Ever wondered what it takes to just get to Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL Training? When a teenager wants to serve his/her country, it's a noble undertaking. Some even take it a step further with aspirations to join the Navy SEALs or another Special Ops group. Not everybody can be a SEAL, however.
If you're considering joining the Navy SEALs, it's important to understand what it takes and how to prepare yourself. Here's a look at the requirements and how to get yourself ready for the rigorous training and testing.
Tell Your Recruiter Even Though He Will Tell You You're Nuts!
The best course of action is to tell your recruiter you want to be a Navy SEAL. They will be able to help move you through the process a bit easier and faster than if you wait to say something during basic training.
Your recruiter will help you become a SEAL candidate, which will give you a SEAL Challenge Contract. This contract comes with specific benefits and bonuses you won't get if you wait to make the decision until you've started boot camp.
If you don't tell your recruiter, you can still become a SEAL, however. When you get to bootcamp, you can volunteer for the Physical Screening Test in your first week. If you pass, you'll have an interview with a Naval Special Operation Motivator. The motivator will submit your request and you will be put in the BUD/S or Naval Special Warfare training pipeline.
Qualifications to Become a SEAL
Those wanting to become a Navy SEAL must meet the following requirements:
• Must be 18 to 28 years of age, 17 with parental permission
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must graduate from high school or meet the High Performance Predictor Profile criteria (HP3)
• Need to be proficient in speaking, reading, understanding and writing the English language
• Criminal record needs to be clean and you cannot be a substance abuser, have a pattern of minor convictions or any felony convictions. Some waivers may be granted depending on the severity.
• No pending lawsuits, unless approved by the Special Assistant for Legal Affairs
• Must meet the ASVAB minimum requirements pf GS+MC+EI=165 or VE+MK+MC+CS=220
Uncorrected vision in your better eye must be no worse than 20/70 and in the worse eye no more than 20/100. Both eyes have to be corrected to 20/20 and color deficiencies will need to be approved.
Along with these requirements, you will have to meet the physical requirements to graduate from the BUDS program. You will need to start training so that you can do the following:
• 80 - 100 pushups in two minutes
• 80 - 100 sit-ups in two minutes
• Run 1.5 miles in 9-10 minutes
• 15 - 20 pullups
• Swim 500 yards in under 9 minutes using the CSS, breast or side stroke
If you want to be an officer in the Navy SEALs, you will need to swim 500 yards in less than 8 minutes, do 100 pushups in two minutes, do 100 sit-ups in two minutes, do 20 pullups and run 1.5 miles in less than 9 minutes.
While some of the minimum requirements don't fit with these ranges, if you want to pass SEAL training and become a SEAL, you need to aim for the above physical test requirements. Remember, you will be doing the running portion in Boots and Long Pants. Make sure you train for this.
Preparing to Become a SEAL But It Probably Will Not Be Enough!
If you meet all of the requirements and you want to become a part of the Navy SEALs, you will need to start preparing now. Even those at age 15 can start preparing and many start as soon as they realize this is what they want to do with their life after high school.
Your preparation needs to include:
Learning to Work with a Team - You will be working with a team towards a common goal as a SEAL. Joining a sports program in high schools or any other team activity will help you learn how to become a team player. It's even better if you can become a captain. One thing is for sure, once you graduated BUD/S, life will never be the same.
• Gain Leadership Skills - As a captain of a sports team, you will get some leadership training, but you can also get this as class president or the head of another group in your community.
• Study for School and Military Testing - Those without the brains to pass the tests will get weeded out. You need to graduate high school and if you have the opportunity to get college credit at the same time, that's even better.
• Learn a Foreign Language - While in high school, learn another language or even more than one, if possible. Learning a language now will help you become proficient at other languages in the future.
• Ace the PST - When it's time to take the PST, make sure you get the best score possible. You cannot become a SEAL without getting a good score on this test.
• Start Preparing Physically - The requirements of bootcamp are pretty demanding, but the requirements for a Navy SEAL go above and beyond. Start preparing physically by doing pushups, sit-ups, pullups, running and swimming.
There are several ways to prepare yourself when you want to be a Navy SEAL. Start now or you may not be able to pass all of the necessary training.
