News and Intel from Navy SEAL Museum San Diego

MUSEUM UPDATES

SWCC Plank Owner Campaign is a Success

The SWCC Plank Owner Campaign was launched with a singular mission: to share the story of the Special Warfare Combat Crewmen (SWCC). Known as “The Silent Ones,” these renowned boat operators spearheaded the campaign with exceptional precision, remarkable speed, and a spirit of courageous generosity that sets them apart as the world’s foremost maritime specialists.

To date, all three Eras and 61 SWCC Classes met target. Over $165,000 was raised and 315 SWCC operators, friends, and family from around the country made a gift.

One donor, a SWCC instructor, felt compelled to give because of the reverence he had for all the operators he met and taught. And many SWCC operators gave to pay tribute to the memory of fellow teammates and brothers.

Once the Navy SEAL Museum San Diego Showcase Exhibition is up and open, the SWCC Plank Owner plaque—etched with the Eras and Classes who made it—will be seen by hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

SWCC Plank Owner Campaign
is a Success

The SWCC Plank Owner Campaign was launched with a singular mission: to share the story of the Special Warfare Combat Crewmen (SWCC). Known as “The Silent Ones,” these renowned boat operators spearheaded the campaign with exceptional precision, remarkable speed, and a spirit of courageous generosity that sets them apart as the world’s foremost maritime specialists.

To date, all three Eras and 61 SWCC Classes met target. Over $165,000 was raised and 315 SWCC operators, friends, and family from around the country made a gift.

One donor, a SWCC instructor, felt compelled to give because of the reverence he had for all the operators he met and taught. And many SWCC operators gave to pay tribute to the memory of fellow teammates and brothers.

Once the Navy SEAL Museum San Diego Showcase Exhibition is up and open, the SWCC Plank Owner plaque—etched with the Eras and Classes who made it—will be seen by hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

NSMSD Showcase Exhibition Takes Shape

On 14 JUL 2025, years of concept suddenly began taking shape as a reality when some of the fabricated pieces of the exhibition were moved in. The design firm, Gallagher & Associates, designed the Showcase Exhibition at 1001 Kettner Blvd and the fabrication firm, Exhibit Concepts built and transported the various exhibit environments from Dayton, OH to San Diego, CA.

With each passing day, something new is installed and closer to looking like what it will once the Showcase Exhibition is open.

Here is a quick look at some of the frenzied, but focused, activity going on at Navy SEAL Museum San Diego right now via time-lapse camera set up on the second-floor exhibition space.

Navy SEAL Museum San Diego opens October 4, 2025

Once open, all visitors to Navy SEAL Museum San Diego will get a world-class experience that allows everyone to take a peek inside the clandestine world of U.S. Navy SEAL. NSMSD aims to inspire all people by bringing the Navy SEAL story to life through storytelling, education, experience, remembrance, and community service.

Tickets go on sale September 1, 2025. If you would like to receive a reminder email that morning, please click the button below to be added to the list. We look forward to seeing you at the Showcase Museum!

Serve a Cause Higher Than
Yourself – VOLUNTEER with
Navy SEAL Museum San Diego

Navy SEAL Museum San Diego promises to inspire all people by bringing the Navy SEAL story to life through storytelling, education, experience, remembrance, and community service.

One way to personify that is to serve your community here at the NSMSD Showcase. You don’t have to have been a Naval Special Warfare operator to make a difference in the lives of visitors. Your interactions will be the conduit by which inspiration flows to visitors around the globe.

Ready to make a difference? Lend your time, passion, and expertise. We’d be honored to have you with us.

NSW HISTORY

TRIVIA QUESTION:

Which U.S. Navy officer, and a native of San Diego, is credited with founding the Naval Combat Demolition Unit (NCDU) during World War II and the subsequent Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT), laying the groundwork for what would become the U.S. Navy SEALs?

A) Phil H. Bucklew
B) Draper L. Kaufman
C) William F. Halsey, Jr.
D) William “Bull” Friedman

(scroll down for answer)

MUSEUM PARNTERS

Paris to Pointe du Hoc – Live the History

It is said that to learn the history of Naval Special Warfare, you have to start with Normandy.

Now, what if you were able to learn all about Naval Special Warfare history, in Normandy, and with the guy retired Navy SEAL Ben Milligan, who quite literally wrote the book on NSW history?

Sound too good to be true? We assure you it is not. Click the button below to get more intel.

Looking for a tasty bite and flavorful brew?
Then try this Navy SEAL Brewery

(conveniently located near the museum)

Protector Brewery, San Diego’s first organic brewery, was founded by Navy SEAL veteran Sean Haggerty, who discovered a passion for brewing craft beer during his deployments.

With the support of his wife, Cory, he decided to focus on organic brewing, aiming to create a legacy of sustainability and health within the beer community. Protector Brewery uses only USDA-certified organic ingredients grown in the USA, and their packaging is 100% recyclable.

Since opening in 2017, they have expanded their distribution and partnered with various organizations. They value giving back to their community and appreciate the support of craft beer enthusiasts.

And to say we’re excited to be in their neighborhood would be an understatement. Look out for a great partnership once the Museum is open.

Looking for a tasty bite and flavorful brew?
Then try this Navy SEAL Brewery

(conveniently located near the museum)

Protector Brewery, San Diego’s first organic brewery, was founded by Navy SEAL veteran Sean Haggerty, who discovered a passion for brewing craft beer during his deployments.

With the support of his wife, Cory, he decided to focus on organic brewing, aiming to create a legacy of sustainability and health within the beer community. Protector Brewery uses only USDA-certified organic ingredients grown in the USA, and their packaging is 100% recyclable.

Since opening in 2017, they have expanded their distribution and partnered with various organizations. They value giving back to their community and appreciate the support of craft beer enthusiasts.

And to say we’re excited to be in their neighborhood would be an understatement. Look out for a great partnership once the Museum is open.

Trident House Charities

Since 2020, the Navy SEAL Museum has awarded nearly $2 million in scholarships to the children of Special Operators with the committed partnership of the Marlee Foundation, Trident Tuition Funds, and the Ernest and Suzanne Litty Scholarship Fund.

We are honored to serve as a conduit for impacting the lives of so many young people.

The Museum’s Scholarship Program is one of the four branches of our Trident House Charities Program and is made possible only by the generous donations of caring benefactors like you. We sincerely thank all who make this possible.

Learn more about the many avenues of support open to NSW families.

Trident House Charities

Since 2020, the Navy SEAL Museum has awarded nearly $2 million in scholarships to the children of Special Operators with the committed partnership of the Marlee Foundation, Trident Tuition Funds, and the Ernest and Suzanne Litty Scholarship Fund.

We are honored to serve as a conduit for impacting the lives of so many young people.

The Museum’s Scholarship Program is one of the four branches of our Trident House Charities Program and is made possible only by the generous donations of caring benefactors like you. We sincerely thank all who make this possible.

Learn more about the many avenues of support open to NSW families.

TRIVIA ANSWER:

B) Draper L. Kaufman

Anytime is the right time to give the gift of NSW History!

Do you have a history buff in your household? Do you have a current or former NSW operator in your life?

Did you know that Navy SEAL Museum’s photo archives are online to view and available for sale?

Check out our online library and search key words to find the right image for you or a loved one.