SEAL of approval

The Norman Fire Department received a special visit Thursday from the Commander of Naval Special Warfare.

“It’s a privilege to represent the U.S. Navy here in Norman and at the fire department which is particularly relevant this week as we memorialize 9/11. It was a significant event in all our lives so I’m particularly pleased to have an opportunity (to spend time) with some of our nation’s first responders,” Rear Adm. Sean Pybus said.

Pybus ate lunch with the firefighters at Station 1 on Thursday because he was returning an invitation extended to him by Norman Deputy Fire Chief Jim Bailey. The two met when Bailey visited the Navy skill training program at the Coronado base in San Diego several months ago.

Pybus also was in the state representing the Navy for Navy Week and commented about the current situation in Libya.

“I want to make sure our state recognizes that the United States Navy is on watch today,” he said. “It is again relevant as we face some particular challenges this week and today as some of our embassies have come under siege. The United States Navy is off the coast prepared to respond if the chain of command would direct us to do so.”

He said the Navy is on watch and very capable and prepared to provide the nation with what it needs as it moves forward.

After lunch with the firefighters, the admiral was scheduled to visit the University of Oklahoma’s ROTC unit.

Pybus himself applied for an ROTC scholarship to get money for college after graduating from high school in Stillwater. He was awarded a scholarship at the University of Rochester in New York where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

“During the course of college, knowing I owed the Navy four years, I discovered that there was a program called the Navy SEALs and thought ‘that might be pretty fun,” he said.

As far as Navy SEAL recruitment goes, Pybus said there are no recruitment challenges.

“We have more than enough young men interested in becoming SEALs,” he said.

They have good numbers and high quality in their program, with lots of good candidates that come through. However, he said he is looking for more diversity in the program.

“I would like to have more diversity so that we could operate around the world. I would like to look more like America in our diversity,” he said.

“I’d like for more American Indians, African Americans, Asian Americans and others to join the force. Quite frankly, I’m not sure that some of our micro-cultures in the states are really aware of our program.”

The SEALs only actively recruit in local areas, such as San Diego, mainly because there are enough individuals interested in joining the program he said.

Pybus has remained in the Navy for 30 years.

He has served in SEAL, Underwater Demolition, Special Boat, and SEAL Delivery Vehicle tours within NSW, and has held operations positions at Joint Special Operations Command and the United States Special Operations Command.

Some of his command tours include units in Panama, Germany and Bahrain, as well as duty as commodore, Naval Special Warfare Group 1, San Diego. He reported to Naval Special Warfare Command in June 2011 from his previous assignment as commander, special Operations Command Pacific.

Pybus also has participated in special operations in Latin America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Decorations include two Defense Superior Service Medals, two Legions of Merit, three Meritorious Service Medals, and various other awards. He is also a 1998 Distinguished Graduate of the Naval War College with a master’s degree in Strategic Studies.

Jessica Bruha 366-3540 jbruha@normantranscript.com