"That's Gen Z in a Nutshell" - SEAL Team 6 Operator on the Modern Day Navy SEAL

Summary

In this transcript, a conversation about Gen Z’s impact on the military, particularly the SEAL Teams, is explored. A key focus is the impressive qualities of younger candidates, such as confidence, resilience, and leadership. Despite their strengths, Gen Z struggles with failure and emotional resilience. The discussion also highlights their innovative mindset, particularly in tech and drones, contrasting with the military’s slow acquisition cycle. The SEAL Teams are urged to embrace Gen Z’s potential, offering them the autonomy to innovate and evolve quickly, or risk losing them to other industries that value their skills.

Takeaways

• 😀 Gen Z displays fearlessness and respect, exemplified by a 22-year-old SEAL candidate who showed no fear but deep respect for authority.
• 😀 Gen Z struggles with failure, often emotionally crumbling, as some were raised with overly protective parents, but can still show strong leadership under adversity.
• 😀 Despite emotional challenges, Gen Z excels in teamwork, demonstrating camaraderie and support for one another in tough situations.
• 😀 Gen Z is innovative, with a natural aptitude for technology and problem-solving, using tools like 3D printers and drones to create solutions on their own.
• 😀 The military struggles to keep up with the rapid pace of technological innovation that Gen Z is accustomed to, causing friction in their integration into existing structures.
• 😀 Gen Z's impatience with slow, outdated systems, especially in the military, is a key issue, as they expect quick results and adaptability in the face of modern warfare.
• 😀 Older generations in the military hold onto methods from past conflicts, which Gen Z views as outdated and irrelevant for current challenges.
• 😀 The military's acquisition process is too slow, with a 5-year cycle to fund and develop new technologies, while modern adversaries can evolve in just 30 days.
• 😀 Gen Z is proactive in solving problems, often creating their own tech solutions, like drones with 3D-printed parts, to meet the needs of the SEAL Teams.
• 😀 To better harness Gen Z's capabilities, the military should provide them with autonomy and resources to experiment and innovate in their own Science and Technology (S&T) shops.

Q & A

What was the significance of the candidate's letter titled 'Fear No Man'?

The letter titled 'Fear No Man' stood out because it demonstrated the candidate's confidence and mindset. Despite the intense pressure during the interview, the candidate remained calm and resolute, reflecting their self-assurance and respect for authority rather than fear.

How did the candidate handle being verbally attacked during the interview?

The candidate handled the verbal attack with remarkable composure. Despite being yelled at by the Command Master Chief (CMC), he maintained his calm, stood by his decisions, and showed no fear of authority, which impressed the interviewers.

What lesson did the speaker learn from observing the candidate's behavior?

The speaker learned about self-assurance and leadership under pressure. Despite being much older and more experienced, the speaker found inspiration in the candidate’s ability to confront authority fearlessly and stand by his actions, a quality the speaker admired and sought to develop in themselves.

What is the problem with how Gen Z handles failure according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, Gen Z sometimes struggles with failure, particularly due to being 'helicopter parented' and not learning to cope with adversity. When they fail, they may emotionally crumble, which the speaker views as a weakness in some members of this generation.

Why did the candidate who failed the four-mile run quit, and how did the interviewers respond?

The candidate quit because he failed the run by two seconds, believing that he could not lead others if he couldn't meet the standard himself. However, the interviewers pointed out that the true test of leadership is how one handles adversity, not perfection, and that failure is part of the learning process.

What does the speaker find inspiring about Gen Z's approach to teamwork?

The speaker is inspired by Gen Z’s strong sense of teamwork and mutual support. A key example is when a class rallied together to support a teammate who was struggling, without any form of condemnation or pity. This shows the strong bonds and support within the group.

What happened during the Murph workout that highlighted the team spirit among Gen Z candidates?

During the Murph workout, the speaker, who was out of shape and struggling, was supported by the class. As he fell behind, several candidates came back to pick him up, running alongside him without any judgment, showing genuine teamwork and camaraderie.

How did the Gen Z candidates demonstrate patriotism in the story shared by the speaker?

The Gen Z candidates demonstrated their patriotism by holding a spontaneous ceremony to lower the American flag and sing the national anthem. This act was started as a tradition by the class and was not a mandated activity, reflecting their deep respect and love for their country.

How does the speaker view Gen Z’s approach to innovation in the military?

The speaker sees Gen Z as highly innovative, particularly when it comes to technology. They are quick to experiment and come up with creative solutions, such as creating a 3D-printed drone system. However, the speaker believes the military's slow acquisition process is hindering their potential.

What is the main issue with the military's acquisition process, according to the speaker?

The main issue with the military's acquisition process is its slow pace. While Gen Z is evolving and innovating at a rapid pace (e.g., a 30-day cycle), the military’s five-year cycle for acquiring new technology and equipment is too slow, preventing them from staying ahead of emerging threats.