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View Full Version : One thing I've learned.


RoninSamurai
10-02-2003, 11:29 PM
Hello everyone my name is Matt Dempsey I'm about to turn 21 and for the past three years I've been striving for BUD/S. I've done everything I possibly could to prepare myself for what I would go through on that beach and beyond. Being a SEAL was who I wanted to be and my only worthwhile goal.

I given it up. Not because it would be to hard or becasue I grew out of it like every member of my family hoped I would. Because this June I'll be celibrating my 2nd wedding aniversary with my wife Lisa. Through the past few years she has supported me in everything I've strived, bled, and learned for. I couldn't ask for a more supportive wife who eventhough she hated the idea of me putting myself through the agony of BUD/S and becoming a SEALstuck by me and was the only one who without reservation said "you can do anything." And while I can't say that I would have made it through BUD/S having never been there I do belive her. I believe in myself. But I'd rather be married. Rather not lose my wife as I almost definately would.

For a while it was downright hurtful to even think about not accomplishing this goal that for reasons that I couldn't even understand I wanted so badly. I couldn't post here or read the forums or have anything to do with anything SEAL oriented. But you know what I've learned though it all? I'll never do a HALO jump, never know the knind of bond that all SEALs share, never do a job that 80% of men just can't do. But the lessons I've taught myself training for BUD/S will never leave me. You don't have to do any of those things to know that you have what it takes to accomplish a goal that you set for yourself. I don't need to do a HALO jump to be proud of myself and know that I can do anything I put myself to do. I'm not trying to put down those fine men that do what I wanted to do,. I'm trying to somehow express that eventhough I'll never be a SEAL I can still be someone who never quits and even when every fiber of my being tells me that I've got nothing left can dig deeper and perservere.

What I've learned from Operators and what I've taught myself will always be with me. And so I offer a sincere thanks. Some that read this won't agree with me and think that I'm just not willing to admit that I don't think that I can do it. Maybe. But if you were/are married to someone as wonderful as my wife is I really hope that you understand it's not just your future you're deciding. WW, you of all have been great and I salute you. Thanks for everything.

That's all I have to say so I'll guess I'll stop writing. Goodluck to everyone and hopefully you'll do what you want to in life. If not, learn from what you can't.

RS Out

naoscaire
10-03-2003, 06:23 AM
Rs,
You seem to have made an important decision, I can only assume you thought long and hard about it and decided this is whats best for both you and your family. I am sure everyone around here wishes you good luck with both your marriage and your life

"the job picks the man, not the other way around"
If the job DOESN'T pick you, then it is best to move on. Operators are a special breed, yes, but if you aren't an operator it doesn't mean you're a piece of dirt. It just means what it means... that you aren't an operator.

Goodluck RS

RoninSamurai
10-03-2003, 09:50 PM
Thanks Naos. From you that means alot.

RS

Courtenay
10-04-2003, 07:25 AM
But I'd rather be married. Rather not lose my wife as I almost definately would.


There are alot of guys who have made it through BUD/s and become successful operators who's marriages withstood it all, and many who's marriages collapsed. I think, that if your wife believes in you, the way you say, yours would have survived.

Whatever the case, there is no shame in knowing what is important to you and making your lifes decisions accordingly. I have not been around on this site very long, so I have not had the pleasure of crossing paths with you. But, I can say from reading this post that I think you are a fine young man, and that you will go far in whatever endeavor you choose. Best of luck to you, and your family. And, just because you've changed your mind about becoming a Navy SEAL, doesn't mean you have to leave the site. There's a whole lot of us here who aren't, and never will be SEALs! :) I look forward to seeing more of you!