06/01/2026
The Finish Line looks different to everyone…
Some Sprint across in 1st Place…
Some Stumble across in the Middle…
Some Crawl across in Last Place..
Regardless how you cross the finish line (Sprinting, Running, Walking or F@cking Crawling)…
At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is that you…
Just Don’t Quit & Give It Your All!
This is what was running through my mind today during my 10 Mile (50 lb) Ruck..
You see, When I evaluated people applying for any of the Navy’s SPECOPS Programs…
I didn’t care about their numbers…
Sure the numbers matter, because we have standards…
But…
While everyone was stretching & warming up, I’d tell everyone….
Empty the Tank!
Meaning, Don’t Hold Back / Give Me Their BEST in the Moment…
So, I didn’t just make sure you conducted the proper form on the exercises…
I paid attention to your Mindset…
Especially at the end of the test….
Were they…
Just chilling, like it was just another workout..
Or
Vomiting, Gasping for air, struggling to walk & physically drained…
I’m looking for people to go to war with…
I don’t care if you’re physically fit, I care if you’re All In or Just Visiting…
Someone could totally crush the test, by putting up numbers I’ve never seen… but if they obviously had more in the tank, they didn’t give me their maximum effort… So, while I’m impressed, I didn’t Buy into them..
Someone else could have average scores, but they’re in the hurt locker, clearly, they gave me everything they had… Now they’ve got my attention… because I can get them into better shape…
You see, it’s easy to conduct yourself in a certain manner when you’re comfortable..
But your True Character is revealed in moments of high stress or when you’re physically & mentally exhausted..
So, if you’re building a Team remember..
Skills can be taught, but there’s no substitute for Character…
If They have Heart & Grit, You just have to provide them with Leadership…
Rant over… GFGI