Anthony Rivera (Part 1): Mastery of Chaos—From BUD/S Pool Comp Failures to the ”Wild West” of Iraq

How do you transition from the "Fog of War" to the "Fog of Peace"? In the premiere of this 4-part series, Navy SEAL veteran Anthony Rivera joins his BUD/S Class 267 classmate to relive the high-stakes selection process that forges an elite warrior.

Anthony shares a raw and often humorous look at the mastery of chaos, starting with his unexpected failure in BUD/S Second Phase Pool Comp under a "chill" instructor and the overconfidence that led to his setback. We dive into the physical toll of elite training, including a "lawn dart" injury on the obstacle course that nearly ended his career, and the grueling reality of frogman Friday evolutions.

The conversation shifts downrange to Anthony's first deployment in Iraq's Al Anbar province. From hallucinations of dancing dragons caused by extreme sleep deprivation to burning a "Lord of the Flies" style bonfire as they shuttered a base on the Syrian border, Anthony provides an unfiltered look at the Special Operations lifestyle. This episode is a masterclass in resilience, process-driven culture, and navigating the mental revving that occurs when the engine of the mind won't shut down.

Key Topics

The BUD/S selection process and Pool Competency
Managing chaos through SOPs and process-driven culture
Extreme sleep deprivation and the revving mind
Combat operations in Iraq's Al Anbar province
Transitioning into the Fog of Peace through Vetivize

 

⏳ Timestamps

01:10 Class 267 reunion and reconnecting after full Navy careers
02:45 Pool Comp secrets and the "chill" instructor
05:28 Surf hits and underwater de-rigging chaos
07:52 The Pool Comp failure caused by overconfidence
10:10 Obstacle course lawn dart injury before graduation
12:14 FTX realities and operating injured
14:31 The Wild West of Iraq in Ubaidi, Al Anbar
15:50 Dancing dragons and hallucinations from sleep deprivation
19:05 The engine in the mind and mental overdrive
21:06 Involuntary combat stress inside CHUs
24:22 Lord of the Flies moment during base shutdown
27:49 Enlisted-heavy leadership dynamics in SQT
32:28 Hypoxia and blackout during the BUD/S tread
36:14 Entering the Fog of Peace and founding Vetivize

About the Guest

Anthony Rivera is a retired Navy SEAL and a graduate of BUD/S Class 267. After multiple deployments to Iraq and serving as a BUD/S First Phase Instructor, Anthony transitioned to the civilian sector with a mission to help veterans navigate the Fog of Peace. He is the founder of Vetivize, a platform dedicated to providing resources and clarity for military members entering the civilian world.

Connect with Anthony Rivera:

Website: https://vetavize.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyriveraexecutiveleader

Whether you're battling dancing dragons in a combat zone or navigating the uncertainty of a career change, the lesson is the same: lean into the process. Anthony Rivera's journey reminds us that even when you lawn dart into failure, the community and the SOPs you build will carry you to the next ridgeline.

▶️ What's Next?

This is only Part 1! Stay tuned for Part 2 of 4 with Anthony Rivera, where we dive deeper into the specific mission of Vetivize and the tactical steps for a successful career transition.

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