If I had to identify the one skill set shared by most by the men who become part of the SEAL teams... it would be sheer brainpower.
One of the great things about the SEAL teams in particular, and the American military in general, is the tremendous diversity of backgrounds and experience that people bring to their service.
I built Blackwater to stay connected to the SEAL teams and to serve that whole community.
All SEALS in my mind are equally elite. It doesn't matter if you're SEAL Team Two, One, Six, 10, it doesn't matter. All SEALS are equally elite.
Part of the attraction of the SEAL teams was the incredible tests that it offered.
What the SEAL teams do, what our training does, is it chips away the outer that layer and shows you what you're capable of and not capable of.
A lesson learned, both in the SEAL teams and as an entrepreneur, is that failure is sometimes a critical component of success.
I'd finished a dissertation, writing about how international humanitarian organizations worked with kids in war zones and then I made this transition from the academic world to officer candidate school and to the SEAL teams. It was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.
We've got SEAL teams in the field that are very close to net zero in terms of energy and water, so they can stay out almost indefinitely without being resupplied.
Seal Team Six is a different unit than the rest of the SEAL teams inasmuch as they concentrate primarily on one thing, counter-terrorism, hostage rescue.
