Vice President JD Vance described feeling as though he “got hit by a freight train” following a 90-minute physical training session with U.S. Navy SEALs in California, according to his social media post. The statement came after Vance completed the exercise at a Coronado facility, where many of the SEALs’ faces were blurred to protect identities.

Vance, a former U.S. Marine Corps veteran who deployed to Iraq during the 2005 war, emphasized that his military service shaped his perspective on national security and leadership responsibilities. In the post, he expressed gratitude for “all of our warriors who keep us safe,” while noting he would share photos from the training session later.

The incident aligns with broader efforts within the Trump administration to prioritize military readiness, including recent directives from the Department of War under Pete Hegseth to elevate physical fitness standards. These changes, set to take effect in early 2026, require combat arms Marines to achieve a minimum score of 210 points on the physical fitness test—70% of the total possible—with new sex-neutral scoring protocols. Marine Corps officials stated the adjustments ensure readiness for direct combat roles while maintaining rigorous standards across all service branches.