Reel Team 6: How ‘SIX’ Turned a Group of Actors into Believable Navy SEALs

When SIX premiered on the History Channel in 2017, audiences didn’t just see actors playing elite military operatives—they saw a brotherhood forged in grit, discipline, and authenticity. What made SIX stand out wasn’t just the explosive missions or tactical realism. It was how convincingly the cast embodied Navy SEALs—not just in look, but in mindset, movement, and presence.

But how does a group of civilians become Reel Team 6? The answer lies in one of the most intense actor training regimens ever created for television.

The Mission: Authenticity Over Acting

Why Realism Mattered in ‘SIX’

In an age where military-themed shows are a dime a dozen, SIX aimed higher. The creators, including William Broyles (Jarhead) and David Broyles (a former Navy SEAL himself), weren’t interested in clichés or Hollywood dramatization. They wanted to craft a series that honored the real warriors behind the SEAL teams.

Their mission was clear: make the audience forget they’re watching actors.

And to do that, they needed their cast to stop acting—and start living like real SEALs.

Boot Camp Begins: Meet the Actors Turned Warriors

The Core Cast Who Became Reel Team 6

The main team of SIX included:

• Barry Sloane as Joe “Bear” Graves

• Kyle Schmid as Alex Caulder

• Juan Pablo Raba as Ricky “Buddha” Ortiz

• Edwin Hodge as Robert Chase

• Dominic Adams as Michael Nasry

• Brianne Davis and Olivia Munn in key supporting roles

Most had little to no military experience. And yet, within weeks, they were moving, talking, and thinking like elite operators.

Training Like a SEAL: No Scripts, Just Sweat

Led by the Real Deal: Former SEALs as Instructors

The cast didn’t go through standard Hollywood prep. They were thrown into a physically and mentally demanding SEAL-style boot camp, designed and led by actual Navy SEAL veterans—including co-creator David Broyles.

There were no shortcuts. The instructors didn’t treat them like actors—they treated them like recruits.

“It was real. We weren’t pretending anymore,” Barry Sloane recalled. “It was full-on tactical training.”

What the Training Included

1. Tactical Movement and CQB (Close Quarters Battle)

Actors learned how to move in tight spaces, clear buildings, stack up on doorways, and sweep rooms—exactly as SEALs do in real combat.

2. Firearms Training

Every cast member became proficient with SEAL-standard weaponry: M4 carbines, Glocks, and sniper rifles. They drilled magazine changes, weapon transitions, and marksmanship under stress.

3. Communication and Team Cohesion

They used real comms lingo, hand signals, and team tactics to coordinate during missions—fostering genuine trust and cohesion.

4. Physical Fitness & Endurance

Long runs, strength training, bodyweight exercises, and team-based physical challenges were all part of daily life—mimicking the intensity of BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) training.

5. Mental Toughness

Sleep deprivation, time pressure, and realistic mission scenarios were used to push mental limits. They were tested—and many broke before rebuilding.

Actor Transformations: The Physical and Psychological Shift

From Civilian to SEAL: Inside the Mind of Bear

Barry Sloane, a British actor known for Revenge and Longmire, underwent one of the most remarkable transformations. Not only did he bulk up and master weapons handling, but he also internalized the leadership role of a SEAL team leader.

“Bear wasn’t a character I played. He became someone I knew inside out,” Sloane said. “Because of the training, I didn’t have to think about what he’d do—I just knew.”

Juan Pablo Raba: A Real-Life Warrior Behind the Scenes

Raba, who played Ricky “Buddha” Ortiz, had his own emotional connection to the role. He brought intensity and emotional depth to a character torn between duty and family—something sharpened by the boot camp’s psychological tests.

“You don’t just learn how to shoot—you learn how to lead, to suffer, to protect,” Raba shared.

Behind the Camera: Realism in Every Frame

Military Advisors on Set

The series had military advisors on set every day to ensure the gear, dialogue, and movements were authentic. Even the smallest gestures—how a SEAL holds a rifle or scans a room—were meticulously reviewed.

“There was no ‘good enough,’” Kyle Schmid noted. “It was either right or wrong, because in the real world, that’s life or death.”

Gear and Loadout: What They Carried Was Real

Each actor was equipped with real military kit—plate carriers, helmets, radios, hydration systems—sometimes weighing up to 40-60 pounds. They carried it for hours, in heat, dust, and sometimes through explosions and gunfire.

Building Brotherhood: On and Off the Screen

Forging a Real Team

Unlike most casts, the SIX team didn’t just rehearse lines together—they bled, sweat, and suffered side by side.

They built foxholes, endured freezing nights in the woods, and practiced ambush drills in real mud and terrain.

“That kind of bonding, you can’t fake,” said Edwin Hodge. “It changes you. We became brothers.”

Chemistry That Translated On-Screen

The result? A camaraderie and tension that jumped off the screen. Viewers saw more than just a mission—they saw a family, complete with loyalty, loss, and layered emotions.

When the Cameras Rolled: Putting Training Into Action

Long Takes and Real Tactics

SIX often used long, uncut scenes to capture the chaos and precision of real-time combat. The actors weren’t choreographed in the traditional sense. They were given objectives—and trusted to clear, secure, or defend an area based on their training.

It was unscripted in movement, creating a visceral, documentary-style realism that stunned audiences.

Reception: What Veterans and Viewers Thought

Praise from the Real SEAL Community

Unlike many Hollywood attempts at portraying special forces, SIX earned praise from veterans and military communities for its attention to detail and respect for the warrior culture.

Former SEALs noted the “authentic brotherhood” and the accuracy of mission planning and execution shown in the series.

Viewers Felt the Difference

Audiences picked up on the raw emotion, tension, and authenticity. Whether it was a hostage rescue or a team argument, the stakes always felt real—because they were drawn from real training, real sacrifice, and real preparation.

Lessons from Reel Team 6

More Than Just a Role

By the end of production, the cast didn’t just walk away with credits—they walked away with discipline, empathy for service members, and lifelong bonds.

“It wasn’t just about learning how to shoot,” Dominic Adams said. “It was about learning who we could become under pressure.”

The Legacy of ‘SIX’: More Than a Show

Though SIX concluded after two intense seasons, its legacy lives on—not just in reruns, but in how it raised the bar for military storytelling.

It proved that authenticity isn’t optional—it’s everything when honoring those who serve.

And most importantly, it showed that with the right guidance and heart, even actors can become warriors—if only for a time.

Final Thoughts: From Reel to Real

In a world of flashy shootouts and cookie-cutter military dramas, SIX stood apart. Not because of its budget or explosions—but because it asked more of its cast. It demanded discipline, heart, and brotherhood.

And the result was something rare: a show where the line between real and reel blurred beautifully.