SECNAV Visits Naval Special Warfare Command

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dominique M. Lasco, Naval Special Warfare Command Public Affairs

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- The secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) visited Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Command, Feb. 11, for the first time since taking office in June 2009.

During his visit to the headquarters of the Navy's arm of U.S. Special Operations, Ray Mabus took time to observe the training of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) candidates, toured the medical and rehabilitation facilities, and spoke to BUD/S Class 287.

"You have an interesting seven weeks coming up, and your country needs you to finish that seven weeks," Mabus said. "You are the most in demand specialty that we have got. I want to wish you good luck, but finish what you started. I want to see you in the fleet."

The SECNAV continued his tour by visiting Naval Special Warfare Group 1, and the Mission Support Center. The afternoon's banner event was at an all-hands call where Mabus addressed NSW Sailors and their families about their contributions to the ongoing war.

"Most Americans know about some of the kinetic activity that you do, but most don't realize is the scope of training that you get, how many different missions you guys can perform," said Mabus. "They also don't realize what your operation tempo is. They don't realize how many times you deploy and how many times that you come home, that you don't get to spend the whole time with your families. To spend as much time as you do away from your family, from the people that you love, thank you for your sacrifice. It cannot be easy, but it is incredibly valuable to this country."

Mabus also honored the NSW community by presenting three Silver Star and three Bronze Star with combat "V" awards to five operators.

"It's an honor to have the secretary of the Navy award me the Silver Star," said Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Gerardo Sosa. "I'm sure he has a lot on his plate; for him to make the time to be here today means a lot. It's a reflection of all the hard work everybody in our community has accomplished."

After the visit, Mabus remarked on how informative and great it was for him to visit with the community.

"You get such a feeling of what it takes to wear the trident," said Mabus. "You get to see what it takes to become a special warfare operator and just how well trained they are and how they never lose that."