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We’re Basically Going Through ‘Hell Week’ Right Now
How the military elite survive under extreme stress conditions
Your drill instructor storms into the room. It’s four in the morning. He hands out sheets of paper with gear requirements for the day. Yours just says ‘shorts.’ It’s the middle of February, so you’re a little confused.
You get into the van still disoriented — the two hours of sleep you got were your first two hours of sleep in the past two days. After thirty minutes of driving, the van door opens, and you see a lake. There’s ice floating on the water. Part of you still hopes this is all a joke, but it’s not your first day on BUD/S, and your definition of “sane” has been somewhat widened.
The exercise is to stay underwater for 7 minutes in total. The timer starts when the last member of your group dips their head beneath the ice-cold surface, and it stops whenever someone rises to breathe.
After the procedure, you’re given a heavy bag with supplies and ordered to hike back to the camp. Your clothes are still soaked in cold water.
Your next exercise is in the pool. At least the water is warm, you think.
You’re given breathing gear, and the task seems simple enough: stay underwater for 20 minutes. It would be simple if not for the…
