SEAL of Honor (11 page)

To help increase the success rate of those recommended and selected for BUD/S, RDAC standards are deliberately much higher than those established by BUD/S.
The RDAC PST measures the same five areas: a timed swim, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and a run. To successfully complete the RDAC PST, the candidate must complete a timed five-hundred-yard swim using the breast- and/or sidestroke in under twelve and a half minutes. Following a ten-minute rest, they must perform a minimum of forty-two push-ups in two minutes, followed by a two-minute rest. The test continues with a minimum of fifty sit-ups in two minutes, followed by another two-minute rest. The candidate must then perform a minimum of six pull-ups with no time limit. Following a ten-minute rest, the candidate, wearing boots and long pants, must complete a 1.5-mile run in under eleven and a half minutes.

Michael reported to the USMMA in Kings Point, where he was introduced to the RDAC mentors, then given a brief overview of the program, program expectations, and his initial PST. Records show that he completed his five-hundred-yard swim in nine minutes flat; did ninety push-ups in two minutes, fifty-eight sit-ups, and eighteen pull-ups; and completed his run in 8:46. While this certainly got Bisset’s and the other SEAL mentors’ attention, they withheld judgment and their excitement. They did encourage him to work out on his own in between monthly sessions, and reminded him that his commitment would be evident by his improved marks each month. Michael committed to continuous improvement, and established a daily workout routine.

Again reporting to the USMMA, Michael’s PST results were mixed. His 8:02 swim was a fifty-eight-second improvement, but his push-ups dropped to eighty-six. His sit-ups increased to sixty, his pull-ups went down to sixteen, and his run was clocked at 9:22, over his initial time by thirty-six seconds. Although Michael was dissatisfied, his mentors continued to encourage him to work out on his own, and emphasized their satisfaction with his swim. He committed to redoubling his efforts for the next month.

However, Michael was unable to make the March session because of academic requirements. He telephoned Captain Bisset and reiterated his commitment to the program, promising to continue to work out on his own and to report for the April session. He continued his self-designed workout program, and it paid off.

Michael was able to report to the USMMA for his April session. While his swim was timed at 8:13, up from February, his push-ups increased dramatically, from 86
to 107, as did his sit-ups, from 60 to 83. His pull-up numbers also jumped, from 16 to 21, and he decreased his run time to 8:54. The RDAC mentors realized they had themselves a highly motivated individual. They also began to see Michael’s leadership skills. Being one of the top finishers in the swim, he constantly encouraged the slower swimmers and encouraged others during push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. After he finished the run near the front, he ran back several times and ran with and encouraged the slower runners. Although Michael had caught the attention of Bisset and the other mentors, they did not establish any type of personal relationship with him. They had found it better not to do so with a candidate until a preliminary decision to recommend was made, allowing them to maintain their objectivity.

To reinforce among the SEAL candidates the value of a life of selfless service and sacrifice as well as to involve them in a vital community outreach, in the spring of 1998, Bisset partnered with a local outreach agency called Rebuilding Together. This program assisted low-income elderly veterans or widows of veterans who needed home maintenance and repairs. This being the first attempt at such a partnership, Bisset approached Michael to get involved with the project for two reasons. First, as a potential officer candidate, he would need to demonstrate organizational and leadership qualities; second, this would give the RDAC team an opportunity to further evaluate him.

Bisset explained that as the “House Captain,” he would be responsible for assembling a team to assess the property for needed repairs, draft a budget, obtain individual and corporate sponsors to provide the materials, and draft a work schedule. He would also have to assemble a team of SEAL candidates to complete the work. Bisset reminded Michael that he and his team would be under scrutiny during each step of the project and have their work assessed and evaluated at the end of the project. When Bisset asked Michael if he was up to the task, the young man just grinned and responded, “Yes, sir. I’ll take care of it, sir.”

With no other assistance or guidance from the RDAC mentors, in less than three weeks, under Michael’s leadership, the project and all repairs were completed. Following the success of the inaugural partnership, the Rebuilding Together initiative continued as an integral part of the RDAC mentorship program.

In early May 1998 Michael Patrick Murphy graduated from Pennsylvania State University with academic honors and with dual degrees in political science and psychology.

Again demonstrating that determination, hard work, and individual training paid dividends, Michael continued to better his overall PST numbers. He lowered his swim time by fourteen seconds to 7:59, performed one hundred push-ups and eighty-four sit-ups, increased his pull-ups to twenty-three, and finished his run in 8:57. As in the previous month, after he completed each phase of the PST, he encouraged those who were still working out and running. Again, the mentors noted this with admiration.

After graduation, Michael resumed his position as the supervising lifeguard at Lake Ronkonkoma and other area beaches and began working at Hartcorn Plumbing and Heating in Ronkonkoma as a plumber’s assistant.

On the nineteenth, he reported to the USMMA. His swim time dropped another twelve seconds to 7:47; he did 102 push-ups, 84 sit-ups, and 22 pull-ups; and he lowered his run time to 8:55. He accomplished all this even as he continued to encourage his fellow classmates

After the PST, Bisset called Michael into his office. Following a truly enlightening and revealing interview, Bisset completed the required NAVCRUIT 1100/13 Interviewer’s Appraisal Sheet. He was impressed with Michael’s goal-oriented determination and obvious work ethic. He awarded Michael the highest marks in categories of appearance, communication, leadership potential, and willingness to serve in a command or commissioned role, and made the following remarks.

In his final comments, Captain Bisset added the following: “This is an intensely motivated individual who has the focus, determination and perseverance to carry him through the rigors of Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL (BUD/S) Training.”

On July 26, 1998, RDAC SEAL Mentor Lieutenant (junior grade) Barry McCabe sent the following letter to the U.S. Navy Officer Recruiting Station in New York.

With his OCS and BUD/S applications in the works, Michael continued to work as a lifeguard and a plumber’s assistant for Hartcorn Plumbing while he maintained his rigorous physical training regimen.

Navy SEALs required 20/20 vision, something Michael did not have. He researched surgical corrective measures, including LASIK. However, LASIK left multiple tiny scars on the cornea of the eye that could cause serious problem at the depths SEALs are required to dive. LASIK corrective surgery was unacceptable, leaving only the photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) as viable option. In November
1998 Michael underwent his PRK, and for the next six weeks he endured the discomfort and physical restrictions that followed.

After recovering from his surgery, Michael continued to work as a plumber’s assistant while he waited on his acceptance into both Officer Candidate School and SEAL training. He also continued to train with the RDAC throughout 1999.

As the weeks and months dragged on, Dan seriously doubted his son’s career decision. He reminded Michael that he had been accepted by several prestigious law schools and had the potential for a lucrative career, and that continuing to work as a plumber’s assistant on the hope of being granted admission to both OCS and BUD/S might not be the wisest of career choices. Michael was also offered a full-time plumber’s apprenticeship, which he declined.

Additional months passed, and Dan became increasingly concerned, which led to several more serious father-and-son discussions. During their talks, Dan posed several questions: What if he was accepted into one but not the other? What if he was accepted into OCS but not BUD/S? Would he be satisfied being a fleet officer? Would he then reapply to BUD/S? What if he was not accepted into OCS? Would he enlist in the Navy and apply for BUD/s after basic training? Would he then reapply to OCS? What about obtaining his law degree first, which, if he was then still interested in the Navy, would certainly strengthen his OCS application? What if the law schools withdrew his acceptances and his Navy applications were denied?

Michael did not have answers for all of his father’s questions, but one thing remained perfectly clear—his goal of becoming a Navy SEAL officer. Despite Dan’s increased persistence, Michael, with faith in himself and his abilities, held his ground and continued working as a plumber’s assistant.

Meanwhile, his best friend, Owen O’Callaghan, had applied for a job with the New York City Fire Department, which required the passing of a demanding physical-fitness test. Michael trained Owen using his RDAC regimen, working one-on-one with his friend. Soon Jimmie and Sean O’Callaghan, as well as Jay Keenan, began working out with Michael and Owen. The training paid off when Jimmie passed his physical with flying colors and entered the New York City Fire Academy.

In the early spring of 2000 Michael’s persistence paid off. He received official notification that he had been accepted into Officer Candidate School (OCS), after which he would enter BUD/S training. He did not attend the two RDAC sessions following his acceptance, but he did notify Captain Bisset that he had been accepted into OCS and BUD/S and was scheduled to begin OCS in mid-September.

The Saturday before he left for OCS, on September 11, 2000, Michael attended his final RDAC session. His PST numbers remained consistent with a 7:49 swim, 103 push-ups, 80 sit-ups, 20 pull-ups, and a 9:10 run.

In 2000 Captain Bisset extended his commission for five years, which allowed him to continue the highly successful mentoring program he had established. As of December 2009, 89 of the 126 candidates Bisset has mentored have completed BUD/S training, for a 70 percent success rate, compared to the normal 25 percent. In addition to Michael Murphy, recipient of the Medal of Honor, Bisset has mentored two United Service Organizations (USO) George Van Cleave Military Leadership Award recipients: Michael P. Murphy and Nathan Hardy.