Jake was my highschool sweetheart, and my daughters father. I know he had dealt with the very heavy burden of your job requirements. He was also let down by a teammate in a monumental way. Since you knew Jake I'm sure you know how much he believed you were his brothers. Family. A brother broke the code. To face a betrayal as he did, broke him. Along with relationship issues with myself, and other women I won't name out of respect, he certainly had his fair share of demons.But, he was a phenomenal leader, and man. Always inspirational. You're right about the Navy pushing him aside, he never should have been able to leave that hospital. He wasn't going to be discharged, but he wanted it. He couldn't bring himself to do it anymore, and live with what he had done. There were so many factors. I love the impact he made on you, and the fact that you keep his letters still. I do too. I'd be interested in hearing more stories you have about him. Please. Thank you for speaking his name and keeping his memory alive. Gone, but never forgotten. ❤️ Thank you for your service -Brittany

Sorry for your loss brother. I was an Infantryman with 2 combat tours. The military uses War Fighters as disposable tools. I’ve lost several brothers to alcoholism, drugs and suicide. One even laid his head on a train track until decapitation . It’s sad that we are trained and brainwashed to kill, then when we are finished, they just let us out into society to roam about like normal people. We aren’t normal and never will be. Some adjust, others don’t. War affects each man differently, but, it affects EVERY man. I struggle every day and it’s only with the help of an ALMIGHTY GOD that I can get through to the other side. May God bless and keep you brother.

I was randomly looking for something online and came across this video...about my own biological brother! Jake is remembered and missed every single day in our family. He left such a unfixable wound. Every now and then I forget he's gone and think to myself I really need to plan a trip to see him and then remember. None of us are the same without him. 💔

The poem is titled "IF" by Rudyard Kipling

I deployed with Chadd and Jake as their comms guy at 8. I had a few interactions with Jake, but looking back there were signs that he might have been working through something. To be fair, I think a lot of guys were working through some stuff myself included. While I was still at the creek I heard about what happened and how, but I never heard about his battle with alcohol or his potential discharge. You never know what somebody is dealing with. The whole situation is sad but I hope this video and his story helps someone. Chadd, we talked for a bit at the bar right after that mistake you mentioned. I never heard how that all shook out for you, but I'm glad you got past it. You were always a solid dude to work with and one of the good ones.

Chadd, thank you for sharing this. Jake was a friend and my roommate at BUD/S for many months. Jake was everything you described and more. Solid, solid man and the type to give his shirt off his back if he thought you needed it. I always regretted not keeping in better touch with Jake and when I heard the news it was a catalyst for me to seek a career in mental health field. I have since accepted an internship at a VA clinic. I think of him often when things get difficult and I need a reminder of my purpose. Too many service members are discarded and abandoned when things go awry for them and its wrong. Hearing your stories of his leadership and friendship put a smile on my face and a tear in my eye. Thank you

Dude, every five years of my life I evaluate myself and realize what a dumbass I was five years ago. At first this was depressing, until I realized I was growing and improving as a human being. Jake clearly had a lot to do with your growth. Peace and love, brother.

I've been writting "IF" inside my annual journal on Jan 1 every year for the past 10 years. Great poem. Thank you for sharing your message Chadd.

I was the DAPA at SEAL Team TWO, I had a lot of compassion for the guys struggling with drug and alcohol issues, I always made sure to treat the guys like human beings and showed up to their treatment graduations when I wasn’t on travel. It meant the world to me to see the guys bounce back and continue operating, unfortunately we had a couple who couldnt pull through, its hard man, this video really hit me.

My brother was a SEAL T1 in the 90s. My entire family is proud of him. He to is going through somethings. It is hard to know how to deal with you guys because you all are too tough to talk sometimes. All I can do is pray for my brother and hope for the best. Thank you for your service and your stories.

Well told story shipmate. Iam a alcoholic, grace of God and a 12 step program, just under 33 years since last drink, it was so flipping hard to stop drinking, the demons were so strong. Bless Jake, and thank you for your service mad respect. Pops' navy Corpsman 1982-1986

Sad story Chad! Im a 54 year old and that drove the tears down my face.,.I wish someone could of helped him with the demons that plaged his warrior spirit!! May he rest in eternal peace!I know this was hard to share with us! But thank you! Most people don't realize the hell you go through...it needs to be understood!

My father was an Army Ranger in Vietnam and took his life 30 years later. Best man I have ever met. Rest In Peace to these men who sacrificed so much.

I’m not an emotional guy but I was almost in tears by the end of this. You are an amazing story teller and I’m glad his story was told properly. Thank you for the videos.

If there is a man fitting R. Kipling's "If", quoted in Jake's correspondence, he sure is a US Navy SEAL. No doubt. I think you do the right thing sharing your stories, man. We are all honored to hear them. Thank you for your honesty.

I'm a Toolmaker working 2nd in mostly empty giant factory. I am running a giant 1939 WWII tagged American holewizard radial drill right now listening to this. I about just lost it. Man what a heavy heart.

I was one of Jake’s OIC’s back in 2010. Lots of respect for that young man and thanks for sharing his story.

Man! The fact that he took punishment with you! What a mentor! That hit me hard!

Thank you for this....I have a best friend who is an Army vet and he is a bad alcoholic. I try so hard to help him, and listen to him talk about the people he killed and his nightmares. The worst part is- I have been sober since 2014 and I was in worse shape than he is. I sometimes reach a point where I have to choose me or him because I want to drink so bad just being around him slurring and driving him around smelling the vodka. I swear I try my best but I made my own promises to god and people I love that I WILL NOT BREAK. Hard truth. I will always be there as long as he will talk I will listen. Chad, when you said "He was not a weak man, or a bad man I felt that. This guy would give his shirt or his last dollar, I know because I've known him since day care. I pray for him and he know's I'm always here but I'll be honest, every time I hear a shot late at night I wonder if it was him. It's piss poor how this country throws away it's war fighters. It saddens me beyond words, and then comes the anger. With all the money we waste on people who hate us, can't we spare some for the ones who fight for us?

As a Vietnam Vet, I can relate to this--much respect to what you guys do. be strong! and thank you for your service.

Chadd, thanks for sharing your’s and Jake’s story. Very powerful. My father was a sergeant and squad leader 1st Marine Division Korean War. I could get him to talk about things he found humorous, like running into General MacArthur, but he would never talk about combat. I remember reading about Col. Chesty Puller driving thru Camp LeJune when he noticed a Lt. and Private standing on the sidewalk with the Private continually saluting the Lt. Chesty pulled over and walked up to the couple. He spoke to the Lt. and said what goes on here old man. The Lt. said, Colonel this Private failed to salute me and as punishment I ordered him to salute me 100 times. Puller responded, quite right, but remember that as a superior officer you are required to return every salute, SO GET CRACKING!

Rest in Peace Jake. Kipling wrote that poem and it has helped me in many times of struggle. Keep growing Chadd. Your honesty and integrity are inspiring to us all.

Chadd, Thank you for sharing this story about Jake. I was in the Navy as an FMF Corpsman and had a very good friend of mine kill himself. He was not in the military, but I loved him and miss him every day. He drank a lot and used drugs and I'll never understand why he did what he did and I wish I could have stopped him. All I can do is tell others about him and remember the good times that we had together. His name was David "LD" Brewington, from Spartanburg, SC. I also almost let alcohol get the best of me. I drank a lot during my service. Beer was my drink of choice and I'd have 9-12 beers daily for years, with zero breaks. I started having difficulty breathing and could feel my lungs gurgling, so I researched and found out that I had the early signs and symptoms of Alcohol Induced Congestive Heart Failure. It scared me, so I just quit. No 12 steps or any help. Just suffered on my own for a long time, but I was determined to live. It was definitely one of the hardest things that I ever did. That was 11 and a half years ago. I still miss beer, but I know that one is not enough and I'd be right back at 12 in short order, so I just don't touch alcohol at all. Thank you again for these videos man. Take care Scott

God bless you Chadd. I have to believe Jake is looking down on you from heaven and smiling. Love you Brother.

Brother, first time seeing your channel. And I bawled so hard. Just buried my best friend a little over a year ago. Seems like yesterday, he was put out of the ODA at 7th SFG, for the very same thing. God love you for what youve done and what your doing. Hope you have peace for the rest of your days. My buddy had seen and done some things he couldn't reconcile with. And the same thing happened to him. In the Military if your not 100% your treated like a piece of crap. It's like everything you did and all the sacrifices you'd made, mean nothing anymore. No better way to break a man's spirit. I have a good clue what your living with, I regret decisions to this day.

Nobody supports anybody. Nobody is there for anybody. "Brother" is nothing more than an affectation; not a reality. We're all so wrapped up in our own egos, vanity, and pride that those who need support will never ask for it, and those who notice someone needing support will never give it.

Former sailor here, not a seal. Flight deck electrician, 2 west pacs during desert storm and shield. I just wanted to convey my deepest condolences to you Chadd. I'll keep you in my prayers brother. Love your channel

This dude is about as stand up as they come. Im coming to realize a lot of these seals success is built on inner and personal integrity. You have to be morally focused to never quit on your team mates.

Well told Chadd, we all have regrets, but being who we are now, hopefully won't make the mistakes we made when we were younger. I totally get where you are coming from. Thanks for being honest and inspirational...

Great story man. The biggest challenge I've had since retiring from AD is dealing with managers instead of leaders. This is a stellar example of sacrificial leadership. BZ

Sir, if I may, That was an amazing moment of honor you shined over Jake and your fellow brothers and sisters everywhere. Thank you for sharing Jake with us I am honored to have the opportunity to follow your ways to the best of my abilities. You’re doing a fine job sir.

A+ again in this talk. I am 5"6", a former MPD street cop. However, I moved to another job, an Another Gov agency, and had many experiences with our "big G0v" abandoning the best of the best. I had the honor of working with one of your STs in the A country. I did not understand the culture. Being a former airborne infantryman, I was used of no man is ever left behind. I attributed the experience with the navy to the commanders who get graded on keeping equipment in tops shape, but they forgot about the people. My kid did ten years as a surface warfare officer. They broke her heart and mine.

Dude, you're a good man. You really put yourself out there.

Kinda feel your pain, and I appreciate you telling this story. I wasn’t a seal, so my experience may not relate, but I was a Marine who had a roommate kill himself. I never got along with him real well, but he was a decent Marine who had a serious alcohol problem, mostly due to a fucked up child hood. I think about this guy all the time. I really wish the MC was more willing/ able to help him.

That was hard to hear. My brother-in-law was a service member who also took his life. I’m very sorry to hear this.

Growing older doesn’t cultivate wisdom. Learning from your and others mistakes while growing older is where we develop our wisdom. RIP Jake.

Thank you Chadd. I had a friend, a close friend, take his own life several years ago. I am former Army but David wasn't so your thoughts and memories of a friend are near to my heart. Your comment about wishing you were the man then that you are today rings true with me every single day. I appreciate you and what you share with us.

Thank you chadd. It's 3:30 am in florida- I just got back inside from walking my dog on a bathroom break. I was looking for something to watch so i could go back to sleep. I am grateful to Jesus for putting this in front of me. Tears welled up, brother. If I can be worthy enough. We need more Jakes and chadds in this world who want to make others better.

Chadd, Thank you for sharing this part of your life and honoring your C-Daddy and friend. It’s easy to understand your heavy heart with that situation. I am forever grateful to men like you who serve and give more than any of us who haven’t served will ever understand. I’m most grateful that you’ve answered the Lord’s call. Your are a blessing, my brother. Keep walking the walk or more accurately, running the run. All in His glory. May the Lord bless you!

As someone who never served in the military sometimes i feel like im not worthy of hearing guys like you tell stories like this so i just want to thank you for putting it out there like you did here. RIP Jake

I read that poem “IF” to my children at least once a week …. In my opinion, one of the greatest poems ever !!! Thank you for all you have done and for what you are still doing !!

I have watched 100s of videos on here. By far this is the most honest, heart felt one I have ever watched. Sorry for your loss bro. I saw this exact type of behavior internally in SF. Sad. It is a culture thing for sure, and something that needs to be fixed. I respect your honesty and ability to tell such a story. Much to be learned here. SALUTE!

God Bless America and you & your family...I'm so sorry for your loss and I Love you too Brother

Thank you Chadd. Got out of the Marine Corps infantry in 2015, and every time I lose one of my brothers from that company feels like a sledge hammer to my stomach. Seems like they just keep dying too young, whether KIA, suicide, alcohol, or “unexplained” death. I feel your pain, brother. And Jesus Christ is now the only foundation that keeps me standing.

Thanks for sharing your story with us all. Can imagine how hard it is

So sorry for your loss. Also thanks for sharing your experiences with us about yourself and Jake. Too often there is heartbreak in learning and we learn to often the hard way.

Thank you Chadd, appreciate ya sharing this. Hope you find peace and Jake rests in his.

Thank you for sharing your story. God bless you and may Jake, Rest In Peace.

Excellent story very powerful. As a retired infantry marine I feel your pain on losing brothers and sisters it is hard to cope with from time to time the ghost never leave you.

Thank you for letting us in a chapter of your life. Thank you for protecting our families sir. My three bonus boys serve.

Thank you for sharing this brother. Means alot.

Well told and I could feel the pain you have. Sorry you lost a friend. Stay well and stay strong.

Thank you so much for your service to our country Chadd . I’m sorry for the loss of your mentor. I am so great full for who you are now and what your sharing with us .

Thank you for opening up and sharing your memories

Thank you for sharing this story. And, thank you and Jake for your sacrifice. Appreciate your candor and perspective.

Thanks for sharing. Definitely my favorite story of yours. Jake Hubman , what an angel, God rest his soul.

Just discovered your videos a few days ago man. I've watched your podcasts on Andy Stumpf and Nick Bare. You've motivated me to get back into working out and strengthening the mind. Thanks for sharing a very personal story. You are helping alot of people with the words you speak.

So sorry about the loss of your friend / mentor. RIP Jake. Thank you for your honesty Chadd.

Thank you for this one Sir. I really enjoy this series and have listened to each episode a couple different times. There are always a few more things to be taken with these talks. This one about Jake, I closed my eyes and listened, I lost a brother who took his life and I kinda knew where we were going pretty early on with this one but hearing you define what it is really like helped me today. We always value your talks, thank you Chadd.

The more videos I watch of Chadd, and get to know him through those videos, the more I like and relate with him... Love how he keeps it honest!!!

Thank you and Jake for your commitment and service 🙏

I really enjoy these backyard stories! You get the message and point across in short time. Keep em coming brother 💯

Just rolled in on your channel. I appreciate your heartfelt, honest conversations. Tough stuff man. Now a subscriber.

It’s important to tell stories like this so that the future generations don’t make the same mistakes

thank you sir. Excellent content!

Thanks for sharing this Chadd. I pray you find peace in this. Sending love brother.

Man, that's heavy stuff. Thank you for sharing your experiences and insights.

Man Chad youve hit a nerve in my soul with your words brother that just moves my spirit, thanks for your dedication to lifting us up truly admire you brother god bless

I can only imagine what you and other SEAL's carry around inside of you. God bless you brother.

Thanks for sharing this part of your life with us, and thank you and your brothers for your service, always keep y’all in my prayers, God bless y’all

Thanks for your story and how you told it. Very touching and it felt like I was watching from nearby. Stay well.

That story was very heavy Chadd. Those stories need to be told. Thank you telling us his story. Rest easy Jake

Love hearing your stories about your experiences, great stuff👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Thank you for sharing your message. Great people get into horrible places, it happened to me and I'm thankful to be here. Keep at it.

Tremendous heartfelt story... Thank you for sharing. RIP Jake...

I cried my eyes out for this man that I have never met. Everybody let him down, everybody. He was a SEAL. The best of the best.

There is so much I can relate with this video. I first wanna say sorry to hear about your mentor and thanks for sharing that story. Addiction is a strong demon, its one of those conundrums thats hard to solve. Secondly, I wanna throw out there that I like listening to your stories, not just yours, but a lot of SEAL’s, for some reason its like therapy and in some small way, I can relate with the struggles that you guys been through. I too have had trouble with addiction and have had my fair share of time spent in prison and only by the grace of God, I just passed my 15th year home outta prison, clean & sober. Im not saying the time of my sobriety for a “good job” or any other praise, I dont deserve any praise, Im simply doing what I should be doing in the first place, Im bringing that up to say, I can relate with what you said, about if you dont know what its like statement. Yes, for some reason a lot of people frown on different types of addiction and it makes that individual feel even more alone, and in most cases drives that person deeper into their hole. I can also relate with you on regret of not saying or trying to do something sooner as well, my father overdosed a couple years ago on fentanyl and I feel like I should of tried harder, or said something different but I have to trust that God knew my father wasn’t strong enough to get himself together and took him home. Anyway, I wanted to comment and share how I relate on this video, thanks man.

I’m a Navy vet (non SW). I want to commend you on your honesty- that took guts. Most of us need to be more honest with ourselves and others. It’s a tough life lesson. Thank you brother for sharing that. May God bless you and keep Jake and his family👊🏼 HM3

Good stuff. Thank you for honoring and sharing his story.

Former Marine here Chadd. Crazy how we gain wisdom and understanding the older we get. When you are young and trying to make your own path and persona the world moves at tremendous speed and we all think we have the world by the ass but how wrong we can be. What sticks out to me is when you said “I wish I was the man I am today… back then”. Main I wish I had a buck every time I have said that to myself! Great message here my man and you have nothing to feel bad about here. The Navy does, but you do not! Good luck in the future my man and know Jake is smiling down on you right now. Semper Fi brother!

you told the story perfectly. mental health issues are complex with deep deep roots. high stress jobs can exacerbate those deep roots and you can't always see the pain people are in.

Thank you for sharing a piece of your training experience and your story about Jake. May he RIP. ❤

Total respect to you for your honesty and integrity in sharing this real and tragic story.

Chadd, I can't find words strong enough to thank you for this video. It takes courage to put a message like this out, and I don't know that I've ever seen someone do it so gracefully. My grandfather used to read the same poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling to me before I joined the military myself. But just thank you for sending out a message like this. It truly impacted me and I'm confident it will help others as much as it has helped me to hear it.

Such a great yet sad story. I was in the same boat as Jake. I started using drugs and alcohol at 15 years old. I always knew I was gonna join the Army after I graduated HS, 6 days after I did I was in basic training. Got to Fort Stewart right in time to get deployed to Iraq in 2005. Iraq helped me change my life, our CO was just like Jake, we all loved him, same with our 1st Sergeant. After we got back from our deployment we were all loving life. Every Friday our entire company would play flag football, moral was super high. I decided drugs and alcohol were a thing if the past. Then our CO got caught cheating on his wife and was removed from command and placed in administration, I think they called it S1, but I can't quite remember. Then our 1st Sergeant went to an Infantry Company(we were tankers, he was 11b, we were all 19k). That's when things went downhill. Our new CO needed to prove a point or something, he was a total dbag. Our 1st Sergeant was even worse. Long story short, one day I quit caring about my military career and it led me right back down the addiction path. Obviously at the end of the day it is 100% my fault. I actually came forward to my gunner and told I had a drug and alcohol problem and I needed treatment. Instead my CO forced me to take a piss test and gave me an article 15 for using drugs. Then I really quit caring, and 3 months short of my 3 year 6 month contract I got kicked out. I had a gun to my head several times when I was in. I know the exact feeling of being discarded like trash in the military. The only ones who truly cared about me were my 2 closest buddies, one I still talk to every couple month. My other buddy took my spot on my tank after they went back to Ramadi in 2007, he ended up getting killed by a sniper when he was climbing out of the driver's hatch, that was tough news to here. It hurt watching my brothers go to Iraq while I stayed behind and cleaned floors, you feel like the worst person on planet earth.

What a moving story. You honour your friend so well telling it. Thank you.

Beautiful story. I’m sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and those like you. 🙏

Thanks for that honest story. Two weeks out of the police academy my older brother Murdered my father. I was in the house. My training taught me how to enter the room correctly. This was the difference in me living and my brother being neutralized permanently. Because my father was wealthy, my entire family abandoned me and treated me horribly. Totally F'd up. Wanted to end it for a long time. But I had Christ ✝️. Your story really hit my heart. May Jake be in God's huddle. He's now the Lord's beautiful warrior !! Take care !! ⚔️⚔️⚔️

Thanks for sharing your story and sorry to hear about your friend. I was not a SEAL but I served 20 years in the Navy and I can totally relate to the idea of the Navy being a machine and them getting rid of you when you are no longer useful. I was going through some things related to my deployments and finally decided to ask for help. And the Navy was really good about getting me the help. However, it came at a cost. One day I was an LPO with a lot of responsibility and literally the next day I was weak and useless in their eyes. So, I was PCS'd out of the command and put on LIMDU orders and pretty much treated like a recruit out of boot camp. It was a hard pill for me to swallow and I struggled with it and ended up going to the psych ward a couple of times due to suicidal ideations. I really don't know how I made it through all of that without becoming an alcoholic or getting court martialed. Thankfully I never went through with ending my life. Having said all of that, I'm glad to see people like you share your stories. I think it shines a light on issues that no one wants to talk about but should. Anyway, thanks again and take care!

Your honesty is truly inspiring. . Let alone it is difficult to be honest with oneself at the tough moments... you share it with us.. thank you.

I met a Navy seal at the auto auction, He got into drugs and alcohol and a once mighty seal was then working day labor at an auto auction, Addiction doesn't care who you're. and I was roommate's with a Ranger at a halfway house. (sober living facility)

I can tell this was a very hard story to tell

Damn Chadd, I am truly sorry for your loss man. Losing a brother a confidant is real real hard and I hope nobody has to go through that. That story of Jake was touching brotha, thank you for sharing it. Y’all over there take it easy.🇺🇸💪🏻🔱

Dear Chadd, i know exactly what you mean by that heaviness. I lost my sweetheart, because I made a big mistake that I cannot change anymore. There are days ( maybe today is the next one ) I just break down to the ground and try to break these mighty chains of heaviness. It can break my heart, because this feeling is mighty and at the moment I don't know if I can ever free my heart and soul from this heaviness, it is simply too strong. I've found some techniques to life with this heaviness but I also know my path in the darkness might continue for a long time before I see some sunlight again at the horizon. But I will not give up, I will not quit this life. There are reasons I`m still not dead, just trying to become a better person for my people and animals around me. Physically I have a very big goal to go for, there will be a mountain race in GB with around 40lbs ruck next year and I want to be the first to finish it. It will be hard but this is good and very welcome.

Your perspective was told incredibly, and is much appreciated to let us in on. Thank you.

Thank you for your service, sir. Thank you for your transparency and insight.

"Don't be afraid to make mastakes" I Love You Brother. I am Pleased to Hear Your Brother ate His Own Lunch He Made. Men make Men.

Thank you for the stories and the truth. The world needs men like you and Jake. Peace to you Sir

Thank you Chadd for all you have endured. May Jake Rest In Peace. 🖤

Thanks Chadd for your service,your time, and your story's. Good luck with coping and God Bless.