinking about taking these courses, as a mom?s opinion, it is with my deepest respect for the Extreme SEAL Experience, Don and Diane and their entire staff that I would say DO IT!! It will be an amazing experience.

Looking forward to being a Navy SEAL mom soon!! Trudy

I know you probably get numerous thanks and encouraging words over the years since you have been doing this camp, and they probably start to all blend in with one another. I sincerely hope that you the "Shipley" family truly understand the positive impact you have provided my son as well as the other students that you have welcomed over the years. Last fall Ryan called Don when he was a young 14 yr old, Don took a chance on letting him come to the July course when he had only just turned 15......for that I am sincerely thankful !!

The images and thoughts that stay with a young person can be wither positive or negative, Ryan came home with nothing but overwhelmingly positive comments, he already misses the many friends he made and misses the give and take with the instructors. I think he was genuinely surprised at how nice all of the instructors were. I am sure he had preconceived notions on how Seals were all business and had little time for fun from the many depictions on TV.

Ryan had a very bad experience with his High School lacrosse coach this year. He became disillusioned with the way the man showed a lack of leadership and lack of teaching ability.

I can tell you Ryan’s impression of a what a Navy Seal represents, has been fully restored by your family.

Thank god Don isn’t a BUDS instructor!!!.......what he’s doing in life is far more valuable in the grand scheme of things. Getting guys to quit is a lot easier than teaching a young guy to dig deep and develop self confidence.

I feel so lucky that their is still a place where you can send your kid that isn’t smothered by political correctness or societies willingness to water down training that is meant to be hard.

Ryan loved Don and the way he interacted with the students, he got a kick out of the flamethrower and his fun times with the megaphone.

The quality of your school is supported by the quality of your instructors. He learned that you can be kind and tough all at the same time. He commented that Instructor Fuch was a really nice man and when it came time to train he was all business. He also commented that Instructor Jano was the type of guy that you would just want to be best friends with.

Ryan must have told me 3 or 4 times that Doug let him wear his helmet and gear that he used in his combat missions. All of these little details add significantly to a young persons life.

Fal & Sid made him feel at home, the brownie they baked him will stay wih him forever.

I know that he will never have the opportunity to go 130 mph and stall a helicopter at any other school.

His dream is to attend the Naval Academy and then become a Seal. I don’t know if that will ever happen, but I do know you have given him a huge head start in accomplishing his goals. You have reinforced what I have told him all along, "if you want it go get it!!

Ryan wishes you had a 3 or 4 week course that he could attend, it’s safe to say that once your 2012 schedule comes out for next summer , he will be one of the first ones to sign up.

I sincerely hope that if one day he accomplishes his goal of becoming a Seal Officer , he can thank you and your family for making that possible.

Please pass along our thanks to all of the instructors and the girls as well !!!!!!!!!

Regards, Tim & Alison Wells



Hi,

Erik is not yet home but, I wanted to take this time to thank you for having him in your program.
I have not yet heard all the events and memories but, I know that he will take these and maybe some
new friendships into the rest of his life.

You are wonderful, warm people (and patient with the young guys) :)
Thank you so much to you and Don for the great efforts you go through to make this
experience possible.

Best wishes for continued success,

Linda


Chief/Diane

Austin and I made it home safely and invited friends and relative over to watch the video and talk about all we did during the week. Austin was doing most of the talking believe or not!! Several people have told me he seems more assertive talks with more confidence. He is already talking to Kyle about a return trip for two weeks next year. He is a different kid all for the better!!

I know I have already thanked both of you for this amazing experience but I really can?t express my gratitude for you taking the chance on letting him jump out of that helicopter on Zodiac demo day. With everything you had going on the risk of letting those boys jump made your margin for error that much greater. Austin had never even jumped off a high dive 10 ft. in the air. For him to have done this without hesitation gave him the confidence to know he can do anything. I don?t know if you realize the impact you have on people but you certainly have a place in my heart. I have the utmost respect and admiration for EVERYTHING you do.

P.S. I have been fortunate in my life and took risk that have paid off for me. I really do want Don, Rick, Ryan, Doug, and Luke to have the extra money. It means a lot to me to show my appreciation for what they have done and they receive some extra reward for all their hard work.
Thanks again for EVERYTHING!
Greg



Dear Senior Chief,

Ready for buds training.

I know that this e-mail is a bit after the fact but I would just like to say thank you for the amazing June class. I truly respect what it is you do there, and I feel that going through that experience has made me even more driven in the direction of the SEAL teams. Nearly every principle you taught I had already subconsciously believed in and it was interesting hearing it from another person.



Now that I am back home, everything is as you said it would be. Almost no one here understands why I did it. I miss my brothers and hope that they all achieve their lives goals. ESE was a great confidence booster and I have finally realized something I had

known to be true since junior high this is what I wanted. I want to live the SEAL life style and achieve my own life?s goals.



ESE has also taken some immediate effects on my life. While I was there I was able to observe my own strengths and weaknesses and because of this I can tell you that my PT has definitely intensified (particularly in the area of swimming). I have swam almost everyday in addition to my daily upper body work outs and running. Without ESE?s spark, I can tell you I would not have been able to comprehend the level of motivation required to keep up that intense training.



So basically, this is just one big thank you note.. Thank you for the PT, the survival training, the lessons on life, the encouragement, the shooting, and especially the beatdowns during Hellnight.. It was those beatdowns that taught me so much about myself and will help me in the long run. As I am typing this, I am sitting in a lodge in Wyoming outside of devils tower. Tomorrow I will train with one of the areas best

climbers and then on Tuesday I will summit the Tower. It is 800 ft straight up and will be, by far, my most challenging climb yet. It is then that I will have to call upon my new found guts and push through even when it sucks.

Thanks for everything; I couldn?t have asked for a greater summer experience.

Cory R. Cameron





I just returned from the most challenging, rewarding, exciting, educational, fun experience of my adult lifetime at Extreme SEAL Experience. Just to name a few activities: We jumped from an airplane, we flew at 120mph in a kick ass helicopter at tree top level over the river, shot the coolest sniper rifles/AR-15’s/M-14’s/pistols, learned tracking and land navigation, were taught survival skills, hand to hand combat, combat swimming, we went on night missions, learned to build fires and much more! The two-day survival course is amazing and the lessons learned will make you a stronger person, period. Senior Chief Shipley and Ben are world-class professional warriors and just having the opportunity to learn from them is a once in a lifetime experience. They really look after the students to ensure a quality experience and ensure your safety throughout the course. You will not find better instruction for a course like this anywhere and I am grateful to have met and learned from these great men. The instructors Senior Chief Shipley picks to assist are hard, pipe swinging veteran SEALS with a world of knowledge and expertise that they are more than willing to share with the students. I cannot thank Chris, Command Master Chief Matto, DJ, and Luke enough for the skills they taught me that will never be forgotten. The cabin and grounds are beautiful and the memorabilia is amazing! Wait till you see the pool! What character this place has a one of a kind atmosphere let me tell you. The family dogs Mujahadeen and Rattler are a trip and fun to play with. Mrs. Shipley cooks the best home cooked meals money can buy and she really cares for you while you are there. She goes over and above the call of duty to prepare fresh, hot, nutritious, nourishing meals that we all loved. Thanks Diane! There is so much to say, this grateful student cannot even touch the surface. I personally plan to return in December for the Winter Time Survival Course and Spring 2009 for another week of Hell Night, Platoon Training, Advanced SEAL Training and the new advanced course in the works. This returning badass wouldn?t miss any of these for the world. Bottom line is you will get in better shape, you will find out what you are made of, you will bond with and make friends that will last a lifetime, you will have one hell of a good time and you will learn from the worlds finest warriors. The United States NAVY SEALS! This course changed my life; given new direction and inspiration to achieve goals I once thought were impossible. How can you even put a price on that? Kick ass.



Jay Roseman

Class Leader October 2008

Concord, North Carolina

It’s been a month to the day since I completed the Hell Night that Don Shipley of Extreme SEAL Experience offers and I’ll be damned if I can get the experience out of my mind! I remember when I first contacted Don about signing-up for the course his claim was ?People emerge better than when they started. They find that after the course they?re better firemen, better police officers, better fathers, etc.? Hearing something like that in this world of hype we live in, my first reaction was of course yeah right. But after completing Hell Night, I would soon learn the truth.

My reason for taking the course is because I am one of those people who has always been curious about what my life might have been like had I joined the military, specifically a combat unit. Naturally after watching history and military channels and reading books related to SEALs, I fortuitously stumbled upon Shipley?s youtube speech and became instantly intrigued. This prompted me to fly out the following week and take the course immediately.

Needless to say Hell Night does indeed represent a crucible for those who are fully intent on joining the Navy and seek to prepare for BUD/s or those like me who merely possess a curiosity. For me the course is a perfect mixture of tactical paramilitary education and ?evolution? conditioning associated with BUD/s. Hell Night included lessons in hand to hand combat, practicing OTB (Over the Beach) Reconnaissance. The later part of which culminated into a mock waterborne assault on a Marina that was both educational and exciting! On the other hand ?evolution? conditioning is an invariable part of the experience as it mimics what one experiences in BUD/s itself, that is crawling through mud, exercise with logs, exercise with Zodiac rafts, boat races and the beat down sessions that accompany losing are all inherent to BUD/s and thus apart of the Extreme SEAL Experience as well.

At the head of this all is retired Navy SEAL Don Shipley whose credentials are easily found and are more recommended than is necessary for this critique. That being said I encourage all readers and prospective students to do their own research on his credentials as doing so will only edify the quality of education and experience I received during my entire time at his camp. Make no mistake, Mr. Shipley is a retired Navy SEAL and the people he hires to assist with the course are also retired or active Navy SEALs. They are the real deal that makes this course 300% legitimate as far as the curriculum and training are concerned that is the very reason I chose this course in the first place. An additional benefit I found was simply the fact that I got to be around some of these people. As the SEALs themselves will tell you, the quality of people one meets is unparalleled. Indeed, their observations are mine.

The result of this legitimacy was an experience that was adventurous, challenging, merciless, educational and fun at the same time. Although using the words merciless and fun in the same sentence cause me to laugh out loud, they are the most appropriate adjectives I?d use to best describe the course. Through his experience as a Navy SEAL Don Shipley has managed to produce a course that gives the curious civilian an insight at what a Navy SEAL does in addition to what it takes to become one of them.

As far as support for the entire experience accommodations are literally in Mr. Shipley?s backyard (read his rustic, pastoral cabin) and are comfortable for this type of experience. Meals are provided by Mr. Shipley?s wife, Diane whose forte in southern style, comfort cooking is more than adequate for a course that touts the rigors of paramilitary training. Need less to say, good food was certainly above expectation for an experience of this type and was appreciated immensely. Beyond that Mr. Shipley, takes care of everything else not listed the gear list he provides on his web site: camouflage and warm clothing (if you need it), combat swim fins that fit over combat boots, UDT life vests and training shapes that add the element of realism to the training.

This exposition is in fact of a commendation of Mr. Shipley?s Extreme SEAL Experience simply because it gives the participant exactly what he/she needs. I was challenged, but not beaten down (too badly). I was able to have the experience of training like a Navy SEAL without committing (or in cases of others, before committing) to the US Navy. I was in reasonable shape (although prior to the course I thought I was in better shape) and I was able to participate and function in all activities set in front of me. The only words of advice I could offer would be to practice swimming, practice exercising in combat boots and invest in some athletic, compression shorts as chaffing occurs with unbelievable ease when one is wet and dirty most of the time

As a personal aside, I felt my best lesson was learning that I was capable of doing so much more than I expected from myself. If you?re like me, all the documentaries and literature surrounding SEALs and BUD/s training all contain one crucial element, fortitude. Not quitting, not giving-up when times get tough but putting you?re head down and seeing things through to completion. Although that is a clich? and an ideal that can easily be recited on a couch, it is a completely different practice to engage in activities that require such a mindset from moment to moment when supreme discomfort rules the hour.

In conclusion, Mr. Shipley?s claim that people completing his course emerged ?better?. While that claim is purely subjective I can attest that exactly one month after taking his course I am better able to focus in on and pursue my civilian goals without being distracted by the self-defeating thoughts and hesitant attitude I allowed to afflict me. Additionally, I received an extremely small taste of what it takes to be a part of one of the most elite Special Forces units the American military has to offer. While I can give a simple ?yes? to the question of whether or not the curriculum at Extreme SEAL Experience made me a better person. I feel a more precise response to Mr. Shipley?s claim would be that the primal, gut level education I received during my time with Extreme SEAL Experience just keeps on giving and giving with each day that passes. Furthermore outside of committed, formal BUD/s training, what more could a civilian ask for? Eddie, September Class...

Hell week f**King rocked my world it really gave a chance to experience what BUD?s Hell week would be like. I got a good taste of what I will be looking forward to when I make my journey to become a Navy SEAL. The instructors are the best, they are very good with one-on-one, always wanting you to ask questions and willing to answer anything you ask, anything you have ever wanted to know about the SEALs you will learn and experience here BEST EXPERIENCE BY FAR I HAVE HAD 100% PERFECT! -Christopher Beutler

Hell night was a riot. Our class did some new stuff that was real fun. All the SEALs are some badass muthaf**kers. I learned a lot about BUD/s. Overall the experience was great. Maddog is just like he sounds FUCKIN MAD! Don is awesome; everybody here was real helpful about answering questions and sharing their experiences with you. Hellnight?s what you put into it, KICK SOME F**KIN ASS

-Kyle Meyer



Hellnight was the shit, the instructors broke us down and gave us a very good insight of what to expect at BUD/s. The newly added night op taught everyone teamwork and was f**king sick. Maddog, Senior Chief, Instructor Chris and Commander Gnesda gave us shit all the way through, which is exactly what you want to come out with. Instructor Chris taught some f**king awesome tactics that we will always be able to whip out of our pockets. Diane & Fallon cook the best f**king food in the dirty south. Shit?s awesome - so man up and get out here- Chris Lawall


Hell night was f**king awesome. From the time it began until the time it was secured. It?s an amazing experience and an ass kicking. The op was fantastic. The dump boat drills were hard shit. But you just got to suck it up and say ?this shit is easy? The food was amazing, best I had in a while. Don, Chris, Bill and Maddog dig an awesome job. The log races were fun as shit and even after all those evolutions our boat crew was able to make record time in the Zodiacs. It was really badass- Justin Kemph



The October Course was the greatest experience of my life. There is no other place that you can be so tired, so cold, so hungry, so thirsty, and so sore and still have the funest week imaginable. Hellnight broke me and
changed my whole outlook on life. The tracking survival and airsoft evolutions were amazing. Special thanks to Diane and Fallon for keeping us fed the food was great. DJ and Luke were great motivators. DJ especially
helped us kick some ass in those airsoft missions. Ben was both "An officer and a gentlemen". Being a sniper was the scariest and funnest thing i have done in a long time. I was pissed that it did not work as planned but the
adrenaline rush from having the Op For so close that I could count there respirations was amazing. Being able to make sure Dillion was a part of the group and enjoyed his experience was very rewarding. I went into the course
thinking I wanted to be a SEAL and thinking i knew what it would take. Now i know I want to be a SEAL and I know what it will take. I have a long hard road in front of me but now it all feels less like a chore preparring and
more like a reward for the advantage I will gain. Everyday tasks are now just easier after last week. Its hard to explain the feeling of pride I know have in myself. It started as soon as I got home my roommate was complaining about his long day at work and I was just thinking how hard can it be, I woke in a pile a leaves at 0330 and feel better than he does. I can not thank everyone there enough. I will be back and cant wait to do it all again.

Alex, October Course...



The 24 hours of Hellnight were some of the best, and hardest of my life. I learned what being a SEAL is all about. From the PST, to the mud pits, to log PT, to the sick f**king OTB op we pulled off almost flawlessly. It was an amazing glimpse into the most elite warrior fraternity on earth. Frankly, I wasn?t sure if I was capable of completing all the physical challenges of Hellnight. However I made sure I took Don?s Advice about ?not giving a shit? to heart and the autopilot came on and I just did it. Oh and having the new course record for returning the Zodiac kicks ass and it was the icing on the cake. Haha I?ll look back on this valuable experience with pride, especially if I end up enlisting in the Navy and going into BUDs. HOO-YAH JULY 08 it was one hell on a time- Alex Guzzo


Hellnight is not comparable to many things you can do as a civilian. I know my strengths and understand my weaknesses. But it?s great being able to talk to experienced SEALs, Learning about OTB was great and doing it was better. David Murgo


I wasntt really sure how I would be able to handle Buds, I came out here and found out what I was made of. I learned my strengths, weaknesses, got great advice from Navy SEALs and had a ?Kick ass? time. I appreciate all the instructors. Thanks you -Torin McCullough


Hellnight is kick ass. Plain and simple, that?s what it is. Not only do you get a feeling for what BUD/s First phase has in store. You get over the beach, patrolling and hand to hand combat. Badass and the megaphone you hear in the distance, yupp he really is making fun of you because you look like an idiot. Awesome .I would recommend Hellnight to anyone interested in BUD/s. -Schultz



Hellnight was one of the most mentally and physically demanding nights of my life. It was also very rewarding. I am really glad I did this. Although Hellnight can hold no candle to BUD/s, I fell it got our feet wet in what to expect-John Brock Longest





Definitely some on the best training a person can experience outside of the military. The instructors are genuine operators and very approachable. The course taught me more about myself than the 3 years of college. The principles and virtues learned and instilled while painful at times, apply not only in a tactical setting, but in life, A positive mental attitude, can do it mind set and pure grit take on individual for period, the kind of individual who will adopt and over come to accomplish the mission regardless of any and all obstacles is the kind of individual that this course brings out. Its not who you are underneath, its what you do that defines you. -Jt



Hellnight was an awesome experience. When I first heard about it I thought it would just be a 24-hour of mindless push-ups and sit-ups- but it turned out to be much better than expected. I thought it was a perfect balance because we did all sorts of evolutions that we can expect in BUD/s, but we also learned cool stuff like hand-to hand with Chris. The OTB?s was definitely my favorite part, and I thought it was a great addition because it gave us a sample of what we would be working for in BUD/s to get to the teams do. Hellnight opened my eyes and gave me a really good idea of what to expect from BUD/s and from life in the teams-Ned Kingsley



HOLY DOGSHIT! That about sums up that badass experience. No mistaking it. That 24 hr period took you from heaven to hell and back smiling all the damn way. The PST was a straight kick in the nuts for some of us who had never completed one before. Being in the company of SEALs as our instructors is nothing short of f**ktasic. These bad asses have been through the real deal and are some hard people. Push harder than you thought possible and learn not to give a shit no matter the task, god damn amazing experience- Luke Scalise

Awesome! One of the greatest experiences I and the others will ever have. I wish I could have jumped, but I know I?ll get a chance to do it someday. The only regret I had is that Mrs. Shipley couldn?t cook for us on Wednesday and Thursday, the survival days, her food was fantastic. I loved it, it is a great course and I would recommend it to anyone? Alex Pennetti

Hell Night was extremely beneficial for me. I came here hoping to get a taste of what BUD/S and Hell Week are like so that I could be better prepared for the training, and I defiantly got what I came for. The instructors that came were fantastic and increased my knowledge in hand-to-hand combat. Overall, great Hell Night course. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to be a SEAL. Adrian Bilyk

I had a great damn time doing this buds training. It?s 4:45 am and Hell Night is secured, and I?m wide awake from all the adrenaline. Don was right when he said that you reach a point of ?not giving a shit.? That?s the only way to make it through this training. The SEALs that came out were cool dudes during the breaks, then turned directly into Terminator mode once training began They were funny as shit and I?m glad they took the time to share their expertise. Ryan and Luke, I salute you assholes. Come to Chang?s and I?ll hook you up. That goes for all of you. Kit and I will see you in the Teams. Nathan Mateer.



Hell Night was fucking awesome. It really was the best thing I ever did. Food was great, the instructors were great down to earth guys, who knew what they were talking about. They’re the real deal. I learned a lot about myself, teamwork and hard work. I would reccommend it to anyone. So go try it. - Otto Borden

The Extreme SEAL Experience

Categories: People

Oct 19, 2012

George Hinesis Chief Information Officer at GES?

Vacations can relax you, vacations can refresh you, but it?s rare for vacations to stretch you to achieve things well beyond the preconceived notions you have about your limits. In December 2011, I set out on a mission to do something as far outside of my comfort zone as possible. I desired to see what it meant to train like the best, most talented, determined and fearless people in the world. It meant facing fears of heights, water and injury. It meant pushing right through the fear of failure (my greatest fear in the world). To me, it meant training like a U.S. Navy SEAL (Sea, Air and Land).

I found Extreme SEAL Experience (ESE), a small company south of Norfolk, VA. ESE is owned by Retired USN Senior Chief Petty Officer Don Shipley or simply ’Senior,’ a former Navy SEAL of SEAL Team One and Two. ESE is a civilian training group that runs courses that model the U.S. Navy SEAL BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) training. A combination of retired SEALs and active duty SEALs all come together to create one of the most fascinating and realistic training programs available.

What drove me to do this?

Aside from repeatedly answering the question, ?Are we there yet, Uncle George,? to my niece and nephews while driving them to Tucson, Arizona, there has never been a more frequently asked question of me. I never could quite explain all of the reasons for doing this, but it came together for me on the second day of our training during ?Hell Night? when our Instructor Chief Bill White (former Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer) said something I will never forget as long as I live.

?It isn?t worth talking about if it isn?t extremely hard.? He actually used more ?colorful? language, but you get the picture.

Those words rang loud and clear for me because I?m extremely competitive, and I LOVE a challenge. Overcoming huge obstacles and achieving excellence are what drive me in my profession and what drove me while growing up. It?s the part that?s hard that creates camaraderie, it?s the part that?s hard that drives those who are motivated to overcome and it?s the part that?s hard that makes it all worth talking about.

I learned that it?s important to find something you passionately identify with to motivate yourself. In ten short months, I will be going back for more in phase two and ?Week of Hell? which includes a seven-day, 24 hours a day mission in which students traverse over 200 miles in the ocean on a Zodiac boat complete with several reconnaissance and assault operations.

The U.S. Navy SEALslive by a code of service, honor and patriotism built on a foundation of being the very best at what they do, demonstrating absolute undying determination and delivering results independent of the potential costs to themselves. This is identical to how I live my life and how I treat my career, and it?s why I chose the SEAL training challenge. If you aspire to be the best, emulate the best. Find similar values, and it will all fall into place. There is truly nothing you cannot do when you apply yourself including not just overcoming your fears, but leaving them in the dust.

HOOYAH!

Hell Night was awesome. I think it was an amazing experience that more should go through. It was very hard but fun at the same time. It also gave me some good information and a good insight on what BUDS is like. The Instructors were awesome. Being around them is an awesome thing in itself. They were very good at answering any questions you might have. I would recommend this to anyone; it is well worth every penny. James J. Glass III

I am really f**king happy I came for this camp. The only regret I have is not staying for the week. Mr. Shipley, thank you for keeping me going when I didn?t think I could make it.

Bobby Carlin

I enjoyed the Hell Night course for what it was. I came to see if I had a shot at making it through BUD/S. The Hell Night course did that for me. It was tough and it was a challenge. It also showed me that I can do more that I thought. It is motivating to go through this with a good group of guys. I was also impressed with the Instructors. The staff was knowledgeable and approachable. I would recommend this course to anybody thinking about going to BUD/S. Pete Schmillin

I thought the course and the Instructors were excellent. No complaints out of the program. It hurt real f**king bad at times, so it worked. I appreciate you going through the trouble to put this together. Mike Lanier

I don?t think you need to change a thing. You?ve got a great program going here. I got what I was looking for in the past 24-hours. Everything was great, food, Instructors, the PT, everything. Thanks for the experience. Very Respectfully. Pat Halsey

I found that I need to improve many things, such as swimming and strength. The close combat session was my favorite evolution. The obstacles that we did I would never do on my own, but when I did them I realized that I enjoyed them. Overall, I enjoyed the Hell Night and the Night Patrol was pretty cool as well. SeanGeddis

The training was excellent, great instruction and the ability to participate in the Team evolution such as log PT and boat drills was invaluable. I was impressed at how well the course was able to push people without just beating everyone to the point of injury. Also, the whole day was a hoot. Thoroughly enjoyable. Log Pt after getting wet and cold would be great though. UNKOWN?

Hell Night was Hell, however, it is supposed to be. As we reflect, we realize what a great experience it was. It goes to show, you can do anything you put your mind to. It was awesome. Our class learned a ton from the current and retired SEALs. UNKNOWN

This course was great even though it sucked sometimes. Hell Night was fun, but also kicked my ass. The Instructors were great and a wealth of knowledge and they really gave me an idea of what BUD/S is going to be like. UNKNOWN

Hell Night was by far the most challenging things I?ve been through. I feel so great that I made it and now I know my weak points. UNKNOWN

This Training was badass! It pushed all of us as a Team to the pain of threshold. I though all the evolutions were well planned where we had lots of different challenges. For me this is a taste, but it was damn good. One I will never forget. UNKNOWN

This experience was a very eye-opening experience for me. I got a taste of BUD/S and learned a lot more about what SEALs do. It was tougher than I thought it would be with the cold water? and I really appreciate how many opportunities we had to meet with and ask questions to real SEALs. Great overall experience. UNKNOWN

If some of the above comments don?t make sense it?s because they were written after a long hard day here and guys fought to stay awake to write them.

In all the time we?ve done these courses we have NEVER had a single bad critique or a single bad comment EVER.

The only points some guys make concerning what they would have liked to see more of is additional PT, as in more of it. These come from the Class Studs and we try to work the training to the middle of the pack. The Studs may want more, but the guys in the middle and back of the pack are more than happy with the amount we do, but we try to please and stick to a very full schedule.

This course is designed to show guys SEAL life and let them see it it?s a good fit for them and one of two things happens to everyone attending.

1. They get more motivated than ever and kick ass in BUD/S.
2. They are very proud and glad they did the course, but realize it ain?t the life for them.

All we do here is let guys make up their own minds, and for some, we?ve saved them a trip to the quitters line in BUD/S.

The course is a try before you buy into BUD/S and it works.

Kick Some Ass... Don Shipley