Trish gloves up with US Navy Seals

THERE are few people tougher than American Navy SEALs. But Ipswich-raised Tricia Ham might just be one of them.

Personal trainer Tricia Ham has received an official letter of commendation from the US Navy. Picture: Contributed

THERE are few people tougher than American Navy SEALs.

But Ipswich-raised Tricia Ham might just be one of them.

Mrs Ham is a personal trainer in Burlington, Kentucky, where she has been working with members of the US military wanting to join the special forces.

After moving to the United States with her husband Steve, she was contacted by a former Marine asking her to help train two sailors hoping to get into the SEAL program.

"During that workout I could see where these two guys needed some help physically, so I offered to help them out, as I didn't yet have a job here," she said.

"I went with them to their monthly physical screening tests for SPECWAR (Special Warfare).

"After a while I went to the Navy Recruiting Station in Florence to meet the recruiters, and they called me that very day and asked me to train the four of them for their next physical requirement test, which the Navy do every six months."

From those first two Mrs Ham has become the go-to personal trainer for Navy personnel in the Ohio Navy Recruiting District.

"I have trained a few (army) Rangers candidates and one Coast Guard, one National Guard and right now I have my first Air Force Special Ops (combat controller), and also my first Army Special Forces candidate (Green Beret)."

Her work has even garnered her an official letter of commendation from the Navy.

"I have been training voluntarily and also going to help out at the delayed entry programs meetings, which is why they gave me the commendation.

"I have just loved the fact that they have taken me in as their own and I almost feel part of their Navy family."

SEAL speak

• Standing for sea, air and land, the SEALs are the elite special forces of the US Navy.
• There are fewer than 2500 members of the SEALs - less than 1% of the US Navy.
• While they were established in 1962, the SEALs trace their origins to naval special forces started in the Second World War.

Originally published as Trish gloves up with US Navy Seals