Assessing the Accuracy of Seal Team Season 7: An In-Depth Analysis of Military Representation

SEAL Team season 7 offers audiences an in-depth exploration of the perilous and high-stakes missions undertaken by elite Navy SEALs. Originally broadcast on CBS, the series made its transition to Paramount+ starting from its sixth season.

In addition to the gripping action scenes stemming from daring missions, SEAL Team season 7 also examines the personal hardships encountered by the members of this elite military unit. Given the intricate portrayal of a Navy SEAL’s life within the show, fans are left pondering the authenticity of these narratives.

While not directly based on real events, the creators and cast strive to genuine portray the struggles and mental trials faced by Bravo Team members and their families. Furthermore, SEAL Team has received the “This Is Our Six”accolade, a certification that affirms its dedication to accurately depicting the complex realities faced by soldiers.

SEAL Team Season 7: Highlighting the Conflicts and Sacrifices of Military Duty

The commitment of SEAL Team to realistically represent military life shines through in its depiction of the physical and psychological challenges endured by SEAL members and their families. Although the thrilling missions of Bravo Team are fictional, their lifestyles resonate deeply with those who have experienced similar paths.

A key attraction of the series lies in its portrayal of the struggles faced by the families of Navy SEALs. For example, in SEAL Team season 7, episode 6, David Boreanaz’s character Jason Hayes encounters family issues while returning home for his son’s surgery, only to uncover deeper challenges, including Mikey’s overdose.

The balancing act between military obligations and family life is a central theme in Neil Brown Jr.’s character Ray Perry’s storyline. In the initial episodes of season 7, Ray’s family life with Naima experiences strain as he is called for another mission on brief notice, compelling Naima to manage everything back at Spencer House.

Ray and Jason in SEAL Team Season 7 (Image via Paramount+)

Jason Hayes’ traumatic brain injury (TBI) is another critical storyline in SEAL Team season 7. This accurately reflects real-life consequences faced by veterans after combat. As noted in a report from JAMA Network in February 2024, TBI has become a prevalent battle injury among veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.

Toni Trucks, portraying Lieutenant Lisa Davis, mentioned in an interview with The Morning News Show back in 2018 that the military endorsed the show with the “This Is Our Six”certification, underscoring SEAL Team’s commitment to accurately representing the experiences of courageous military personnel.

Featuring US Military Veterans in SEAL Team’s Cast and Crew

To ensure the authentic representation of the intricacies of combat and military life, SEAL Team season 7 has employed numerous former military operators in various roles, both in front of and behind the camera.

Tyler Grey, who portrays Bravo Team’s Trent Sawyer, is a former US Army Delta Force operator and a seasoned sniper with the Army Rangers. While not a Navy SEAL himself, Grey brings extensive combat knowledge to his role as an actor, advisor, and story editor for the series, and he is credited as a story editor for the latest eight episodes of SEAL Team season 7 while also directing three episodes: Unbecoming an Officer, Do No Harm, and Need to Know.

Ray Perry, aka Mako-1 in SEAL Team (Image via Paramount+)

David Boreanaz revealed on the Rachel Ray Show in 2019 that they have “hired almost 100 veterans”for the series. Additionally, the concept for the show originated with Mark Owen, a former Navy SEAL who serves as one of the executive producers, long before Benjamin Cavell adapted it for television.

Mark Semos, who portrayed John “TJ”Monero in the second season, is also a former Navy SEAL. He began as a consulting producer before appearing as TJ, and he continues his involvement in SEAL Team season 7 as a co-executive producer. Discussing the series’ accuracy and commitment to authenticity with ATRG in 2020, he stated:

“The authenticity level of SEAL Team is truly a team effort. It starts in the writers’ room, with every screenwriter working diligently to uphold the standards while telling the necessary stories. The dedication continues on set, with our directors and actors all striving to maintain the integrity.”

Semos further noted that Tyler Grey “usually holds down the fort on set.”

SEAL Team: A Commitment to Honor Through Authentic Filming

The cast of SEAL Team season 7 is dedicated to honoring those they depict through various means. One significant approach is their commitment to filming many stunts “for real.”Boreanaz previously shared with Men’s Journal, as referenced by Collider, about the avoidance of green screens, stating:

“We take pride in placing ourselves in the elements and filming it authentically. That means we’re getting on a Black Hawk and going up—not utilizing a green screen.”

AJ Buckley, who plays Sonny in SEAL Team, has been sharing many behind-the-scenes glimpses from SEAL Team season 7 on his Instagram account. This includes footage of an explosion scene, which Buckley humorously referred to as his “Antonio Banderas, Desperado moment.”In the clip, he and Raffi Barsoumian’s Omar are seen escaping from an exploding aircraft, with Buckley quipping that it “burnt the hairs off the back of my a**.”

He also showcased a behind-the-scenes moment where he ran atop a moving train, aided by a stunt double, as well as footage of himself covered in dirt post-blast, which led Buckley to jokingly refer to it as #METHODdirtinfaceACTING, with assistance from co-star Tyler Grey.

In a similar vein, David Boreanaz has gone to great lengths for authenticity while shooting SEAL Team, opting for an actual SEAL helmet instead of a prop. He commented to Parade in 2019:

“I could wear a lightweight [prop] helmet, but I chose to wear his [Mark Owen’s] actual helmet as a tribute, and I will do so for the entirety of the series.”

SEAL Team season 7 is currently available for streaming on Paramount+.

Source