Difference between revisions of "Become a Navy SEAL"
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| − | + | Becoming a Navy SEAL (Sea-Air-Land) requires extreme[[Do Well in High School Physical Education| physical fitness]],[[Improve Your Mental and Physical Skills| mental fitness]] and the ability to make quick decisions while operating as part of a team under demanding conditions. They are the highest paid enlisted operators in the military and for good reason -- it is an assignment that only a few are mentally and physically strong enough to take on.<ref name="rf1">http://www.navy.com/careers/special-operations/seals.html</ref> If you think you can make it with the cream of the cream of the crop, read on. | |
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#Get your Navy SEAL contract. Now that you've signed your Navy contract and taken the PST, you are now allowed to receive a SEAL contract. Your Special Warfare/Special Operations mentor will help you along this process. If all is fine, you will be reclassified into the SEAL program and a new contract (replacing the old one) must be signed. | #Get your Navy SEAL contract. Now that you've signed your Navy contract and taken the PST, you are now allowed to receive a SEAL contract. Your Special Warfare/Special Operations mentor will help you along this process. If all is fine, you will be reclassified into the SEAL program and a new contract (replacing the old one) must be signed. | ||
| − | #*There is ''another'' PST you must take two weeks prior to SEAL boot camp in order to keep your contract. Do not let up on your training. If you do not pass PST 1 or 2 (or any other future PST), you will be taken off the SEAL pipeline and put in another area of the Navy.<ref name=" | + | #*There is ''another'' PST you must take two weeks prior to SEAL boot camp in order to keep your contract. Do not let up on your training. If you do not pass PST 1 or 2 (or any other future PST), you will be taken off the SEAL pipeline and put in another area of the Navy.<ref name="rf1" /> |
=== Beginning Your Training=== | === Beginning Your Training=== | ||
#Go to SEAL Prep School in Great Lakes, IL. Here you'll have another initial PST and a closing PST (that's harder than the first one -- a timed four-mile run and a timed 1000-meter swim). It's basically boot camp. Intense boot camp. | #Go to SEAL Prep School in Great Lakes, IL. Here you'll have another initial PST and a closing PST (that's harder than the first one -- a timed four-mile run and a timed 1000-meter swim). It's basically boot camp. Intense boot camp. | ||
| − | #*This lasts for 8 weeks. If you make it through, you'll be shipped off to BUD/S in Coronado, CA. If you don't, you'll be placed in another division of the Navy.<ref name=" | + | #*This lasts for 8 weeks. If you make it through, you'll be shipped off to BUD/S in Coronado, CA. If you don't, you'll be placed in another division of the Navy.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Begin BUD/S. That stands for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL. It is a 24-week challenge that will develop you into a mental and physical machine. Each week you will be required to show sufficient improvement. Because of its nature, only 25% make it to the end. BUD/S includes three phases: | #Begin BUD/S. That stands for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL. It is a 24-week challenge that will develop you into a mental and physical machine. Each week you will be required to show sufficient improvement. Because of its nature, only 25% make it to the end. BUD/S includes three phases: | ||
#* Phase I is "basic conditioning," focused on mental and physical ability. | #* Phase I is "basic conditioning," focused on mental and physical ability. | ||
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#Start orientation. This is the first 3 weeks of BUD/S. It will introduce you to the instructors and the lifestyle to be expected. You will get a sense of the training and be prepared to begin the first real phase. | #Start orientation. This is the first 3 weeks of BUD/S. It will introduce you to the instructors and the lifestyle to be expected. You will get a sense of the training and be prepared to begin the first real phase. | ||
#*Get ready to hear some not so pretty things. You'll be doing things like drown-proofing -- where you have to swim with either your legs or hands bound -- and surf torture -- where you're exposed to cold water for minutes on end, ordered to do calisthenics, and possibly even run miles in your cold, wet clothes. Then, you'll just be ordered back into the water.<ref name="sci">http://science.howstuffworks.com/navy-seal6.htm</ref> | #*Get ready to hear some not so pretty things. You'll be doing things like drown-proofing -- where you have to swim with either your legs or hands bound -- and surf torture -- where you're exposed to cold water for minutes on end, ordered to do calisthenics, and possibly even run miles in your cold, wet clothes. Then, you'll just be ordered back into the water.<ref name="sci">http://science.howstuffworks.com/navy-seal6.htm</ref> | ||
| − | #Start the physical conditioning phase. This lasts 7 weeks and is gruesome. It's where the most Drops on Request (DOR) get filed.<ref name="sci" /> Those activities mentioned above happen during this stage, along with running {{convert|4|mi}} in boots, {{convert|2|mi|adj=on}} swims in the ocean, participating in timed obstacle courses, and learning small boat seamanship.<ref name=" | + | #Start the physical conditioning phase. This lasts 7 weeks and is gruesome. It's where the most Drops on Request (DOR) get filed.<ref name="sci" /> Those activities mentioned above happen during this stage, along with running {{convert|4|mi}} in boots, {{convert|2|mi|adj=on}} swims in the ocean, participating in timed obstacle courses, and learning small boat seamanship.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #*Fourth week of this Basic Conditioning is affectionately known as "Hell Week." You will be training for 5 1/2 days continuously with 4 hours of sleep ''total''. This is the ultimate test of your physical and mental motivation. You will learn that you can do a hundred times more than what you thought you could ever do and learn how to depend on your team. If you make it through this torturous week, you'll spend three weeks gladly making surveys, charts, and being more academic.<ref name=" | + | #*Fourth week of this Basic Conditioning is affectionately known as "Hell Week." You will be training for 5 1/2 days continuously with 4 hours of sleep ''total''. This is the ultimate test of your physical and mental motivation. You will learn that you can do a hundred times more than what you thought you could ever do and learn how to depend on your team. If you make it through this torturous week, you'll spend three weeks gladly making surveys, charts, and being more academic.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Start the Combat Diving portion of BUD/S. During this time, you will be trained as a combat swimmer. The second phase of this portion concentrates on SCUBA skills -- both open and closed circuits (compressed air and 100% oxygen). You'll also learn some medical skills as well. | #Start the Combat Diving portion of BUD/S. During this time, you will be trained as a combat swimmer. The second phase of this portion concentrates on SCUBA skills -- both open and closed circuits (compressed air and 100% oxygen). You'll also learn some medical skills as well. | ||
| − | #*You'll be doing long-distance underwater dives. Actually, you'll learn how swimming is a mode of transportation. This is unique to SEALs and sets you apart from other Special Operations forces.<ref name=" | + | #*You'll be doing long-distance underwater dives. Actually, you'll learn how swimming is a mode of transportation. This is unique to SEALs and sets you apart from other Special Operations forces.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Move onto the Land Warfare phase. For these next 7 weeks, you'll be trained in basic weapons, demolition and small-unit tactics, with the last half on San Clemente Island. But your initial skills aren't forgotten -- in fact, the ante is upped yet again. You'll need to run, swim, and negotiate the obstacle course even faster than before. | #Move onto the Land Warfare phase. For these next 7 weeks, you'll be trained in basic weapons, demolition and small-unit tactics, with the last half on San Clemente Island. But your initial skills aren't forgotten -- in fact, the ante is upped yet again. You'll need to run, swim, and negotiate the obstacle course even faster than before. | ||
| − | #*You'll also be doing some sophisticated land navigation, patrolling techniques, rappelling, marksmanship and military explosives. Thankfully it's not all surf torture and drown-proofing!<ref name=" | + | #*You'll also be doing some sophisticated land navigation, patrolling techniques, rappelling, marksmanship and military explosives. Thankfully it's not all surf torture and drown-proofing!<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Begin Parachute Jump School. Having made it through BUD/S (hats off to you!), you'll be taken to do static line and free-fall training at Tactical Air Operations in sunny San Diego, CA. The emphasis here is to everything as safely as possible. If you had vertigo or acrophobia up until this point, you might want to consider getting over it. | #Begin Parachute Jump School. Having made it through BUD/S (hats off to you!), you'll be taken to do static line and free-fall training at Tactical Air Operations in sunny San Diego, CA. The emphasis here is to everything as safely as possible. If you had vertigo or acrophobia up until this point, you might want to consider getting over it. | ||
| − | #*You'll be starting off simple, with basic static line jumps to free falls to accelerated free falls to accelerated free falls with combat equipment to accelerated free falls with combat equipment from 9,500 feet (minimum).<ref name=" | + | #*You'll be starting off simple, with basic static line jumps to free falls to accelerated free falls to accelerated free falls with combat equipment to accelerated free falls with combat equipment from 9,500 feet (minimum).<ref name="rf1" /> |
# Move on to SEAL Qualification Training (SQT). SQT includes Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) School and Tactical Air Operations. It's another 26 weeks honing your mental and physical prowess. | # Move on to SEAL Qualification Training (SQT). SQT includes Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) School and Tactical Air Operations. It's another 26 weeks honing your mental and physical prowess. | ||
| − | #*You'll be taking this time learning TTPs; that's Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures. You'll be put through cold-weather survival, marine operations, advanced combat swimming, close-quarter combat and land-warfare training, rendering you virtually immortal. Perhaps more importantly, you'll be working as part of a platoon and as a valuable member of a team.<ref name=" | + | #*You'll be taking this time learning TTPs; that's Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures. You'll be put through cold-weather survival, marine operations, advanced combat swimming, close-quarter combat and land-warfare training, rendering you virtually immortal. Perhaps more importantly, you'll be working as part of a platoon and as a valuable member of a team.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Be awarded the prestigious Navy SEAL Trident. After graduating from SQT, you're a Navy SEAL, worthy of your crown. Congratulations and take a nap. However, the training isn't over. You'll get advanced training and eventually get assigned to a SEAL team. | #Be awarded the prestigious Navy SEAL Trident. After graduating from SQT, you're a Navy SEAL, worthy of your crown. Congratulations and take a nap. However, the training isn't over. You'll get advanced training and eventually get assigned to a SEAL team. | ||
=== Getting Advanced Training=== | === Getting Advanced Training=== | ||
#Choose your rating. Navy SEALs get specialized -- advanced training could be in foreign language study, SEAL tactical communications training, Sniper, Military Free-Fall Parachuting, Jump Master (Static line and Military Free Fall) and use of Explosive Breachers, to name just a handful. Then there are those that go the medical or officer route. Which speaks to you? | #Choose your rating. Navy SEALs get specialized -- advanced training could be in foreign language study, SEAL tactical communications training, Sniper, Military Free-Fall Parachuting, Jump Master (Static line and Military Free Fall) and use of Explosive Breachers, to name just a handful. Then there are those that go the medical or officer route. Which speaks to you? | ||
#*A Navy SEAL is a Navy SEAL. Once you have this designation, you've already risen to the top. Now it's time to just home in on what you're naturally good at and thrive on it. | #*A Navy SEAL is a Navy SEAL. Once you have this designation, you've already risen to the top. Now it's time to just home in on what you're naturally good at and thrive on it. | ||
| − | #*Depending on the route you take, you will either go to Virginia Beach, VA, Pearl Harbor, HI, or Coronado, CA.<ref name=" | + | #*Depending on the route you take, you will either go to Virginia Beach, VA, Pearl Harbor, HI, or Coronado, CA.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#Report to your first SEAL Team or Special Delivery Vehicle (SDV). Once you do this, you'll begin advanced training that lasts around 18 months. You'll be going through Individual Specialty Training, Unit Level Training and Task Group Level Training. Whatever rating you chose will determine how you progress from here. | #Report to your first SEAL Team or Special Delivery Vehicle (SDV). Once you do this, you'll begin advanced training that lasts around 18 months. You'll be going through Individual Specialty Training, Unit Level Training and Task Group Level Training. Whatever rating you chose will determine how you progress from here. | ||
#*If you have a medical rating, you will attend the Advanced Medical Training Course 18D first for 6 months to become a SEAL medic. This is in Fort Bragg, NC. | #*If you have a medical rating, you will attend the Advanced Medical Training Course 18D first for 6 months to become a SEAL medic. This is in Fort Bragg, NC. | ||
| − | #*If you are choosing to go the Officer route, you will attend the Junior Officer Training Course to learn about operations planning and how to brief and manage teams.<ref name=" | + | #*If you are choosing to go the Officer route, you will attend the Junior Officer Training Course to learn about operations planning and how to brief and manage teams.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Get deployed. Now that you have skills that could rival any superhero, it's time to put them into action. Most deployments last around 6 to 8 months and could really include anything. You could be traveling by parachute, submarine, helicopter, on foot, or combat swimming. Either way, you'll be maneuvering highly specialized, ridiculously challenging warfare missions that are beyond the scope of standard military forces.<ref name=" | + | #Get deployed. Now that you have skills that could rival any superhero, it's time to put them into action. Most deployments last around 6 to 8 months and could really include anything. You could be traveling by parachute, submarine, helicopter, on foot, or combat swimming. Either way, you'll be maneuvering highly specialized, ridiculously challenging warfare missions that are beyond the scope of standard military forces.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*Do Navy SEALS have to kill people? The SEAL/SWCC website says quite carefully, "The Navy SEALs train for war and fight to win. The execution of a SEAL's duties is swift and violent when required yet guided by the principles that he serves to defend." | #*Do Navy SEALS have to kill people? The SEAL/SWCC website says quite carefully, "The Navy SEALs train for war and fight to win. The execution of a SEAL's duties is swift and violent when required yet guided by the principles that he serves to defend." | ||
| − | #Go even further. Being a Navy SEAL will present you with a number of opportunities, from educational to professional. The Navy offers schooling to make you an expert in virtually anything -- from chemical and biological warfare to military tactics to deep-sea diving. You can even get college credit!<ref name=" | + | #Go even further. Being a Navy SEAL will present you with a number of opportunities, from educational to professional. The Navy offers schooling to make you an expert in virtually anything -- from chemical and biological warfare to military tactics to deep-sea diving. You can even get college credit!<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*After the Navy, you will always be a Navy SEAL. Having that title shows the world that you successfully completed some of the most rigorous training America has to offer. Your future will be full of opportunities. | #*After the Navy, you will always be a Navy SEAL. Having that title shows the world that you successfully completed some of the most rigorous training America has to offer. Your future will be full of opportunities. | ||
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*Swim at least 250m routinely, half of the requirement, and advance to 500m in steps over time. | *Swim at least 250m routinely, half of the requirement, and advance to 500m in steps over time. | ||
*SEALs are the Navy's primary, direct action, Special Operations sailors and are assigned to one of ten acknowledged SEAL Teams. The Navy has a second autonomous group of Special Operators known as Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) (pronounced "swick") that are assigned to Special Boat Teams. | *SEALs are the Navy's primary, direct action, Special Operations sailors and are assigned to one of ten acknowledged SEAL Teams. The Navy has a second autonomous group of Special Operators known as Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) (pronounced "swick") that are assigned to Special Boat Teams. | ||
| − | *If you want to be an officer (leading units and training other SEALS), it's imperative that you have a college degree.<ref | + | *If you want to be an officer (leading units and training other SEALS), it's imperative that you have a college degree.<ref name="rf1" /> |
*If you already are enlisted in the Navy, you'll need to notify your command and apply for a rating transfer. | *If you already are enlisted in the Navy, you'll need to notify your command and apply for a rating transfer. | ||
*Men with either an associate's or a bachelor's degree are generally twice as likely to succeed in BUD/S training as compared to those with no higher education. | *Men with either an associate's or a bachelor's degree are generally twice as likely to succeed in BUD/S training as compared to those with no higher education. | ||
