Produced as a recruitment film for the U.S. Navy, “Someone Special” profiles the U.S. Navy SEALs / UDTs (Sea, Air, Land Teams / Underwater Demolition Teams). Shown to members of recruiting classes, this film gave some insight into the special operations group’s intimidating training regimes and combat abilities. An incredible look back into SEAL history, this is one film not to be missed.

This 23-minute film, presented by the Naval Special Warfare Training Center, introduces the viewer to “Someone Special” … U.S. Navy SEALS. The SEALs (an acronym for the navy’s Sea, Air and Land Teams), are an elite special operations force and part of the Naval Special Warfare Command. Someone Special was the official U.S. Navy recruiting film for the U.S. Navy SEALs during the Vietnam War era.This film was shown to all U.S. Navy recruits during their recruit training, and it was designed to motivate young sailors to volunteer for SEAL training. The film covers the following topics:

War Games Demonstration: What S.E.A.L.s do and how they do it

How to become a S.E.A.L.

Overview of Basic Underwater Demolition Team/SEAL Training (BUD/S)

BUD/S: First Phase (Physical Training): PT exercises, beach running, obstacle course training, long distance swimming, surf passage and rock portage, hydrographic reconnaissance, log PT

Hell Week: Bringing each man as close as possible to his physical and mental breaking point

BUD/S: Second Phase (Land Warfare): Demolition techniques, rappelling, small unit tactics, live fire exercises at San Clemente Island, UDT cast and recovery training, beach clearing with live demolitions

BUD/S: Third Phase (Diving Phase): SCUBA training, ocean compass navigation, mock attacks on ships, submarine lock-in & lock-out training

BUD/S Graduation

Life in The Teams: Mark XV underwater breathing apparatus training, SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) training, US Army Airborne training, High Altitude Low Opening (HALO/HAHO]) training, rock climbing, arctic training, desert training, jungle training

The film jumps right into the action as SEALs are shown at mark 00:50 jumping off the back of a speeding boat into the sea. They emerge from the water near mark 01:35 and take to the beach, their weapons and supplies in hand, and being to take up positions as part of their practice assault. As attack helicopters near the site, SEAL snipers take out the enemy at mark 03:25 as reinforcements arrive by air. By mark 05:00, the SEALs are safely aboard their helicopters and whisked away. The first five minutes of action are without narration; only a fast-paced music soundtrack accompanies the film. That changes at mark 05:40 as the viewer is finally introduced to the history of the SEALs, dating to May 1943 and World War II prior to the Allied invasion of Normany, France. Then merely considered underwater combat demolition experts (or “frogmen,” they continued their actions through the end of WWII and by the Korean War were being used not only to clear beaches but also for commando raids. President John F. Kennedy’s interested in “unconventional warfare,” we’re told at mark 06:18, the SEAL Teams were officially formed in 1962 and used in the Vietnam War. At mark 06:55, we’re introduced to some of the requirements of being a SEAL, including high endurance, aggressiveness, and personal determination. Volunteer recruits, upon passing a basic physical fitness regimen, are assigned to Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL Training (BUDS) for a 25-week training session. Divided into three phases, the courses include basic training exercises designed to “harden flabby muscles grown used to soft living,” we’re told at mark 07:55, as recruit division commanders bark instructions. At mark 10:10 the viewer is taken to “Hell Week,” an intense period that tests each man’s potential breaking point — both physical and emotional — via a series of strenuous tasks that take SEAL recruits to the point of exhaustion. “Persevering under miserable condition such as these can mean the difference between the success or failure of a mission,” the narrator stresses at mark 11:07. Those who survive Hell Week, however, have proven themselves worthy of continued training and basic SEAL skills. The second phase of training, introduced at mark 13:00, concentrates on dozens of land warfare and demolition skills, including live-fire maneuvers, while the third phase, at mark 16:05, “develops combat swimmers into combat divers.” Upon graduation, the new SEALs are assigned to teams either in Coronado, California or Little Creek, Virginia … and a future filled with continued training with such equipment as the Mark 15 Underwater Breathing Apparatus, parachute training, assignment to a SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) team, or even advanced training in hostile desert, jungle, or arctic climates.

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com