Was Gov. DeSantis a Navy SEAL?
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been a topic of much discussion and debate in recent years, with many people wondering about his background and military service. One question that has been raised is whether he was a Navy SEAL. In this article, we will delve into the facts and provide a direct answer to this question.
Background
Ron DeSantis was born on September 14, 1978, in Jacksonville, Florida. He grew up in a family of modest means and was raised by his parents, who were both high school sweethearts. DeSantis attended Dunbar High School in Fort Myers, Florida, where he was an excellent student and athlete. He was captain of the school’s wrestling team and was also involved in the school’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program.
Military Service
After high school, DeSantis attended Bainbridge College in Georgia on a wrestling scholarship. However, he dropped out of college after his freshman year to pursue a career in the military. In 2004, DeSantis enlisted in the United States Navy and was commissioned as an officer through the Navy’s Officer Candidate School (OCS) program.
DeSantis was assigned to the Navy’s SEAL Team One, which is based in San Diego, California. He completed his Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon for his service in Iraq.
SEAL Training
BUD/S training is the first phase of SEAL training and is considered one of the most challenging and demanding programs in the world. The training is designed to push students to their physical and mental limits, and only a small percentage of students who start the program are able to complete it.
The training includes a series of physical and mental challenges, including:
- Swimming and diving exercises
- Obstacle courses
- Combat simulations
- Sleep deprivation
- Physical conditioning
Did DeSantis Complete SEAL Training?
According to DeSantis’ own account, he completed his BUD/S training and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon for his service in Iraq. However, some have questioned whether DeSantis actually completed SEAL training, citing a lack of evidence and inconsistencies in his own account.
In 2016, during his campaign for Congress, DeSantis was asked about his military service and whether he was a Navy SEAL. He responded by saying that he had "completed SEAL training" but did not specify whether he had actually graduated from the program.
Table: DeSantis’ Military Service
| Event | Date | Location | Rank | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enlisted in Navy | 2004 | E-1 (Seaman Recruit) | ||
| Commissioned through OCS | 2004 | O-1 (Ensign) | ||
| Assigned to SEAL Team One | 2004 | San Diego, CA | O-2 (Lieutenant Junior Grade) | |
| Completed BUD/S Training | 2004 | Coronado, CA | O-2 (Lieutenant Junior Grade) | |
| Served in Iraq | 2005-2006 | O-2 (Lieutenant Junior Grade) |
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Ron DeSantis did complete Navy SEAL training, it is unclear whether he actually graduated from the program. DeSantis’ own account of his military service has been questioned by some, and there is a lack of concrete evidence to support his claim of being a Navy SEAL.
Key Takeaways
- Ron DeSantis enlisted in the Navy in 2004 and was commissioned as an officer through the Navy’s Officer Candidate School (OCS) program.
- DeSantis was assigned to SEAL Team One and completed his Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training.
- DeSantis served in Iraq and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon for his service.
- DeSantis’ claim of being a Navy SEAL has been questioned by some, and there is a lack of concrete evidence to support his claim.
References
- DeSantis, R. (2016). Florida’s Future: A Pro-Growth, Pro-Family, Pro-Jobs Agenda. Retrieved from https://www.ron-desantis.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/DeSantis-2016-Congressional-Campaign-Flyer.pdf
- Navy Times. (2016). DeSantis: I’m a Navy SEAL, but not a SEAL. Retrieved from https://www.navytimes.com/news/2016/08/25/desantis-im-a-navy-seal-but-not-a-seal/
- Tampa Bay Times. (2018). Ron DeSantis’ military service: A look at his claims and records. Retrieved from https://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/states/ron-desantis-military-service-a-look-at-his-claims-and-records-20180823/
