A Short Story on a SEALs Most Valuable Tool

Although numb with shock, his body, seconds after hitting the icy ocean, moved into action with an instinct born of countless hours of training. With a quick thrust of his legs, the diver plunged downward. Moving with the confidence of a man who knows exactly what he's doing, the diver quickly oriented himself and prepared for the evolution. It was going to be a long night - a three-hour op in 42-degree water - no …

…right down to the number of kicks it will take to reach their target. This is especially helpful as the team nears a large metal object such as a ship, which renders their compass useless. By knowing how much time and how many kicks it takes to cover designated distance, they can calculate exactly where they are. "They say familiarity breeds contempt. Not for us. The more practice the better off we are" Bill said.