Chapter 13: Welcome to DEVGRU
The sun was rising over Dam Neck Base in Virginia Beach, but that day, the rays seemed to shine with a special purpose. Scott was about to enter a new chapter in his career. After months of exhausting service on Green Team, he had been officially selected to join DEVGRU. More than that, he would be the only officer in that group and would take on the leadership of a new team, Echo, within Red Squadron.
Upon receiving the news, Scott felt a mixture of pride and humility. Being accepted into DEVGRU was the dream of many, but an achievement for few. And now, as the leader of a new team, he carried an even greater responsibility.
That night, Scott called his parents. On the other end of the line, Jennifer answered enthusiastically.
"Scott! How was your day today? Any news?" she asked hopefully.
"I have great news, Mom," Scott replied with a smile in his voice. "I made it onto Green Team. I am now officially a DEVGRU operator."
On the other end, Jennifer let out a squeal of joy. Michael quickly picked up the phone.
"Son, this is amazing! We are so proud of you!" he said enthusiastically.
"Thanks, Dad. That means a lot coming from you. But there is one more thing… I will be leading a new team. Command has decided to create Echo Team, and it will be part of the Red Squad."
Michael paused before answering, clearly moved. "Scott, you are achieving things that few even dream of. And leading a team in DEVGRU? That is impressive."
Jennifer, still on the phone, added: "We are going to Virginia Beach. There is no doubt about it. We are moving to be closer to you."
"Are you sure? You are well-established at home," Scott said, surprised.
"Absolutely sure, son," Michael replied. "Being close to family is more important. We will start looking for a house there right away."
Scott felt a wave of relief and joy at this. The thought of having his parents around, especially in a role as demanding as that of a DEVGRU operator, was comforting. The next morning, Scott arrived at DEVGRU headquarters, a highly guarded facility in Virginia Beach. The place exuded professionalism and excellence. He was greeted by the captain of Red Squadron, who showed him to his new office.
"Walker, welcome to DEVGRU," the captain said, shaking his hand. "You were selected because you demonstrated exceptional leadership and technical skills during Green Team. Echo Team will be a challenge, but I know you're up to it."
"Thank you, sir. I won't let you down," Scott replied firmly.
The captain handed him a folder with details on the Echo Team members. "They are a mix of experienced operators and some who come straight from Green Team. You will have the chance to mold this team into your own unique shape."
Scott opened the folder and began to review the profiles. He recognized a few names, including Ramirez, one of the operators he had trained with on Green Team.
Over the next few weeks, Scott worked tirelessly to get to know the operators on Echo Team and establish a working dynamic. He wanted the team to be cohesive, efficient, and most importantly, trustworthy.
During one of the first team training sessions, Scott gathered everyone on the firing range.
"Gentlemen," he began, looking each of them in the eye. "We are Echo, the newest team in Red Squadron. That means we have a lot to prove. But let me make one thing clear: I am not here to compete with the other teams. I am here to make sure that when we are called upon, we do our job to the best of our ability. Everyone here has experience. Now, let's make sure our chemistry as a team is on point."
The operators nodded, respecting Scott's leadership. He knew that earning their trust would take time, but he was determined to build a solid team.
One of the biggest changes for Scott was the pace of operations at DEVGRU. Unlike his previous deployments, where he would spend months in combat zones, he would now be called upon for quick, precise missions that could last days or weeks.
One night, while reviewing operational plans in his apartment, the phone rang. It was command. "Walker, we need you and Echo Team ready in three hours. Details in briefing."
Scott hung up the phone, feeling the adrenaline start to flow. This was the new normal. He quickly called his operators, and within an hour, everyone was on base, ready to go.
The mission was classified, but it involved the capture of a high-value target. The operation was a success, and Scott felt renewed pride in watching his team work with precision and discipline.
As Scott adjusted to his new role, Michael and Jennifer were busy organizing their move to Virginia Beach. They found a house just a few miles from Dam Neck, a spacious and welcoming place.
The first weekend Scott had off, he visited his parents' new home. "Welcome home, son," Jennifer said with a warm smile as she opened the door.
Scott looked around, admiring the house. "You guys did a great job. It's perfect."
Michael showed up with a bottle of wine. "Let's celebrate. To the new house and to my son's bright future as a DEVGRU operator."
They toasted, laughing and sharing stories. For Scott, this moment was rare and precious. Despite the demands of his job, he knew that having his family around made everything easier.
That night, as he drove back to his apartment, Scott reflected on how his life had changed. He was now one of the most select operators in the world, leading a team at DEVGRU. But more than that, he had the unconditional support of his parents.
He knew the road ahead would be full of challenges, but he also knew he was where he was meant to be. And with his family by his side and a trusted team under his command, he was ready to take on whatever the future brought.
Chapter 14: The Search for Improvement
The year was 2008, and Scott was living the peak of his career as a DEVGRU operator. Completely adapted to the frenetic pace and unpredictability of fast-paced, high-risk missions, Scott felt that there was always room for improvement.
He knew that the more skilled and prepared he was, the better he could protect his team and ensure the success of the missions. It was with this in mind that he decided to enroll in two courses that he considered essential for his development: intelligence and surveillance/countersurveillance.
In the office of the captain of the red squadron, Scott discussed his idea.
"Captain, I would like to request permission to enroll in two courses that I believe could be crucial to the work of the Echo team and to DEVGRU as a whole."
The captain, sitting behind his desk, arched an eyebrow. "What courses are these, Lieutenant?"
"An intelligence course, which will help me better understand the collection and analysis of critical data, and a course in surveillance and countersurveillance. These skills can be useful both in mission planning and in field operations."
The captain considered for a moment before answering. "Walker, you have already proven yourself to be an exceptional leader. These courses will certainly add even more value to your role. I think this is an excellent idea. Consider your request approved."
Scott nodded in thanks. He was determined to make the most of this opportunity.
A few weeks later, Scott began the intelligence course, held at a specialized base. It was a different environment than he was used to. Instead of weapons and tactics, he found himself surrounded by screens, maps, and classified reports.
On the first day, the instructor, a veteran CIA officer, presented the schedule. "Gentlemen, what we will teach here does not involve explosions or firefights. Our battlefield is the mind. Intelligence is about anticipating, understanding, and acting on information the enemy will never know we have."
Scott dove into the course with enthusiasm. He learned how to interpret satellite imagery, decipher coded communications, and even create psychological profiles of targets.
During one exercise, students were divided into groups and given the task of locating a fictitious "target" based on limited clues. While the other groups focused on obvious data, Scott used his field experience to analyze less obvious patterns, such as the target's movement frequency and possible points of contact. His group was the only one to locate the "target" within the time limit.
At the end of the course, the instructor called Scott in for a chat.
"Walker, you have an analytical and practical mind. These are the two pillars of effective intelligence. I am confident that you will apply this knowledge excellently in the field."
Soon after completing the intelligence course, Scott began surveillance and countersurveillance training. This course was more practical and involved techniques for observing and monitoring targets without being detected, as well as identifying when he or his team was being followed.
The first day began with an introduction from the instructor, a former FBI agent with decades of experience.
"Gentlemen, surveillance is not just about observing. It's about disappearing in plain sight. And countersurveillance? It's about noticing what the enemy doesn't want you to see. If you can master that, you'll always be one step ahead."
Scott quickly excelled, especially in the practical exercises. In an exercise where students had to follow a target through an urban area without being noticed, he used his SEAL training to blend into the crowd and keep the target in sight at all times.
In another exercise, where the roles were reversed and Scott was the target, he applied countersurveillance techniques learned in the course, such as changing directions suddenly, entering and exiting stores, and observing reflections in store windows. His "pursuer" eventually lost him in less than 10 minutes.
After completing both courses, Scott returned to DEVGRU base with an even more refined skill set. He began sharing what he had learned with his team, believing that sharing knowledge was essential to collective success.
During an internal training session, he gathered the Echo team operators together and conducted a hands-on surveillance exercise.
"Today, I want us to practice surveillance in a simulated urban environment. We will divide the team into two groups: hunters and targets. The hunters' goal is to observe the targets without being detected. The targets' goal is to identify who is following you."
The exercise revealed gaps in some operators' skills, but Scott used it as a learning opportunity. He demonstrated techniques, corrected mistakes, and encouraged his team to think the enemy.
On one of his rare days off, Scott visited his parents in Virginia Beach. As they drank coffee on the porch, Michael asked about the courses.
"So, son, how was the experience?"
"It was transformative, Dad. I learned the importance of anticipating the enemy before he even acts. Intelligence is more powerful than any weapon I've ever used."
Jennifer smiled. "I'm sure you'll apply all of this to protect your team and save lives."
"That's the goal, Mom," Scott replied. "What about you guys? How are you adjusting to life here?"
"We're loving it. It's good to be around you," Michael said. "But more importantly, we're proud of the man you're becoming."
That night, as Scott looked out over the Virginia Beach ocean, he reflected on how much he had grown. Every decision, every course, every effort was a step toward being the best operator and leader he could be. He knew the road ahead would be difficult, but he was confident that he was more prepared than ever to face any challenge.
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