Jocko Podcast 193: Operational Excellence. The Last Vietnam SEAL to be on Active Duty, Kirby Horrell
Sep 4, 2019
Kirby Horrell, the last Vietnam SEAL on active duty and a retired Master Chief Petty Officer, shares riveting tales from his 47 years in the Navy SEALs. He reflects on the intense training and brotherhood forged during SEAL boot camp, recounts harrowing combat experiences in Vietnam, and discusses the challenges veterans face transitioning to civilian life. Horrell also highlights his new mission against child trafficking, emphasizing awareness and community involvement, while stressing the importance of resilience and personal growth through shared experiences.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
From Hot Rods to Frogman
- Kirby Horrell's racing exploits led to a choice: jail or the Navy.
- He chose the Navy after reading the book "Frogman" and began his SEAL journey.
Impressing the Captain
- Horrell impressed the captain on his first day with an unplanned backflip into the water.
- This led to a friendship that later helped Horrell get into BUD/S training.
A Troll in the Class
- Horrell, the shortest BUD/S trainee, was constantly targeted by instructors.
- He gave back as good as he got, becoming a memorable figure in his class.