Whenever a young child is asked what they want to do when they grow up, and particularly if they are the boisterous, adventurous type, they will answer ‘Navy SEAL’. Stephen Varanko III was no different, and he actually went out and became one. He understands the almost mystical hold this special elite force has on the population. However, becoming a Navy SEAL is not something everybody can do. In fact, the majority of people that are seen in Navy SEAL gear are not wearing the real deal but have simply purchased items from a standard apparel store.
Stephen Varanko III on Finding the Real Deal
For those who cannot become Navy SEALs, it is still possible to get the real deal in terms of clothing. However, it is important to understand that everything a Navy SEAL does, including getting dressed, is fully classified. What this means is that it is technically not possible for an apparel store to make a 100% accurate replica of the uniform, since nobody really knows what they wear. Of course, everybody knows what the fatigues look like, but there is more to it than that.
Stephen Varanko III on Actual Navy SEAL Gear
A trained SEAL will use a range of specialized tool adapted to their mission. The clothing is part of that, which means that SEALs will wear different things for different missions. In fact, SEALs have a huge variety of clothing available to them. They are, in fact, the best kitted military unit in the world, from their uniform to their weapons and from their diving gear to their specialized tools. This isn’t because they want to look cool, it is because they actually need all this gear for their highly specialized missions. This is also why they have so much gear: they can complete missions on land, in the air, or in water, and they must be able to adapt to this.
Their mission wear is quite complex to understand, because they do not have a singular mission but wear whatever is needed for the mission. This means that their clothes will vary depending on the terrain, the weather, their camouflage needs, and so on. Often, SEALs go on clandestine operations, which means they must also be completely silent. They must also be nearly invisible so that they don’t lose the element of surprise.
Often, SEALs are also placed within existing units. This means that they will wear the uniform of whatever unit they are placed in. They often go deep undercover in these cases, meaning that they are unrecognizable. Sometimes, they even have to infiltrate foreign units and wear their uniforms until they are able to exfiltrate again. To achieve this, they have completed gruelling training that makes them true experts in everything that they do.
If you want to look like a Navy SEAL, or you have a child who would like to dress up as one, then it could be said that you could wear whatever you want and simply adapt the backstory that goes with your uniform to the mission you are pretending to be on.
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