Latest news with #SEALs
New York Post
26-06-2025
- General
- New York Post
‘Lone Survivor' mission turns 20 as slain Long Island Navy SEAL Michael Murphy still changes lives
Dan Murphy's life changed forever 20 years ago. His son — 29-year-old Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy — made the ultimate sacrifice on a compromised mission in Afghanistan in hopes of giving his four-man team a chance to survive against what the military branch said was 'a much larger enemy force of more than 50 anti-coalition militia.' 'The biggest takeaway is that even 20 years since his death, people still remember him and know who he is,' said Dan Murphy, who lives in Wading River so he can visit his son's grave at Calverton National Cemetery twice a week. Advertisement 3 The life of Dan Murphy changed forever when his son, Navy SEAL Lt. Michael Murphy, made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan. LP Media The Patchogue-raised military hero's story and final mission alongside fellow SEALs Marcus Luttrell, Matthew Axelso, and Danny Dietz, was immortalized in the 2013 film 'Lone Survivor.' Director Peter Berg detailed the harrowing escape Luttrell made as his comrades — including 16 SEAL and Army Nightstalker rescuers — were gruesomely killed by the Taliban during the ill-fated 'Operation Red Wings' of June 28, 2005. Advertisement The initial job of scouting the known terrorist Ahmad Shah in the Hindu Kush quickly went to pieces after the four were spotted in mountainous terrain. Heavily outnumbered and suffering communications problems, Murphy deliberately ran into enemy fire to call for reinforcements. 'He had the mindset of always looking out for everyone else before himself,' Luttrell told The Post, recalling Michael's known reputation as 'The Protector.' Advertisement 'Marcus told me, 'Mr. Murphy, I want you to know that Michael stepped out into, the only still way I can describe it, is an avalanche of bullets to make that phone call,' Dan Murphy recalled, adding that the two close friends were 'insomniacs' known to stay up the night before missions together. Back on Long Island, SEALs were stationed with Dan Murphy and his then-wife, Maureen, to give the family real-time updates in the days that followed. They had been told that one soldier's transmitter had pinged, but it wasn't immediately clear whose. 'I remember turning to Maureen at that point, saying, 'you know, this isn't going to turn out well,' said the elder Murphy, a Vietnam Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient. Advertisement 'I said, 'If there's one survivor, you know it's not going to be Michael. He would make it a point to ensure his men would survive before he would,' the proud dad added of his son, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here! Never forgotten Now, two decades later, Dan Murphy looks to the lasting impact made by his son that keeps his spirit immortal. The Navy commissioned a destroyer in his name, and there is an annual June 28 run around Lake Ronkonkoma — where the younger Murphy was a lifeguard and lived up to his nickname 'The Protector.' As fate would have it, one of the first boats to rescue passengers from the 'Miracle on the Hudson' was owned by a family friend and named in honor of the younger Murphy as well. 3 His story, along with that of fellow SEALs Marcus Luttrell, Matthew Axelson, and Danny Dietz, was immortalized in the 2013 film 'Lone Survivor.' U.S. Navy 'His whole persona was to help people…you can't get a better legacy than that,' Dan Murphy added of his son, who eyed a future with the FBI after service. 'I rue the fact that the world lost this man who would have done so much for so many people had he survived.' Advertisement Closer to home, the grieving military dad played an integral part in establishing the LT Michael P. Murphy Navy SEAL Museum in Sayville, where he visits almost every day to educate visitors about the sacrifices of Michael and others throughout the elite fighting force's history since World War II. 'We still hurt for the Murphy family and thank them for their work in keeping Michael's memory alive,' said Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. However, perhaps the most widespread recognition of Lt. Murphy's true grit is the viral workout challenge he invented while during basic underwater SEAL demolition (BUD/S) training class 236. Advertisement 'The Murph,' as it's called, is a one-mile run followed by 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, and 300 air squats, then another one-mile run in a 20-pound weighted vest. Michael Murphy designed it with fellow SEAL Kaj Larsen, who was one class behind him during training in Southern California. 'He wasn't a braggadocious Navy SEAL. He didn't wear his trident on his chest. He was quiet. He was unassuming,' Larsen told The Post about his friend. Larsen also remembers the kind side of Lt. Murphy that those close to him were well aware of. He'll never forget the younger Murphy sneaking around the corner of their dorms during the nadir of 'hell week' to pass a Snickers bar to the fatigued trainee. 3 From right, Chris Wyllie, museum executive director and Dan Murphy, father of Seal Lt. Michael Murphy who was killed in action in Afghanistan pictured in the Navy Seal Museum with Lt. Murphy's namesake in West Sayville, NY. LP Media Advertisement 'He went by example. He was an incredibly strong leader who didn't have to tell you that he was in charge,' added Larsen, who was close to almost all who perished in the 2005 mission. The devastation of the Red Wings was, in part, a reason why he re-enlisted as a reserve in 2007. 'I would hope that the public would know that all of those successes, like killing Bin Laden, are made possible by the sweat, tears, and ultimately blood of our brothers who are not there with us.' 'Lone Survivor' Advertisement Luttrell's dramatic escape from the Taliban was aided by a local villager, Mohammed Gulab, who shielded the heavily wounded warrior despite fatal threats from the militants out of an ancient honor code called Pashtunwali. Since the rescue, Luttrell and Gulab, who moved to America about a decade later, have stayed in touch. Luttrell, of Texas, whose twin brother Morgan was Larsen's swim buddy, said he and Gulab last saw each other a few weeks ago. Now, as the anniversary approaches, the former SEAL has opened up about what the past two decades have been like as the lone survivor of Red Wings. 'I went through a pretty dark time for several years. Imagine living your worst day every day because people want to talk about it, they want to pick it apart,' he said. 'Between my family and faith, I've been able to turn that pain into purpose, and I shut out anything that isn't going to make me and everyone around me a better person. There's no reason to relish in the darkness when we can live in a world of light and help others live in that light, too. I have no interest in negativity.' Instead, like Dan Murphy, he looks to celebrate the legacy of those lost through new missions, such as the museum and other public honors given to the fallen fighters of Red Wings. 'The mission is accomplished,' Luttrell added. 'NEVER FORGET 6.28.05.'
Entrepreneur
11-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
The One Thing Leaders Must Do, According to a Performance Psychologist
We asked a performance psychologist who trains Elite Warriors and Olympic athletes about leadership. Her insights reveal why the best leaders walk alongside their team, not in front. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. There is no doubt that special operators like SEALs and Rangers are able to function under extreme pressure. But this is no accident. It is a result of cognitive performance coaching from people like Brittany Loney. Loney is the founder and CEO of Elite Cognition and has almost 20 years of experience training high-performing operators from communities as diverse as tactical units, professional and Olympic athletes and corporate executives. Her work has been featured in the Harvard Business Review, peer-reviewed academic journals, textbooks, and various other programs. Her unique perspective comes from understanding how the brain performs under extreme pressure and translating those lessons into practical leadership principles. In this interview, we asked her to apply her years of working with elite performers to the 7 Questions from Entrepreneur. Related: The 3 Decision-Making Rules You Should Steal from This SWAT Commander Q1: What's the role of a leader from your perspective? Loney: To put themselves last, and to put the mission first, the vision first, and others first. Q2: What's the one thing that every leader needs to know? Loney: To stay humble and distance their ego from the situation." Q3: What's your most important habit? Loney: To have a set of daily habits that I have identified that really help me every day. For me, movement and journaling help me gain clarity. Q4: What's the most important thing for building an effective team? Loney: To value conflict in a productive manner. Task conflict is okay, and teach people how to navigate that. It should never become social conflict. Q5: What's the biggest mistake you see leaders make? Loney: Not admitting weakness and not showing vulnerability to a team when it would be effective to do so. Q6: What's the best way to deliver bad news? Loney: Honestly and directly and then show care afterwards. Related: I Created a Meeting to Call Out My Team's Mistakes. What Happened Next Surprised Me Q7: What's something you've changed your mind about recently? Loney: It's not recent, but growing up, I always thought leaders had to take charge and lead from the front, and I think it would be to walk alongside and really learning how to do that. It took about 15 years for me to learn how to walk alongside someone as a guide versus telling them what to do. The full interview with Brittany Loney can be found here:
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
These events in DFW honor the true meaning of Memorial Day
The Brief "Carry the Load" at Reverchon Park in Dallas gets underway at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Volunteers will also meet at DFW National Cemetery at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday to place tokens on the graves of fallen heroes. DALLAS - In between gathering with family and friends this Memorial Day weekend, it is important to pause and remember what Memorial Day is all about – honoring our nation's heroes. What we know Carry the Load's Memorial Day events occur nationwide but started right here in Dallas. The tribute tangibly serves military veterans, first responders, and their families by raising money for the nonprofits that support their access to counseling, training, suicide prevention, service dogs, job placements, and scholarships for children. This year's event at Reverchon Park gets underway with an opening ceremony at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. People can visit at any time over the course of the 20-hour march to read the stories of the nation's heroes along the Katy Trail. People are also invited to walk for whatever time they would like, whether it's 20 minutes or the full 20 hours. What they're saying "My co-founder and myself served together on the SEALs teams on the West Coast out of college. And after we had gotten out and got back here to Dallas, we got into the business world. It was on the heels of losing some friends of ours out there that we had an idea around an event that could provide a meaningful Memorial Day experience and tell the stories of those men we lost," said Stephen Holley, the co-founder of Carry the Load. "No matter what you do on this weekend, whether you're heading to the lake or it's a BBQ, you need to take some time on that day and reflect on the men and women who died in service of this country." By the numbers Since Holley founded the organization in 2011, it has expanded to 48 states and raised $50 million. What we know Another one of the many events in North Texas offering people a way to reflect on Memorial Day is the Honor Project at DFW National Cemetery. Hundreds of volunteers will gather in the cemetery to visit the graves of fallen heroes, say their names, and place memorial tokens. This will be the second year for the project, which gets underway at 9:30 a.m. with a ceremony featuring Clint Bruce, a former Navy SEAL and NFL football player. What they're saying "As a surviving spouse myself, the best part is that they're going to take a picture, and they're going to text it to Travis Manion. And they're going to make sure that the family members get that picture. And so, to me, that is pretty powerful when you know that people are honoring your loved one," said Lt. Col. Mike Phillips's widow, Deanna Phillips. "Being able to honor Mike's sacrifice means everything. And if I couldn't be there, knowing that someone else would, it just is empowering and helps in the process of moving forward with your life." By the numbers While the Honor Project is new to DFW, it is in 60 national cemeteries across the nation. The Source FOX 4's Lori Brown gathered details for this story by talking to the co-founder of Carry the Load and the widow of Lt. Col. Mike Phillips, who is buried at the DFW National Cemetery. Details about Memorial Day events come from the hosting organizations.
Forbes
21-05-2025
- General
- Forbes
The Courage We Lack: A SEAL's Story Of Silence, Belonging, And Tragedy
Intense white water spray against a black background. Perfect for compositing. In 1995, a team of five Navy SEALs embarked on a high-risk mission in Venezuela to test a relatively unproven capability at the time—navigating extreme rapids in inflatable boats. The theory was that rivers could serve as highways through rugged jungle terrain inaccessible by road. If SEALs could be parachuted into such environments in rafts, they could carry out missions that would otherwise be impossible. Their entry point: the base of the Guri Dam. To this day, the Guri Dam releases more water per second than Niagara Falls at full flood. At the dam's base, water is forced into a narrow chute—about 100 yards wide and over 700 feet deep—creating violent Class 5 rapids, some of the most dangerous in the world. Four of the SEALs were experienced combat veterans. The fifth—Alex—was fresh out of training. Yet Alex brought years of experience as a professional whitewater rafting guide and had the deepest understanding of the dangers of such violent rapids. As the team deliberated the best approach for their mission, Alex had significant concerns. Yet, as the rookie recruit, he was acutely aware that new SEALs were expected to prove themselves before offering input. He didn't want to seem disrespectful of his rank—or worse, be seen as lacking the courage it takes to be a true SEAL. And so, he said nothing, rationalizing that if these highly trained warriors felt it was safe to proceed, who was he to question otherwise? As he later told me, 'In that moment, I was more afraid of not being accepted than of the rapids themselves.' Alex's decision that day shows that even the bravest among us—those willing to risk their lives in the world's most dangerous places—aren't immune to fear. But the fear that held him back wasn't of dying. It was the fear of losing face. Of looking weak. Of not belonging. Of being judged unworthy by those whose approval he sought. Fear of social judgment wears many faces. Rarely does it appear as overt anxiety or panic. More often, it shows up in subtler forms: perfectionism, posturing, control, or compulsive busyness. On the flip side, it can show up as excessive humility, people-pleasing, or quiet compliance disguised as being a 'team player'. The irony is that when we are stuck in impression management - our fear of looking bad keeping us from speaking up or taking action - we surrender the very strengths we're trying to prove. Having worked with many exceptionally talented leaders—some of whom fit the mold of 'insecure overachievers'—I've seen how fear often hides behind intellectualized emotions and a relentless need to prove oneself. Research published in Psychological Science found that status anxiety can significantly inhibit people from speaking up—especially in hierarchical environments—keeping them stuck in a cycle of insecurity alleviation. And the cost of silence in such moments can be far greater than the risk of voicing concern. Yet that 'timidity tax' is rarely obvious at the time. In our efforts to secure status with others, we must be careful not to betray ourselves. When Alex's team launched their rafts into the river, they were immediately overwhelmed by the sheer force of the water. Their raft capsized, plunging them into a violent, raging current just upstream from its most perilous stretch. Armed only with life jackets and survival instincts, they fought for their lives to avoid being dragged under the wild and unforgiving rapids. At the bottom of the rapids, Alex and three of the other SEALs pulled themselves out of the river—shaken, exhausted, but alive. Realizing their teammate Jason was missing, they began searching for him, eventually calling in a helicopter to assist. It would be three harrowing days before his body was found—20 miles downstream. Alex was the last person to see Jason alive. And the first to see him dead. Alex's story runs through The Courage Gap as a sobering reminder that courage isn't just about laying our lives on the line (which most of us will never be asked to do). More often, it's about laying our pride, reputation, and status on the line—risking a bruised ego or disapproval in the eyes of those we're trying to impress. As I wrote in The Courage Gap: While Alex has since gone on to lead in other arenas, it's the courage he's shown far from war zones that I've found most inspiring: the courage to reflect deeply, to confront the self-protective story he told himself after the tragedy, and to admit hard truths. The courage to make peace with his fallibility and embrace vulnerability as his deepest source of strength. In a powerful and raw conversation on my Live Brave podcast, Alex and I unpacked how our unfaced fears—particularly the fear of judgment and rejection—often cost us far more than we realize. While most of us won't ever stand on the edge of roaring rapids, we've all stood at decision points—moments where the easier choice is silence, delay, or retreat, and the braver one is to speak up or step forward without a map or a guarantee. Fear widens the gap between what we know, deep down, we should do—and what we actually do. It takes courage to close it. And here lies the paradox of courage: The idea that fear holds us back isn't new. But we underestimate its reach or its cost. One study found that 76% of people at work avoid conflict while a survey by CrucialLearning found that nearly 75% of employees regularly withhold concerns—even when doing so could prevent major problems. It's why some of the biggest problems individuals and organizations face stem not with what was said—but with what wasn't – due to fear of how it would impact their status. As history shows, when fear governs decisions, it generally leads to worse outcomes over time. So what's the solution? It starts with us. Just as we are our greatest source of risk—through what we ignore or deny—we are also our greatest resource in overcoming it. That begins with being honest about where fear is pulling the strings and recommitting to the values we want to live and lead by. Every day. The root of our biggest problems isn't that we don't know what to do. It's that we don't do what we know. The only way to close this courage gap—the space between knowing and doing—is to become more committed to what we want to gain for ourselves and others than to what we fear we might lose in the process, including our place in the pack. Until we are, fear of looking bad will restrict our freedom to act—and limit the good we might otherwise do. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is risk being misunderstood. The more we practice courage—a learnable skill—the greater our capacity to take the emotional risks that bold leadership and meaningful lives require. Every time we refuse to betray our values to keep false peace or win approval and risk judgment to show up as the person (and leader) we most aspire to become, we reinforce our agency and loosen the shackles that hold us captive to others' opinions. At a time when the pace of change is relentless and external threats—GenAI, nuclear escalation, climate change—feel increasingly existential, the greatest danger to our future isn't 'out there.' It's within us—in our underdeveloped courage to confront these challenges head on and to risk what feels secure today for what could build a more secure tomorrow. As Alex's story reminds us, when fear of judgment guides our decisions, we don't just undermine our integrity—we gamble with the outcomes for others. History doesn't just turn on events; it turns on the courage—or timidity—of people facing them. So wherever you find yourself playing it safe today, ask yourself: What would I do if I wasn't afraid of being judged?And what might it cost if I don't? Not every act of courage will change the world. But any single act of courage might shift the trajectory of your life —or that of others. Perhaps more important, it will spare you the regret of wondering, 'But what if I'd tried?' Alex knows that pain. Let his story be your call to courage.
Newsweek
20-05-2025
- Newsweek
Navy SEALs Face Discipline Over Racist Memes Targeting Black Sailor
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Two members of Navy SEAL Team 4 are facing disciplinary action after a military investigation revealed they had circulated racist memes targeting a Black sailor in their platoon. The memes, which were shared in a group chat, included images depicting the sailor as a monkey and as a chained slave aboard a slave ship, according to visuals reviewed by The Associated Press. "This was a very shocking case of explicit and repeated racist memes directed at our client in a platoon-wide text thread," said the sailor's attorney, Timothy Parlatore. The Pentagon is seen in this aerial view in Washington, Jan. 26, 2020. The Pentagon is seen in this aerial view in Washington, Jan. 26, 2020. Associated Press The two enlisted SEALs responsible for creating and spreading the images will face non-judicial punishment and receive punitive letters in their files—sanctions that can end careers or lead to demotions and pay loss. Several of their platoon and team leaders are also being disciplined for leadership failures, as they did not adequately respond to the targeted sailor's repeated concerns. Administrative actions, including letters of reprimand, could impact whether these leaders remain in the SEALs. According to a defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity, the racist behavior began in 2022 and continued for years. The targeted sailor reported the abuse this year but had already lost his SEAL qualifications and Trident last year. He alleged that the revocation was the result of persistent racist treatment. However, following the investigation by Naval Special Warfare Group 2—which oversees SEAL Team 4—his SEAL qualifications are now being reinstated. Officials concluded that the decision to strip him of his Trident was flawed. Naval Special Warfare Command issued a statement confirming it had investigated "serious allegations of unprofessional conduct within one of our commands," and emphasized that "accountability actions are ongoing." The statement added, "We are dedicated to fostering a climate of dignity and respect, and after conducting a thorough and fair investigation, we will hold anyone found responsible of misconduct accountable." Parlatore commended Rear Adm. Jamie Sands, head of Naval Special Warfare, and his team for taking swift corrective action. "They moved quickly to investigate, reverse the negative repercussions that our client received, and move to hold people accountable," he said. This latest incident underscores persistent racial issues within elite commando forces, which remain significantly less diverse than the broader U.S. military. Efforts to build more inclusive units could face new hurdles, however, as the Trump administration and the Pentagon move to dismantle diversity and inclusion initiatives (DEI) across the military, potentially exacerbating the challenges faced by minority service members in these predominantly white units. This article contains reporting by The Associated Press.
