Vice President JD Vance Joins Coronado Navy SEALs for Grueling 90-Minute Workout, Pushing Limits in Public Training Session
Vice President JD Vance joined Navy SEALs for a supervised 90‑minute training session at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, performing log carries, ocean rowing, beach runs and obstacle climbs in a public workout that he called “punishing.”
- High‑intensity SEAL‑style session: 90 minutes of log carries, ocean rowing, beach running and rope/net obstacle climbs at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado.
- Visual documentation: Photos and short video clips shared by Vance’s office; many SEAL faces were blurred for operational security.
- Vance’s reaction: He called the workout “punishing,” said the SEALs “took it easy on me,” and described feeling “hit by a freight train.”
- Context and sources: Reporting and imagery are documented in Exclusive photos and reporting on the workout (Fox News), session video (session video) and international coverage (The Chosun Ilbo).
What took place at Coronado
Location: Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, a major West Coast hub for Navy special operations. Duration: roughly 90 minutes of supervised, SEAL‑style conditioning.
Photos and short video clips provided by Vance’s office and released to outlets show coordinated teams carrying heavy wooden logs across sand, open‑ocean boat rowing, sprint and endurance runs along Coronado Beach, and climbs over rope and net obstacles on a beachside course. The visuals mirror elements of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) conditioning.
“So grateful to all of our warriors who keep us safe and keep the highest standards anywhere in the world.” — Vice President JD Vance, X post, Dec. 22, 2025
Photos, video and operational security
Released material indicates deliberate measures to protect identities of active‑duty sailors: many SEAL faces were blurred or angled away in imagery. That practice aligns with standard operational security when public figures train alongside special operations teams.
Sources and imagery were shared with outlets; see Exclusive photos and reporting on the workout (Fox News) and the session video for visual context.
Vance’s account and military background
His description: On X (formerly Twitter) on Dec. 22, 2025, Vance called the session punishing and said the SEALs “took it easy on me” yet he still felt “hit by a freight train.” He used the post to praise special operations forces’ standards and service.
Service record: Vance enlisted in 2003, served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, and deployed to Iraq in 2005 with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing in public affairs—experience he cites in discussions of national security and troop readiness.
How the workout fits broader policy and public fitness trends
The event aligns with a visible push within the administration toward public displays of fitness and military readiness. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials have participated in public physical training sessions; parallels include health and fitness messaging from other high‑profile figures.
Observers note that the activities Vance performed—log carries, open‑ocean rowing, obstacle runs—are elements of SEAL BUD/S training, which is known for extreme physical demands and extended conditioning phases.
Regional implications for California and Coronado
Economic: Naval Amphibious Base Coronado contributes to San Diego County’s economy through jobs, contracting and local services; high‑profile visits can raise the base’s visibility and occasionally produce short‑term spending.
Political and social: For moderate‑conservative audiences, images of a vice president training with special operators may reinforce messages about leadership and support for the military. The event may also prompt discussion about base access policies, media handling, and the appropriateness of political figures training on military property.
Local residents may feel recognition or solidarity seeing a vice president with Marine service background undertake rigorous training, while others may raise concerns about beach access, privacy and intensified media presence during such events.
Media coverage and public reaction
National outlets circulated photos and short clips emphasizing the visual intensity of the session. To date, the images and video appear consistent across reports and no major conflicting accounts have emerged. Video coverage and social clips highlighted the workout’s demanding nature.
Sources and further reading
- Exclusive photos and reporting on the workout (Fox News)
- Video coverage of the session (NewsX / YouTube)
- International reporting and context (The Chosun Ilbo)
This article reports on the vice president’s supervised participation in SEAL‑style physical training at Coronado and outlines regional implications for California, drawing on images, social posts and published reporting from the sources listed above.
