Gates Visits Navy Special Warfare Training in San Diego

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates looks at the helmets of all the recruits that did not complete the training at Naval Special Warfare Center, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, in San Diego, Aug. 13, 2010. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates meets with a father, right, and son, left, instructor team at the Naval Special Warfare Center, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, in San Diego, Aug. 13, 2010. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Members of Class 284 participate in Hell Week at the Naval Special Warfare Center, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, in San Diego, Aug. 13, 2010. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Members of Class 284 participate in Hell Week at the Naval Special Warfare Center, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, in San Diego, Aug. 13, 2010. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Members of Class 284 participate in Hell Week at the Naval Special Warfare Center, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, in San Diego, Aug. 13, 2010. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates meets members of Class 284 at the Naval Special Warfare Center, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, in San Diego, Aug. 13, 2010. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates meets members of Class 284 at the Naval Special Warfare Center, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, in San Diego, Aug. 13, 2010. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates speaks to members of Class 284 during Hell Week at the Naval Special Warfare Center, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, in San Diego, Aug. 13, 2010. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Members of Class 284 at the Naval Special Warfare Center cheer as Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates "secures" Hell Week for them, officially ending their final week of training week at the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, in San Diego, Aug. 13, 2010. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Members of Class 284 at the Naval Special Warfare Center celebrates as Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates "secures" Hell Week for them, officially ending their final week of training at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, in San Diego, Aug. 13, 2010. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates congratulates a candidate from Basic Underwater Demolition/Sea, Air and Land class 284 after officialing ending Hell Week. During the 107-hour Hell Week, dozens of candidates endure constant stressful training with little sleep, making it one of the most arduous evolutions of the 50-week SEAL candidate training at the Naval Special Warfare Center in San Diego. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kyle D. Gahlau
  • Vice Adm. Joe Kearnan salutes members of class 284 at the Naval Special Warfare Center, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, in San Diego, Aug. 13, 2010. Kearnan, who is Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates' senior military assistant, has spent his career in Navy Special Operations. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen
  • Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates poses for a photo with Class 284 at the Naval Special Warfare Center, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, in San Diego, Aug. 13, 2010. DoD photo by Cherie Cullen