The elite Navy SEALs has been described as the “lucky charm” of the Obama presidency, perhaps with good reason.

President Barack Obama’s national security success is due in part to the fact that he has not shied away from high-risk, high-reward operations, when compared against his predecessors. Bob Killibrew, a retired Army colonel who served in special ops in Vietnam and is currently an analyst at the defense policy think tank Center for a New American Security, commented: “President Obama has shown himself to be willing to take risks with special operations forces — to a degree I don’t think any other president has.”

The Navy SEALs are responsible for some of these successful high-profile military operations, and it is but fitting that the President is taking the time to personally express his appreciation for their efforts. He personally met with the Navy SEALs who were responsible for killing Osama bin Laden last May, and hosted Capt. Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama, who was rescued by the SEALs from Somali pirates in 2009, at the White House after he was released.

Adm. William McRaven, who oversaw the operation were Osama bin Laden was killed, was a guest of the first lady Michelle Obama during Tuesday’s State of the Union Address.

Presidential historian Edward Frantz of the University of Indianapolis, shared: “The SEALs are the elite of the elite, and it makes sense that he would latch on to them, because there’s been success.”