Do you know the 10 phrases SEAL Teams don't accept (and neither should you)?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 18:32:24 -0500

Do you know the 10 phrases SEAL Teams don't accept (and neither should you)?

RP Members do you agree with the (10)?

If you catch yourself uttering any of the following sayings in the office, you should stop. Here's why.

http://www.ragan.com/Main/Articles/10_phrases_SEAL_Teams_dont_accept_and_neither_shou_50511.aspx

While the parallels between special operations and business closely mirror each other in some regards, there are also glaring differences. The most significant difference I've found in the year plus that I've been out of the military is what is considered acceptable and unacceptable in the workplace.

In a SEAL Team room, for instance, there are (legal) mementos collected from high-level missions, pictures from past training trips, and photos to memorialize fallen teammates. On the other hand, a corporate culture is not likely to hang the suit and tie of the CEO whose company you just acquired, nor will there be pictures memorializing past employees who worked at the company for six months.

Of the social norms that differ between the two professions, nothing is more apparent than the definition of what "acceptable" means. What is normal in the SEAL Teams, for instance, is typically considered abnormal elsewhere (go figure). Here's a quick rundown of 10 sayings I did not hear in the Teams and the reasons why:

10 phrases SEAL Teams don't accept (and neither should you)

If you catch yourself uttering any of the following sayings in the office, you should stop. Here's why.

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Dec 10 at 2015 6:34 PM

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 18:34:45 -0500

Excellent post and comparisons, COL Mikel J. Burroughs . Thanks!

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Dec 10 at 2015 7:49 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 19:49:25 -0500

I love it Colonel and it's right on! Great post and great and positive advice for all of us. Thank you Sir for posting!

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2015 7:53 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 19:53:05 -0500

I can't get over the fact that the guy pictured above is wearing a WWII era helmet with a BDU cover, a shemagh, and a MARPAT IBA.

The article is great btw!

Response by LTC Jeffrey Strickland made Dec 10 at 2015 11:15 PM

LTC Jeffrey Strickland — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 23:15:09 -0500

I practice these. Does that mean I can be a Navy SEAL? All kidding aside, my military mentors ingrained these into me over the course of my 24 years of service.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2015 7:29 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 07:29:28 -0500

Great post, although not specific to the SEALs. These are rules any successful leader or follower needs to follow in order to be successful. It all comes down to four things: do your job, take responsibility for your actions, put the team and the mission first, and take care of your buddies. Do those things and you will succeed, and sadly in the military or civilian sector both, you will probably be in the top 10% of employees.

Response by SGT William Howell made Dec 11 at 2015 12:54 PM

SGT William Howell — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 12:54:14 -0500

Things SEALs do say in the team room.

Dude, I can't find my Oakleys.
I got to take this, it's my agent.
I shot Osama.
I know what you are talking about...I just wrote a book about it.

Response by TSgt John Temblador, PI, CIPA made Dec 11 at 2015 11:11 PM

TSgt John Temblador, PI, CIPA — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 23:11:21 -0500

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Response by PO1 John Miller made Dec 12 at 2015 10:15 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 22:15:57 -0500

Those phrases are also unacceptable (albeit to a lesser degree) in the "regular" Navy and military in general. That's probably why I've been most comfortable working around military since I've retired.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2015 10:24 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 22:24:27 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Good read, Sir. I especially like 8 and 9.

Response by SSG Michael StJohn made Jul 14 at 2019 4:28 PM

SSG Michael StJohn — Sun, 14 Jul 2019 16:28:22 -0400

Whar the 10
oops found link

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Sep 27 at 2019 12:51 AM

SPC Nancy Greene — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 00:51:51 -0400

Excellent information Sir! I have had the honor of interacting with a few SEALS who are out of the Military, but are still able to be recalled. We have have some interesting conversations and shared some ‘war stories’ even though mine did NOT include actual combat missions as theirs did. Yet, there was an almost instant comradery due to our Military Service. There are certain phrases I will never use and some just slide off my tongue before I realize it! I was teaching my 8yo son of Retired Army SM. I have never met his dad, only his mom who is from Germany. I gave him warm up instructions and he said I can’t. Before I realized it, I stated very clearly: ‘The only thing you CAN’T do is live forever and the only thing you HAVE to do is die!’ His mother laughed and he instantly began his warm-up. I figured he had heard that before. His dad was career Army and recently retired(within past two years). He looked at me as if he KNEW exactly what to do! Someone should write a book of Military sayings to ensure we protect our history! However; it should be a reference material protected at West Point or some Military installation. Not readily accessible to John Q. Public!!!

Response by SSgt Dee O'Connor made Sep 27 at 2019 2:14 AM

SSgt Dee O'Connor — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 02:14:16 -0400

Excellent sayings

Response by CPT Daniel Cox made Feb 1 at 2020 8:37 AM

CPT Daniel Cox — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 08:37:55 -0500

As a Plebe at West Point in 1976-1977, we only had four responses when questioned:
Yes, Sir!
No, Sir!
Sir, I Do Not Understand!
No Excuse, Sir!

Response by SGT Everett M. Cheney made Feb 1 at 2020 10:27 AM

SGT Everett M. Cheney — Sat, 01 Feb 2020 10:27:36 -0500

Certainly shows parallels between what is stated as unacceptable to Our navy SOCOM brethren and the Ranger Regt and much is to be said for “Team” room decor and memories and unit pride . I believe we should stop trying to be so sensitive and get the emphasis back on the Warrior culture because last I checked that’s the business we chose ..
As I believe our enemies train and live to see us , all like us and our way of life brutally crushed and we had better stay honed to that task and better ...