“Simple, Clear, and Concise” – Jocko Willink
The first principle that we teach our students is communication. All communication, whether this is the mission for the day, must be communicated in a manner that is simple, clear, and concise. We want our students to be able to communicate and articulate ideas to anyone they are speaking with in any environment. Our students should be able to confidently communicate with bosses, employees, team members, family, friends, etc. in a manner that is simple, clear and concise.
One of our favorite methods of training communication is team runs carrying a boat or other timed team events. If someone gets exhausted on a run or needs to switch positions on a boat, there are two scenarios that can play out. The individual can effectively communicate with the team to adjust the positions of individuals along with the boat so there is minimal loss in time. Or, if there is no communication, the individual will burn out and the team will suffer for the performance of the individual. In a timed event or competition, this can seriously hurt the performance of the team.
When preparing for an event, a team leader’s duty is to ensure that all team members understand and can perform their tasks. The team leader must display confidence and be vocally stern in his commands. However, the true test of a leader’s communication abilities comes when the plan faces a problem. When a problem occurs, it is the duty of the team leader to communicate the plan to his/her team that will deface the problem. The more often an individual is put in a leadership position, the more comfortable they get making decisions in different settings.
Priorities and situations can also rapidly shift and change which can change the direction that the team needs to go. If this change is communicated within the team and up and down the chain of command efficiently, the team can pivot and reprioritize their efforts to get on track and succeed regardless of the situations presented to them. Communication allows leaders, whether on the team itself or higher up in an organization to execute necessary alterations to the mission priorities and/or strategies to ensure the success of the team.
The communication skills I developed from this program helped me become a successful entrepreneur and global ambassador.
This program has completely changed my son for the better. He has a newfound confidence that has helped him succeed since graduating and going to college.
The JNS program has provided an outlet for me to enhance my leadership qualities and work alongside some of the most pristine students and athletes in the region. When I work with my team, I strive to perform at the highest level possible because of the respect I have for the Navy Seal Trident we wear. The sense of professionalism, confidence, and punctuality that I have developed in the JNS program has influenced every aspect of my life. In school, I am given much respect from my peers and educators because of the manner I conduct myself. What I have gained by being a JNS will continue to benefit me as I continue my education and enter into the workforce.
Training with the Jr. Navy SEALs blessed my son Stephen to see in himself and accomplish those goals I as a parent always knew he had inside of him. He learned to be successful at doing challenging physical tasks which helped him develop greater mental and emotional fortitude in his journey to adulthood. We are forever grateful for the positive impact the Jr. Navy SEALs had on Stephen being able to see and tap into his rich potential and inner strength
As a parent and coach for the Junior Navy SEALs for the past few years, I have been nothing short of awestruck with regard to the changes in my daughter Emily, now a senior at Beyer. She started high school as a bright student but struggled to fit in. Almost immediately after joining the Jr SEALs, Emily referred to the group as her “brothers.” She developed a vision of her path in life – one with the military. She is more poised and confident; able to handle the stress of AP classes, girl scouts, wrestling, and civic clubs with more ease than ever before. I credit that to Mr. Wesson’s life lessons, the six pillars of the Jr Navy SEALs: stress control, communication, situational awareness, teamwork, goal setting, and etiquette. Thank you, Mr. Wesson, we are forever filled with gratitude.
I have never experienced such professionalism from young high schoolers. I would hire every one of them after college if I could.
This program has changed my son tremendously. It helped him to excel inside and outside of the classroom