The Service Record

They are the world's most famous commandos, masters of ground combat. So why are the United States Navy SEALs part of the Navy, and not the Marine Corps? It’s a question that seems to have an obvious answer, but the truth is buried in over 80 years of history and a mission philosophy that’s often misunderstood. In this inaugural episode of The Service Record, we open the file on the Navy SEALs to uncover their true identity. Our investigation takes us back to the suicidal bravery of the 'Frogmen' on the beaches of D-Day, explores the crucial 'scalpel vs. sledgehammer' difference in military strategy, and reveals how the brutal, water-logged training of BUD/S forges a warrior fundamentally different from a Marine. We'll also uncover the secret weapon in the SEAL arsenal that only the Navy can provide. By the end, you'll understand that SEALs aren't sailors by accident—they are sailors by design, a force born from, and forever tied to, the sea. This is the story of why the children of the water will always belong to the Navy.