I wonder why people do this. Even if I met a real seal, I really couldn't care less. I guess I'd feel some gratitude simply for him being part of the military, and pity for the difficult job. But I'm impressed with people who I want to be like. I'm aware that it's shallow, but I'm more impressed with pro athletes, an innovator, rock star or someone who otherwise leads an enviable life. I only did some impromptu searching on their salary and job description, but I wouldn't want to be someone who crawls through mud and gets shot at all day for chump change.
I'm sorry but this got a song stuck in my head:
"Now look at them yo-yo's, that's the way you do it
You play the guitar on that MTV
That ain't workin', that's the way you do it
Money for nothin' and your chicks for free
Now that ain't workin', that's the way you do it
Lemme tell ya, them guys ain't dumb
Maybe get a blister on your little finger
Maybe get a blister on your thumb"
I've only met one SEAL before, during college he was a classmate. Back then I wasn't as tuned into service as I am now. I get to work with and around sailors every day at the NSY. I have the utmost respect for what they do day in and day out, whether they are submariners (who I see for the most part), surface warfare (less often), special warfare (even more seldom), aviators, etc. At this point in life I know I probably won't ever experience what these guys get to go through in their careers, and thus I look to them with a certain amount of awe. Sure I probably get paid more than most of them who aren't at least O-3's, but I won't get to "see the world" and experience nearly as much as they do.