{"id":2658,"date":"2023-04-06T20:14:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-06T20:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=2658"},"modified":"2023-04-08T01:10:13","modified_gmt":"2023-04-08T01:10:13","slug":"dissecting-the-bull-frog-exploring-an-nsw-tradition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=2658","title":{"rendered":"Dissecting the Bull Frog \u2013 Exploring an NSW Tradition"},"content":{"rendered":"
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However, a lesser-known word used to label the most experienced of SEALs exists. While the modern SEAL is synonymous with \u201cFrogman,\u201d only a special few can claim the coveted title \u2014\u201cBull Frog\u201d. A nod to both the legacy of Frogmen and the naval tradition of a \u201cBull Ensign\u201d in every wardroom. The idea of the Bull Frog pulls upon NSW\u2019s heritage and the naval tradition of cultivating leadership within a community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cmdr. Steve Elias, NSW\u2019s 17th Bull Frog, explained that the senior ensign at a command is considered a bull because they are responsible for bullishly guiding junior ensigns to success and serve as the focal point of the wardroom\u2019s expression of spirit and pride. Wardrooms grant that senior ensign the title of Bull Ensign.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn that vein, Rear Adm. Richard Lyon, the first SEAL flag officer adopted the term Bull Frog as a parallel in our warfare specialty,\u201d said Elias. \u201cThe only requirement to become the Bull Frog is to be the longest, continuously serving active-duty SEAL on duty at the time of receiving the title from their predecessor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although Rear Adm. Lyon adopted the term once he retired in 1981, former commander, Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC), Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan made it official with a Navy instruction in 2007.<\/p>\n

When a Bull Frog retires, NSWC officially passes the title on during a ceremony. The former Bull Frog hands over an engraved trophy adorned with a small wooden frog on top and the names of former Bull Frogs inscribed on the side to the newly recognized Bull Frog.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m humbled just to have received a trophy with my name and the dates of cumulative service following the completion of my BUD\/S training,\u201d said Elias. \u201cThe highlight of this title is just being called the Bull Frog by current and former teammates who transitioned to the civilian sector. It really feels cool to say it now.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Bull Frog name highlights some of the key traits that are valued in the NSW and the SEAL community – adaptability, strength, and leadership.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of great people have served in the Navy, so they understand the tradition,\u201d said Elias. \u201cMost SEALs take pride in themselves staying in great physical shape; it\u2019s part of the culture. I may not be as strong or as fast as I was in the past, but I am still a really competitive guy.\u201d<\/p>\n

While it may not be the most well-known tradition in the Navy, the passing of the Bull Frog has been an important part of SEAL culture, serving to honor and recognize the contributions of the most senior members of the team while also ensuring that their legacy and wisdom live on through the next generation of SEALs.<\/p>\n

“I never thought I would be that man, but it happened,\u201d said Elias. \u201cI like the challenge that comes with being a SEAL and being a role model to this day.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

However, a lesser-known word used to label the most experienced of SEALs exists. While the modern SEAL is synonymous with \u201cFrogman,\u201d only a special few can claim the coveted title \u2014\u201cBull Frog\u201d. A nod to both the legacy of Frogmen and the naval tradition of a \u201cBull Ensign\u201d in every wardroom. The idea of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":2660,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2658","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2658"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2658\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2661,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2658\/revisions\/2661"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2660"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2658"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2658"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2658"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}