We’ve had the distinct privilege the last two days of hosting 25 NAVY SEALS for an exclusive Polyface Intensive Discovery Seminar (PIDS), our signature on-farm two-day, six-meal behind-the-curtains education platform. We normally do three a summer, usually in late July.
This is the first one filled by a single group and certainly the first one completely devoted to Navy Seals. About 6 of them were still on active duty, but most have left the service. A couple brought their wives as well.
Their stories of firefights, security details, foreign engagements and military policy were breathtaking. I’m sure they withheld plenty of information, but what they were free to share was fascinating.
The most interesting thing to me was their constant use of the term “apocalypse.” I don’t think I’ve ever heard the word used more frequently than over these two days. It became a joke as we conversed in our sessions.
These guys are all about preparedness and now view resilient farming as the foundation for that strategy. As a group, they envision some extremely rough waters for America and the world. Another consistent theme was that whatever you see in the media is distorted, half-truth, or agenda protected. Name any major news story and you can be assured you aren’t getting the real skinny.
I asked them how much of Navy Seal success was mental versus physical? They agreed it’s about 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical. Applying this to newbie and wanna-be farmers, I find this is a similar percentage. Over my lifetime, I’ve watched many, many farmers come and go. Invariably, the failure was not physical; it was mental.
Refusing to be creative, to think out of the box, to solve real problems, to perceive with clarity. Goodness, refusing to ask for help, not listening to a spouse. What makes farms fail seldom has anything to do what farmers whine about—what Alan Nation called the four horsemen of the apocalypse—weather, price, pestilence, and disease.
Those are all physical elements. The question is do you have the mental capacity to respond correctly to those physical things? In a world celebrating victimhood and entitlement, mental capacity is everything. I was taken aback that these guys were not physical brutes. Several were extremely small. But they had tenacity, mental acuity, and creativity to push through problems.
We were honored to have these guys spend two days with us. They were definitely a different group than we’d ever had. But the commonality we found with them, dealing with big issues and cultural hostilities, was almost surreal. Just to show their leadership in action, let me tell you what happened the final meal.
When we do these seminars, we instruct our staff to all eat last. Let the guests go through the line first. That’s our protocol. Last evening, at supper, their leader came to us and said “we want your staff to eat first, to honor what you’ve given us these two days.” Folks, we’ve never, ever had a group propose that inversion to us. That’s servant leadership, and these Navy Seals had it in spades. We thanked them profusely for their service—tears flowed freely—and they answered “it’s our honor to defend people like you.” Wow.
These guys who have learned to kill and demolish are now dedicating their lives to life and healing. It’s a powerful and profound intersection, and we’re eager to see more Navy Seals come through our PIDS program.
Do you know a Navy Seal?
Comments (19)
Had the pleasure to serve with Navy Seals during my time in the Navy. They are truly unique and quiet professionals. As an Aviator I knew that if I was down behind enemy lines and they could come in and extract me that they would do whatever it took to succeed. Thank You for hosting them at Polyface and I hope you can do it again.
This is powerful…and heart warming…and encouraging to hear of such men. I don’t know any Navy Seals. But my step-son was in the Marine Corp & is one of the finest men I know…definitely Navy Seal quality & integrity.
The power and talent necessary to deal destruction is the same as building resilient farming processes.
One is the reverse of the other.
Joel, can we be creative in how we might as a small special force develop a few ways we can support and utilize these men of honor? I believe that involving these people in another ‘mission’ with national importance can go a long way in mitigating the mental challenges that so often occur when their service is complete. I also think their work ethic, solve it mentality and honor will be a necessary benefit to the our community who are trying to honor the pigness of the pigs, the creation which we are responsible to steward
It would have been interesting to see how things would have went down if the FDA/USDA decided to show up and all them fellas were there. The compost pile may have been “enriched”. lol.
we will be at your next PIDS and while we aren’t Navy Seals, or any kind of seals for that matter, we’d love it if we all could eat together. we can’t wait to join you for this experience. these Seals can see what hard times are coming and are preparing as we are
This is powerful! Joel thanks for always enlightening me!
Fantastic–love your heart and theirs!
I do. I know many former special ops service members.
As a former US Army Captain, servant leadership was deeply instilled in us. I can’t speak for what they go through now or how they are trained.
I also follow folks like Jocko Willink, Nick Freitas and John Lovell, amongst many others. I recommend your readers give them a deep look.
I do want to caution your readers- special ops guys, usually don’t announce that fact… Ever. But since they were all together at your workshop and it was already known, they were likely much more relaxed. Whenever I run in to someone who with little provocation, states they were a Green Beret or Navy Seal or Army Ranger… my skeptic meter is flipped on. And my Wary Protocol is activated.
Not only are there many “stolen valor” types out there, but there are also many former spec ops who are not quite playing with a full deck.
I am always proud to have served my country even when my service is ignored because I’m only a woman, which happens often. But I’m especially proud when men of integrity and action show us the way. I hope you have more groups like them. Thank you for hosting them.
And thank you for the amazing things you have accomplished Mr. Salatin. I don’t think you are aware of how much you have influenced the world.
What do you teach in a PIDS session?
Fascinating that Seals attended – what connection does your training have with their background?
I served 20 years in the Florida Army National Guard and also worked as a civilian RN for the VA during that time. When I retired from the Guard and the VA I was a gov’t contract Case Manager and Spec Ops including Seals mainly the ones I served. They are indeed a special group.
This is an incredible story. I wish I could have been a fly on the wall during this event. However, just hearing about it from you has recalibrated my conception of where we are all at right now. If these guys are honoring you, and saying you are today’s hero, then that confirms that those of us trying to learn how to raise and preserve food are on the front lines. Just wow. Thanks for giving us more courage and resolve.
An interesting Musing, Joel. Thank you. I’d like to hear more about the context for their “constant use of the term ‘apocalypse’.”
I don’t know a Navy Seal, but I would like too. I will be 81 in August & my little farm is getting to be too much for me to take care of. Your story depicts the type of person I would like to find to take over this farm.
that is indeed a profound story!
and profound people those men and all like them. polyface farm folks deeply included.
I served some 23 years active and 19 ‘in reserve,’ with the Army and have had the honor and privilege to work with Navy Seals, as well as a plethora of other special operations folks. All exude the same Mojo and are truly special. God Bless America!
Joel,
Thanks for sharing this story. Two things I take from it:
1. Confirmation from “those in the know” that rough times are ahead, and
2. At 56 years old, it is definitely mental, since I simply can’t work as fast or as long as I could 20 (or even 10) years ago. Therefore, I design systems that work for us and still provide a good outcome.
Doug
wow wow wow. I am an Army brat and learned early the meaning of the mental fundamentals. 11 schools in 12 years. Living in the middle east. Traveling the world with my shot card and passport as a little girl. I believe all of that and more allowed me to respect and understand our beloved Planet. You were changed by those Seals and now have them in your hearts. They will never forget you and your staff either. If you ever need help…they will be there. Thank you for all that you do. Blessings. Be safe, stay cool.
I’m so grateful to those who serve our country! And I’m also thankful to be married to a US Marine who serves his family well too.