The film stars actual, active-duty US Navy SEALs and SWCC. According to conditions set by the U.S. Government, their real names and identity are not revealed.
In certain key scenes real ammunition was used during filming to get the realistic effect.
In the commentary the producers say the torture scene is a "Hollywood" torture scene. The stories that they researched and heard about were far more sadistic and gory than what they shot on scene. They were also certain they would get a X rating if they filmed some the methods they researched.
The crew filmed at Navy training sites to provide realistic settings, such as a drug cartel base, a terrorist camp on an isolated island, and a smuggler's yacht.
Due to the SEALs deployment cycles principal photography of the film took two and half years.