News and Intel from Navy SEAL Museum San Diego

MUSEUM UPDATES

One BIG step closer

The first week of March meant the last week of construction build-out at Navy SEAL Museum San Diego. With all tenant improvements complete, the next step is building out the exhibitions. As you can see, our offices are complete, the retail store is ready, the restroom and kitchen are nearly complete, and the exhibition space is ready for the next steps.

We are on schedule to open in the Fall of this year and look forward to welcoming you all in the not-to-distant future. The mission of our Museum, as you may already know, is to honor the history and heritage of U.S. Navy SEALs by building on the legacy of our original Museum in Ft. Pierce, FL, home of the original UDT and NCDUs—the forefather of modern Navy SEALs. We will do this through world-class, experiential exhibits, face-to-face interactions with NSW veterans through the docent program, and public outreach, sharing SEAL values like adaptability, perseverance, leadership, and service to a calling larger than one’s self.

We want to thank Burger Construction, ID Studios and CBRE for their partnership and professionalism during this process. They problem solved, they worked quickly and effectively, and are true masters of their respective fields of expertise.

Bravo Zulu, all. 🫡 🔱 🐸 🇺🇸

DEVELOPMENT UPDATES

Secure your BUD/S Class’s place on the Combat Diver Statue by donating before March 31, 2025

As we approach the culmination of the Plank Owner Campaign this month, we invite you to be a part of this lasting tribute. Your contribution will help us finalize construction of the Museum and the Combat Diver Statue and ensure your class is forever recognized.

If your BUD/S Class is nearing its goal, now is the perfect time to rally your teammates and make it happen! Don’t miss this opportunity to be etched in history. Remember, anyone can contribute and honor the dedication of our U.S. Navy SEALs. A gift in tribute or memory is a powerful way to show your support.

SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN

To all who have already contributed, and to the classes who have achieved their goal – thank you for your unwavering support.

Bravo Zulu!

NSW HISTORY

The IBS Origin Story

One of the most iconic symbols of BUD/S is steeped in history

The image of BUD/S candidates carrying large inflatable rafts up and down the beaches of Coronado are iconic of the grit required to endure the military’s toughest training. Known as IBS (Inflatable Boat Small) candidates must complete evolutions with their IBS for: surf passage, rock portage, and land portage. But, why? Do U.S. Navy SEALs even use them anymore in their missions?

Well, if the mission calls for it, yes. More specifically, however, IBS are a connection to one of the many groups who were the forefathers of Navy SEALs—NCDUs (Naval Combat Demolition Units).

During WWII, the U.S. Navy was tasked by war planners to land troops all over the world: Africa, Italy, Europe, and islands throughout the Pacific. Having knowledge of what the landing beaches contained (coral reefs, beach obstacles, severe tides and currents, to name a few) was crucial to successful landings. Before the era of high-altitude spy planes and satellites meant that someone had to conduct personal reconnaissance of that beach, often under enemy fire, and to accomplish those kinds of missions, required well-trained (and incredibly brave) individuals. A paraphrased excerpt from Benjamin H. Milligan’s groundbreaking new book, By Water Beneath the Walls—The Rise of the Navy SEALs, explains the moment this training was put into motion.

In May 1943, Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Ernest J. King, asked his amphibious force commanders to “communicate what they required in regard to the proposed demolition units.” To transform these requirements into a workable program, he turned to his Chief of the Readiness Division, Capt. Jeffrey Metzel, who in turned summoned to his office one of the U.S. military’s top experts in explosives ordinance and “…bookish Lieutenant who had only been in the Navy for six months.”

“Have you seen the pictures of the obstacles that the Germans are building in France?” Metzel asked.

“No, sir,” the Jr. Lt. replied.

“Well, they are putting obstacles up in six feet of water that will stop the landing craft. Do you know how much an infantryman’s pack weighs?”

“No, sir.”

“Well, neither do I, but they’ll all drown. I want you to put a stop to that.”

That Jr. Lieutenant’s name was Draper Kauffman; and by June of that same year, he had organized the first NCDU out of Naval Amphibious Training Base, Fort Pierce, Florida (home of National Navy SEAL Museum) and devised a training regimen which included the infamous “Hell Week.” Men volunteered, just like today, to undertake missions of extreme danger, but of utmost importance.

The training was geared towards forming men in small boat crews of 8 to ten individuals or “teams” to conduct hydrographic reconnaissance, sight and demolish obstacles, and insert behind enemy lines. To accomplish this, stealth was of the utmost importance, hence, the small, black inflatable raft. NCDU training called for mastery of getting onto, and back off, the beach (surf passage), taking the raft up rocky shorelines (rock portage), and being able to move to another beach, if need be, with the raft (land portage).

It was Lt. Kauffman who was tasked with getting these first volunteers ready to undertake these missions. Amazingly, Kauffman himself realized if he was going to create a rigorous training program, he probably had to do it himself. And he did, unbelievably, at the age of 34. And so, now anyone wishing to become a NCDU, would, in turn, master the use and transport of the Inflatable Boat Small (IBS).

Navy SEAL Museum CEO and Master Chief (SEAL), Rick Kaiser, U.S. Navy (retired) said, “I wish when I went through BUD/S someone had explained the significance of the IBS and its connection to our history. It would’ve made lugging that raft around all day and night a little more tolerable.”

Today, all U.S. Navy SEALs are trained at the Draper L. Kauffman Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command.

References:
“By Water Beneath the Walls” – by Benjamin Milligan

NSMSD PARTNERS

Protector Brewery

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

Committed to sustainability, they use only organic ingredients and recyclable packaging. Since opening in 2017, the brewery has expanded its distribution and partnered with various organizations.

They aim to give back to their community and value the support of craft beer enthusiasts.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Trident House Charities Program (THCP), an initiative of the National Navy SEAL Museum, is dedicated to supporting Special Operations Forces and their families? When we open our doors, admission revenue to Navy SEAL Museum San Diego will directly fund these programs.

These programs include K9 support, respite houses, and direct financial support to NSW families.

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

Learn more about Trident House Charities