milli.

 "For those who knew Kyle, his voice, mannerisms, and wit have left a lasting impression. His sarcasm, curly hair, references to the Maine lobster, fondness for the New England Patriots, unusually large calves, and everlasting love for his family are just a few things I will never forget about Milli. More importantly, he was known as the guy that was looked up to by many.

First off, he was hysterical. I could never properly compose the words to describe how funny he was. His facial expressions, perfect timing, and bachelor's degree in communications always made his humor a step above every else. I remember countless times when he had adult Navy SEALs in a full giggle fit. There was never a dull moment with Kyle. Milli kept everyone on their toes. Whether we were traveling commercial air, checking into a hotel, having a bite at a restaurant, or asking a question in a public setting, any misstep or stumble could make you the target of a hilarious joke.

Humor aside, there are many good operators at the nation's premier special operations unit; there are also many good family men at that same command. The reality is that most men excel at one or the other. Many online mediums show rugged Navy SEALS in body armor, brandishing beards, guns, and night vision. Some of those same platforms show these same rocky warriors in family settings with rolled-up denim jeans on the beach. Balancing these contrasting lifestyles is incredibly tough, and I've seen families ripped apart because of this paradox. Kyle was an exception and one of the few who had the talent to balance these lifestyles. He had the right temperament—he knew when to be vocal and when to be quiet. Kyle also took competitiveness to aspects of our job that completely changed the dynamic of our team. Not just our typical fitness or shooting competitions, but he would compete in being a good father and husband. Who took their kid outside to play catch? Who had their child riding a bike before three years old, and who got their wife something grand for Valentine's Day? Milli was inspiring, he was humble, and he was a great leader. I look to men like Kyle Milliken to strive to be better than I was the day before. Kyle and I had known each other for years, but we became closer when we ended up at the same SEAL team. I cherish the fact that my unique military path put me on a collision course with Kyle, and although his death breaks my heart, he has made me a better person. For that, I am grateful."

- Kyle's Teammate