J. D. Vance in special forces training: preparations for 2028?
Exclusive images have revealed the participation of U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance in intense physical training alongside the United States Navy’s special forces, the Navy SEALs.
The exercises took place inside a military facility in the state of California, in a highly visible appearance that goes beyond symbolism and carries political implications related to leadership image and readiness in the United States.
Vance underwent an intensive training program lasting approximately 90 minutes, which he later described as extremely demanding, stating that it made him feel as though he had been “hit by a freight train,” according to a report by Fox News.
The images show the vice president performing a series of exercises known for their severity, including carrying heavy logs, rowing in ocean waters, running along the beach, and completing a rope-filled obstacle course alongside members of the elite unit.
According to informed sources, Vance took part in several phases of special forces training at a facility located in the city of Coronado, California, with deliberate efforts made to obscure the faces of certain unit members in order to protect their identities.
In a brief comment posted on the platform X, the vice president stated that he had participated in a 90-minute physical training session with the Navy’s special forces, without providing further details.
This appearance aligns with Vance’s military background, as he previously served in the United States Marine Corps and took part in the Iraq War. He enlisted in 2003 and was deployed to Iraq in 2005 as part of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing.
In previous statements, Vance emphasized that his military experience profoundly shaped his views on national security issues, the costs of war, and the moral and political responsibility borne by leaders when deciding to send soldiers into combat zones.
However, the vice president’s participation in elite forces training is not viewed solely through a personal or military lens. It also carries a clear political dimension, particularly amid growing discussions within Republican circles about Vance’s political future and the possibility of his emergence as a potential presidential candidate in the 2028 election.
Appearing alongside special operations forces strengthens his image as a political figure who combines military experience with physical readiness, attributes that often hold significant symbolic value in American political culture.
This scene is also consistent with the broader discourse of the Trump administration, which emphasizes concepts of “strength,” “discipline,” and “readiness,” both in foreign policy and within the military institution. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has repeatedly stressed the need for American soldiers, including senior officers and generals, to maintain the highest levels of physical fitness.
According to the network, Vance’s participation in these training sessions is intended not only to signal support for the armed forces, but also to solidify his image as a leader capable of appealing to the conservative base and voters focused on national security issues, at a time when the contours of the next generation of Republican leadership in the United States are being reshaped.
