Lessons from the Seals

 Simon Sinek once shared a story about asking Navy SEALs what kind of people make it through their training. He assumed it might be the strongest, the fastest, or the most naturally gifted leaders. But the SEALs surprised him. They said it’s not the muscle-bound candidates, not the pure athletes, and not the ones who delegate well. The ones who make it are those who, when they are completely exhausted and feel like they have nothing left to give, still find the strength to look out for the person next to them. That selflessness, especially in the toughest moments, is what makes someone worthy of wearing the trident. 

I think there’s a lot in that lesson for us as teachers and students. School isn’t SEAL training, of course, but it can be exhausting in its own way. Deadlines pile up, expectations weigh heavy, and sometimes both teachers and students feel like we have nothing left in the tank. And yet, what if the true measure of success in our classrooms isn’t simply about who gets the best grades or who has the most talent, but about who continues to care for the people around them—even when it’s hard? 

For us as teachers, that means modeling selflessness. It’s easy to encourage and support when everything’s going smoothly. The real test is when we’re tired, when we’re stretched thin, and when patience is running low. Choosing to see our students, to encourage them, and to put their growth above our own exhaustion—that’s when we truly model what it means to “look out for each other.” Our students learn just as much from how we respond in those moments as they do from the content we teach. 

For students, the lesson is just as powerful. The ones who thrive are often not the smartest in the room, but the ones who make others feel seen and supported. Helping a classmate before a test, sitting with someone who feels left out, or offering encouragement when everyone else is tired—these are the things that build a community of trust. Just like the SEALs, students discover that they don’t succeed alone; they succeed together. 

At the end of the day, the Navy SEALs remind us that true strength is measured not in personal achievement, but in how we care for others when it’s hardest. Imagine a classroom where that was our culture—where teachers and students alike leaned on each other and lifted each other up in moments of exhaustion. That’s the kind of environment that doesn’t just prepare young people for tests, but prepares them for life.