DEVGRU is an elite, world-class counterterrorism unit, and its support staff are just as efficient and professional.
Long Zhan followed Jennifer through check-in, collected his "newbie gear," and settled into his assigned barracks dorm, all in under half an hour!
The rookie barracks was essentially a massive warehouse-like building divided into two floors.
Just inside the entrance, sinks lined both sides, the left passage led to the restroom, the right to the showers.
In the middle there was a large lounge area of over 200 square meters.
A massive 100 inch TV hung front and center, surrounded by tables, chairs, bookshelves, fitness equipment, and other recreational items. Small groups were already scattered about, chatting casually.
A central staircase led to the second floor, an open expanse without partitions, essentially it was just one giant room crammed with bunk beds.
This was considered the “bedroom.”
Worn down by generations of trainees, the space was riddled with holes, with most bunk beds deformed in some way shape or form.
Looking at the shabby dorm before him, Long Zhan completely understood why there was only one other guy here.
The only newcomer here spotted Long Zhan entering and approached him with a friendly greeting, "Brian Armstrong, from Team Two. Good to meet you, my friends just call me Brian."
Long Zhan recognized him instantly and shook his hand with a grin. "Long Gibran, from Team Three. Nice to meet you too, fellow competitor."
"It's rare to see an Asian American with such a sense of humor. Maybe we’ll end up as teammates in the near future, and not just competitors.”
Brian, standing at about 5 feet 4 inches tall, a full head shorter than Long Zhan and considerably slimmer, spoke with confidence, with no fear about potentially failing selection.
"Maybe, but you have to be careful. I hear there are a lot of accidents during the training on Green Team."
Long Zhan was giving him a veiled warning, because based on what he’d seen on the TV show, Brian was a standout extra with top-notch skills and team spirit that outshone even some supporting characters like the DEVGRU rookie Clay.Tragically, he died in a parachuting accident, something Long Zhan had found regrettable while he was watching the show.
"Don't worry, I'm a lucky guy, haha."
Brian found Long Zhan's comment odd but he was easygoing by nature so he just brushed it off. He enthusiastically helped Long Zhan with his luggage and said with a smile, "Let me give you a hand. There's an empty bunk right next to mine. Hope you don't mind being my neighbors"
As they headed over, Long Zhan teased him, "They say East Coast SEALs are just a bunch of farmers in Carhartt overalls.
“I didn't expect that a farmer like you could be so welcoming, it's a nice surprise. And yeah, teaming up as swim buddies with an enthusiastic farmer like you sounds like a good choice."
The SEALs had a signature motto: "SEALs Never Act Alone."
To embody this, they created a unique training system for rookies.
Starting from BUD/S, every SEAL was paired with another person, both during training and future ops.
These "swim buddies" were like Delta Force's "battle buddies", equals without hierarchy or tension, fostering openness, mutual support, learning, encouragement, and growth.
This can range from small things like checking each other's parachute packs to big things like trusting each other's backs on the battlefield.
In his two years with SEAL Team Three, Long Zhan had once had a swim buddy who showed him what true brotherhood meant.
But then…
Now, for Green Team’s assessments, Long Zhan knew he'd get paired with somebody again, and Brian was his ideal candidate.
Facing the "farmer in overalls" jab, Brian fired back with a laugh: "Laid-back surfer, you must be Mr. January. Having you as a swimming buddy would be a lot of fun, call it an East-West Alliance.”
The SEALs operated from two main bases, one in San Diego, California and the other in Virginia Beach.
Competition exists between the two sides in various areas, and while it's generally healthy, some verbal taunts are inevitable.
Case in point, West Coast's Long Zhan and East Coast's Brian had just met and yet within a minute, they were already trading barbs, turning their introduction into a playful sparring match.
Through the lighthearted jabs and harmless taunting, they kicked off their first collaboration, teaming up to unpack and organize Long Zhan's gear.
Each double bed was designed for one person, with luggage and personal training gear on top and the person sleeping underneath.
It was quite conveniently arranged.
“Brian! Hey, starting tomorrow every day will be hell, but tonight we are still free! Want to go out and celebrate? I heard there’s a decent new bar nearby.”
Long Zhan and Brian had just finished unpacking when a voice boomed from the door.
Long Zhan turned and spotted the incoming blond guy, inwardly smiling to himself, "Well, well, the full Green Team supporting cast is here."
“Clay, perfect timing! Let me introduce you to my new friend.”
Brian was obviously familiar with the person who came over, and took the initiative to introduce the two of them, "Clay Spencer, we are both from Team 2, Long Gibran, the big guy from Team 3, a new friend I just met."
"Nice to meet you. I've read your dad's book, it's very good. I’m not being sarcastic, I mean it.” Long Zhan said, extending his hand.
"You're the first person in this base to say that without it being a dig."
Clay shook hands with Long Zhan with a wry smile on his face, obviously not wanting to talk more about his father. He adjusted his expression and said with a smile, "Great, we’re short of a heavyweight for tonight’s excursion. Care to join in on the fun?”
"Absolutely, if it leads to a romantic encounter, it would be even better." Long Zhan smiled and raised his eyebrows, conveying a meaning that every man can understand.
"With your 300-pound frame? Most women can’t handle it. I doubt you'll score, I'd bet on me and Clay instead." Brian quipped.
"I agree!" Clay raised his hand with a grin.
"You two clearly don't get women. Real men like me, strong and well built, are exactly what they crave because I can show them what power really feels like."
Long Zhan clenched his fists and thrust his hips forward in an over-the-top, suggestive pose.
The exaggerated move cracked Brian and Clay up, dissolving any lingering awkwardness among the trio.
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