Photo By Staff Sgt. David McLean | Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jared Borg, a mail clerk with Joint Task Force...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — The training to become a member of U.S. Navy Sea, Air and Land Forces, commonly known as the Navy SEALs, is intense and demanding. This training is considered to be the most challenging and difficult the Navy and the U.S. military have to offer. Many try, and few succeed, but some get a chance to try again. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jared Borg, a mail clerk with Joint Task Force Guantanamo's Joint Detention Group, is getting a second chance to push his mind and body to the limit and wear the trident.
Borg said he joined the Navy in 2006 with the dream of becoming a SEAL. He finished college at Ohio State University and said he wanted to become an elite warrior.
"This was what I was going to do," Borg said. "I wanted to be the most highly-skilled, highly-trained warrior that the majority can't become."
Borg was tested following basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill., and the Naval Special Warfare Preparation Course, Great Lakes, Ill., as he continued to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at the Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado, Calif. BUD/S lasts approximately 31 weeks and is divided into three phases; basic conditioning, diving and land warfare.
Many start the BUD/S training, but few finish. Borg said most attrition happens in the basic conditioning phase, but he found trouble in the diving phase and was released.
"I was so close initially," Borg said. "I was in the second phase when I got dropped for a safety violation. I had some issues with water going down the back of my throat. It was a small muscle in the back of my nose that failed to close properly, and would cause problems when I tried to surface."
Borg was sent to JTF Guantanamo with an undesignated rating to fill a billet as part of the guard force. He has since been able to train for a gunner's mate rating, advance in rank and has stayed on longer to work in the detainee mail office. Borg has had to wait two years to become eligible to return to BUD/S, and his packet has been approved to go in December.
"Coming to Guantanamo Bay undesignated puts you at the bottom of the pecking order," said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Ian Ballard, a religious program specialist at JTF Guantanamo, and former boat crew member with Borg in BUD/S. "So to start at the very bottom, and work your way up, get a rate and advance and then get a package approved, shows a lot of character and motivation."
Motivation and determination are seen in Borg's daily workout routines to remain physically fit and mentally ready for the challenge. He tailors his training to focus on aspects of running, strength and pool skills based on his experience. His mental training includes experiences working in the camps and learning to relax in the water. A focused individual, Borg works to achieve his dream.
"This is what he was born to do," Ballard said. "To make it as far as he did and to run into a little bad luck, and then turn around and try to do it again, that takes courage. He is better prepared physically and separated himself as a candidate. He's a tough guy to come here and then succeed to go back."
For more information about Joint Task Force Guantanamo, visit the Web site at www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil.
| Date Taken: | 09.18.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2009 08:29 |
| Story ID: | 39131 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 415 |
| Downloads: | 242 |
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