While I am not a military professional, I am a Behavioral Scientist who has been fortunate to be asked to share my insights on the subject of leadership development and emotional and social intelligence with this community in support of future leaders across the Joint Special Operations Forces (JSOF).

I take comfort in knowing, by hearing of their actions, that I have in my small way contributed to their evolving role as leaders in a growing environment of joint operational effectiveness.

I am honored to have been given both a Navy SEAL and a SWCC insignia pin for my service to the teams. While I don’t wear it – it’s never worn by anyone outside the community – it has been for me an important recognition and a loving reminder of those I have touched and hopefully served in a meaningful way. More important, I do this work largely in service to the memory of my father, Lieutenant Bernard Greenberg, who served in Korea and was reported to have contributed to the success of several underwater demolition missions responsible for moving bombs underwater.

These men were lovingly referred to as “frog men.” The forerunners of these great heroes in the days leading up the birth under President Kennedy of the Navy SEALs in 1962 included a variety of warriors.

Today’s SEALs embody in a single force the heritage, missions, capabilities and combat lessons-learned of five daring groups that no longer exist but were crucial to Allied Victory in World War II and the conflict in Korea. These were (Army) Scouts and (Navy) Raiders; Naval Combat Demolition Units (NCDUs), Office of Strategic Services Operational Swimmers, Navy Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs), and Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons.

These varied groups trained in the 1940s for urgent national security requirements, saw combat in Europe, North Africa and the Pacific, but mostly disbanded after World War II. The UDTs were called upon again, however, and expanded quickly for the Korean War in 1950.

Exercising great ingenuity and courage, these special maritime units devised and executed with relatively few casualties many of the missions, tactics, techniques and procedures that SEALs still perform today. (I took this brief history from the Navy SEAL website).

On one special occasion I received a gold and blue swim flipper shaped coin with the UDT insignia on it . When I asked why I was given this cherished gift – the Master Chief who conveyed it to me said with great enthusiasm and a modicum of respect, “Because you are the bomb Dr. Happiness !”

How could I argue with that logic?

These selfless working warriors take pride in not looking for recognition. This is part of their mental attitude and training. They are taught to focus, making them even stronger professionals because they are concentrating on the goal, not their own glory. In fact, doing anything that brings attention to self in the context of being a Special Operations Team Member will get that person pushed out of that community faster than anything.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the SEALs and other Special Ops teams that have done so much to ensure our safety.

Thanks for sharing.

For questions about this post or for information on becoming a fearless leader, contact Dr. Cathy Greenberg and The Fearless Leader Group at (888) 320-1299 or by email at hello@fearlessequalsfreedom.com.