Lt. Cmdr. Mike Walsh served for 25 years in Naval Special Warfare.  During this time he served 5 tours in Vietnam.  During his years of service he gained a reputation for being one of the most professional and reputable Navy SEALs to ever serve in the United States Military.

During an interview with Vietnam Magazine, Lt. Cmdr. Mike Walsh revealed a great deal about his life and his service to his country.  Herein, you will find portions of this excellent interview and will discover what it means to truly be a Navy SEAL.

Vietnam Magazine: Why did you want to become a SEAL?

Lt. Cmdr. Mike Walsh: That was the reason I joined the Navy in September 1966. It was probably the challenge. I was trying to decide between Army Special Forces and being a SEAL. I thought that the water, being a little bit tougher environment to operate in, had the best of both worlds; it was coming from the sea.

Vietnam Magazine: You just wanted to be part of the elite?

Lt. Cmdr. Mike Walsh: I did. I had something to prove at 18. Everyone’s got something to prove at 18. Vietnam was going hot and heavy; I almost quit high school in my third year; I decided to enlist.

Vietnam Magazine: The first part of SEAL training is supposed to be pure hell. I’ve heard that in the first three or four weeks, what you mostly get is harassment.

Lt. Cmdr. Mike Walsh: It’s the physical breakdown. You’re getting used to running on the sand, and there’s lots of PT (physical training). You start learning knot tying and all the other little basic skills that go along with that. Working with the rubber boats, mastering surf passage, or how to take seven guys out in a rubber boat and get through that surf.

You can read the complete and uncut interview with Lt. Cmdr. Mike Walsh here.