National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum

National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum

(UDT stands for “Underwater Demolition Team”)

3300 N Hwy A1A
Fort Pierce, FL   34949
(772) 595-5845

http://www.navysealmuseum.org/

AT A GLANCE:  Navy SEAL Museum
Parking	Plentiful, free, onsite parking
Amount of time needed to peruse exhibits:	3 hours, easily.
Amount of time needed for gift shop	15 - 30minutes
Dress code	Dress respectfully.
Be sure to…..	Attempt knot tying while holding your breath.
Nearby/other establishments to visit	Ft. Pierce State Park and many nearby beaches on the Atlantic Ocean.  The town of Ft. Pierce is nearby, but quality shopping is at the Navy SEAL Museum.
Walkability, general downtown area / amount of traffic	You will need a car, or other transportation.
Safety, in terms of type and number of crimes committed in general area	Generally safe.  Please keep valuables out of site and lock your car, to keep the honest people honest.

I love a parade and all of its colorful sights and sounds.  That is, until the marching band plays “Star Spangled Banner” and the military jets preform a fly-over.  I start getting misty eyed, and the brand (personality, essence) of the United States overcomes me.  It makes me feel safe, honored, and proud.  Hearing a bugle play “Taps” does that to me, too and you can listen to it here.  I get a shiver along my spine along with a great sense of pride.  The Navy SEAL Museum has the same effect.  Take your time learning about the SEALs, and how they came to prominence after 911.

Our Mission Statement

The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum is the only museum dedicated solely to preserving the history of the U.S. Navy SEALs and their predecessors, including the Underwater Demolition Teams, Naval Combat Demolition Units, Office of Strategic Services Maritime Units and Amphibious Scouts and Raiders.  Located in Fort Pierce, Florida, birthplace of the Navy Frogman, the Museum promotes public education by providing the opportunity to explore the history of the Navy SEALs while honoring our fallen at the SEAL Memorial and caring for those warriors families through the Trident House Charities.

You understand the mission, or focus, of this museum before you enter it.  Park your car, walk through the iron gates, and snap photos of the “Medal of Honor” statue as you enter.  Chills already danced up and down my spine and my eyes grew moist.  The gift shop is on the right.

“Conducting clandestine missions behind enemy lines. Capturing enemy targets and intelligence against impossible odds. Bringing a threatening act of sea piracy to resolution in the blink of an eye. When they say “The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday,” it’s a motto backed by legendary achievements.”
— www.navy.com

Be sure to try the hands-on knot tying station.  Navy SEALS are able to hold their breath underwater

Hold your breath and tie a knot.

for four minutes, and this exhibit tests your knot tying and breath holding capability.  The square knot is a basic knot, so I started there and took a deep breath.  It’s a good thing that I’m familiar with tying a square knot and could tie it quickly, because I was gulping for air after eight seconds.  Not remotely close to the four minutes of the SEALs.  I gained an awareness of the passing of time at this exhibit. 

We spent over three hours at the Navy SEAL Museum, and most of this time was for the two-hour PBS documentary playing continuously in the viewing room.  The viewing room is on the left side as you enter the museum, and it is directly across from the gift shop.  Many places have short videos explain their history, their mission, et cetera, and we like to watch this before inspecting the exhibits.  The volunteer at the museum, a retired Navy SEAL, advised us to tour the museum first and save the documentary until last.  I appreciated his advice, and I believe I enjoyed and understood it better by saving it for last.   

The entrance to the gift shop

Let’s visit the gift shop.  I critique gift shops by how well they support, and add to, the museum’s focus.  I give the Navy SEAL gift shop a 100% rating.  To start with, the gift shop is a decent size, enough so that half-a-dozen visitors could shop without bumping into each other.  Feel free to practice my gift buying philosophy:  if you buy a gift for someone else, you need to buy something for yourself.  I believe you uphold the balance of the universe by doing this, and you won’t have any difficulty here. 

The displays fronting the shop hold books that are related to the Navy SEALS, detailing their history or their operations.  You’ll

German Shepherds

find titles like United States Naval Special Warfare, by Mathieson and Gatley, and By Honor Bond by Norris and Thornton.  If you are looking for a Navy SEAL bandana for a furry friend, look no further.  They are displayed next to the plush German Shepherd toys.  

Books in the gift shop

As you enter the Navy SEAL gift shop, walk straight ahead for a selection of ladies t-shirts.  The next rack displays camouflage apparel for young children.  There’s something about a camouflage onesies that is darn cute.  It doesn’t matter where you look; you know that you are in a gift shop supporting the Navy SEALs. 

Head to the opposite side of the shop for some fun items.  One of my favorites was a baseball cap which read:  “Want to meet a SEAL?  Hijack a ship.”  A graphic of a bullet hole was also on that hat.  The shop has visors and hats for ladies, most of which carry the SEAL logo.  Some of the items for children to purchase for themselves are in the display beneath the hats.  They’ll find plastic binoculars, toy helicopters, and action figures among other things.  More small items are located on the back wall and in the display that fronts the gift shop.  Boys usually like the medals and patches.  Let them shop for themselves, or pick up a few items to use as stocking stuffers.  Stocking stuffers for adults are shot glasses, travel mugs, Christmas ornaments, and

These key chains are really cool

some AWESOME key chains.  These keychains have a replicated round of ammunition attached, in various sizes.  I don’t think the larger ones would fit in my purse, and it could be downright dangerous for a man to put this in his pocket.  The sales staff asked me to warn people not to take these keychains through a security checkpoint because you will be stopped.  Consider yourself duly warned.  If you regret not buying something, don’t worry.  They have excellent online shopping.   Here’s the link http://shop.navysealmuseum.com/products

Walk out onto the obstacle course on your way out.  I didn’t have to attempt anything, because I knew that I would have failed miserably.  The hurdles were thigh-high, and without a little boost, were out

The Obstacle Course

of my league.  You will gain an appreciation and understanding after watching the documentary.

I got a wonderful warm, fuzzy, and emotional reaction as I toured the museum.  The gift shop did an admirable job of capturing that feeling, as I wiped the mist from my eyes.  Make it a point to visit the Navy SEALs Museum.

 

Medal of Honor statue

I believe it’s time for lunch, yes?  I recommend 12A Buoy, a great seafood restaurant on the shores of the Indian River.  If it’s possible, have someone else drive so you can admire the view from the causeway (bridge).  We were hungry and even though we had the address, we had a bit of an issue finding it.  We came to a dead end and went to turn around in what looked like an abandoned parking lot.  To our surprise, we found 12A Buoy at the far end of the parking lot.  This is a good place to try conch, if you’ve never had it.  It’s breaded and deep fried, so what’s not to like?  Ask about the catch of the day.

The downtown area of Ft. Pierce doesn’t offer much in terms of quality shopping. Look for the two stores that sell home goods and “beach-y” gifts.  The downtown area is only a few blocks in each direction, and it is easily walkable.