The History and Heritage of U.S. Navy SEALs

Commander Tom Hawkins retired from the U.S. Navy after 24 years’ active service as a career Naval Special Warfare SEAL. He completed operational tours in UDT-21, UDT-22, and SEAL Team TWO, where he deployed to the Republic of Vietnam as a Platoon Commander. He commanded UDT-22 for 33 months during the period of its reorganization and establishment as SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team TWO. From 1995 to 2005, he served as President of the UDT-SEAL Association. During the same period, he served as President of the UDT-SEAL Memorial Park Association, served on the Board of Directors of the UDT-SEAL Museum Association, and, in the year 2000, became founding President and Chairman of the Board of Naval Special Warfare Foundation, where he also served as Director, History and Heritage. Between 1994 and 2007, he served as editor and publisher of “The BLAST–The Journal of Naval Special Warfare,” the quarterly publication of the UDT-SEAL Association. He is currently serving in the Combat Development Directorate at the Naval Special Warfare Development Group.