You’ve seen the gear. If you spend any time on Instagram or YouTube looking at tactical kits, you’ve definitely seen the "Hydra" mount—that weirdly tall optic riser that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. That’s the calling card of GBRS Group, the SEAL Team 6 guys company that has basically taken over the tactical industry.
But here’s the thing: most people just see a brand. They see cool videos and expensive gear. They don’t see the decades of "no-fail" missions that actually built the foundation. When we talk about "the SEAL Team 6 guys company," we’re usually talking about DJ Shipley and Cole Fuiten, two guys who didn’t just serve in the Navy—they were at the very tip of the spear in DEVGRU (Naval Special Warfare Development Group).
Honestly, the transition from Tier 1 operator to businessman is usually pretty messy. A lot of guys just slap a trident on a t-shirt and call it a day. GBRS Group did something different. They leaned into "Knowledge Transfer."
The Founders: Not Just Your Average SEALs
Let’s get the facts straight. The term "SEAL Team 6" is a bit of a legacy name; the military officially calls it DEVGRU. DJ Shipley, one of the primary faces of GBRS Group, spent the better part of two decades in the Navy. He wasn’t just a regular SEAL; he was a Tier 1 operator with multiple combat deployments to the most dangerous places on earth.
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His partner, Cole Fuiten, comes from the same world. When these guys started the company, they weren’t looking to just sell stickers. They wanted to fix problems they encountered while they were actually out there doing the job.
Why the Gear Looks So Weird
Take that Hydra Mount I mentioned. To a casual observer, it looks unnecessary. Why would you want your red dot sitting three inches off your rail?
Well, if you’re wearing gas masks, night vision goggles (NVGs), and heavy body armor, you can’t exactly "scrunch" your face down onto a traditional stock. You need the optic to come up to your eye. The GBRS Group gear is designed specifically for people who are working in those extreme, cluttered environments. It’s born from the "Gold Squadron" mindset—the idea that if the gear isn't helping you win the fight in 0.5 seconds, it’s in the way.
More Than Just "Cool Guys" Selling Stuff
The company is actually split into a few different verticals. It’s not just a retail shop.
- Tactical Training: They run "Knowledge Transfer" courses. This isn't "fantasy camp" for civilians; it’s high-level training for law enforcement and other military units. They teach the mechanics of how to move, how to shoot, and how to think under pressure.
- The Soft Goods: Yeah, they sell hoodies and shirts. But even their apparel often carries a message about mental health and "being 1% better every day."
- Performance & Fitness: They have a heavy focus on the "human machine." You can't be a Tier 1 operator if your body is falling apart, so they offer fitness programming designed by experts like Vernon Griffith.
It’s kinda interesting because they’ve built a cult-like following. You’ll see guys in local gyms wearing GBRS shirts who have never even touched a rifle. That’s the power of the brand they’ve built—it’s about a lifestyle of discipline, not just the military aspect.
The Controversy Factor
You can't talk about a SEAL Team 6 guys company without touching on the drama. The "Quiet Professional" mantra is a big deal in the SEAL community. Some older veterans think that starting a YouTube channel and selling gear is "selling out" or breaking the code of silence.
But the reality of 2026 is that information is everywhere. If the "good guys" aren't teaching these skills, someone else will. GBRS Group has stayed successful because they don't leak classified secrets; they teach methodology. There's a big difference between telling a story about a specific mission and teaching someone how to properly transition from a primary to a secondary weapon.
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Why GBRS Group Still Matters Today
A lot of veteran-owned companies flame out after two years. They run out of stories to tell or their gear turns out to be poor quality. GBRS Group has stayed relevant because they are obsessively committed to the "Tier 1" standard.
They’ve also been very open about the toll the job takes. DJ Shipley has spoken at length about the physical injuries and the mental health struggles that come with 17+ years of constant combat. That honesty resonates. It makes the company feel human, rather than just a faceless tactical brand.
What You Can Learn From Them
Even if you never plan on buying a $500 optic mount, there’s a lot to take away from the way these guys run their business:
- Solve your own problems: They didn't invent gear for the sake of it; they made things they wished they had in Afghanistan and Iraq.
- Iterate constantly: They’re always tweaking their designs based on feedback from people currently in the field.
- The "1% Better" Rule: It’s a simple concept, but applying it to your fitness, your job, and your relationships is how you actually make progress.
If you’re looking to support a veteran-owned business that actually knows what they’re talking about, GBRS Group is the gold standard for a reason. They aren't just "SEAL Team 6 guys"—they're professionals who figured out how to turn a very specific, dangerous set of skills into a way to help others stay safe and perform better.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your kit: If you're a shooter, look at your "height over bore." Does your optic height actually work with your natural posture, or are you forcing your head down to meet the gun?
- Audit your "1%": Identify one small thing in your daily routine—whether it's waking up 10 minutes earlier or doing one extra set at the gym—that you can improve today.
- Support the mission: If you want to dive deeper into the mindset, look into the GBRS "Knowledge Transfer" videos. Even the free content on their social channels offers more value than most paid tactical courses.