Vice President JD Vance joins Navy SEAL training at Coronado, completes punishing 90‑minute workout alongside SEALs
Vice President JD Vance underwent a punishing 90‑minute Navy SEAL‑style workout at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, joining SEALs for log carries, ocean rowing, beach runs and obstacle-course drills that he described as feeling “hit by a freight train.”
Key takeaways
- Intense 90‑minute session: Vance completed log carries, ocean rowing, sand runs and rope/net obstacles alongside SEALs.
- Veteran perspective: A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Vance said the SEALs “took it easy on me” yet he still felt “hit by a freight train.”
- Operational discretion: Released photos show many SEAL faces blurred to protect identities and emphasize security precautions.
- Broader context: The event ties into an administration emphasis on fitness and raises questions about symbolism versus policy impact.
The workout: what happened at Coronado
Photos and video released by the vice president’s office and obtained by media outlets show Vance moving through a string of physically demanding drills designed to mimic elements of SEAL Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training. The documented exercises include:
- Log carries: Teams lifting and carrying heavy logs in a strength drill, demonstrating teamwork and load-bearing conditioning.
- Small-boat rowing: Open‑water rowing operations that emulate SEAL small-boat insertion and surf conditioning.
- Sand runs: Group runs along Coronado Beach to tax endurance and stability on soft terrain.
- Obstacle training: Rope climbs and net obstacles similar to SEAL conditioning and confidence-course elements.
Many of the deployed SEALs’ faces in the released photos were blurred, a common practice to protect the identities of special operations personnel. The footage emphasizes the physical demands of SEAL conditioning and shows Vance participating alongside the unit rather than observing.
Primary coverage and visual documentation are available via Fox News exclusive photos and coverage and a video recap of the Coronado workout.
Vance’s military background and comments
Vance served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2003 until about 2007 and was deployed to Iraq in 2005 with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, where his role focused on public affairs. He has frequently cited his service as formative for his views on national security and veterans’ issues.
“They took it easy on me,” Vance wrote on X on Dec. 22, 2025, adding that he felt “hit by a freight train” and praising special operations forces for keeping “the highest standards anywhere in the world.”
International reporting also summarized Vance’s participation and remarks; see coverage by The Chosun Ilbo for another perspective.
Context: public officials and military fitness culture
The Coronado session follows a trend of high-profile officials participating in visible fitness events. Defense and administration figures have promoted physical readiness—Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth with initiatives like “fit, not fat,” and other leaders sharing fitness milestones publicly. Coverage of Vance’s workout connects his participation to that broader cultural and policy tone.
Why the workout matters: training, image and policy
Investigatively, the Coronado workout serves multiple purposes:
- Personal branding: It ties Vance’s veteran identity to his role as vice president and underscores his posture on defense and readiness.
- Institutional messaging: For the military and administration, such events highlight troop fitness and esprit de corps.
- Transparency and staging: Observers often ask whether public-facing workouts are symbolic or connected to policy; blurred faces and controlled releases suggest deliberate information management.
SEAL training basics and public perception
Navy SEAL selection and training are widely known for their difficulty. The BUD/S pipeline includes intense physical conditioning, cold-water exposure and teamwork drills. Media accounts referenced in coverage note a multi-stage pipeline that can span roughly 62 weeks and represent a substantial institutional investment per trainee, helping explain why a SEAL-style session is a serious test even for veteran officials.
Source material and media reporting
This story is based on photos and material provided by the vice president’s office and reporting from national outlets. Primary public accounts and visual materials are contained in the Fox News exclusive report and a video recap. Additional international perspective is available via The Chosun Ilbo.
Implications for San Luis Obispo, California
Though the workout took place at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, the coverage and themes have potential local effects in San Luis Obispo County across economic, political and social dimensions.
Economic impact
Events and high-profile visits to military bases have indirect effects across California. San Luis Obispo’s economy includes veterans and active‑duty families; businesses that serve military households—housing, healthcare and outdoor retailers—can see demand influenced by military trends and public interest in veteran fitness.
Political consequences
For moderate voters, the story underscores debates about defense readiness and veterans’ roles in public life. Vance’s participation may appeal to voters who prioritize military service and defense, while investigative readers may question whether such events are ceremonial or reflect substantive policy commitments.
Social effects
San Luis Obispo has a notable veteran population and nonprofits focused on veteran transition and wellness. Public displays of vigorous military fitness can boost community programs emphasizing physical health for recovery and reintegration. Local gyms and veteran groups might see heightened interest in SEAL-style conditioning classes.
Cultural relevance
The region values outdoor recreation—surfing, hiking and ocean activities. Images of beach-based workouts and ocean rowing resonate with local lifestyles and may encourage collaboration between military outreach programs and outdoor education providers.
Practical applications for residents
Residents inspired by the workout should seek structured, safe programs. Local trainers and veterans’ organizations can adapt SEAL-style conditioning to civilian fitness levels, while policymakers and nonprofits might expand veteran health services and outdoor fitness infrastructure.
Sources and further reading
- Fox News: Exclusive photos and coverage of Vice President JD Vance’s workout at Coronado
- Video summary of the Coronado workout
- The Chosun Ilbo summary and international reporting on the event
Note: All facts, quotes and URLs in this article are preserved from source materials and contemporaneous reporting.
