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'Work hard, don't quit': Lincoln High grad retires after 31-year Naval career

MANITOWOC — Swim 500 yards using the side or breaststroke, do 42 pushups and 50 sit-ups, as well as six pull-ups from a dead hang, then run one-and-a-half miles wearing boots and trousers … in about a half-hour or less.

The physical screening test to be a U.S. Navy SEAL is rigorous, but Andrew Tafelski III was prepared.

"I can say, without hesitation, that I never worked as hard as I did when I wrestled under Coach (Richard) Frailing," the Lincoln High School Class of 1972 graduate said of the former Ships wrestling mentor.

"I have accomplished many things while in the military, and I would never had had a chance without a man like Coach Frailing in my life somewhere," Tafelski, 54, said in a phone conversation from his home in Coronado, Calif.

The city, on a peninsula between San Diego and the Pacific Ocean, is home to two units of the Naval Special Warfare Command. After a 30-plus year career, Tafelski retired in May as First Force Master Chief, the first in the history of the U.S. Navy to occupy the position.

When it comes to enlisted personnel serving the SEALs, Tafelski retired at the top.

"We are all so tremendously proud of him," his sister from Two Rivers, Audrey Gagnon, said Tuesday. Audrey and her husband, Ron, as well as many cousins from several states, and friends from Manitowoc, were at the retirement ceremony.

"They told Andrew he could never make it as a SEAL … that's the wrong thing to say to a Tafelski," Gagnon said.

Delayed enlistment

It was six years between Tafelski's graduation from the bowl at Lincoln High until he enlisted in the Navy in Manhattan Beach, Calif.

"I lived here and there, including 18 months in Florida," Tafelski said of his six-year odyssey post-graduation. "I eventually ended up in California, and ran out of money.

"In those days, the slogan was, 'Join the Navy and see the world,'" Tafelski recalled.

With a four-year commitment turning into three decades of military life, Tafelski has had the opportunity to visit 61 countries on six continents.

"After traveling around this world, I can honestly say there is no place like home," Tafelski said. "We should all feel very privileged to live in the U.S.A."

His global experiences usually didn't include typical tourist adventures, with camera around one's neck taking photographs of native people, animals and vegetation.

SEALs — Sea, Air Land comprise the acronym — are qualified in diving and parachuting. They are experts at combat swimming, navigation, demolitions, weapons and many other skills.

In addition to the maritime environment, SEALs also train in the desert, the jungle, in cold weather and in urban surroundings. A SEAL's first assignment at Coronado is basic underwater demolition training.

Less than two years ago, Tafelski served in Afghanistan, and during his career he earned the Legion of Merit and Defense Meritorious Service medals, three Combat Action ribbons, and other service awards.

After serving as a SEAL, as an "operator" and trainer, Tafelski was assigned as "Senior Motivator" for Naval Special Warfare.

'May lose … but never quit'

By 1994 decree of the U.S. Congress and secretary of defense, the SEAL program is not open to women, as members engage in offensive, direct ground combat.

"We teach you how to be above everything else … somebody has to be in charge of chaos," Tafelski said of the instruction and experiences the Navy's SEAL Web site calls, "the toughest training in the world."

For those men who pass the physical screening test, they next face a mentally and physically demanding six-month basic training course, three weeks of parachute training and a 15-week advance training period before becoming a SEAL and earning the Trident — the warfare pin insignia of all SEAL operators.

Tafelski said the washout rate is about 80 percent of those who have the high marks necessary for entry into the program.

The Manitowoc native said he and his team of instructors looked for men who understood the importance of the attributes stressed by Frailing — "hard work, sacrifice, teamwork, mental toughness, and, above all, humility. All of the successful SEALs I know possess those traits."

Tafelski said he looked for men who hated to lose. "You have some winners who will quit, but men who really hate to lose never quit," he said.

"As SEALs teams, we may lose a fight, but we will never quit," Tafelski said. "People ask what does it take to make it through SEAL training. Work hard, and don't quit."

Tafelski said the fourth week of training is called "Hell Week, and that is the real crucible. You might get three hours of sleep in five days."

"We did push them pretty hard," Frailing said Tuesday of his wrestlers over the years at Lincoln, including Tafelski.

"As a wrestler, you're out there all by yourself," Frailing said. "It's not like football or basketball where someone can cover for you. Wrestling was great training for Andrew when it came to becoming a SEAL."

Frailing recalled how Tafelski, as a senior, wrestled nearly 30 pounds below his natural weight, to help the Ships squad.

"He gave up eating and carousing, gave it all up for the team and was willing to punish himself," said Frailing, noting Tafelski won the conference championship in his weight class.

Help others, travel, consult

Tafelski said he and his wife of nearly 14 years, Doreen, who has a thriving pet-sitting and pet-walking service, get involved with different organizations that help sailors or Marines going through hard times.

"SEALs are a very close-knit family, and the wives take care of each other and their kids," Gagnon said.

Naval Special Warfare Command personnel are less than 1 percent of the Navy's total personnel, with about 2,500 men able to wear the Trident pin on their uniform.

Doreen has staff members able to care for her clients for weeks at a time, so the Tafelskis do plan to go to Europe and other destinations, as well as relax at their cabin in the Southern California mountains.

Tafelski said he may seek consulting work with a governmental agency, or in the private sector.

Their son, Andrew IV, will be entering the U.S. Air Force, after graduating from Coronado High School a year ago.

Tafelski endorses the decision.

"If you're going to tread water, do it in (the armed forces)," he said. "They give you structure and discipline."

But whatever career path his son, or anybody else chooses, Tafelski urges following Frailing's advice.

"He did not ask for much, but he did demand a few things for us to expect from ourselves," Tafelski said.

"Do the best you can. Never give up and always be a good sport."