Never Heard Stories About Navy SEAL Cold Weather Survival Training

In this episode of Backyard Conversations Chadd Wright talks about his time during Basic Cold Weather Maritime Course in Alaska. Chadd tells many funny stories in this episode about burning his shelter down, his buddy disappearing in a hole at night and many more.
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Nuff Said
#storytelling #navyseal #motivation

[@dougcounts3383]

My Father was in Alaska for Cold Weather Warfare Training in the late '60s. He was Army, SF. He's told me about climbing out of glacier cracks without help. He had to use ropes around his feet "raise left foot hold, he'd step up, raise right foot hold, step up. So cold your spit freezes and shatters before it hits the ground. Sure do miss my Dad. He passed last fall. At 77 years old. He was what you'd call a naturally gifted man. Everything just came easy to him. My hats off to you guys. Thank you for being you. Very grateful to live in the greatest country in the world!

[@1strangealaskanaloha417]

Cheers from Alaska Tonsina Alaska

[@josefnewsom7992]

At one time in my life i was part of secret laundry detail for the salvation Army. SUD/S class 165. The winter class of 2001 hell week was miserable. They had us scrubbing pants on wash boards out in the cold. We had to learn the difference between washing detergent and fabric softeners in the cold rain... Refined me into the hardened clothes washer I am today.

[@travelinman70]

In desert storm my platoon shared a 5 gallon tub that we used to wash clothes and take ho baths out of. We were vehicle maintance and you just can't scrub out grease in a little tub with cold water. And the best was when you hung your clothes to dry and dust storm would come along and coat everthing in fine sand...sigh...I'm still picking sand out my hair.

[@combatbattalion6]

We all been to the Sally bro no big deal.

[@Zack-lq9tb]

That's good for the resume for sure. You could make a whole section titled mental toughness.

[@qua7771]

I can't imagine doing laundry.

[@DarkPhantomSky]

Got eeeeeeeeem

[@andrewwagenaar5483]

I was born and raised in Alaska down by Kenai. And my dad was with a reconnaissance unit between FT. Rich and Elmendorf 85-91. He always hammered in the importance of having a winter kit in your car pretty much all the time. Even if it’s a sleeping bag, hat, and a candy bar. Because being cold and miserable in training is one thing. But in the real world it’s life and death.

[@Johnyrocket70]

I was there with your dad probably across the street. I was in 4/11 Field Artillery Airborne

[@wessnipes2076]

I lived in Kodiak for a little bit back in the day and remember one night I was at the harbor and saw some guys I assumed were the seals training zipping out into the dark on a black zodiac type of boat. Just seeing that gave me goose bumps and thought how tough, brave and smart y'all are. To me it was an honor to see it.

[@zachariahjohnson8700]

I hated Kodiak in winter while I was stationed there, brutal weather, lacking sun and stuck on an island away from civilization. 22 years later I look at it with fondness and how it helped shape my as a young man. Semper Paratus!! I really am enjoying all your content and letting it influence my present life just as Kodiak did.

[@johhnyytwotime510]

i tell anyone who's a city kid...go to Alaska and find work for a couple months, you'll come back a better man...simple as that.

[@connorbaz5980]

@@johhnyytwotime510 this is something that I definitely want (need) to do. Modern people (myself absolutely included) are soft. Far too soft. And I hate it.

[@johhnyytwotime510]

@@connorbaz5980 First I wanna say I respect your honesty, but there's no rush from my statement. Gradually you'll find something that's Challenging in your path of life that's either gonna make you or break you as a man, and its for you to decide how you Follow through. Then you'll realize what kind of men you are. The fact that you're honest with yourself and know you need to do something to get out of your comfort zone tells me you're gonna be just Ok, just never give up.

[@connorbaz5980]

@@johhnyytwotime510 that's definitely a struggle for me. Jumping in way too fast because I feel like I'm out of time. I absolutely need to learn how to pace myself better. I grew up all outdoors, working from dawn to dusk doing anything from landscaping to logging in my later teenage years, but I've just fallen so far. I've always looked up to Tough Men, and I've wanted to serve in the military since I was a kid. That's a goal I have for the near future, and due to the success of some others my age, it's definitely within reach if I give it all I got. I'm a trucker now though, and although there's things I love about Trucking, it's just not sustainable for me. Health/Fitness is definitely the hardest thing to get under control, but also not having the time to learn practical skills that I always wanted to, and letting the ones I do know go to waste and rust. Also, the signals...not sure how many people are affected by this, but I'm having a hard time with all the wireless crap around. Truck Stops have it, everyone has a WIFI spot in their truck, heck, even the trucks themselves have wireless computers (ELD's) inside now. Spent a night at a Terminal we have in Denver Colorado, and there was some sort of monster wireless signal interfering with my truck. When I woke up I had a migraine headache and over 300 error messages on my ELD. All that crap CANNOT be healthy for the Human brain/body. That said, I want to live how people used to live. Back when tough times made strong Men. Actual Men, not immature gamer kid-ults that get offended over another kids insults online. Thanks for the encouragement and advice though. I'm learning from as many people as I can how to be more real, writing things down, and (slowly) putting them into action. (Edit: nothing wrong with video games per se, I think they can be a lot of fun and a good investment of time in moderation, I was referring to the sort of kid-ult who's so obsessed with the digital realm that he cannot function in real life as God and Nature intended.)

[@LifeInMontana]

Semper Paratus Mate. Kodiak Air Sta. 1991-93!

[@skwissgaar_skwigelf_kdz3251]

i live in rural alaska, just had our first snow yesterday , in two months it will be as cold as -55f and dark all day, this place makes you realize how valuable common sense is, and learning from your mistakes is kinda hard if youre not breathing anymore.many valuable lessons to be learned here tho, i love it here.

[@shawntailor5485]

Yup Alaska should be required for all humanity to weed out STUPID.

[@xObscureMars]

I love hearing the stories. Everybody has seen the specials on BUDS, but the more obscure stuff is what i find interesting. I can listen to stuff from all kinds of vets too.

[@carlhamilton6628]

Curr-delling 😂 lmfao. CURLING my boiiii

[@donc9751]

Chadd, I love how even though the SEAL pipeline is as brutal as almost anything or condition you're likely to be tested in in life, you grab on to every value each lesson has and learn/absorb all the lessons you can from them! Thank you for caring enough to pass this info and lessons on to those in life who value it, especially the young! Anyone who can't find value in your lessons, well they're beyond help at that point! I love your channel and attitude about life and thank you for your service! You continue to serve every day!

[@Maatdrummer1]

Kodiak would be miserable, but fun. I used to go hiking at 11,000 feet in Cripple Creek, CO. Duck hunting trips in Texas in February, and it is 4° and wet. Fucking sucks but you find out what's possible.

[@DurinThe_Deathless]

Not enough exclamation points

[@GraveRot]

Delta

[@nbco55]

​@@DurinThe_Deathless!!!!!!!! Mak'n up lost time. :)

[@JohnnychimpO907]

I thought I was bad to the bone having backpacked thousands of miles and camped solo hundreds of times down in the lower 48 in super rugged and super cold areas… Then I moved to the interior of Alaska at age 30 and I realized I didnt know a damn thing. In 5 years of living here I’ve learned more about true wilderness than I could have in 10 lifetimes down in the 48. Alaska is just a totally different monster.

[@geraldek4948]

Alaska is badass truly the last frontier. I would like to move there and give it a try. My brother lived in palmer but got depression from the darkness and cold packed up and moved his family to Wisconsin. Once a moose wouldn't let him out of his front door for work till it got a face full of bear mace which did the trick

[@MrH20diver]

Wow, I really enjoy your channel here on 3 of 7! I thought I had experienced some cold weather survival training as a US Marine, since I went to Bridgeport and their cold weather package. And while it was cold and challenging there, it's nothing compared to what you experienced. Especially your last recollection of that 5 minute water immersion. I can't imagine that. Kudos to you, your service history and Christian testimony.

[@donharrold1375]

Anyone who’s been in a severe snow storm even for a short time realises how frightening and dangerous it can quickly become. If you don’t have the correct clothing you can quickly become hypothermic. Staying dry is absolutely key.

[@joeswanson537]

In Arkansas in 09 we had a horrible ice storm. The entire town of about 70k people was out of power for about a week, some longer. It got so cold we had to wear coats inside while covered up with blankets.

[@1strangealaskanaloha417]

True blooded Alaskan Indian here. Right on Chadd . Cheers from Alaska 💪🇺🇸

[@honestreviewer3283]

Really dig your videos. In the Canadian infantry you have to do basic winter warfare training and, if you're lucky, there's an advanced winter warfare course. All the stuff the infantry does in the summer, including navigation by day and night, digging trenches and your fighting hole at night, but with snowshoes, sleds with all the platoon's gear (heavy weapons, ammo, food, 10-man arctic tents, stoves and fuel), and minus 30 degree weather that freezes the ground, and freezes you if you don't dress properly. Oh, and you still have your rucksack on your back, loaded down with even more weapons, ammo, food and your sleeping kit. Pretty much everyone on my course got snow-blindness to varying degrees. Winter warfare sucks Frosty's balls, but it makes you a better soldier. 🥶

[@williampond747]

That is so hard core, much respect for our military and SEALS. As a professional Firefighter in Cold New England weather I remember a time it was so cold. After the fire is out you have to pick up thousands of feet of fire hose. Everything turns to ice and your bones hurt from being in a burning building to freezing cold weather. Your coat and pants are ice and the couplings are frozen and won't screw back together. So you stick the end of the fire hose in the exhaust pipe to heat it up to screw the hose couplings back together. After 25 years I retired in 2015 and never spent a winter in the cold again, from Florida to South East Asia my butt is always somewhere warm Hee he. God bless the men and women of our military and thank you for everything and your sacrifice.

[@Daves_Not_Here_Man_76]

Half of the scoutmasters for my troop were SEALs at that school. We learned things that we weren't supposed to be taught. Mitch Croft was a hell of a guy to learn from.

[@user-ro1zs8si2j]

A friend of mine Tyler Black that has unfortunately passed was telling me how he did cold weather survival in Kodiak with the teams. I always enjoyed talking with him about what little he actually could talk about to a civilian. Great guy that sadly passed away to early in life. Keep doing what you do and we enjoy watching your videos.

[@MrSpook-ri8kv]

I spent 10 years of my life in Alaska, come back from overseas, and was working El Paso sector USBP. Applied for Alaska state Troopers and border patrol, and got hired by the Fed first, and was in Alaska when I got offered the job. Quit the day Obama was sworn in, drove back to IL bought a Toyota truck with a topper, and drove to Alaska in February, lived out of that truck for 3 months and went everywhere in that state. I love that state and it’s no joke, it will kill your ass if you’re not prepared. So many real life memories there and, I will go back when we are free to travel again.

[@Zack-lq9tb]

In the topper you didn't have issues with humidity accumulating into condensation from your breathe?

[@MrSpook-ri8kv]

@@Zack-lq9tb I left the windows on both dudes cracked for ventilation.

[@chrispokorney6801]

Love hearing your stories. More of them, and I'm sure everyone would agree.

[@joydavis7103]

This is the humanizing stuff about such tough situations people love. Keep it going

[@mathetes7759]

First off, thank you very much for your service & anyone reading this that served. I just found & subscribed to your channel, thanks for taking the time to explain the process you went through, I've already learned a lot. I've never seen anyone explain the cold weather survival training before. God bless!

[@upinalaska49]

One of my favorite things is seeing and hearing the experience people have in this great state

[@dougmontgomery6192]

Great story telling, thank you! “Cold” memories you never forget!!! I smile every time I think of mine and I too feel blessed to have had those experiences. Great character builders that never leave you. -Minty

[@edadan]

I've spent a lot of time in Alaska and can definitely relate to the cold hands. We were on Nancy Lake in December and went out to do some target shooting. In 20 below weather, it doesn't take long for your fingers to start freezing when you take your gloves off. I was so cold that I couldn't aim my rifle and wasn't even sure if I could pull the trigger. Anyway, love your stories and your devotion to the Lord. God bless you brother!

[@elijah2078]

Thanks for sharing your vast knowledge and Thank You Chadd for your service!!!

[@steve9098]

Hey Chadd, I love hearing your stories, this is my new favorite channel.

[@upsetofficer2206]

Such awesome memories being stationed in AK. Arctic training center, eielson AFB airfield seizure jumps, malamute drop zone prior to expansion when all we had was c-130. Cold is never fun, cold and sweating your tail off conducting land navigation in snow shoes or cross country skis is another level when you grow up in the hot humid south. Great stories and bringing back some great memories.

[@navychief8425]

Cool video man! I enjoy your story telling. I was an FMF Corpsman and did CWST at Bridgeport, CA and Ft Drum, NY. I can relate to being as cold as you were after the dip in the water. God Bless

[@SantiagoMartinez-by4ep]

You are an inspiration for me man, im a soldier in my natal country (Colombia) thank you for sharing your knowledge and life experiences

[@Gmar69]

Chadd, it was awesome! Former Marine here, but never had cold climate training. Just 8-weeks of MCRD in the 1970.

[@libertynotdemocracy9142]

8weeks?

[@craigrobertson6082]

Great info, so glad I found your channel. Thanks for your service.

[@70stunes71]

Living in far north of America I can relate. Excellent survival routines like this, educates you for all the things you rely on, and need, to make it through cold arduous evolutions of cold weather survival. Great video brother.

[@joecathey3564]

Chad, I lived on Kodiak from 1988-1989. You are exactly right. Rain, sleet, and/or snow is the norm for Kodiak in the winter. My father lived in Kotzebue AK (90 miles inside the Artic Circle) for 5 years. Pretty cold days and nights.

[@WildMan-57]

Lessons are not always easy but the experience is ever lasting.

[@GlacierPilotGst]

Just found the channel, awesome stories! I grew up on Kodiak, usually would see the SEAL boats halibut fishing at bouy 4.. and hearing big fish hit with a burst of full auto before hauling in the boat.

[@vintagespeed]

i knew a Navy SEAL. he was one of the shortest men to complete training. but as you've said; heart, integrity and mental determination is what makes a man, not his physical size. he had many great accomplishments in his life and was one of the most loved and respected men i've ever met.

[@letsgetit90]

Midgets unite !!!!!! Hooooyahhh!!

[@vintagespeed]

@@letsgetit90 your response shows just how small a person you are.

[@libertynotdemocracy9142]

Pocket seal

[@williamhaley7303]

Smurfs rule

[@jl.c.8673]

Incredible story and experience. If you are not already, you would make a fantastic mentor for so many.

[@CodeGreek]

Great video! I've met a couple guys who were Navy SEALs and I've heard some of their tales of the various stages of the path taken to eventually become SEALs. I hear in your voice the same conviction they had when they told their personal stories. The only issue I had with this video was that you actually watched curling that was televised from the winter Olympics but it sounded like you said curdling (which is a process used in the production of things like cheese curd or tofu). The reason I noticed the difference was that my mother was a fan of the sport. I could be mistaken in what I head but I don't believe I was.

[@rubbercheck72]

Great stuff senor. Alaska is no joke. THE coldest I have EVER been and can still feel to this day is from when I was 5 years old in Fairbanks. It was during break-up (springtime for the lower 48 crowd) and I was out screwing around in the woods with only my break-up boots (knee high rubber boots), jeans, sweatshirt and my waffle long johns on. Break-up in Alaska is a muddy, sloppy, icy, watery, snowy mess. I was on my way home and had to cross a ditch. The ditch was full of water and ice. I didn't think it was that deep and WOWEE was I wrong. I sank like a rock and was INSTANTLY soaked and frozen to the bone. I couldn't breathe from being cold shocked like that but somehow by the Grace of the Almighty I crawled out of that icy, watery ditch. I sat down, took my break-up boots off to dump the water out, put them back on and started the long walk home. I just instinctively knew that I couldn't stop and had to keep walking no matter what. You are 100% correct on every part of your body being in pain when you're frozen like that. I showed up at the back door frozen purple and my mom freaking out. She stripped me down and stuck me in a tub of the most heavenly hot water. God bless you mom, RIP.

[@gold5actual48]

Another good one Battle, much appreciated 🇺🇸💪🇺🇸💯

[@Mortem_Tyrannis_24]

Awesome!! Thank you for sharing your experiences!! 🙏🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[@gregchambers6100]

Yep. Staying dry, feet dry, core temp normal is a thing. Many times we were doing electrical construction work before they got the roof on. Muck boots are a must. Building Matsushita RnD for Indy cars was a lake the whole time. Cinder blocks and 2x12s to the container was a slippery tight rope act, guys would slip and splash. oy. Lake Matsushita. Everyone was cold and wet and getting hit with electricity from the generator operating power tools.

[@MrTillerman22]

It's said that "THERE IS A REASON FOR EVERYTHING " this training has no doubt made you a stronger person. It has tested your learned skills, your self strength, and your faith in your higher power. Feel proud. Not everyone can lead that life.

[@matthewsotomayor8111]

These are great videos! Hopefully more to come.

[@Chris-jw4sv]

Thanks from a fellow American! I only started a small construction company nothing like you did!

[@landenx]

Just discovered your channel, what a great find! You’re great on camera, have a ton of stories/wisdom, and just come off as a cool dude. Also, many thanks for your service.

[@ricliu4538]

Great description and well spoken felt like I was there..thank you

[@woodrowwoody4463]

Awesome stories man, thank you for sharing

[@amalfi460]

I was in the 101st in 1983 we were sent to fort wainwright in January, it was -73 windchill. After a week of getting our gear and some instructions we lived outside for th next 8 weeks. We would set up these big octagon tents and soon as one was erected the national guard unt that was “training “ with us would run over us to pile up inside the tents and all I heard was medic! Medic! Anyhoo we set up tents for the entire day freezing to death while all the weekend warriors filled up tent after tent

[@juanpadilla3203]

Love the stories, keep them coming. Thanks 🙏

[@hannalu3494]

The “I Love Me Binder” is something everyone should have, it might bring some value no matter what a person does.

[@j.r.zavala]

I have a "I love me" wall 😂

[@Paco-hh4jd]

Man I did Arctic Warfare training in the Northern tip of Alaska and it was always 20 degrees below zero and the snow was damn near waist deep. It truly sucked but it was good training!

[@damienpalladino8797]

What is interesting to me is that Cold weather training was one of the most brutal yet it seems like you have made Kodiak your home. 👍 I heard Alaska is some of the most beautiful country one will ever witness but not sure I would be up to the winter"s there. ✌️

[@Daves_Not_Here_Man_76]

Kodiak isn't bad for most of hte winter. The big storms that come ashore though... that's some scary stuff

[@johncole3010]

Everything you did was next level. Amazing to hear your account

[@john.dvollins6284]

Thank you sir. Great channel thank you for sharing sir and thank you for your service 💯😎😎🇺🇲

[@brandonrager8919]

Thanks for sharing the stories.

[@greenmarine5]

He's a very good speaker, very interesting, polite and informative. I grew up in a very cold climate, hearing you talk about the joints hurting from the cold, I new exactly how you felt. Freezing wet, your body feels like it's made out of stiff clay

[@orbeaorca7047]

Great video, thank you

[@1strangealaskanaloha417]

Welcome to the real world brother. Kodiak is awesome. Normal stuff for us Alaskans. Glad you got the experience. Makes sense seeing your up to date videos and live feeds.

[@johnmartin5257]

Another great story brother. Thank you for sharing

[@MrTillerman22]

thank you again for your wonderful stories from your experience with the Team. luv ya brother. keep the info commen.

[@bikeguy3034]

Yup - burning down your shelter a pretty usual occurrence during the aircrew survival training course I did lol. Making that nice warm fire at the entrance seems like a great idea at the time.....

[@audie1966]

My unit went through SERE at Fort Bragg run by the 5th SFG. I was 82nd Airborne at the time. There were more survival training missions later in my career while with the 10th Mountain. Winter training in the Adirondack Mountains was brutal.

[@stevouknow8408]

I would have never been able to cut it ! I have Raynodes Syndrome where thr circulation in my fingers and toes go numb in just mild cold weather. When I served in the Navy it was always in Asia or the Phillipines nice warm climates. You're a Hell of a Operator to have to made it through my friend.

[@tomrostock926]

Good Chat...looking forward to following your channel.

[@Boomstick76]

Interesting video once again! Your channel is great man.

[@leehuntnurse2405]

The information from you always catch my attention I am not military but any training weather it’s cold hot water skill is useful thanks for your service

[@anaMoc1038]

That’s an awesome certificate. Sounded like some quality training with the blizzard, and then the river at the end.

[@thatguy8005]

The ‘teams’ are put together for specific deployments. Each requires specialized training. I was a NEAT team member. Each team member had a specialty, but all had to be able to drive a ship.

[@vernonhall9262]

I love u sharing these experiences man

[@micahbrown8259]

I was stationed with the first infantry division for 3 years in Germany. I came from Alabama I know some of the cold you are referring too.👍

[@j.r.zavala]

I was in the 11th ACR, with the 4/11 air squadron in Fulda, Germany. Very hot and humid summers and very cold winters for sure.

[@harrydexter8426]

Kodiak has big brown bears. It is good they normally hibernate during that time. Thanks for sharing the experience. 👍😊🇺🇸

[@polimorfosnuclear8320]

Excellent. Thanks man

[@timharris1083]

Three years in the 10th Mountain Division at Ft Drum NY, the whole time was cold weather training lol

[@calebclark6739]

Love these stories.

[@coryjohnson6584]

Thanks!

[@secondgear6079]

Keep em coming brother 💯💪

[@GrinsInc]

Thanks for posting! Yeah good memories from Kodiak and Shelikof Strait. Cheers, SV Good Karma.

[@samzippo1372]

Love and appreciate the stories

[@shable1436]

I bought a table shuffleboard for my game room, it's the one game everyone loves no matter age or skill levels that you can play with children or make it a drinking game, darts, and pingpong table is a close second

[@stizzack]

Super cool stories. I feel like I can see you going thru it. Sounds brutal

[@user-xh8sr8qk9i]

I love the videos. You are a madman.

[@CHenry1951]

Chadd, I have lived in the northeast and have spent many a day in the woods hunting in zero and subzero temperatures a day at a time, I thought that was tough, I don't know how in the hell, you guys did it, oh yeah you're a "SEAL" Oustanding,.....your stories crack me up !!!

[@robertsalyers1351]

I'm very much enjoying the Stories Go Navy !!!!!!

[@bigjimar77]

I’m hooked man. Love those stories.

[@garymartin9898]

Great Stories!

[@tesseractproductions1172]

These stories are awesome Chadd

[@kryss64130]

Loved listening to your story!!

[@protrump1285]

Many Thanks,

[@Docsjeff]

Talk about pushing to your limit. Thank you for your endurance and your commitment.

[@silverpatriotLoveGodLoveMan]

😂 still dark at 10am....yep welcome to Alaska

[@Mr.G414]

Great story. Thanks for sharing brother 🇺🇸

[@jamesaigler285]

Thanks for the info

[@jaycreature3893]

As an avid winter camper I try to leave my mistakes in my camping videos. I was roasted online about my lack of subzero fire starting skills. People don’t grasp how hard it is to do anything much less handle ropes /strings / lines when your fingers are just frozen lol I’m a fat and husky human maybe better suited for cold weather, heck I think my junk is fully retractable when it’s super cold and wet outside. Lol I can’t imagine doing Alaska with minimal gear, great stories. I enjoy your content. GMG 89-93

[@camoman7300]

Really enjoy all your content Sir.

[@darrellhendricks8225]

Please keep them coming

[@jakobwiklund5688]

Tack!

[@MichaelR58]

Good video , thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@jenilsonferraz4154]

Amazing stories, man! 👍

[@UpTheRa007]

Great content 💯