A security forces airman was guarding an air base in Pennsylvania when his idol, former Navy SEAL and podcaster John Gretton Jocko Willink rolled up to the gate and asked to enter.
Airman 1st Class William Guilfoyle, who prepared for basic training and pushed through technical school with the help of Willinks podcasts, was thrilled to see the retired naval officer this month at Biddle Air National Guard Base in Horsham, Pa.
I was just blown away to be able to meet him and shake his hand, said Guilfoyle, a native of Susquehanna, Pa.
Willink made the impromptu visit April 19 after some Pennsylvania Army National Guard soldiers ran into him making a promotional video, the Pennsylvania Air National Guard said in a statement this week. The soldiers from the 28th Infantry Division invited him to give a speech to some 275 mobilized guard members temporarily living on the base on state orders.
When Willink and his team showed up at the gate, Guilfyole stayed frosty, the statement said. He and Tech. Sgt. Anthony Williams, both with the 111th Security Forces Squadron, checked the visitors identification, searched their vehicle, gave an operational security briefing and escorted them to the designated area.
In a three-minute video of the talk with the soldiers, posted to Willinks social media accounts, a soldier off-screen describes a scenario thats not all that great.
Foods not great, non-ideal sleeping conditions, maybe the shower trailers broke down, the unidentified man said. All that starts adding up.
The crowd laughs and Willink grins before putting their plight in historical perspective.
The worst possible day that you have on this base isnt 15 minutes of the pain that the guys felt at the Chosin Reservoir at Normandy, at Gettysburg, he said. Whenever I face anything thats challenging, whenever anything sucks, I like it. Its going to make me tougher.
The military uses the suckfest of boot camp and challenging schools and experiences to build bonds between troops until they ultimately arrive in combat, which sucks the worst of all but makes units even tighter, Willink explained.
In Iraq, where he commanded SEAL Team 3s Task Unit Bruiser 15 years ago, his sailors became very close with the Armys 1st Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, headed by then-Col. Ron Clark, now a major general and chief of staff of Indo-Pacific Command.
The citation for Willinks Silver Star earned during that deployment praises his leadership, vision and courage under fire. He spearheaded missions and led forces in high-intensity and bloody urban warfare, it says.
During his speech, Willink credited the bonds developed through shared adversity as directly contributing to their successes.
So, when something sucks? Good, he said. Good! Its going to make me tougher and its going to make us stronger.
By Thursday, the video had garnered some 673,000 views on Instagram.
Meanwhile, the security forces rookie Guilfoyle received praise from his leadership for keeping his cool around his idol.
We could not be prouder of our security forces squadron, said the wings Chief Master Sgt. Robert Ferguson.
garland.chad@stripes.comTwitter: @chadgarland
Pennsylvania Air National Guard Tech Sgt. Anthony Williams poses with John Gretton ''Jocko'' Willink, a retired Navy SEAL officer at Biddle Air National Guard Base, Pa., April 19, 2021. Williams was on duty when Willink paid an impromptu visit to the base.ANTHONY WILLIAMS/U.S. AIR NATIONAL GUARD
article continues below
Read more:
- Steer clear of seals, warns Hout Bay Seal and Rescue Centre - IOL - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- People really live in the world's tiniest 'state', Sealand - Supercar Blondie - December 16th, 2023 [December 16th, 2023]
- This is the Smallest Country in the World Its Entire Population Could Fit in a Chair - AZ Animals - December 16th, 2023 [December 16th, 2023]
- Sealand firing times 18 to 24 November - GOV.UK - November 13th, 2023 [November 13th, 2023]
- Franklin Templeton mulls options on China JV - Fund Selector Asia - November 13th, 2023 [November 13th, 2023]
- State Flag And Seal Designs Available for Public Viewing - redlakenationnews.com - November 13th, 2023 [November 13th, 2023]
- News Release Department of Health issues voluntary recall ... - David Y. Ige | Newsroom - November 13th, 2023 [November 13th, 2023]
- Glover Road and US 93 project complete | News | charkoosta.com - Char-Koosta News - November 13th, 2023 [November 13th, 2023]
- easyJet Will Collect & Deliver Bags Straight To Hotels For Its ... - Simple Flying - November 13th, 2023 [November 13th, 2023]
- Recalling a moment of valor - Yahoo News - November 13th, 2023 [November 13th, 2023]
- Discover 7 DIY Solutions to Preserve Leaves This Fall - AZ Animals - November 13th, 2023 [November 13th, 2023]
- Why advocates for transgender rights are so thrilled with election ... - Route Fifty - November 13th, 2023 [November 13th, 2023]
- Drop in temps led to Mill Creek chip-seal failure - The Times ... - The Times-Independent - November 13th, 2023 [November 13th, 2023]
- Sealand firing times 11 to 17 November - GOV.UK - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Flintshire Council greenlights new gym and community hub in ... - Deeside.com - August 5th, 2023 [August 5th, 2023]
- Sealand firing times 12 to 18 August - GOV.UK - August 5th, 2023 [August 5th, 2023]
- Design and Delivery of Elegant, Compact, and Eco-Friendly (ECEF ... - Digital Journal - August 5th, 2023 [August 5th, 2023]
- From Sea to Stars: The remarkable journey of a Navy Seal and ... - Chicago Star Media - August 5th, 2023 [August 5th, 2023]
- Fresh and Naturally Fermented Birch Juice: A beverage made from ... - University City Review - August 5th, 2023 [August 5th, 2023]
- Photos of the Week: Trump, the Bidens vacation and fans remember Paul Reubens - The Hill - August 5th, 2023 [August 5th, 2023]
- Global Airport Baggage Protection Market Size and Forecast | Safe ... - University City Review - August 5th, 2023 [August 5th, 2023]
- Texas man sentenced to 10 years for operating human smuggling ... - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Newsroom - August 5th, 2023 [August 5th, 2023]
- Road Slurry Seal and Micro Surfacing Equipment Market 2023-2029 ... - University City Review - August 5th, 2023 [August 5th, 2023]
- Reward offered in Kellogg vandalism - Shoshone News Press - August 5th, 2023 [August 5th, 2023]
- Nearby waters a white shark hot spot | Inquirer and Mirror - The Inquirer and Mirror - August 5th, 2023 [August 5th, 2023]
- All Aboard: Haunted Ship USS Nightmare Hiring Actors and Makeup ... - Cincinnati CityBeat - August 5th, 2023 [August 5th, 2023]
- CJ Logistics teams up with ONE as strategic partner - India Shipping News - August 5th, 2023 [August 5th, 2023]
- The fashionable riviera the Danes want to keep to themselves - The Times - August 5th, 2023 [August 5th, 2023]
- Wands and Wizards Weekend Brings Magic to Fairfield County - Cincinnati CityBeat - August 5th, 2023 [August 5th, 2023]
- 10 DC Comics The Superman & Lois TV Show Never Adapted - CBR - Comic Book Resources - August 5th, 2023 [August 5th, 2023]
- Sealand firing times 29 July to 4 August - GOV.UK - July 21st, 2023 [July 21st, 2023]
- Sealand firing times 22 to 28 July - GOV.UK - July 21st, 2023 [July 21st, 2023]
- Single mum to open florist near Chester after retraining in lockdown ... - Chester and District Standard - July 21st, 2023 [July 21st, 2023]
- 10 Most Popular Hotspots In The Mexican Caribbean For a Unique ... - TheTravel - July 21st, 2023 [July 21st, 2023]
- Chester homeless shelter evacuated after torrential rain | Chester ... - Chester and District Standard - July 21st, 2023 [July 21st, 2023]
- Campbellton Neighbourhood Association dedicates Beaver floatplane - Campbell River Mirror - July 21st, 2023 [July 21st, 2023]
- Searching for the best of all possible worlds in London - The Spectator - July 21st, 2023 [July 21st, 2023]
- Councillor Ian Roberts to continue to lead Flintshire Council - Herald Wales - May 18th, 2023 [May 18th, 2023]
- Sealand firing times 20 to 26 May - GOV.UK - May 14th, 2023 [May 14th, 2023]
- Is Sealand a Country? - WorldAtlas - February 2nd, 2023 [February 2nd, 2023]
- Sealand Power Distributors, LLC - February 2nd, 2023 [February 2nd, 2023]
- HF FOODS GROUP INC. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. (form 10-Q) - Marketscreener.com - February 2nd, 2023 [February 2nd, 2023]
- Long Beachs Aquarium on Wheels is back, bringing the ocean to classrooms and communities - Long Beach Press Telegram - January 6th, 2023 [January 6th, 2023]
- Im an appliance expert and youre not cleaning your washing machine enough, there are four steps to take n... - The Scottish Sun - January 6th, 2023 [January 6th, 2023]
- Report raises question of hunting seals to save Washington salmon - The Center Square - December 21st, 2022 [December 21st, 2022]
- Nora Fatehi Get Trolled For Wearing White Fleece Coat On Airport, Aditya Seal And Anushka Ranjan Give Couple - India.com - December 21st, 2022 [December 21st, 2022]
- 'This gentleman had his weekend plans all figured': Anand Mahindra's Friday tweet involves a seal in the pool - Business Today - December 16th, 2022 [December 16th, 2022]
- Our story: The birth of Sealand | Principality Of Sealand - December 2nd, 2022 [December 2nd, 2022]
- Sealand Container Tracking | Shipup - November 7th, 2022 [November 7th, 2022]
- Brown: Come to Penn Museum for an Adventure of the Ages, Nov. 19-20 - Main Line - November 7th, 2022 [November 7th, 2022]
- A Comprehensive Introduction to Seal and Valve Maintenance - AZoMining - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Pingree and Thelander clash over support for the lobster industry in 1st Congressional District debate - Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Gray fitness trainer, former reality TV contestant, accused of welfare fraud - Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Alex Caruso, Bulls reserves have makings of another Chicago bench mob - The Athletic - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Vidillion Receives Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG) Verification, and Anti-Fraud Certification across North America - Yahoo Finance - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Courier letter: Ed Thelander loves America and its people - Courier-Gazette & Camden Herald - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Ocean currents have sheltered the Galpagos from global warming. Now it's time to protect them - University of Colorado Boulder - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Police teams fan out to check veracity of 4500 affidavits found in court - The Indian Express - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- 8 million NZTC funding allocated to 20 low-carbon technology projects - Current News - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Is promotion written in the stars for Wrexham AFC? - The Leader - October 8th, 2022 [October 8th, 2022]
- Sealand Road - Wikipedia - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Shell Island tourist and 'depraved' sex offender among those jailed last month - North Wales Live - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Recycling centres in Cheshire West to move to winter opening hours this weekend - Chester and District Standard - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Five Blacon properties that could be yours for less than 170,000 - Cheshire Live - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- 'Psychotic' killer whale scalped and dismembered trainer as horrified tourists looked on - The Mirror - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Top 30 Ocean Carriers: Riding high on wave of profits - Logistics Management - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Airport Baggage Protection Market Size And Forecast To 2022 |Safe Bag Group, TrueStar Group SpA, Sealand Go, Flymate services, Tripod and Secure Wrap.... - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- Shoebert the Seal's Week on the Lam in Mass. Pond Appears to Be Coming to an End - NBC10 Boston - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- BYD Reports Firm That Faked Being Bought by NEV Giant to Chinese Police - Yicai Global - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- Seal breeding forces Blue Lagoon to close to the public - South Wales Argus - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- Report highlights return of EU wildlife over past 50 years - Agriland - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- The North Wales criminals locked up for crimes of aggression and violence - North Wales Live - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- CIDCA to send medial, disaster assessment teams to flood-hit areas of Pakistan - Daily Times - September 27th, 2022 [September 27th, 2022]
- The Smallest Country in the World That No One Knows About - History of Yesterday - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Commission on changing state seal and motto behind schedule - WWLP.com - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- A short history of luxury: Mumm, the "Champagne of the Sovereign of England" - Luxus Plus Mag - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Seal spotted in freshwater pond on North Shore of Massachusetts - WCVB Boston - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Genshin Impact 'Try to Lift the Seal' Guide: 7 Seal Locations and how to lift them - The Click - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- The example of the late Queen will shape the future, hopes the Bishop of St Asaph - Rhyl Journal - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Frozen Planet II: Viewers in tears as seal pup abandoned at 12 days old - Metro.co.uk - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]