When they're in the trenches eyeing down America’s enemies, race is likely the last thing on a Navy SEAL's mind.
But a SEAL recruitment video starring minorities is one indication that diversifying Special Ops forces is top of mind for the military.
"I don’t want anybody to look at me as being a Mexican American, I want them to look at me as being a sailor," says former Navy SEAL Mark Donald.
He says when it comes to missions like taking down Osama bin Laden, skill, heart and determination are a SEAL’s most important traits.
“The typical SEAL, there isn’t one, the typical heart of a SEAL, all the same-heart of a lion,” says Donald.
But Donald can also attest to the value of diversity on Special Ops teams.
“You have to have that diversity in order to keep our capabilities high," says Donald.
According to a Military Times article, SEALs and special warfare combatant-craft crewmen are 85% white.
The Navy overall is 64 percent white.
“How we can beat that, how we are able to be ready to match that call is by having minorities as part of our force that can actually go in there, understand the culture, speak the language, and at times, blend in,” says Donald.
Naval special warfare officials say SEALs are trying to reach out to more minority communities.
They're working with historically black universities, black swim meets and inner-city kids.
It's all part of their effort to let everyone know that the door to being a SEAL is open as long as you're willing to walk through it.
“I think America demands the military to look at people as just one force, one person. We're all green, we're all Navy blue,” says Donald.
