This is a list of notable current and former members of the United States Navy SEALs. Founded in 1962, the SEALs are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force. The name "SEALs" represents the environments in which they operate: sea, air and land. Navy SEALs are trained and have been deployed in a wide variety of missions, including direct action special reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, hostage rescue, counter-terrorism, and other missions.