Vice President JD Vance Joins Navy SEAL Training at Coronado, Pushes Limits in 90-Minute Workout
Vice President JD Vance joined U.S. Navy SEALs for a grueling 90-minute workout at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado on Dec. 22, 2025, performing log carries, ocean rows, rope climbs and beach runs that mirrored core BUD/S conditioning.
- 90-minute session: Vance completed a physically demanding training session with SEALs on Dec. 22, 2025 (Sources: Fox News, NewsX video).
- Visual record: Photos released by Vance’s office show log carries, ocean rowing and obstacle climbs, with some faces blurred for security (Fox News).
- Message: Vance described the session on X and praised SEALs as elite warriors who “keep us safe and keep the highest standards anywhere in the world” (Chosun Ilbo, Fox News).
- Context: The visit aligns with administration emphasis on fitness and military readiness, and reflects Vance’s Marine Corps background (2003–2007; deployed to Iraq in 2005).
The workout: what happened on Coronado Beach
On Dec. 22, Vice President Vance joined a group of SEALs for a set of exercises modeled on elements of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training. Photos from his office show log carries on the sand, running along Coronado Beach, rope and net climbs, and ocean rowing drills. The visual record was supplied to media and shared in a NewsX video that covered the session.
Why those drills matter
The sequence replicates conditioning staples used in SEAL training: log carries for team cohesion and endurance, ocean rows and beach runs to test stamina in wet, heavy conditions, and rope/net obstacles to develop upper-body strength and grip. While the vice president did not undergo full BUD/S, the session mirrored key elements of that pipeline.
Vance’s account and message
“Just finished PT with the Navy SEALs for 90 minutes. They took it easy on me and I still feel like I got hit by a freight train.”
Vance posted the quote on X and used the appearance to commend special operations forces as elite warriors. His tone combined self-deprecating humor with explicit respect for the troops and their standards.
The administration context
The Coronado visit is consistent with a broader administration emphasis on physical fitness and military readiness. Senior officials — including the Defense Secretary and other cabinet members — have engaged in public workouts with troops as part of messaging that links fitness to combat preparedness (Fox News).
Vance’s military background and relevance
JD Vance enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2003 and deployed to Iraq in 2005 with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, serving in public affairs. He has linked that service to his views on national security, leadership and the human costs of war — giving public workouts with elite units additional political and symbolic weight.
Photos and operational security
Images released by Vance’s office — labeled exclusive by media — show trainers and trainees with some faces blurred. Face-blurring reflects routine operational security measures for special operations personnel and suggests coordination between the vice president’s staff and base command to protect identities.
What BUD/S means and why the session matters
BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training) is the pipeline that produces Navy SEALs and is known for extreme physical and psychological challenges. The Coronado session did not substitute for BUD/S but replicated conditioning elements that symbolize the SEAL ethos and provide a public window into those demands (Fox News, NewsX video).
Media coverage and international attention
The workout generated domestic and international coverage. Fox News ran exclusive photos, South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo covered the visit, and a NewsX video provided on-the-ground footage.
Questions for reporters and the public
- Access and approval: How was access arranged at a sensitive training facility, and who approved it?
- Training schedule: Were operational training schedules altered to accommodate the visit?
- Security safeguards: What measures protected classified techniques and the anonymity of SEALs?
Answers typically involve coordination between the vice president’s office, base command, and operators balancing public engagement with security — suggested by face blurring and a focus on conditioning rather than tactics.
Implications for Redding, California
Economic impact
Military visits and high-profile coverage can raise awareness of military facilities and heritage. While Coronado is distant from Redding, local businesses that serve military families or veterans may see increased interest, and veteran service organizations could benefit from renewed attention.
Political consequences
For conservative readers in Redding, the images reinforce priorities on strong national defense and respect for the armed forces. Vance’s Marine background and visible participation align with themes of service, duty and toughness that resonate locally.
Social effects
The vice president’s visible support for elite units can inspire veterans and active-duty families, encourage civic engagement with veteran groups, and prompt community fitness programs modeled on military conditioning.
Cultural relevance
Redding’s culture values self-reliance and service; the Coronado workout connects to that narrative by showing a senior official who served and undertook rigorous conditioning, reinforcing local pride in military service.
Practical applications for residents
Veterans, gyms and schools in Redding might use the event as a prompt for SEAL-style clinics, partnerships or veteran outreach. Local advocates may also press for expanded veteran services, mental health resources, and funding linked to the visit’s visibility.
Source list for verification
- Fox News: Exclusive photos and reporting
- NewsX video coverage (Dec. 23, 2025)
- Chosun Ilbo international coverage
Reported and written for Times Media Service with local implications for Redding, California, preserving original facts, information, and source URLs.
