News and Intel from Navy SEAL Museum San Diego

MUSEUM UPDATES

Tickets Now Available Online

Get ready, San Diego. You can now plan your mission for entry to Navy SEAL Museum San Diego. Unlock exclusive access into the secretive world of U.S. Navy SEALs and their ethos that inspires service and personal excellence in all walks of life.

Tickets Now Available Online

Get ready, San Diego. You can now plan your mission for entry to Navy SEAL Museum San Diego. Unlock exclusive access into the secretive world of U.S. Navy SEALs and their ethos that inspires service and personal excellence in all walks of life.

NSMSD Showcase Exhibition In the Final Stretch

With less than 30 days until opening, teams of talented individuals are working to put the finishing touches on Navy SEAL Museum San Diego. From lighting, to artifact install, to multimedia fine tuning, each new day brings greater progress. We look forward to inviting you into the Museum to learn more about Naval Special Warfare.

NSMSD Holds Its First Event

A theme of valor and Reunification coursed through the first-ever event held at NSMSD. Navy SEAL Museum San Diego hosted an intimate donor evening in the almost-completed Showcase on 20 AUG. Guests were treated to an exquisite cocktail reception followed by SEAL-led tours of the exhibition space followed by a three-course meal from Crown Point Catering.

The highlight of the evening included keynote speaker, former POW, Jessica Lynch, flanked by her Navy SEAL and USAF rescuers. It was an inspirational evening to say the least, and one that our guests (and ourselves) radiated profound gratitude to the brave souls who carry out this type of act day in and day out. Thank you all for your service and sacrifices.

Jessica Lynch was the first American prisoner of war successfully rescued since World War II—and the first-ever woman rescued. She was awarded the Bronze Star, Prisoner of War, and Purple Heart Medals. Thank you all for your service and sacrifice.

Photography by Terri Rippee

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf Premiere

The National Navy SEAL Museum was honored to attend the premiere of The Terminal List: Dark Wolf in Los Angeles last month.

Master Chief (SEAL) Rick Kaiser, USN (Retired), CEO of the National Navy SEAL Museum, was asked by Prime Video to moderate the post-screening commentary between writer, executive producer, and second unit director Max Adams; actor LaMonica Garrett; and Hill District Media producer Kat Samick. Adams, a former Army Ranger, and Rick provided humorous interludes throughout, each one trying to explain why his SOF was better than the other. The evening was one of elegance, entertainment, and education.

The Museum sincerely thanks Jack Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author, retired Navy SEAL, and friend of the Museum, for his unwavering commitment to the Naval Special Warfare community and his support of the Museum and its mission.

Thank you to the cast, crew, and creators of The Terminal List for championing the SEAL community and thoughtfully honoring their stories.

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf Premiere

The National Navy SEAL Museum was honored to attend the premiere of The Terminal List: Dark Wolf in Los Angeles last month.

Master Chief (SEAL) Rick Kaiser, USN (Retired), CEO of the National Navy SEAL Museum, was asked by Prime Video to moderate the post-screening commentary between writer, executive producer, and second unit director Max Adams; actor LaMonica Garrett; and Hill District Media producer Kat Samick. Adams, a former Army Ranger, and Rick provided humorous interludes throughout, each one trying to explain why his SOF was better than the other. The evening was one of elegance, entertainment, and education.

The Museum sincerely thanks Jack Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author, retired Navy SEAL, and friend of the Museum, for his unwavering commitment to the Naval Special Warfare community and his support of the Museum and its mission.

Thank you to the cast, crew, and creators of The Terminal List for championing the SEAL community and thoughtfully honoring their stories.

But, for the first time, Havik is making a virtual reality environment for the consumer and bringing it to the public here at Navy SEAL Museum San Diego. But first, they tested the concept at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), the world’s largest and most influential event dedicated to modeling, simulation, and training.

And the response was overwhelming.

What Do Others Have To Say About Our HAVIK Virtual Reality Display?

As long-time SITREP readers will know, we have partnered with Havik, makers of a fully accredited, portable, immersive virtual reality trainer used by the U.S. Military to train warriors around the globe.

But, for the first time, Havik is making a virtual reality environment for the consumer and bringing it to the public here at Navy SEAL Museum San Diego. But first, they tested the concept at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC), the world’s largest and most influential event dedicated to modeling, simulation, and training.

And the response was overwhelming.

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

Navy SEAL Museum San Diego is more than a museum, it’s a source of inspiration. The Museum’s experiential approach fosters meaningful engagement, encouraging visitors to reflect on how they, too, can lead with integrity, serve with purpose and rise to challenges in their own lives.

Not everyone has the drive it takes to be a Navy SEAL, but everyone has something inside them that drives them just as hard. NSMSD asks the visitor, “What can you serve? What cause bigger than yourself can you benefit?”

DEVELOPMENT UPDATES

Giving Through Your IRA – QCDs Increase in 2025

Attention Retirees, did you know that the Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) is a smart tax-free way to donate to your favorite charity?

The QCD is an excellent way to show your support for Navy SEAL Museum San Diego and receive tax benefits in return. A QCD can count toward the taxpayer’s Required Minimum Distribution RMD for that year. And because the QCD goes directly to charity, the taxpayer is not taxed on that distribution.

To Qualify:

• • • You must be 70 ½ or older at the time of the gift.
    • Distributions must be made directly from a traditional IRA by your IRA administrator.
    • Gifts must be outright, meaning they go directly to UDT-SEAL Museum Association.

Please designate your gift to go to the Navy SEAL Museum San Diego.

• • • The maximum annual QCD amount is $108,000 (2025).
    • For a QCD to count towards your current year’s RMD, the funds must come out of your IRA by your RMD deadline, generally December 31.

We recommend that you consult with your IRA Administrator or your tax advisor before making a decision of this nature.

For more information, please contact Kim Rhinehelder, CFRE, National Director of Development and Capital Campaign, Navy SEAL Museum San Diego at 916/301-2208.

NSW HISTORY

TRIVIA QUESTION:

Which campaign below was the VERY FIRST combat assignment for the newly formed Naval Combat Demolition Unit (NCDU)?

A) The Normandy Campaign
B) The Aleutian Islands Campaign
C) The North Africa Campaign
D) The Solomon Islands Campaign

(scroll down for answer)

MUSEUM PARTNERS

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 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) The Aleutian Islands Campaign

They were invaded by the Japanese Navy as part of their Aleutian Islands Campaign on 3 and 4 June 1942. They bombed Dutch Harbor in the city of Unalaska, killing 43 Americans. Some days later, an estimated 6,000–7,000 Japanese troops landed on and occupied the islands of Attu and Kiska. These were the only foreign invasions of the United States during World War II, and the first foreign occupation of the United States since the War of 1812.

An attack on Attu was launched on 11 May 1943 and completed on 29 May. The attack on Kiska was launched on 15 August 1943, only to discover that the Japanese had withdrawn from the island.

The Kiska operation would become a significant milestone in the history of Naval Special Warfare, since it was the first combat assignment for a Naval Combat Demolition Unit. Designated NCDU 152-A1 (later NCDU-1), Ensign Edwin S. Williams and his five men were the first combat-deployed NCDU. They were members of the first NCDU class being trained at the Amphibious Training Base, Fort Pierce, Florida, beginning in June 1943. The men were deployed from Fort Pierce on 2 July 1943.

They were bound for the Naval Air Station at Mare Island, California, under secret orders for further transport to the Aleutians. Because of a snafu upon arriving at Mare Island, however, the men never made it to Kiska in time for the assault. Nevertheless, they were able to assist significantly for the next three months, performing rock blasting and cold-water tasks at Adak. The men were subsequently ordered to Hawaii, where they were merged into the first Underwater Demolition Teams organized in the Pacific during December 1943.

Excerpted from “The First Deployed Naval Combat Demolition Unit – The Aleutian Islands Campaign” by Tom Hawkins.

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.