I remember early on, after I’d seen what a tough position officer-trainees are in, I spoke to an ensign whose father was an admiral. I said, “Well, this has got to be tough, being an officer, because not only are you afraid of BUD/S but you have to lead everybody.” He said, “Afraid of BUD/S? Why would I be afraid? There’s no point in being afraid. Let that go.” I thought, Wow, that’s a hell of an attitude. It was something of a revelation to me, the first inkling I had that I needed to get over the fear, because fear is self-induced. Of course, it would take a long time for that revelation to
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