The Elite Few: A Spotlight on Exceptional Navy SEALs
- e64621
- Sep 27, 2024
- 3 min read
by Kai-Michael Peyton
The Bayside Beacon is proud to present a new series highlighting the hard work , dedication, and patriotism exhibited by the Navy SEALs. We will be conducting interviews with former SEALs and asking about their time in the service. We sat down with Michael Peyton, a retired SEAL. Michael served on DEVGRU (more commonly referred to as SEAL Team 6), and was also an operator on Team 8.
Bayside Beacon: When did you join the teams (SEALs) and what made you want to join them?
Michael Peyton: “I joined the NAVY July 10, 2000, went through B.U.D.S. (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) and all of the selection process, and retired June of 2022. The reason I wanted to join the team was because of my patriotic duty.”
BB: What was B.U.D.S. training like?
MP: “It was a challenging selection course and it was definitely a hard program. Out of a 100 people, only around 17% make it. Every single day you are being challenged.”
BB: How long were you on the teams and what teams were you on?
MP: “I started at team 8 and I was on that team for around 7 years then I went on to become a breacher instructor and did that for 3 years. Then I went over to D.E.V.G.R.U (Naval Special Warfare Development Group aka D.E.V.G.R.U was the replacement for team 6) for 5 years and retired out of group command and was there for… wow 3 years”
BB: Have you ever had to work with any other branch of the military, If so what did you think?
MP: “I have worked with every other branch of the military and I think that they are all unique in their own ways. I think most of them are professional in the field they work in, I have a natural bias to the seal community meaning I believe that we are definitely the best. I do thin- I mean they are doing good work for their field.”
BB: Did the teams require a lot of teamwork and a well put together team?
MP: “Yeah. There was a lot of teamwork. There has to be a well put together team because you depend on your team, you can not do a mission on your own. You need to rely on your teammates otherwise things will fall through and will fall apart. Things will fall through the cracks and you have the potential of a mission failure. So it is very important to depend on your teammates.”
BB: What is something that you regret or wish you could have done differently?
MP: "I wish as a new guy I took more opportunities to go to more schools because in your 20 you still have the capabilities to learn at an exponential level but school is something that I wish I have done more of. I my adult live I am playing catch up (He said this after he graduated Harvard)."
BB: What is your biggest accomplishment for the team?
MP: “…surviving the wars. I’ll say that is my biggest accomplishment”
BB: What is one thing you miss about the teams?
MP: "I think the camaraderie, camaraderie with the guys. I think it is a very close, tight network so… that is definitely nice. I am trying to manufacture it now in the outside world or other than team world. I guess we’ll see if we can get well round in the next couple of years.”
BB: What is something you would say to some inspiring to be a SEAL?
MP: "I can say… don’t quit no matter how hard you think it’s going to be, it can always be harder. So just keep grinding through, never quit and always do the right thing even if it’s painful up front. Those would be my two biggest points."
The Bayside Beacon thanks Mr. Michael Peyton for taking the time to speak with us. Thank you for your service.
SEAL Trivia
The forerunners to the Navy SEALs were the frogmen which combat divers that were part of the U.S. Demo teams. Knowing that SEAL means sea (SEA), air(A) and land (L) you can see how the frogmen evolved into the seals.
The members on DEVGRU usually have the ability to customize the gear more than any other SEAL team. It does make sense because DEVGRU is the most elite SEAL team and in many ways the most elite in the U.S. military.
In the history of the SEAL teams no operator has ever been captured. This is because of their training to not leave a SEAL behind dead or alive. The reason they do this is because you can’t let intel get into enemy hands.
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