RANDY BEAUSOLEIL: Navy SEAL Officer BUD/S Instructor on Putting Marcus Luttrell Through Training

What an amazing guest Marcus brings to the table in this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast.
Randy Beausoleil served for 34 years as a Navy SEAL, the world’s most elite fighting force. He earned two Bronze Star medals with the Combat “V”, and fought in every major conflict since 1984.
In this episode, Randy speaks in detail about a mission he participated in an attempt to take down Panama’s dictator and drug lord, Manuel Noriega. The successful underwater strategies of the SEALS was beyond risky, and the specifics of how it was executed is compelling, to say the least.
These days, Randy’s relentless pursuit is to teach mental toughness to those who are willing to do what it takes. He has counseled SEAL platoon commanders and members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is a skilled teacher, leader, tactical advisor, and President of Old 18 Information Services.
Randy’s Book co-written with Brian “lucky” Riley: Unwavered: The Self-Belief of a Navy SEAL and TOPGUN Pilot
In this episode you will hear:
• I liked it. Jumping out of a Hilo - all that stuff - I’m kinda like “Okay, this it kinda it.” (9:08)
• I tell people that BUD/S was the most adult experience of my life. (12:39)
• It just a miserable program being in fleet. (12:47)
• I hated every second of the fleet part of the Navy. (13:00)
• [Manuel] Noriega was the king of drugs and all the other things bad. If you can remove God from society, he did everything that would happen once you do that. (22:34)
• President Bush, Sr. made him [Noriega] a target for - let’s just say “extraction.” (22:51)
• This was a completely soft-oriented mission- to go down and get Noriega. Everybody went down there to get one guy. To get him out of the country and turn that country over to the next democratic leader. He was just pumping drugs into the US. (23:50)
• I loved the whole BUD/S experience. (59:04)
• There is no comparison, in my opinion, for any other training on the planet. (59:47)
• Once you make it through Hell Week, I don’t want to say you’re a Team guy, but you have really done something. 80% of the other people are already gone. (61:0)
• I am full, 100% against body armor. Period. Dot. (75:35)
• I don’t think you take a special warfare SEAL, and put him in body armor to do anything. I’d rather move fast and quick with a group of guys. (75:41)
• We took all the basic stuff we were teaching and put it in that book, Unwavered. If you have unwavering self-belief, then you can accomplish anything. (90:30)
• You’re talking about an all-consuming mindset. That’s the only thing you’re thinking about. And if you allow all external influences (cancers) to weigh you down, you’re never gonna make it. (91:25)
• Your ability to survive is based on your ability to fight on their terms, to be sneaky, to know their tactics. It was super challenging. (98:34)
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Team Never Quit
Instagram: / team_neverquit
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Instagram: / marcusluttrell
Melanie Luttrell:
Instagram: / melanieluttrell
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Instagram: / huntero13
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Support the Show
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Special Thanks / Credits
Executive Producer & Artwork - Hunter Luttrell
Audio Engineer - Joey Garza
Video Editor - John Fritzsching
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About TNQ Podcast:
Each week join Retired Navy SEAL and Lone Survivor Marcus Luttrell, Morgan Luttrell, and Producer Andrew Brockenbush as they’ll take you into the “briefing room” to chat with incredible guests who share their greatest never quit stories. This humorous, heartfelt, and entertaining podcast is changing lives and has become a beacon of hope and resilience to those who are facing the impossible. One of the best ways we can support our community is to share their stories so that we might inspire others to Never Quit.
We’re bringing you real-life stories of men and women who took life’s toughest challenges and met them head-on, radically changing their own lives and inspiring others to do the same.

[@ghostscantkill]

Randy was in BUD/S with Don Shipley. What a small world.

[@GreezmunkyTV]

This was the comment I was looking for. Surprised it doesn’t have more up votes

[@thewizardofozz7310]

Is Don Shipley the same as DJ??

[@ghostscantkill]

@@thewizardofozz7310 I'm not certain what you're asking, but I can say that DJ is Dons' son.

[@dickfitswell3437]

​@@thewizardofozz7310DJ is Don Shipley's son

[@Max66MkII]

@@thewizardofozz7310 😆

[@SoleilGuitars]

Proud of you Dad!

[@randybeausoleil4157]

You too!

[@old18outfitters18]

Thanks Jess.

[@robertmartin2387]

My Dad was a War II Frogman. GM1 Robert A. Martin. He and my Baby brother are in the National Cemetary,Fernley Nevada

[@ShmokeNaPancake]

Man you have to get instructor Patstone on the show by far one of the best instructors lol

[@WOMPITUS]

I second this. Good luck finding him though. I heard he’s living with monks in Tibet.

[@shusterandy]

​@@WOMPITUSfor real!?! Well even if he's not doing that, he sounds like he's hard to find. I don't ever hear anything about other than that he was a rugby instructor, and that's it.

[@WOMPITUS]

@@shusterandy lol no I totally made that up man.

[@shusterandy]

​@@WOMPITUSOk I see. Yeah I guess I kinda believed that because I never hear anything about him. I hope some gets him in a podcast one day

[@iamthepapi6251]

The more you look at this guy the bigger his arms get. 😂😂

[@stephenwalker8789]

Please get Patstone on here He put you, Goggins, basically all of task force bruiser through training the stories that man has

[@dennisz1799]

Patstone*

[@erickiyoshiphillips2323]

Pastone! He'll yes but he's out of the limelight

[@Tom_Ciccone]

Patstone has got to be in his 90’s by now if he’s even still alive but yes that would be awesome

[@jessemiller2892]

@@Tom_Ciccone probably 50s cause I’m 234 documentary he was for sure in his 30s. That class graduated in either 2000 or 2001 you do the math lol.

[@Vadanovltch]

@@Tom_Cicconenooooooo he’s gotta be at least in his 50s or 60s

[@chriseben430]

Damn, 131? Same class as Don? You gentlemen make both the generations that came before & after you very proud. So so cool to get to hear the cross-generational banter of somone who personally raised the immortally-tenured American hero Marcus. Happy 4th of July to all of you!

[@Bryan-wu1ss]

Don joined in 78

[@ObamaFromKenya]

⁠@@Bryan-wu1sshe didn’t graduate BUD/S until class 131 in 1984

[@SandNSurf]

My first thought was when Morgan visited BUDS and traded places with injured Marcus. I loved hearing them tell their great story. Thank you to each one of you for your courageous selfless service, and for your many sacrifices. American Heroes 🇺🇸🦅❤️🇺🇸

[@catadjusterZ]

I don't think Marcus was injured, it was just one of those things, could they pull it off. Goes to show the trust between brothers though... Morgan could have quit, or any number of issues. I heard that Morgan got some extra business when he showed up for BUD/S

[@matthewkisner9850]

@@catadjusterZkk KB b the n dads

[@JokersWild70]

Wait, those two traded places? What? How did that work, and why didn't Marcus talk about that in his book???

[@benjaminjack7760]

To hell with TV and movies. I could listen to these legends that make up the USA SOF as a whole all day, every day. Thank you all for holding by the sword and shield.

[@wagonerjared]

Can't imagine the amount of guys that have done the things that these guys have done and have had to go through to see what our country has become in the last 3 years.

[@jacobdavis9654]

😢😢😢😢 🎉 gfi😅

[@muriloninja]

Like everyone else, they stand by idle doing absolutely nothing about it!

[@mabalicksbyyuo-sr7xk]

They are butt for nothing ,I have phony lawn care guys come to my house and I don’t get mad u signed up for a job just like a janitor u not special

[@mattmcconnell1838]

What the hell are you talking about? We passed infrastructure, got everything reopened thru ARP, FBI is catching the seditionists, we voted out a fascist traitor, since we got rid of title 42 Republicans forced in us and we have an effective title 8 illegal crossing is down 70%.

[@mattmcconnell1838]

I mean yah I agree the wheels of justice are turning slowly if that's what you mean. But heck after the pro Putin gop weakened NATO Biden United the world and Putin is on his heels. America is a lot better now than 3 yrs ago.

[@Monkeysuncle123]

I have a very close friend who was a Ranger who went to Panama, he told me some good stories!!!! Always admire u guys and what u went through to be a Seal and the accomplishments as a Seal!!! As a Marine I am very proud of that and our Military but hearing stories and seeing Marcus and the movie, I wish I would've tried to be a Seal!!! Love all the stories, and this is 1st time I've seen Marcus's wife so hello to her, God Bless n stay safe guys!!!! Semper Fi!!!!

[@hellcatchuck2723]

I’ll never forget the interview with Morgan saying “the meanest man I’ve ever met, Randy Beausoliel!”

[@randybeausoleil4157]

I'm a softie.

[@hellcatchuck2723]

@@randybeausoleil4157 Wow sir thank you so much for the response! Outside of being an instructor possibly but I don’t know about all that. Haha

[@JokersWild70]

​​@randybeausoleil4157 The dude likes cats...come on! He's probably got a cat orphanage going by now 😂 Need a transporter, Chief? I think I know a guy 😅

[@nolovebitch45]

THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN, FOR YOU SERVICE AND SACRIFICE.. I worry about this country and the direction we are headed. It brings me comfort knowing there are legends like yall in the mix with the rest of us !! FFFFJJJJBBBB

[@chogokin666]

I agree with your sentiment. What does your coda stand for?

[@Daniel-dc4xm]

Ahh. Randy went through buds 131 T2&3 with Don Shipley. Love hearing the stories especially the OG’s. Thank you all for your service.

[@Jefferey1978]

I couldn’t imagine going through BUDS, but man, what an awesome instructor he must’ve been.

[@toddschlicher]

He was in class 131 with Senior Chief Shipley.

[@StevieD.94]

Def not a Phony 😂

[@christianmccaffrey7113]

​@@StevieD.94I recently found shipleys channel and it's amazing the work he does.

[@iamthepapi6251]

I don't know I think I'm going to get Shipley a ring and see if we can't figure out who this guy is. He talks a good game.... 😂😂😂😂

[@SIX6SIXer]

​@@christianmccaffrey7113his website is definitely worth $10 a month.

[@ZAN-THE-GOAT]

Don Won

[@bryanenglish3242]

Thank you for preserving so much of our nations history and talking to great men,its awesome

[@jncoffey18]

I love listening to the stories! That's what makes this podcast so good.

[@waynehearst317]

quickly became my 2nd favorite pod. loved the energy and vibe between Beausoleil and Marcus. Stil an extreme amount of respect as his instructor.

[@j.r.w6623]

What's your first?

[@j.r.w6623]

What's your first?

[@waynehearst317]

@@j.r.w6623 The one with bad ass Airborne, Ranger, Green Beret medic Travis Osborn and his first contact with Marcus in ORW.

[@stevenhenry8374]

Great insight into how it's really done.. nothing beats hearing it from those that did it. Nothing but respect for these guys

[@dfusco73]

That retired seal Randy is one cool guy , great interview, keep em coming mr and Mrs Lutrell

[@rexrodecolt]

Awesome interview, My first football coach in Grade School and a coach who taught me a few times afterward was supposedly a BUD/S instructor. Good guy, taught me a lot. Never learned a lot about him but his actions were on the money nonetheless.

[@JJ_LL]

Wish Morgan was there. Hope Y'all bring instructors in along with a few of their Seals that they trained. Hearing the twin switch story from the perspective of the instructors that probably got in trouble for it would also be interesting. Morgan has a funny story of meeting Randy.

[@stevenfrost6441]

Great Podcast. I could listen to these REAL War stories all night! 👍

[@d.w.richard7811]

Would’ve loved to be a fly on team 2’s team room wall with Mr.Randy and SC Shipley talking the crazy stuff and stories that would be told make a heck of a book

[@HWG-wm8ld]

They are stories for sure, fiction at best.

[@liljoshua94]

"I have 'A' cat, now, i dont have like 50 of 'm", had me rolling. Great pod :)

[@stevenlincoln6936]

Loved watching the great conversation having a good time

[@richardgreene9077]

When you are sick with bronchitis listen to Marcus, he'll have you laughing and coughing all the shit up😂😂😂

[@brianfrazier5215]

This was awesome... Keep them coming

[@brockroe5084]

I bet he had a blast going through BUDS with Don Shipley. Class 131 seems like some real cool ass dudes went through then.

[@randybeausoleil4157]

Best and hardest class ever! LoL.

[@randybeausoleil4157]

Don was amazing as a leader and he's one funny dude.

[@dsj8838]

Outstanding podcast. I was lucky as a contractor to visit Randy at NAS Fallon supporting JTAC training. To hear first hand the Panama combat dive was legendary. Glad to hear you have found another passion with old18 etc. You are a good man. 🫡

[@windowwasherfpv3485]

Keep these videos coming

[@davidh7920]

Great podcast would love to hear more stories of the buds

[@user-jt2dd7bf1f]

It's crazy how I feel like I know these guys just by their experiences because of their honesty

[@anthonyf.9170]

Excellent! Amazing story, thank you gentlemen fir your service to our Nation and may God bless you and all of our War Fighters. 🇺🇸💪🙏

[@Jay-O_Carlow]

OMG YES!!! You never really and truly get to know or hear a lot from the instructors , This is going to be Effing Amazing ( Not cursing because i would bet Melanie reads the comments lol , Idk maybe .. just been on the safe side lol ) Seriously tho i cant wait to listen to this , Its rare we get to hear from Instructors and this will be amazing and for Marcus i Imagine to as in i bet Randy will be able to tell a story Marcus just forgot about because its so long and days must run into a blur at times ) So im super excited to hear this thanks to the whole Team , Thanks Hunter and Randy and my buddy i like to think Marcus , Btw Morgan is doing an amazing job that was just an Amazing episode , Such a clever man very intelligent man , And a man that will do everything he can to get things done , I seen him speak to congress i think I'm Irish so its not the same here , But was Amazing seeing him there , But the stories too the tunnels , I loved that episode and omg You have to get Morgan back on guys And fill us who won in the game , And did Marcus really go or going to just to talk trash LOL , I laughed so much that episode, Cant wait to hear this thanks again team you guys are ACE! Any time iv ever down or want a good laugh this is my go to place and omg the stories you cant hear them anywhere else , Love this Show - Buckle up buttercup! lol EDIT- 3:17 See LOL i knew id be in stiches Laughing and the cussing part and me above lol , I always do that comment first listen second , Lol im weird that way! this is gonna be good thanks again you Guys!

[@Mrlittleman217]

I love the enthusiasm from younger seals hearing stories. Civilian.

[@courtneyroy782]

Awesome video...thanks! (Lafayette, LA)

[@lt.johnh.fainii7187]

This is a great pod cast.

[@DowntownDeuce2]

Clifford C. Clavin Jr. was a nuke AND a SEAL?!? Who knew? His military service explains his meteoric rise at the post office.

[@samschloss4983]

Would be cool to interview don Shipley

[@lanceduke3522]

When I went through basic for the Aust navy we used to have a " phantom" that used to ring the gangway demanding conversations with Trainees , she claimed to be pregnant , caught diseases etc from sailors, this went on for years to the point the base CO launched an investigation into who she was, turned out she was'nt civilian but a petty officer steward who worked in the base wardroom who used to drag trainees home for a one nighter from the local bar and they would do a runner when they woke up and saw the size of her..

[@Saltyshorttimer]

Great episode

[@matthewmarston5149]

May I put on an Admiral's Uniform and show up, Brother Marcus Luttrell

[@ericroberts6453]

Love the show!

[@RollTide24-7]

Love you Marcus! Thank you and ALL the BROTHERS AND SISTERS for giving us Americans our FREEDOMS that I personally cherish and thank God for EVERY MORNING HE ALLOWS ME TO OPEN MY EYES! 🇺🇸

[@matthewmattix1258]

Let the man speak!!

[@commonman711]

These are great stories!!

[@matthewmarston5149]

Invisible Men: Instructor's Watch, 'busting walnuts with a rubber mallet' laughing, we were running over the burm in the surf, 765, ran into a corner water wall and fell in, my first action was to dive into the surf tides and rescue my battle seaman buddy .. 😢😢 it was 5 minutes before we got him into a BUDS Instructor SARS Boat .. 😮😮😮 boy, he was tuffer than Navy Jeans in Working Class Order.. 😊😊 he made it ..

[@chriscanterbury8647]

Love the show brother. You're a huge inspiration to many, you and Murphy and all those guys is what really got me into the stories and guys behind the movie. I'd love to read your book on the op sometime

[@HWG-wm8ld]

The book is fiction dude.

[@timp3035]

Awww! Good stories ! thanks for sharing.

[@TheJimmie5150]

His name is familiar to me. I was on Saratoga during Desert Storm as an HM3. we had a platoon on board. they were fast roping on the deck and he broke his leg. he was an inpatient with us and before he got medivac'd out, he made chief. I remember him talking about the Noriega stuff and swimming by the boat and sharks bumping his legs.

[@randybeausoleil4157]

That was me!

[@HWG-wm8ld]

All lies too

[@randybeausoleil4157]

@@HWG-wm8ld What? What's a lie? Please explain.

[@marktorrey71]

"Lacks a refined sense of tact." That was great.

[@randybeausoleil4157]

Will never forget it.

[@matthewmarston5149]

Brother Marcus Luttrell, you're my Graduation Party 😊😅😅

[@user-nx1li4xn7o]

You and the rest of the Navy Seals are real bad asses,

[@johnbicknell8512]

Love the LSU football behind you . I live in Shreveport a d former SF during the 60's .

[@nickolasmcmahan7554]

I remember this guy in Fallon Nevada. Was doing opfor and howitzer shoots

[@mikelee7876]

Dudes a legend

[@WOMPITUS]

My dad spent his time in Vietnam on a SWIFT boat.

[@texxasal]

I heard Randy speaking about the East Coast teams. Just wonder if he goes back far enough to remember "Big Nan" who adopted one new frog per class for the summer of their life. Unlike the West Coast Phantom, Nan didn't just talk a good game. She would meet you outside gate 5 at noon Saturday and maybe get you back in time for Monday morning PT.

[@samadamsdownrange5223]

Awesome

[@matthewmarston5149]

"Luke, I am your Father" "Obi Wan Kannobi"

[@danielneece6404]

You funny I had to laugh when he said you can't be a professional golfer if you go out drinking with your buddys, I immediately thought of John Daily. Love your show, God bless US all.

[@randybeausoleil4157]

Not exactly what I said, bit if you could, Daly (Daily?) would still at the top.

[@nonnieperez7003]

Hello Mr Latrell, this is Don Shipley calling……..

[@matthewmarston5149]

Happy Birthday, Sir,Admiral Marston Romanov Windsor 2. 😊

[@traviswalker4126]

Y’all need to get Jeremy dewitte on the show. The man is true American legend

[@jimmyjump8335]

Metro state...were a state whatever the fk

[@ms-di7ju]

He's a state certified agent .. we'll figure it out real quick

[@mobilejake1973]

Randy is great friends with and went thru Buds with Don Shipley.

[@peterehnes559]

Great Channel Geaux Tigers

[@MDMOTP]

There was a Mustang Officer at Team 4. He was an enlisted guy durning Vietnam. He did 5 Combat Tours in Nam. He came up with a plan to use a Sniper in an Apt. Bldg across from the Airfield. Two guys and one 50. cal sniper rifle. It was rejected. Unfortunatley the Commander at Team 4 choose to use 30 plus Seals to take down the Airport. Seals work in small groups and rarely use that kind of Man power. They walked into an ambush and got hammered. There was a party at the Ebassy a couple days prior and A reporter had spilled the beans about the OP and thats how the Panamanians knew they were coming. It was a total failure and dissaster. A huge Blunder in the Seal Community...

[@bobbertee5945]

There was a “phantom” that called probably every unit in the military, we had them calling the duty hut when I was in the Marine Corps back in the 90’s….

[@muriloninja]

36:00 I agree, that is the quintessential Frogman story! Damn!

[@dfdemt]

LOL they mentioned instructor Patstone! It would be cool to see instructor Patstone from the Class 234 documentary interviewed on a podcast. He was the unanimous fan favorite.

[@d.w.richard7811]

Shame you can only like a episode once lol one of my favorites episodes tough tie with Sean Ryan’s

[@Bwh-rm3py]

Let your guest answer the questions that you ask.

[@justingause5501]

good shit

[@davidrose3218]

That look and the way he said your a tough nerd 😂😂😂

[@JJ_LL]

Webb of SOFREP said he was a sniper instructor to Marcus Luttrell and that Marcus had a hard time and Webb helped get Marcus through it and then Marcus deployed to Afghanistan. Is that true? Sounds like Marcus was with Randy for JTAC training instead.

[@willieb.1700]

Oh wow, Randy, I didn’t know you were a SEAL. I just knew you ands the husband of Gretchen that made fishing rods. I hope you guys are doing great and the business is booming.

[@stephenpoe2037]

Interesting !

[@davidworrells7931]

God bless our special forces

[@matthewmarston5149]

Soggy Water Itches: if you're itching you're feeling life

[@matthewmarston5149]

The Phantom ❤s me 😊

[@jesushernandez5752]

Bad ass Seal, what the hell he's wife doing there

[@allenhess7740]

I didn't know Bruce Cambell was a SEAL. : )

[@robbyrobinson4500]

Damn, let the man tell his story. Marcus turns a 3 minute Convo into 30 darn minuits. Chill out you 2

[@erickiyoshiphillips2323]

Right lol I love Marcus but I couldn't watch it he interrupts way to much

[@HWG-wm8ld]

That’s called narcissism. He also lied in the book and interviews. This pod is called team never quit but he quit on his teammates. He said he dropped his rifle and covered his ears when they needed him. Dude is not what you think

[@robbyrobinson4500]

@@HWG-wm8ld whole some of what you say is true, you can't predict what you would do with f your best friend was screaming your name and you could not help him. There is a video the Taliban put out on KZbin where you can hear him crying out for Marcus. It is bone chilling

[@doubleemcastillano464]

We had something similar in the Marine Corps. There’s a guy that calls Headquarters Battalion at Camp Lejeune each night to talk about something he calls Vulture Squadron. Some conspiracy sounding story. I googled it and it has a webpage too. I started messing with him as if I were giving him some secret classified information. He was like “woah!! Really?! I didn’t know that”. He calls each night trying to sway Marines and the chain of command.

[@zippoar88]

Great stuff, thank you for sharing your faith , 🙏 my favorite verse right now is PROVERBS 3: 5,6, TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOU HEART .AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING .AND IN ALL YOUR WAYS Acknowledge HIM , AND HE SHALL DIRECT YOUR PATHS

[@TheJettagli09]

I'm pretty sure I remember him before he went Gray, from the seal show.

[@rharbin1]

Damn interesting storing, Long Story Short pun intended! If Marcus would stop interrupting the short story wouldn't have been a novella.

[@natejackson4791]

Will we ever meet Instructor Reno???

[@erickiyoshiphillips2323]

One thing Marcus just stop interrupting please lol love the show but let these guests talk and tell their story

[@user-vg3yc6gk5f]

And his wife does the same thing. Clearly there's a lot of competition at their house as to who gets to talk at dinner

[@saltyassassin]

I shall now refer to my Man Cave as the "Cat Orphanage"...

[@matthewmarston5149]

The things you can learn from Snipers

[@matthewmarston5149]

Brother Marcus Luttrell 2❤ your best memories of BUDS: Marston Romanov Windsor 2, again😮😮😮... This is a secure line.. Tell Marston Romanov Windsor 2, Name, Rank,and ask for Mission statement 😅

[@wolfpack3812]

Cat orphanage… 😂🤣😂🤣. What a classic

[@jeremyfortune7274]

Don Shipley class… I’ve seen him on some of Seniors videos I’m almost certain!

[@matthewmarston5149]

Change your socks 😂😂

[@kewdo1137]

id like to see pastone on here

[@richardmontgomery4338]

Hey Marcus that shirt you wear is that your company shirt “American lawn $ garden”

[@Frogman148]

What a handsome young man.