From my experience, every SEAL deep down operates on his own moral compass. This compass is comprised of his values, beliefs, and actions. Oftentimes, as SEALs, our moral compasses can become distorted for whatever reasons and when this slow or sudden change occurs, it begins to affect what we value.
My moral compass shifted slowly during my first year in the Teams and I didn’t course correct until I had already made some damaging decisions.
Luckily, I woke up and realized the path I was on led to isolation and devastation so I reset my true North and got back on the right path.
Let me break it down….
Once a person’s values shift, those individual values begin to influence that person’s behavior, and eventually, their behavior influences their decisions. And if left unchecked, their decisions determine their direction and ultimately define their futures.
This is also evident on much grander scales. Sociologically speaking, the rise and fall of great societies are due to their ingrained values (or lack thereof). Likewise, cultures thrive due to deeply embedded values. As humans, we are taught values (good or bad) at a very young age. Our values are what guide our beliefs – oftentimes without us realizing it. Next time you are in a seemingly endless or cyclical argument with your boss, spouse, kids, etc., ask yourself if it is possible that your values are clashing with theirs? We might stop thinking people are acting ridiculous if we learn what deep values are guiding their belief systems.
A person’s values will guide them through life whether they realize it or not. What are your values?
We humans are creatures of habit and we are fairly predictable. As part of our training in ASOT (Advanced Special Operator Training), Team guys are told to vary our routes to work, to adjust our routines and modify our daily schedules so we don’t become predictable to potential threats. People’s behavior and the decisions they make on a daily basis are largely determined by their beliefs. If you believe something about yourself or someone else (whether good or bad, true or untrue), you will begin to behave in a manner consistent with those beliefs. For example, if you believe you are a victim, then you will act victimized. If you believe someone is powerless to change, then you will continue to enable them. So, making this more practical, if you want to influence a person’s behavior, reach deeper to impact their beliefs.
I have seen first-hand the devastation to marriages and families that poor choices can cause. The divorce rate in the Teams is actually just as high as the attrition rate in BUD/S – a shocking 80-90%!
People, including SEALs, become complacent to change or unwilling to grow and their behaviors continue to blaze a trail of destruction in their lives. Over a period of time, our poor or selfish behaviors have a way of eroding our relationships and our lives.
We need to be vigilant to guard our minds (our beliefs) against negativity, pessimism, and falsehood because if we are not careful we will begin acting in a manner consistent with our beliefs.
And… if those behaviors are left unchecked, we will someday realize the direction we have been traveling is a lonely, empty and miserable path. These are the consequences of not keeping a tight rein on our moral compasses (our values), our beliefs and our behaviors.
In the SEAL teams, if I was only a couple degrees off course (inland navigation or diving) could result in missing my target by dozens of meters. Unfortunately, this is why many people during their last days on this planet have regrets. The legacies they leave behind are riddled with a trail of bad choices and wounded people.
But if you are reading this and you are not on your death bed, it’s not too late. We have the power to choose every day which path to take.
Do you need to make a slight course correction in your life? If so, do it now before it is too late.
