# LCDR Kaj Larsen, U.S. Navy, SEAL Training, War on Terrorism

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/veterans-chronicles-608161/lcdr-kaj-larsen-u-s-navy-seal-training-war-on-terrorism
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/veterans-chronicles-608161/lcdr-kaj-larsen-u-s-navy-seal-training-war-on-terrorism.md
Podcast: [Veterans Chronicles](https://stenobird.com/podcast/veterans-chronicles-608161)
Published: 2026-07-08T11:00:03+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/lcdr-kaj-larsen-u-s-navy-seal-training-war-on-terrorism--72709231
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72709231/20260708_kaj_larsen_final.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/veterans-chronicles-608161/episodes/lcdr-kaj-larsen-u-s-navy-seal-training-war-on-terrorism
Duration seconds: 2097

## Resource

Kaj Larsen did not follow the typical route to becoming a U.S. Navy SEAL. He was admitted to the U.S. Naval Academy but left after two years to focus on playing water polo at the collegiate level. A few years later he enlisted in the Navy and immediately tried to get a slot in Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL (BUD/s) training in Coronado, California. Those billets are not usually given to men who left Annapolis but Larsen managed to snag one after his lifeguarding skills made headlines. In this edition of Veterans Chronicles , Larsen explains his path to becoming a SEAL officer in more detail, his thoughts upon arriving at Coronado, and how the incredible intensity of the training started during the first hour of the very first day. Larsen also details the agony of "Hell Week," his most difficult moments during BUD/s, and what the seemingly ruthless instructors are trying to achieve through their relentless demands. Larsen also tells us what it was like being in the middle of this training when the 9/11 terrorist attacks struck the U.S. Finally, Larsen reveals what his first combat experience was like and how SEAL gear and tactics have evolved since his time in combat as a result of new technologies and adapting to the tactics of our enemies.

## Actions

- request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/veterans-chronicles-608161/episodes/lcdr-kaj-larsen-u-s-navy-seal-training-war-on-terrorism/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.
- read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/veterans-chronicles-608161/lcdr-kaj-larsen-u-s-navy-seal-training-war-on-terrorism.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.

A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed.

## Transcript

Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.