He Quit in Hell Week Then Fought Like Hell to Become a Navy SEAL

Urban Valor December 7, 2025
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Urban Valor

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Urban Valor gives veterans a voice. We share the incredible stories of Veterans and Veteran family members. All Veterans have a story to share and deserve the platform, support, and respect they've earned through duty. Urban Valor honors our military and military veterans by sharing their stories, capturing their history, and supporting Veterans in need. At Urban Valor, we continue to grow our community of support to give back to three core areas of Veteran needs. Veteran Homelessness, Mental Illness and Suicide, and Veteran Transition are three core areas where Veterans need support and help. At Urban Valor, we're a platform, we're supporting, and we're a friend to our veterans. Please show love and support by liking our videos, and commenting on our Veterans whose stories we share, and please subscribe and click the BELL Notification so you never miss an episode of Urban Valor!

Video Description

He quit during Hell Week. Most don’t come back. Jovon Quarles did — and became a Navy SEAL Honor Graduate. Born into chaos in Washington D.C., Jovon grew up with a mom addicted to crack, no father, and violence all around. He became a dad before he graduated high school. Then he joined the Navy — not because he wanted to, but because he had no choice. He found the SEAL Teams by accident. But what followed wasn’t luck — it was pain, failure, and redemption. In this Urban Valor interview, Jovon walks us through: - Quitting his first Hell Week and what it did to his soul - Fighting to go back and earn the Trident - The mindset it takes to finish BUD/S - Real SEAL Team deployments in combat zones - Why he says pain is the path - And how he turned his lowest moment into a mission This isn’t just a Navy SEAL story. This is what it looks like to lose everything… and choose to fight anyway. If you’re struggling, stuck, or feel like it’s too late — this one’s for you. 👍 Like this video to support and show appreciation. 🗣️ Comment your support or ask any questions. Sometimes, our interviewees respond, and we at Urban Valor will do our best to respond as well! ✅ SUBSCRIBE to support Urban Valor and the courageous Veterans who tell their stories AND so you NEVER miss a weekly episode of our veteran stories. New stories every Sunday! Your engagement greatly supports our mission to share authentic and impactful veteran stories. Video chapters: 00:00 – Hell Week: the rumor and initiation 01:14 – Jovon Quarles: early life & family background 02:45 – Growing up in DC → move to North Carolina 08:40 – Adolescence, school & teenage fatherhood 10:59 – Football ambition & first drive to join the Navy 13:26 – Family doubts, recruiter pitch, decision to enlist 18:47 – Navy Boot Camp: first impressions 20:36 – Meeting recruits from across the country 30:12 – Qualification test: swim, run, push‑ups — getting in 31:52 – Start of BUD/S: physical & mental grind begins 36:14 – The challenge of Hell Week prep & pressure intensifies 38:28 – Drown‑proofing: confronting fear underwater 40:19 – Mental toughness talk: “pain is the path” mindset 48:58 – Hell Week begins: day one with boats, cold water & chaos 53:36 – Quitting and ringing the bell — admitting defeat 56:52 – Decision to return — commitment to finish what he started 58:14 – Leadership role in second attempt at BUD/S 1:05:09 – Hospitalization & physical collapse — risk of quitting again 1:08:04 – Recovery, walk‑week and finishing BUD/S 1:10:10 – Graduation: Honor Graduate speech & recognition 1:12:13 – Moving onto SQT: real SEAL training begins 1:13:25 – Personal loss: grandmother passes — resolve tested 1:18:25 – Making history: first Black SEAL to graduate BUD/S & SQT as Honor Man 1:19:59 – First SEAL assignment: submarine‑based SEAL delivery team 1:20:22 – Deployments: Special missions & combat in Iraq 1:31:39 – Transition to instructor & recruiting duty — giving back 1:33:26 – Life after SEALs: depression, recovery & new path 1:39:27 – Why Not Me?: book vision & final message #military #warstories #urbanvalor #navyseal #warstories

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