
The ability to filter situations, stimulations,
feelings, and expectations, and implement
an action plan to achieve the objectives
needed for success in NSW/NSO rates.
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE
Mentorship

SITUATIONS think of a situations you will encounter at Boot and
Prep.

STIMULATIONS think of a stimulation you will encounter at Boot
and Prep.

FEELINGS

EXPECTATIONS think of an expectation you will encounter at Boot
think of a feeling you will encounter at Boot and Prep.
and Prep.
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE
Mentorship

ACTION PLAN
◦ Organized plan to help aid in the preventing of
negative self thought. Helps keep you from going
MENTAL. Mind Entering Negative Transition Again
Loop.

Why can some people run faster with music playing, beautiful scenery, etc.
Why can kids play in cold water and adults have a hard time getting in, etc.
Think of an outside sources that can keep you from Negative Self Thought
(NST). Think about using the Big 4 as that outside source, covered in the next
slide.
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE
Mentorship


The Big 4
Goal Setting
◦ Amplification: Breaking larger goals into smaller
goals a mosaic or stair -step approach. One
doesn’t have to reflect or focus on the entire
evolution at once; breaking down the evolution
into component parts makes it more manageable
and can facilitate better focus, as well.
 An example of this is getting into the cold water for
an evolution. If one thinks of the entire evolution
from the proximity where they are warm and dry,
the evolution becomes much more overwhelming.
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE
Mentorship



Instead, one can understand that getting into the
water is the most uncomfortable aspect and see
that particular action as the most immediate. After
one copes with the short-term unpleasantness of
cold water immersion, one can then get on track
with the next short term goal – e.g. another
immediate point to reach for.
This goal setting approach can vary in scope as
well. As just presented, goal setting can be applied
to a particular evolution’s component parts. It can
also, however, be applied to a phase of a program
or an entire program itself.
A day in the pipeline can be broken down into
short term goals – e.g. making it to one meal at a
time. Focusing on getting to one meal is far more
manageable to the NSW/NSO student than looking
at getting to the end of the week.
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE
Mentorship

Mental Visualization / Mental Rehearsal:

Conquering the mind and using it to its full potential.

Mental practice can be done almost any time of the day or
night.

Become more familiar with the event so as not to become
OBE – Overcome by Events.


Internal – imagine/ visualize yourself going through the
activity and seeing it as you would from your own eyes (a
perspective of how the world is viewed when you actually
engage.)
External – imagine yourself going through the activity–
watch yourself outside of yourself complete the activity
successfully
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE
Mentorship

Self Talk
◦ Self Talk can affect performance significantly: either
positively or negatively. One way is to create a
mantra, a word, chant, prayer, or affirmation that is
constantly repeated, either aloud (softly) or through
reflection. Positive self talk will begin to change
one’s beliefs about events, others, and themselves.
◦ Belief System: The A-B-C’s: How we come to act or
behave in particular fashion. A-B-C’s One can
influence or change their belief system, both
positive and negative, through self-talk.
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE
Mentorship
Linear Process:
A causes B
B causes C
A
B
C
Activating Event 
Belief 
Consequences
No control of event.
B will occur automatically,
Consequence is
how the event is
predicated by belief
interpreted. It is based
system.
upon the following:

Experience

Biases

Prejudices

Stereotypes
The only thing you can
control, or change, in this
linear process is your
belief system which will,
in turn, alter the
consequences.
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE
Mentorship

Arousal Control:

What do we mean by this?

(Arousal control is the
ability to maintain somatic response to stress at a level
which allows for successful or optimal performance. Too
much arousal leads to paralysis; too little to a lack luster
performance – that which is below par.)
Performance/Paralysis: (Explain somatic response and

Techniques: (Breathing is the primary technique)

performance: Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, Adrenalin, and
Cortisol)
◦ Breathing: Deep Sleep Phase: (Mimics the breathing in deep sleep
where the body resets and recalibrates stress in the body.)
◦ 4 count full inhalation followed by a 4 count exhalation for 4
minutes (4 x 4 x 4).
Mantra – Self Talk (as explained previously) can also be
used for arousal control and is easily coupled with other
techniques.
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE
Mentorship



Warrior Mind – Acting purposely calm on the
outside will actually begin to calm internal
somatic responses. It is also infectious and
will begin to a calming effect towards others.
Energy from other people – Just being
mindful to the presence of others and
knowing that others too are struggling has a
calming and comforting effect.
Singing and Hooyahing! – Keeps one’s mind
off of their troubles. In a group of people,
singing connects all who participate and
distance is gapped
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE
Mentorship


While applying the big 4 remember that one must always have situational
awareness and environmental awareness.
Implementation of the Big 4
◦ Utilize concept of 1st of the 1st
 Student based teaching
 Guided discovery
 Trained corrected responses
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE
Mentorship

Delivery platform of The Big 4
◦ PT and Water based skills
 Need a way to bring you the Future Sailor to a learning
threshold to take advantage of guided discovery and
trained correct responses.
 Instructor must be present at this time to access and
imprint proper big 4 skills
◦ Navy Core values
 General orders and rank recognition
 Attention to detail, leadership skills, military bearing,
etc.
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE
Mentorship

Student Reflection
◦ Think of an example of a time when you overcame
a major obstacle.
◦ What tool did you utilize to overcome that obstacle
to possibly anchor the technique (if appropriate) to
that individual.

Take ownership of your actions.
o
It is up to you, all actions you take will create the
outcome, either positive or negative.
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE
Mentorship
PHYSICAL COURAGE
Overcome your own fear to do what the job requires.
The ability to control my emotions and my actions, regardless of circumstance,
sets me apart from other men.
MORAL COURAGE
Integrity to do the right thing even when nobody is looking.
Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast.
My word is my bond.
HUMILITY
Be the quiet professional.
I do not advertise the nature of my work, nor seek recognition for my actions.
CREATIVITY
We expect innovation and open-mindedness.
Thinking outside the box and out-think the enemy.
TEAM-ABILITY
Able to lead and the able to follow.
Putting Country, Team and Teammate before self.
RESILIENCY
Never quit, persevere and thrive on adversity.
The ability to recover from hardship, every time.
I will draw on every remaining ounce of strength to protect my teammates and
NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE
to accomplish our mission. I am never out of the fight. I will not
fail.
Mentorship