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A unit renowned for secrecy

The elite counter-terrorism unit that took out Osama bin Laden deploys from a tiny military facility in Dam Neck, Va., just outside of Virginia Beach. There are six other groups within special warfare and a total of 2,300 active duty SEAL officers.

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Members of the U.S. Navy parachute demonstration team, the Leap Frogs, jump from the ramp of a Minnesota Air National Guard C-130 Hercules aircraft. The Leap Frogs are based in San Diego and perform aerial parachute demonstrations across the U.S. in support of Naval Special Warfare and Navy recruiting.

James Woods / U.S. NAVY

Chief Special Warfare Operator Justin Gauny and Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Isaiah Maring, assigned to the Leap Frogs, perform a maneuver.

Chief Special Warfare Operator Justin Gauny and Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Isaiah Maring, assigned to the Leap Frogs, perform a maneuver.

MC2 Michelle Turner / U.S. NAVY

Students in Sea Air and Land (SEAL) qualification training navigate the surf off the coast of Coronado, Calif., during a maritime operations training exercise.

Students in Sea Air and Land (SEAL) qualification training navigate the surf off the coast of Coronado, Calif., during a maritime operations training exercise.

MC3 Blake Midnight / U.S. MARINE CORPS

Students from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) class 286 participate in a surf passage training exercise at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. Surf passage is one of many physically demanding evolutions that are part of First Phase training at BUD/S.

Students from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) class 286 participate in a surf passage training exercise at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. Surf passage is one of many physically demanding evolutions that are part of First Phase training at BUD/S.

MC2 Kyle D. Gahlau / U.S. NAVY

The 26-week program takes students from a very basic level to a more-advanced degree of technical and tactical operations.

The 26-week program takes students from a very basic level to a more-advanced degree of technical and tactical operations.

MC3 Blake Midnight / U.S. MARINE CORPS

Fire Controlman 3rd Class Shana Oltman, assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex, uses the cross-chest carry rescue technique to transport Damage Controlman 3rd Class Andres Acosta during a search-and-rescue swimmer training exercise.

Fire Controlman 3rd Class Shana Oltman, assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex, uses the cross-chest carry rescue technique to transport Damage Controlman 3rd Class Andres Acosta during a search-and-rescue swimmer training exercise.

MC2 Mark R. Alvarez / U.S. NAVY

What makes SEALs special are the grueling training process they endure. After basic training, about 200 candidates make it to Basic Underwater Demolition school. By the end of the entire process, only about 30 to 35 remain.

What makes SEALs special are the grueling training process they endure. After basic training, about 200 candidates make it to Basic Underwater Demolition school. By the end of the entire process, only about 30 to 35 remain.

MC2 Kyle D. Gahlau / U.S. NAVY

Navy SEALs simulate the evacuation of an injured teammate during immediate action drills at the John C. Stennis Space Center.

Navy SEALs simulate the evacuation of an injured teammate during immediate action drills at the John C. Stennis Space Center.

MC2 John Scorza / U.S. NAVY

The drills are a part of the SEALs pre-deployment training.

The drills are a part of the SEALs pre-deployment training.

MC2 John Scorza / U.S. NAVY

Students from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL class 284 participate in a land navigation training exercise that familiarizes students with map and compass navigation.

Students from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL class 284 participate in a land navigation training exercise that familiarizes students with map and compass navigation.

SN Stephen M. Fields / U.S. NAVY

Land navigation is the third and final phase of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training.

Land navigation is the third and final phase of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training.

SN Stephen M. Fields / U.S. NAVY

A Navy special warfare specialist assigned to Seal Team 17, a unit comprised of both active and reserve component members based in Coronado, Calif., climbs into the turret gunner position during a mobility training exercise through a simulated city.

A Navy special warfare specialist assigned to Seal Team 17, a unit comprised of both active and reserve component members based in Coronado, Calif., climbs into the turret gunner position during a mobility training exercise through a simulated city.

MC2 Eddie Harrison / U.S. NAVY

A sailor assigned to Seal Team 17 helps navigate from the turret gunner position during a mobility training exercise.

A sailor assigned to Seal Team 17 helps navigate from the turret gunner position during a mobility training exercise.

MC2 Eddie Harrison / U.S. NAVY

A SEAL stands security watch during mobility training.

A SEAL stands security watch during mobility training.

MC2 Eddie Harrison / U.S. NAVY

Navy SEALs enter a simulated home while practicing close-quarters combat at U.S. Training Center Moyock.

Navy SEALs enter a simulated home while practicing close-quarters combat at U.S. Training Center Moyock.

MC2 Eddie Harrison / U.S. NAVY

SEALs are the maritime component of U.S. Special Operations Forces.

SEALs are the maritime component of U.S. Special Operations Forces.

MC2 Eddie Harrison / U.S. NAVY

SEALs are trained to conduct a variety of operations from the sea, air, and land.

SEALs are trained to conduct a variety of operations from the sea, air, and land.

MC2 Eddie Harrison / U.S. NAVY

Navy SEALs train with a SH-60F Seahawk helicopter on the flight deck of the USS Enterprise.

Navy SEALs train with a SH-60F Seahawk helicopter on the flight deck of the USS Enterprise.

LANCE H. MAYHEW JR / AP

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