Vice President JD Vance Joins Navy SEALs for Grueling 90-Minute Workout at Coronado
Vice President JD Vance joined U.S. Navy SEALs for a 90-minute physical training session at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado on Dec. 22, 2025, performing log carries, ocean rowing, beach running and rope/net climbs in exercises that mirrored SEAL conditioning drills.
- Fox News photos and reporting show Vance working alongside SEALs; some faces were blurred for security.
- Session activities—log carries, ocean rowing, beach running, rope/net climbs—echo elements of BUD/S conditioning and were captured in images and video evidence including a training video of SEAL-style exercises.
- Vance posted on X: “Just finished PT with the Navy SEALs for 90 minutes. They took it easy on me and I still feel like I got hit by a freight train.” The post and photos were coordinated by his office.
What happened at Coronado
On Dec. 22, Vice President JD Vance arrived at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado and joined a group of U.S. Navy SEALs for roughly a 90-minute physical training session. Exclusive photos released by his office and reported by Fox News show heavy log carries across sand, team ocean rowing, running on Coronado Beach and rope/net obstacle climbs that mirror conditioning drills used in SEAL training.
Social post and coordination
“Just finished PT with the Navy SEALs for 90 minutes. They took it easy on me and I still feel like I got hit by a freight train.”
Vance praised the special operations force and highlighted their standards; his office coordinated the post and photo release. Some images blurred service members’ faces to protect identities and operational security.
Vance’s military background and how it connects
JD Vance served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2003 to 2007 and was deployed to Iraq in 2005 with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, working in public affairs. He has frequently invoked that service when discussing national security, troop welfare and leadership, making the Coronado session both a personal return to intense physical training and a public show of support for special operations personnel.
How the session relates to SEAL training
The Coronado workout included moves that reflect components of BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) training—long physical sessions on sand and in surf that emphasize endurance, teamwork and mental toughness. Video of similar training (see training video of SEAL-style exercises) shows long runs, log carries, rope climbs and surf-based team tasks, all visible in the Dec. 22 imagery.
Photos and security considerations
Images released by Vance’s office were described as exclusive by Fox News. Military officials routinely review such materials to balance public transparency with operational security; faces of some SEALs were blurred in the published set to protect identities.
Broader White House and Defense context
The Coronado session fits a broader administration emphasis on physical readiness and visible support for the military. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other senior officials have staged public workouts abroad to emphasize troop fitness and readiness, and this appearance follows that pattern of leaders joining demanding physical activities with service members.
About Navy SEALs and training costs
Navy SEALs, established in 1962, conduct high-risk operations across sea, air and land. Their multi-stage training pipeline is lengthy and resource-intensive; media reporting has examined the duration, attrition and estimated costs associated with producing an operational SEAL.
Questions raised and open items
Journalists raised routine questions about how the visit was arranged, whether it served public relations aims, and what security reviews occurred before images were released. Vice presidential aides described the outing as a show of support and shared training, while Department of Defense and base spokespeople were asked for comment; responses were pending at publication.
Implications for the Inland Empire, California
Economic impact: The Inland Empire’s workforce includes many in defense contracting, logistics and base-related services. High-profile visits can sustain interest in defense jobs and benefit businesses serving military families.
Political consequences: A vice-presidential appearance with elite forces may resonate with voters who prioritize military service, jobs and veterans’ care, while others may focus on policy and budgetary questions rather than symbolic fitness events.
Social and cultural effects: The region’s large veteran community could see increased visibility for veteran groups and programs; Vance’s Marine background may carry symbolic weight in local conversations about duty and resilience.
Practical applications: Local officials and veteran service organizations may cite the event to advocate for funding, fitness programs and transition supports; it may also prompt recruitment outreach or community fitness initiatives.
Sources and reporting notes
This article draws on reporting and images provided by Fox News, a training video of SEAL-style exercises on YouTube, and coverage in Chosun International. Reporting included review of images released by the vice president’s office and his public posts on X. Journalists requested comment from the Department of Defense and Naval Amphibious Base Coronado; responses were pending at the time of publication.
