Monday Mindset: Finish the Drill

“Finish the drill” isn’t just a motto; it’s a way of life. It’s the backbone of every mission, the heartbeat of every training session, and the guiding principle for every Navy SEAL. When you’re in the trenches, knee-deep in mud with the world crashing down around you, finishing the drill is the only thing that matters. It’s what separates the warriors from the wannabes, the victors from the vanquished.

In the unforgiving crucible of Navy SEAL training, you’re pushed beyond the limits of human endurance. Hell Week, the most infamous part of this journey, is designed to test your mettle. Sleep deprivation, relentless physical tasks, and the ever-present specter of failure loom large. But amidst this chaos, one command echoes louder than any other: finish the drill.

Finishing the drill means seeing the mission through, no matter the cost. It’s about embracing the suck, digging deep when every fiber of your being screams for you to quit. It’s about looking at the insurmountable and saying, “Not today.” This mindset isn’t confined to the battlefield; it’s woven into the very fabric of a SEAL’s existence. Whether you’re facing a grueling swim in frigid waters or a seemingly endless run through scorching sands, the objective remains the same – finish the drill.

In training or in combat, finishing the drill takes on a life-or-death significance. The stakes are high, the margin for error razor-thin. Your team relies on you, and you rely on them. Every SEAL knows that failure is not an option. The enemy is relentless, the environment unforgiving, but the mission must be accomplished. It doesn’t matter if you’re cold, hungry, or exhausted. It doesn’t matter if you’re facing overwhelming odds. The drill isn’t finished until the objective is secured, and every man is accounted for.

This relentless pursuit of completion isn’t confined to the battlefield. It permeates every aspect of a SEAL’s life. When you’re part of this brotherhood, you’re held to a higher standard. Mediocrity isn’t tolerated. Excuses are for others. The mantra “finish the drill” means pushing through adversity, whether you’re in the boardroom or the backyard. It’s about integrity, honor, and commitment.

In the civilian world, this mentality can seem foreign, even extreme. But the principles are universal. Life is full of challenges – some anticipated, many unexpected. The true measure of a person is not how they perform when things are easy but how they respond when the going gets tough. The ability to finish the drill – to see things through to the end – is what defines greatness. It’s what turns dreams into reality and potential into achievement.

Finishing the drill requires discipline, determination, and an unwavering sense of purpose. It’s about setting goals and not stopping until they’re achieved. It’s about understanding that obstacles are part of the journey, not roadblocks but stepping stones. It’s about resilience in the face of setbacks and perseverance when success seems out of reach.

BOTTOM LINE

In the end, “finish the drill” is more than a call to action; it’s a testament to the human spirit’s indomitable will. It’s a reminder that no matter how tough the challenge, how steep the climb, or how fierce the battle, we have the power to push through, to overcome, and to succeed. It’s the SEAL way, and it can be yours too. When you commit to finishing the drill, you embrace the essence of what it means to be truly unstoppable.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brad McLeod went through Navy SEAL training Hell Week twice after training all the wrong ways. A year later he went back and finished the drill.

Are you interested in training for an endurance event like SEALFIT 20X, GORUCK or a Spartan Race? Do you want to increase your human potential so that you can move faster to your goals?

Do you have a big event on the horizon and you want to finish the drill?

Looking to get out of a rut and push forward to beat yesterday now?

Get individual coaching from SGPT Coach Brad McLeod. Check out coaching here:

SEALgrinderPT is a proud sponsor of the UDT/SEAL Veterans Assistance 2024 Program. In 2022 during Covid SGPT raised $5360 to help veterans and their families in need.