SEAL Team 6 Member Speaks At Springdale Chamber Of Commerce Event

Business Leaders And Community Members Learn About Elements Of Success

Chris Weiser becomes emotional after receiving the 2014 Civic Service Award Friday, Jan. 17, 2014 at the Springdale Chamber of Commerce luncheon in the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale. Weiser award was one of a few given at the luncheon as well as hearing from guest speaker Rob O'Neill, a veteran with the Navy's Seal Team 6.
Chris Weiser becomes emotional after receiving the 2014 Civic Service Award Friday, Jan. 17, 2014 at the Springdale Chamber of Commerce luncheon in the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale. Weiser award was one of a few given at the luncheon as well as hearing from guest speaker Rob O'Neill, a veteran with the Navy's Seal Team 6.

SPRINGDALE — Ajay Malshe, founder of NanoMech, said he was inspired after listening to a speech by Navy SEAL Robert O’Neill at Friday’s Springdale Chamber of Commerce 2014 annual meeting.

O’Neill spoke about his role in SEAL Team 6 and the mission to rescue Capt. Richard Phillips when a ship was overtaken by Somali pirates, an incident which inspired the movie, “Captain Phillips,” starring Tom Hanks. He spoke about training to become a Navy SEAL, and the mistakes he made along the way. Throughout the speech he tied the stories to elements of success.

At A Glance

Chamber Honorees

• 2013 Ambassador of the Year— James Taylor, Servpro

• 2014 Civic Service Honoree — Chris Weiser, J.V. Manufacturing Inc.

• Outgoing 2013 chairman — Todd Wood

• Incoming 2014 chairwoman — Lisa Ray

Source: Staff Report

O’Neill explained that success is built on four major principles: teamwork, being prepared, taking emotion out of decision-making and never quitting. Other elements of success he spoke about were communication and stress management.

When O’Neill trained to become part of the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, known as SEAL Team 6, he said he had to complete exercises, like skydiving, to show how he handles stress.

“If you think about it, in life, all stress is self-induced stress,” he said. “Stress is a choice. It’s a bag of bricks you carry around with you, and it’s a choice to put it down.”

He also completed training exercises such as close quarters battle simulations, where he and others would be told they made a mistake, O’Neill said. The point was to observe if they dwelled on the mistake or moved forward.

“If you screw it up and you dwell on it, all of a sudden you make a big mistake,” he said.

O’Neill also advised the audience to get close to, and learn from, those who are doing better than themselves.

“If someone’s outperforming you, don’t be intimidated,” he said.

He also spoke about a large mistake he made in combat in Afghanistan. He made an emotional decision, and ran into battle after a man who had attacked other naval officers. He said his decision resulted in the worst gunfight of his life.

“All hell was brought loose on top of us,” he said.

After an hour, his team was rescued by the pilot of a B1 bomber who dropped bombs to scare away the enemy, O’Neill said.

His speech turned to a more personal note when he changed the subject from success to his family and what it’s like to leave them to go on assignments.

“That’s the hardest thing in combat, not getting shot at, but kissing your kid goodbye for what could be the last time,” he said.

Chamber of Commerce officials wanted O’Neill to speak at the event because his experience can be translated into other professions, said Perry Webb, president and chief executive officer.

“We were looking for something that is new and innovative,” he said.

Malshe took a photo with his phone of a projection O’Neill had shown about the elements of success. Malshe said he employs those elements regularly, and it’s great to see that others think the same way. He added to what O’Neill said, noting that taking risks is important for achieving success.

“Just keep your head high and feet on the ground,” he said.

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