Jocko Willink is a retired commander of the Navy SEAL Team Three Task Unit Bruiser, decorated Iraq War veteran. The first time he encountered Jiu Jitsu was back in 1992 when a SEAL master chief showed Willink basic moves like armbar, RNC and few other staples of the Jiu Jitsu repertoire.
In the interview for Men’s Journal Willink said:
“I loved teaching the guys as much as I could, and as much as they wanted. The thing about Jiu Jitsu is it is also not for everybody. It can be very humiliating and humbling. If you have a hard time dealing with the fact that someone smaller than you may be able to tap you out, it is going to be difficult. There are two reactions you can have to that reality. Some people take it as a reason to learn more so that it doesn’t happen again, and some people decide to do that by never stepping into a gym again. You really never know who will make what decision. For me, I knew I wanted to be able to make sure that it wouldn’t be done to me, and I would be able to do it to other people.”
