Naval Education and Training Command: Warrior Toughness

Sailors handle line on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during a refueling-at-sea with Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 202), Sept. 3.

Every U.S. Navy Sailor, enlisted or officer, could face life-threatening situations from combat or casualty. Each and every one needs to have the ability to persevere and perform under both immediate danger and long-term stress, both on the job and at home.

Warrior Toughness (WT) is a holistic human performance skillset that enhances the toughness of our Sailors with a focus on the pursuit of peak performance. The system emphasizes coequal development of toughness in the mind, body, and soul. WT combines performance psychology skills with character development, and teaches the Warrior Mindset, whose concepts were initially developed by members of the Naval Special Warfare community.

Designed to increase the Navy’s warfighting capabilities, WT is an enabler of the Culture of Excellence as part of the first line of effort – Developing a Lethal Warfighting Force. In place at Recruit Training Command since October 2018, the curriculum is now incorporated across all Navy accessions at Officer Training Command Newport, the United States Naval Academy and the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps. WT will improve the performance of Sailors under stress and throughout their everyday lives, building lethal warfighters ready for the next mission.

Video by Capt. Richard Hecht, Petty Officer 1st Class Jeanette Mullinax

Warrior Toughness Around the Fleet

Chief of Naval Personnel

Oct. 29, 2021 | 5:42

At the U.S. Navy's Recruit Training Command, toughness is found—and trained—at the intersection of spiritual, mental, and physical strength, and bringing together a chaplain, a psychologist, and a SEAL to instruct reinforces the importance of that “whole person” concept. They speak the same language of toughness, but in different dialects, from their own perspectives, expertise, and experience.

This production shows how the Warrior Toughness mentality is embodied by Sailors at RTC and those serving in the Fleet after leaving RTC. Edited by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jeanette Mullinax.

Interviews and B-Roll:
- Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Donovan King, by USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Media
- Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Justin Heise, by NPASE West Det. Hawaii
- Chief Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance) Asia White, by MC2 Mario Coto, DMA Ops Yokosuka
- Seaman Tracey Davis and Seaman Recruit Darrah Evans (Information Warfare Training Command), by MC1 Jeanette Mullinax, Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
- Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 1st Class Madnaely Martinez, Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Reginald Carter, and, Seaman Recruit Austin Larison, by Recruit Training Command Public Affairs
- Additional footage by Navy Production - Defense Media Activity and Recruit Training Command Public Affairs