Serving in the military requires great courage, as members willingly take on risks and hardships most professions never face. The demanding conditions of training, deployment, and combat involve dangers that call for personal sacrifice. Within the various military branches, there are elite forces that train even harder and undertake riskier assignments that consistently put them in harm’s way. In particular, the Navy SEALs are considered one of the toughest special operations forces in the world, with several alums that have continued to other careers within the intelligence community and private sector.
In particular, David Goggins is a retired Navy SEAL, Army Ranger and Air Force service member who pivoted to becoming a prolific athlete as well as a public speaker and author. He is an ultramarathon runner, triathlete, and ultra-distance cyclist. With a career this impressive, it is only natural to wonder about David Goggins’ current net worth.
David Goggins’ Early Life
Like many celebrities, David Goggins’ early life starts out fairly normal. He was born in 1975 in Buffalo, New York before relocating to Williamsville in 1981. However, his home life was far from idyllic. He was a witness to domestic abuse with his mother the victim of his father’s outbursts. Eventually, his mother moved with her children to Brazil, Indiana to get away from the abuse.
In Indiana, Goggins discovered he has a learning disability that was caused from his tumultuous childhood as well as sustained stress from experiencing his father’s abusive outbursts in his younger years. He often notes that he struggled with stuttering and constantly fought against social anxiety and an endless “fight-or-flight” response.
Unfortunately, growing up in a small town in Indiana also meant that he was subjected to racism. This was underscored by the fact that during his childhood, Brazil, Indiana, was a known Ku Klux Klan stronghold in the state. However, by high school Goggins saw glimmers of hope when he took a pararescue jump orientation course after his grandfather, a former Air Force member, encouraged him to do so.
David Goggins Enters The Military
Initially, David Goggins applied for the United States Air Force Pararescue division and began training. However, he was later diagnosed with carrying the sickle cell trait which made him ineligible to continue the training course. As a result, he switched to the Air Force Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) where he served for five years, between 1994 and 1999, working alongside British counterparts until he eventually left the Air Force.
Joining The Navy SEALs
While there was a time gap between leaving the Air Force and joining the Navy, David Goggins eventually joined the Navy SEAL Reserves after losing 106 pounds to meet the necessary weight requirements to begin training. In 2001 he graduated from the BUD/S training class 235 and went on to complete the SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) as well as the probationary period.
David was assigned to SEAL Team 5 after receiving the NEC 5326 as a Combatant Swimmer. During his time, he completed several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is the 36th African-American Navy SEAL in Navy SEAL history. However, in 2004, he also graduated from Army Ranger School and received the “Enlisted Honor Man” award after receiving a 100 percent peer evaluation score.
David Goggins Pivots To Athletic Pursuits
Being an elite Navy SEAL and even an Army Ranger requires an elite level of athleticism. It was not until tragedy hit close to home in 2005 that Goggins decided to begin long-distance running. A helicopter crash during Operation Red Wings claimed the lives of several of his friends, prompting him to run as a way to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. This charitable organization provides college scholarships for children of fallen Special Operations soldiers. Goggins raised over $2 million for the foundation by competing in several endurance challenges like the Badwater Ultramarathon — which he has completed three times.
Marathons And Ultramarathons
David Goggins racked up an impressive athletic record, including participating in the San Diego One Day in 2005, which is a 24-hour ultramarathon. Meanwhile, that same year he also participated in the Las Vegas Marathon, with a finish that qualified him for the Boston Marathon.
In 2006, he participated in the HURT 100 in Hawaii, followed by the Badwater-135 where he finished 5th overall. Later that year, he placed second in the three-day, 320-mile Ultraman World Championships Triathalon that also took place in Hawaii. In 2007, Goggins returned to the Badwater-135 — placing third this time.
David Goggins The Author
David Goggins has an impressive resume that spans military service and the private sector — and, understandably, his story would inspire others. In 2018, he released a self-help memoir titled “Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds.” This was followed by the sequel “Never Finished: Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within,” which was released in 2022.
David Goggin’s Current Net Worth
According to current estimates, former Navy SEAL David Goggins has a net worth between $2.5 to $5 million. Much of this is linked to book sales, as well as fees for his motivational speaking engagements.
