How To Become A Navy Seal

During the second world war, the U.S realized that it needed a brave group of men to scout locations where the Navy could then land their troops and infiltrate objectives.

During the course of the war, these men were banded together in teams specializing in amphibious raiding and scouting (a school emerged called the "Amphibious Scout and Raider School" ). Eventually, these teams of experienced combat swimmers and demolition experts became part of the first official amphibious combat team known as Naval Combat Demolition Unit (NCDU).

The power and influence of these primitive SEAL teams were boosted by Kennedy's funds allocated to special forces. Kennedy realized the need for technologically advanced anti-guerrilla teams. Additional funds for training complemented aquatic skills, with the ability to strike land, sea or air, making the SEALS (whose recruits were already handpicked for their ability, intelligence and talent) the cream of global special forces.

This hub will cover what it takes to become a member of the Navy Seals. Specifically, the training, both physical and mental, and what is required of you should you choose to apply. It is an almost laughably tough process, which will result in a 80% wash-out during application. Meaning, 80% of recruits will give up. Best of luck.

Before we can even begin to discuss boot camp, you will need to satisfy a number of stringent requirements, that will separate the men from boys.

The Paper:

• You will need to have been an active duty member of the Navy.
• Be Male
• A maximum age limit is set at 28 (exceptions can occur)
• Have excellent vision (20/40 in a single eye with 20/70 on the other)
• Must have passed the ASVAB
• Must be a U.S citizen

(thats all for the boring bits, I promise you)
You will need to outperform a work-out from hell (PST or Physical Screening Test)

From the official Navy Seal Challenge website: (all alloted times are deemed competitive)

• 500-yard swim using breast and/or sidestroke? 10:00 Minutes
• Push-ups? ( 79
• Sit-ups? 79
• Pull-ups? 11 (Dead Hang)
• 1 ½ miles Run wearing boots and trousers? 10:20 Minutes (No rest)

So far so good. If you're still with me, its time to move on -- it only gets harder.

Indoctrination -- The initial phase is not a physically demanding one. Call it a mediative pause, a chance to collect your thoughts. Or more practically, an introduction into the SEAL way of life. 

The Indoctrination period lasts 5 weeks, and involves pre-training and seminars that aim to illustrate potential candidates, what is required of them as Navy Seals. Drop-out rates here are  very low, due to the quasi-relaxed atmosphere (relative to Basic Conditioning and beyond). 

Once Indoctrination has come and gone, it is time to get washed-up with Basic Conditioning. Due to the severe contrast between life on the inside of SEAL training and life on the outside, most dropouts or DORS happen during this stage. The weak and unmotivated are culled like ancient lichen before the savagery of a storm. 

Small boat operations, physical fitness and calisthenics are the focus of this intense 8 week joyride through hell. Some of the stages of Basic Conditioning are arguably well publicized by cinema and T.V, such as huge laborious obstacle courses. 

Trainees will need to learn how to become Drown-Proof, swimming and bobbing without the use of their hands or feet. Another advanced method used to condition trainees to the severity of weather is that of "Surf Torture". Wannabe SEALS are almost drowned in frigid water then told to run around the beach. Only to be dunked yet again into the surf. Until the either the day wears out, or you do. Ad Nauseum. 

Now, after 8 weeks of physical insanity, what better way to congratulate and motivate your pupils than with HELL WEEK. As the name suggests, this isn't at all pleasant. 

If hell isn't working for four days and five night for a grand total of 4 hours sleep, then frankly I don't know what is. 

Continuous exercises, dreary (that's an understatement) conditions and MRE rations to make you tingle inside. This is Hell Week. Not only are you physically overloaded, but you are required to be alert and attentive. You will receive sporadic instructions and orders, given trick questions and failure to remain lucid will land you a self-funded ticket home. 

A few minutes of rest is about the most you can ask for. But compared to chugging 300 pound rafts around on your back, it must be a dream come true. 

Now assuming you've still got your war face on, after the humbling procedures that have taken place. You will be considered healthy and fit. Beyond your physical prowess, the SEALS need people that are intelligent and can deal with technical matters are readily as they can fend off an a white shark with their bare hands.

Trainees will be trained in underwater specialties (9 weeks) such as SCUBA (self-contained underwater breathing apparatus) and the ever-popular combat swimming. This stage will be followed by Land training (a further, grueling 9 weeks), to mold you into a veritable amphibious weapon the SEALS can be proud of. Weapons, small unit tactics, explosives (yipee), recovery, infiltration and the joy of field medicine. 

So you've come too far to fail. And yet the training begins to mount afresh. Following Land training you are faced with an additional 3 weeks of parachute training. Lovely. After which, you are handed the good news.

The SQT, or SEAL Qualification Training, is a 15 week course to perfect basic skills. Despite the gloom of 15 more weeks of oblivion, the tension will have sapped a little, the tasks will seem less grueling, for at the end of the SQT, you will finally be a SEAL, and given your SEAL trident pin.

Despite the obvious ferocious pride and joy in achieving SEAL status, the life of a SEAL is one of constant learning. This process of training, endurance and learning will likely continue their entire career, and haunt SEALS  well past  their retirement. It is a path and lifestyle that should be taken with care. The rewards of which, however, seem an exponential reward of self-growth and truly knowing what one is capable of.