Vice President JD Vance Joins Navy SEALs for Grueling 90‑Minute SEAL‑Style Workout at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado
Coronado Beach, California (Times Media Service) — Vice President JD Vance, a Marine Corps veteran, completed a 90‑minute Navy SEAL–style workout at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado on Dec. 22, 2025, enduring log carries, rope climbs, beach runs and ocean rowing alongside SEALs.
Key takeaways
- 90-minute workout: Vance participated in a condensed SEAL‑style session including log carries, rope and net climbs, beach runs and ocean rowing.
- Personal reaction: Vance posted on X that he felt “hit by a freight train,” while thanking “the heroes who keep us safe.”
- Veteran status: Vance enlisted in 2003 and served in Iraq in 2005 with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing in public affairs.
- Context: The visit follows a pattern of senior officials joining military training events to connect with troops.
What to know about the workout and the video
Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Naval Amphibious Base Coronado drew attention because it put a sitting vice president through a condensed version of what SEAL candidates face. Video of the session, posted and shared online, shows Vance carrying heavy logs shoulder‑high, climbing rope ladders and vertical nets, running on Coronado Beach and rowing in the ocean with SEAL team members nearby (video). Reporting and photos published after the session confirm the sequence of activities (Chosun report; AOL summary).
Training elements and BUD/S parallels
The session mirrored signature elements of SEAL BUD/S training: long runs on sand, strenuous log carries in teams, obstacle and rope climbs, and cold‑water exposure during sea work. BUD/S is widely known for its physical and mental demands; reporting notes the program’s intensity and that training for SEALs is an extended, costly process (Chosun report).
Video, audio and Vance’s comments
Vance’s post‑workout comments, shared on X and captured in video coverage, emphasized gratitude toward service members. In the footage his breathless exchanges and audio of exertion — including gasps and short phrases like “Heat. Oh my god” — underline the physical toll even when SEALs moderated intensity for a visiting senior official. The video source shows his post‑workout remarks and exchanges with SEAL team members.
Vance’s military background
The vice president’s prior service frames the visit. Vance enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2003, served four years and deployed to Iraq in 2005. He worked in public affairs with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing during that deployment, giving him direct experience with military life and operations. That history was highlighted in coverage of the Coronado workout (Chosun report).
Political and optical context
Officials joining troops for training is a recurring public‑relations practice. The Chosun report compared Vance’s session to other recent instances in this administration, such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth training with the Army’s 10th Special Forces Group in Germany and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. using a Defense Department gym. Supporters say such visits honor troops and show leaders sharing hardship; critics argue they can appear staged or theatrical.
Logistics, security and access
Public reporting and video do not provide full detail on security protocols, the official purpose beyond the workout, or whether the session was part of a broader policy outreach. No official Defense Department statement or base release was found in the available coverage; the main public record is the video footage and Vance’s social post (video; Chosun; AOL).
Why this matters: military credibility and public perception
For conservative audiences that value military service, Vance’s participation may bolster his image as a veteran who remains connected to troops and willing to demonstrate physical toughness. The optics of a vice president sweating through log carries and ocean rows alongside SEALs send a clear message to veterans and voters who equate personal grit with leadership. Observers will watch whether such events are substantive engagement with force readiness or symbolic gestures.
Implications for Walla Walla, Washington
Economic impact:
- Military goodwill and veteran recognition can translate into support for local veteran services and businesses in Walla Walla, potentially boosting interest in veteran‑owned companies and defense contractors.
- A visible vice president exercising with Navy SEALs may encourage private donations and state advocacy affecting local veteran programs and healthcare resources.
Political consequences:
- In conservative Walla Walla, Vance’s display of military fitness may strengthen support among voters who prize service and toughness.
- Local leaders may cite the event when discussing veterans’ issues, shaping campaign messaging or resolutions supporting veteran services.
Social and cultural effects:
- The event may prompt greater community interest in veteran outreach, volunteerism, and fundraising for regional veteran programs.
- High schools and ROTC programs may highlight the exercise when recruiting or fundraising, pointing to a national leader who exemplifies continued service.
Additional sources and context
- Video and audio of the workout posted by NewsX
- Reporting on the visit, training elements and context (Chosun)
- Coverage summarizing photos, quotes and background (AOL)
Quote: Vance wrote on X that he felt “hit by a freight train,” and he thanked “the heroes who keep us safe.”
Reporting: Times Media Service. Sources include on‑scene video and published reporting linked above.
