SEAL TRAINING: What It takes to SURVIVE Special Operations Training | Chris Alvarez

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Chris Alvarez always had a desire to serve with the best of the best. Originally wanting to join the United States Marine Corps, a teacher and mentor guided him to research the United States Navy SEALs. What he discovered lit a flame and in 2009 he joined the U.S. Navy beginning his journey to join the SEAL brotherhood.
That journey would eventually lead Alvarez to the Navy’s Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training course, better known as BUD/S. Designed to test stamina, leadership, and teamwork, BUD/S is considered to be one of the most difficult training courses in the United States military. Alvarez would complete BUD/S, Serve on two deployments with the SEALs, and then return to Coronado as a SEAL Instructor.
After being medically discharged from the Navy in 2020 Chris Alvarez decided to pursue his passion for the arts and became an actor. Most recently he starred opposite Chris Pratt in Amazon Prime Series “The Terminal List” (2022).
Interview recorded on November 4, 2023
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Video Credits:
Interviewer - Greg Corombos
Director of Photography - Jon Hambacker
Editor - Daniel Taksas

[@marklindley3701]

This guy is a 1st class bad-ass. Confident but not cocky in the least.

[@5thman677]

Not an ounce of swagger, but clearly confident. We need more like him.

[@johnnunn8688]

RIP, the two SEALS lost off Somalia.

[@Bruss813]

They could still be alive

[@Randomyoutubecommenter]

He's one of them?

[@patricklaurojr7427]

Still could be alive as long as they have water and they are always prepared with survival and it's warm waters and they are seals they can swim

[@Randomyoutubecommenter]

@@patricklaurojr7427 I don't think it's the environment that's the problem, they probably got caught by surprise by Somalian pirates

[@WarInHD]

@@Bruss813odds are they drowned, they were about 25 miles off shore in 6 foot swells with about 70lbs of gear on, I highly doubt they could’ve ditched their gear in time

[@user-hj2zw3bh4n]

When I went to Marine Recon school this is how I felt the whole time!! It’s just horrible but I graduated!!

[@eye_straindigital]

Thank you Chris Alvarez and to all our vets! 🇺🇸

[@mobilejake1973]

I’m from the Okeechobee area. Grew up in Pahokee, Palmdale and Okeechobee. Served 12 yrs in the Army, proud to be part of a big Veteran community in that part of Florida🇺🇸

[@user-gs2es1yi3b]

do you have instagram

[@AK-hp8pc]

Thanks to Chris Alvarez (and the rest of our military) we live in a free country.

[@archangel0137]

Funny how you Americans always talk about how "free" you are, but you can't leave your house or go to any public place without the risk of being shot. How is that a free country?

[@paulgurski182]

He is perhaps the most well-spoken and intelligent Navy SEAL that I think I have ever heard. He is the model of what you’d hope to see and hear when someone who was in his position comes out from the shadows to make their story known. And he is most certainly the antithesis of the type of Navy SEAL we have all come to know over the last 17 or so years. The ones who chase the limelight, put themselves all over the internet as much as possible, or can’t wait to share their political beliefs and opinions like somehow it is more valid than other just because they’ve gained a little notoriety from something that they used to do.

[@joeylyons4549]

The Rob O’Neal type

[@donutz50]

Yessir & Andy Stumpf is another well spoken & intelligent guy too

[@JK-br1mu]

Nobody but a pathetic clown thinks Navy Seals chase the limelight, or describes one of the very, very few famous Seals the way you do.

[@jeffreystevens9010]

You sound like a hater.

[@Dstew57A]

Seal Astronaut Chris Cassidy

[@cristianpetrache1870]

Navy seals, the most dangerous and the best in the world in every day life combat and military combat! … Thank you for serving to you and your families! 🙋🏻‍♂️👏🙂💪💪🙏🙏

[@leoamaya1818]

Never give up on a seal, cause a seal will never give up on you 🔱🇺🇸

[@jskok3280]

I agree, except for the 2 Navy Seals, who strangled a Green Beret to death a couple of years ago and certain members of Seal team 7 who engaged in drugs and serveral molestation accusations whilst in Afganistan. There may also be other incidents unknown to the public. But overall, the Seals are a magnificant group of very special soldiers.

[@Charlie-fu3ge]

@@jskok3280there are bad people everywhere man.

[@davidhsu236]

Professional and articulate. A great look inside what it takes to get through life’s biggest challenges!! Awesome!!

[@dannyjr831]

Thank you so much for everything you did to help keep us safe. Also thanks to every seal and soldiers who served our country.

[@beckyumphrey2626]

Very professional Gentleman. Thank you for your service.

[@tiredredneck8159]

To the two badasses who were lost at sea. We will not forget.

[@user-sv2pk4ib8u]

Its good to hear from those who have served God blessed them 🇺🇸

[@Elvin6219]

Thank you, too, all the seals around the world keeping us safe 💪✌️💪

[@chrisdyba6883]

A real role model and hero

[@donaldperrotta8514]

He’s definitely an inspiration for the ones coming up behind him .

[@dusthue]

Rain and snow. Sand and ocean sounds good too.👌👌

[@Dstew57A]

Phenomenal story..sounds like he was raised in a great family too.

[@michaelgeary5451]

Sad day for the two NAVY SEALS, the best of the best. God Bless all who have served and those serving now.

[@Miss_Loving]

Wow!!! Very good looking AND a Navy Seal!! 😍🥰

[@AliPo-ne3yf]

To have this brotha woulda made it All worth it!!!🙌🏼🕊️

[@anthonylamura8600]

Go Navy ! Fear the Goat ....

[@jameshanlon6187]

This is real good stuff. A life of service to our country. . Jack Carr & Chris Pratt should have Chris Alavarez on their TV series as an actor...Asap

[@GUNSHIPFLEX]

Well said

[@Kier4n99]

I can't stop admiring his hand gestures

[@milt6208]

There were a few guys on board my ship who didn't make it. When you hear it was like hell, they confirmed it.

[@user-kf8wb2cq4f]

Best of The Best. Thank You.

[@jt.8144]

BUDS is the TRAINING PART. What truly maters are the real world operations that these guys go through.

[@SheepDogActual]

Thanks Chris and this channel. So realistically true. Sf here.

[@ttullo216]

SF, then you’re a badass too! Thanks for your service!

[@skipschauer5535]

It all boils down to how bad do you want it! Like me doing stadiums in 118* heat and carrying someone in the process to break me to make me quit!!!!

[@snowroaches]

I always feel like Seal training and Rangers and all that are more difficult because you have the option to quit any time.

[@tommysmith7232]

This man is telling the truth. I love you man. I miss you dude.

[@iceDragon-fm6ls]

Wow Tom cruise really never ages

[@xvsj5833]

Thank you for your service, courage and sacrifice to serve our country 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@jt.8144]

Wanna thank a Vet? Go Sign up . ( Don't put yourself on this pedestal overcompensating for yourself by thanking a person that you have no correlation with, when it comes to life experience much more real world experience. MF'er the didn't do it for you.)

[@angloaust1575]

It attracts certain types Obviously a challenge Maybe grow gills and fins as well!

[@troyshilanski380]

Still dont understand why i needed a bunch of seals to be on a bus with me. Just going to portsmouth naval hospital. It all worked out good.

[@JokersWild70]

The closest I've gotten to SEAL training was driving over the Coronado bridge and laying on the beach to work on my tan 😂

[@ochomigos]

Everytime I watch these vids and especially the 4 hour bud/s documentary I always think that the sailors went in back then to the unknown vs now the internet is way better than it was 20 years ago, even 10 years ago. The sailors now and even those joining in the future kinda have an idea of what to expect. I also believe that having that advantage with the information available now on the internet is a disadvantage as one can lose the mental battle before even stepping foot on that beach. And imma say for example 20 years ago it was more of adjusting on the fly. Anyone please feel free to tell me if I’m correct or incorrect about this take on it. If you have experienced this training or similar, please give me your take on going into training with information available on the internet vs information available on the internet 20 years ago or 10-15 years ago.

[@substancep21]

Gonna need to run this guys name through Don Shipley 😂😂

[@jonzeejonez4585]

I wonder how many guys medically retire before 20yrs.

[@daleocallaghan6228]

TRY AN OPERATOR CHOW HALL COOK. 😊

[@everything._.nonchalant37]

Can you just go straight to buds instead of Chicago??

[@tommychew6544]

I liked what he was saying, I was like that thinking wise and at the same time, I have spent years trying to shed that. I'm glad I never completely crossed the threshold he was talking about, it saved me. I would still die for the right of our freedom, don't get me wrong, I just think the enemy will have to bring it to us here for that to happen now. And the enemy is not so easy to make out here. Nothing makes sense anymore; the thinking is completely different. God help us because we are in a mess as a Nation.

[@jarpentnextgen]

I'm not sure if i would be cut for a seal but hell i would die giving it a shot even if i fail i would come back happy like i try it my hardest

[@johnnunn8688]

If you’re not sure, you’ve already failed.

[@jarpentnextgen]

@@johnnunn8688 it's s way of saying but fair enough

[@theotherside1159]

@@johnnunn8688everyone at sdvt1 was unsure. You don’t know what you’re talking about kid

[@johnnunn8688]

@@theotherside1159 , kid? I’m effing 70, you young whippersnapper

[@Brandosway]

@jarpentnextgen What stopped you from trying back in the day?

[@davebrooks3161]

My biggest problem would be staying awake 5 days.

[@xxx-jw4ur]

Most grown adults can’t stay awake for a day let alone 5-7

[@yotagang3705]

Hey bro its Don Shipley

[@xxx-jw4ur]

😂

[@xxx-jw4ur]

What’s your BUDs class sir

[@georgecoull1883]

Steven Segal is a inside joke 😂

[@SuperChriscunningham]

The cold

[@jcarlo331]

I thought Senior Shipley started the cadet program ??

[@danielbaugher826]

He did as far as I know?

[@anlerden4851]

Thank You so much for your service and lovely dedications to Our Beautiful USA, You will never be forgotten Dear American Sir.🥰😍🤗❤🤍💙💯💪🙏👍

[@daxfit3]

1:06 “Rubber band.” That’s not what he wanted to say.

[@LXIIIPendragonLXIII]

When I was an E-1 in the NAVY, I was on an FFG mess cranking. And the new Mess Deck Master At Arms was a GM2 whom was new to the ship. Looking at his old unit rocker It said "SEAL TEAM ONE" ❤❤❤ I would mention his name, but I've been unable to find him online or on LinkedIn. So he either values his anonymity in retirement, or he got picked up by the agency and dropped off the face of the earth. Well anyways.. I asked him a ton of questions.. here's my Q and A: Q: Why don't you wear your trident? A: Well, the trident is billet specific unlike a normal warfare device. I can have it on my pickup truck..but not my uniform. Q: What was the hardest part about training? A: Dive School, you'd be surprised how many guys make it through BUDS but fail out of dive school.. Q: Couldn't you just wear your trident anyway on board the ship? A: Well..sure, I guess nobody could stop me.. but I don't want to start getting passed over for Chief, with nobody having the courage to explain to me why.. right is right, wrong is wrong. Q: Do they teach you to fight in the SEALS? A: No.. I'm just a cook. But seriously.. I'd get destroyed. You have to be smarter than a fight, even if you can fight..which I can not. Q: What's promotion like being a SEAL. A: Well.. when we take our promotion exam we don't test against the rest of the fleet, we only test against each other. (Ratings consolidated, but same rule applies today) Q: Do guys really hallucinate in hell week? A: Some do, some don't, but I did. Especially nighttime at sea hallucinations.. felt like I was in outter space floating through a nebula..surrounded by floating dancing pizzas and stars..I'm actually still having issues from it. Q: Why did you leave? A: I was tired of being cold, wet, and hungry.. even when I could get to a warm bed..I'd still shake and shiver all night long with the heat cranked to the max. And I value my sleep. Q: Why don't you wear your junp wings and dive bubble? A: Because the trident is a catch all. And once you lay it down, you lay everything down.. Q: What's the final run in buds? A: 4 miles in under 30 minutes..and it's easy. I've run so far in the teams I literally fainted once. So get buds out of your mind...that's the easiest safest training program in all of special operations.. making the teams that much more difficult. ❤❤❤love yall. Edit: Since that conversation, I was in the Iraq War and the war in Ukraine. So I can throw credentials if the moderator needs it. So join, we need more SEALS. Lastly.. Q: If you would have died in Ukraine would you have received an Agency Star on the wall? A: Yes. Hometown: Memphis, Tennessee

[@j-xl6258]

OPSEC Shipmate, OPSEC

[@LXIIIPendragonLXIII]

@j-xl6258 Combat veterans on youtube are posting that those 2 missing SEALS died in a firefight, and it was covered up. Its madness, and im literally insane.. so I dont need anyone elses crazy. So I thought a simple 20 year old Q and A might hit different.

[@ssarkees]

Cold, wet and tired,, the worst things you can be.

[@JBlazee23]

damn man i wish i could rewind time. is 35 too old?😫 this dude the man by the way - also looks like me lol and my mothers maiden name is alvarez ….hermano?…😂

[@Brandosway]

@jBlazee23 17-28..up to 30 for highly qualified candidates. Prior enlisted service, officer candidates can ask for waivers up to 33

[@JBlazee23]

@@Brandosway dang! thanks bud. maybe in the next life

[@Brandosway]

@@JBlazee23 In the next life, you can cheat and be an instructor

[@JBlazee23]

@@Brandosway dudeeeeeeeee . what a gangster ass move that would be

[@JBlazee23]

@@Brandosway the instructors are the coolest Mfs i swear lol

[@Mimi-up5ro]

🤯🫠✨

[@NATES84]

So does trying to kill them for many days make them any better at fighting? Why not just hire 5'9" gymnasts or swimmers?

[@Mikael.formermilitary]

My brother-in-law went to BUDS. He was in Olympic athlete shape, a tough man. He broke his ankle. He went two more weeks before the instructors made him quit. He was asked to come back after he recovered but he would have to start on day one. He said no because he was so near finishing BUDS.

[@erickiyoshiphillips2323]

Dumb story

[@USMC_Patriot]

That wouldn’t be true. Once you pass certain blocks in training if you get injured you get rolled back to the next class and get to start where you left off

[@ryanfarrow6058]

Fake

[@t-bonewhufc6429]

Afghan SF’s ?????

[@FrankyBlack]

Those dudes are TOUGH AS F. SAlute

[@cadealexander4432]

Step 1: Read the Bible and follow Jesus daily Step 2: Workout and eat healthy ”But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.“ ‭‭- Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭33‬ ‭

[@Mytwocentsisallicanafford]

Why all it’s doing is lining the pockets of politicians and ceos

[@garypiont6114]

Maybe they should learn how board a boat or carry GPS. Dismissed.

[@AustinRichmond-zs8by]

I don’t think they would take advice from someone who can’t write a compete sentence.

[@garypiont6114]

@@AustinRichmond-zs8by I don,t think special forces know the difference.

[@user-ep3ck5re4o]

Who cares mate - I dont

[@DeltaDawg]

Navy seal training is not the hardest training… Army Delta Force is by far the hardest training. There js a reason Navy Seals, Marine Recon, Army Rangers, etc… go to Delta Force training, but no Delta Force Soldier will ever go to Navy Seal training. Even with selecting the best the military has, the selection rate for Delta Force is below 5%.

[@AustinRichmond-zs8by]

So you’ve done both? Please explain your experience

[@jtdilauro]

Devgru?

[@xxx-jw4ur]

Lmao ok high speed relax

[@AirborneAnt]

Boring

[@AirborneAnt]

@@jeffbicknell9971 you’re boring too

[@Love-tv5bs]

How many jumps?

[@ownSystem]

Hes mad he never became a NS 😂

[@AustinRichmond-zs8by]

Yet you watched all 28 mins of it.

[@AirborneAnt]

@@AustinRichmond-zs8by how do you know?

[@texastoast5202]

Hollywood has made SEAL’s the most overrated T2 unit in the military. Ask any Ranger, Green Beret, or Force Recon. They spend half their time rescuing seal teams. In fact a seal squad of 15 couldn’t do what recons unit of 4 could

[@deathfire096]

SEALs Teams are both tier 1 and tier 2. One community. That's why they are the tightest teams. The rest of your opinion is just ignorance and jealousy. 90% of Rangers could never pass BUDS let alone make it @ Devgru. All SEALS are Combat Divers. Only 1 out of 6 in the Army SF are C.D. and not even on the same league since Army C.D. is only for means to get to land. C.D. is the hardest training in the U.S. Army. Imagine SEALs Combat Divers. How old are you?

[@texastoast5202]

@@deathfire096 About 90% of your comment is wrong. Do more research bro. Rangers and Marine Raiders are always rescuing the teams for botched ops. They are very poorly trained. Army SF and Rangers usually feed the Delta recruiting needs. Army combat d are far superior to Seals

[@deathfire096]

@@texastoast5202 Army combat diving is superior to the Navy???? Bhaaaa!! What are you smoking down in Texas that fried your brains. I didn't know the Army had a Naval Fleet and Attack Subs and better diving equipment and Naval facilities than the Navy. Thanks for the laugh. I knew you were always a troll but I didn't know you could be this idiotic.

[@kenxiong6830]

It’s the chill guys like this that are the real scary guys

[@azarel7]

Yeah, he's so relaxed that it is sort of surprising or not quite what you'd expect.