How To Become a Navy SEAL

Becoming a US Navy SEAL is a challenging but rewarding journey. In this article, I will guide you through what a Navy SEAL is, what they do, how to become a Navy SEAL, and also give you a step-by-step walkthrough of the training pipeline.

What Is A Navy SEAL?

The US Navy SEALs are an elite special operations unit within the United States Navy. SEAL is an acronym for “Sea, Air, and Land,” indicating their capacity to operate in various environments. They’re well known for their high-profile direct-action missions including the elimination of Osama Bin Laden.

Navy SEAL Job Responsibilities

Navy SEALs are extensively trained for a wide range of specialized tasks. Their primary responsibilities include:

• Direct Action: Performing small-unit military operations to strike targets, seize or destroy enemy material, and capture or kill enemy forces.
• Special Reconnaissance: Gathering important intelligence behind enemy lines, including observing enemy movements, taking note of resources and infrastructure, and preparing for larger-scale military operations.
• Counter-Terrorism: Conducting missions to prevent, deter, and respond to terrorist activities and threats. This involves hostage rescue, neutralizing terrorist cells, and other high-stakes operations in both domestic and international contexts.
• Foreign Internal Defense: Working with allied foreign governments to train and assist their military and security forces in improving their tactical capabilities. This is aimed at enabling these forces to counter threats within their own borders.
• Unconventional Warfare: Engaging in and supporting guerrilla warfare, subversion, and military and diplomatic efforts with allies against common adversaries.

Navy SEALs are prepared to operate in diverse environments, such as:

• Maritime Operations: Expertise in conducting complex missions in maritime environments, including ship assaults and underwater reconnaissance.
• Urban Warfare: Trained in urban combat and close-quarters battle, essential for hostage rescue and counter-terrorism operations in populated areas.
• Jungle Warfare: Skilled in navigating and surviving in dense jungle environments, ideal for reconnaissance and guerilla warfare in tropical terrains.
• Arctic Warfare: Prepared for operations in extreme cold and icy conditions, specializing in survival, navigation, and combat in arctic environments.
• Long-Range Reconnaissance: Proficient in conducting deep reconnaissance and intelligence gathering in remote and hostile areas, often behind enemy lines.

What Does a Navy SEAL Do?

Navy SEALs play a crucial role in direct action missions. They conduct counterterrorism operations in hostile or otherwise inaccessible areas.

In addition to their primary operations, a select group of SEALs integrates with Joint Special Operations Command units. This collaboration extends to working alongside the Air Force’s SR Airmen, Army Special Forces, and the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Navy SEAL Team Structure

Navy SEALs are organized into Teams and Groups, each with a specific focus and area of operation. Here’s a brief overview of the SEAL Teams and their primary locations:

What is SEAL Team 6?

SEAL Team 6, officially known as the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), is a highly classified and elite counter-terrorism unit within the Navy SEALs. Unlike other SEAL Teams, DEVGRU is part of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and specializes in high-stakes, high-profile counter-terrorism operations, hostage rescue, and special reconnaissance. This team is best known for its role in Operation Neptune Spear, the mission that led to the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Differences between Naval Special Warfare Group 1 and Group 2

Naval Special Warfare Group 1 and Group 2 differ primarily in their geographic areas of responsibility and operational focus:

• Naval Special Warfare Group 1: Based in Coronado, California, Group 1 primarily focuses on the Pacific and Central Command areas of responsibility. This includes the Asia-Pacific region, a significant area for U.S. military operations. Teams under this group are trained and equipped to operate in maritime and littoral environments.
• Naval Special Warfare Group 2: Located in Little Creek, Virginia, Group 2 primarily covers the European, African, and Southern Command areas of responsibility. Their operations often involve regions such as the Middle East and Africa. Teams in this group are adept at operating in various environments but have a particular focus on the Atlantic operational theater.

How To Become a Navy SEAL

1. Civilian to Active Duty Navy SEAL

Civilians who aspire to become Navy SEALs must enlist through Active Duty. The Navy Reserve does not offer a direct path for civilians to become SEALs.

• Eligibility: Civilians must enlist in the Navy for Active Duty to pursue a career as a Navy SEAL.
• Age Requirements: SEAL candidates need to be between 18-28 years old, though waivers are available for candidates aged 17 with parental consent and up to 30 years old in exceptional cases.
• Educational Requirements: A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Candidates with a GED must meet additional qualifications or credits.
• ASVAB: Prospective SEALs must pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery with a qualifying score for a SEAL contract.
• Physical Fitness: Candidates are required to pass the Naval Special Warfare Physical Screening Test (PST), which includes swimming, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and a timed run.
• Active Duty Contract: Enlist through the SEAL Challenge Contract, offering a pathway directly to BUD/S training and the opportunity to become a SEAL.

2. Civilian to Navy SEAL Officer

Civilians have several pathways to become a Navy SEAL Officer. These include the United States Naval Academy, Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC), and Officer Candidate School (OCS).

Regardless of the commissioning source (USNA, NROTC, or OCS), candidates interested in becoming SEAL officers must attend and successfully complete the SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection program. SOAS is a challenging assessment that evaluates physical fitness, leadership, and psychological readiness. It’s conducted over several weeks, typically in the summer, at the Naval Amphibious Base in Coronado, California.

Age and Education Requirements for SEAL Officers:

• Age Limits: SEAL officer candidates are generally expected to be between 19 and 28 years old. Waivers are available for exceptional candidates outside this age range.
• Educational Requirements: A four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited university is mandatory. While there is no specific major requirement, certain fields of study might offer an advantage based on the varied responsibilities within the SEAL teams.

3. Active Duty Lateral Transfer to Navy SEAL

Switching jobs within the Navy to become a Navy SEAL, also known as “lateral transfer” or “crosstraining” within the same service, is a demanding and highly competitive process. It’s important for Navy personnel to understand that while this path is possible, success is unlikely, and the selection process is rigorous.

• Eligibility and Initial Screening: Sailors must first meet the basic eligibility criteria for SEAL training, including age, physical fitness, and any necessary educational requirements. They must pass the Naval Special Warfare Physical Screening Test (PST), which includes swimming, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and running.
• Command Approval: The sailor must obtain approval from their current command. This can be a significant hurdle, as the command may be reluctant to release a sailor, especially those who are skilled or in critical roles.
• Submitting a Transfer Package: The sailor needs to submit a transfer package for SEAL training. This package typically includes their service record, fitness test results, and recommendations or endorsements from their command.
• Selection for BUD/S Training: The submitted packages are reviewed, and only a select number of sailors are chosen to attend Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training. The selection process is highly competitive, and not all applicants will be accepted.
• Completing BUD/S Training: Selected sailors will then undergo BUD/S training, known for its extreme physical and mental challenges. The dropout rate is high, and completing the program is a significant accomplishment in itself.

4. Civilian to Reserve Navy SEAL

There is no path for a civilian to become a Navy SEAL in the reserves. The Navy SEAL reserves are only open to former active-duty Navy SEALs.

Medical Standards for Navy SEALs

Joining the Navy SEALs requires passing a comprehensive medical examination at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). The medical standards for SEAL candidates are stringent, with several potential disqualifications.

You can read a common list of disqualifications here.

• Initial Screening: Candidates undergo a detailed medical examination as part of the enlistment process.
• Vision Requirements: Vision standards for SR candidates are stringent. While corrective surgery may be permissible, there are specific guidelines regarding visual acuity and post-surgical outcomes.
• Hearing Standards: Candidates must have no significant hearing loss. Hearing ability is critical for air traffic control communication and operational effectiveness.
• Overall Health: General health is thoroughly assessed, including cardiovascular fitness, pulmonary function, and neurological health. Chronic or severe medical conditions can be disqualifying.

Physical Fitness Requirements For Navy SEALs

As you clear the medical process, you must be training hard. To earn a Navy Warrior Contract to become a Navy SEAL, you must pass the Physical Screening Test (PST).

While you can earn a contract to become a Navy SEAL with sub-par scores, BUD/S is very hard. You not only need to be just as fast and strong as Army Special Forces candidates, but you also need to be a great swimmer and treader and be confident in the water.

For this reason, I generally recommend my clients join the Army over the Navy unless they’re already proficient in swimming.

Physical Screen Test (PST) Requirements

• Swim 500 yards (breaststroke or sidestroke): 12:30
• Push-ups: 50 reps in 2 minutes
• Sit-ups: 50 reps in 2 minutes
• Pull-ups: 10 reps (no time limit)
• Run 1.5 miles: 10:30

Competitive PST Scores

To increase their chances of success at BUD/S, candidates should aim to far exceed the minimum PST requirements.

• Pull Up – 16 reps
• Sit Up – 80 reps
• Push Up – 80 reps
• 1.5-mile Run in 9:00 or less
• 25-meter Underwater Swim for 2 rounds (Pass/Fail)
• 500-yard Swim in 8:45 or less

One of the most overlooked aspects of training for special operations is strength training. Even though it is not tested on the PST, I recommend my candidates hit the following strength standards prior to enlisting

Strength Standards:

• Back Squat – 275lbs
• Deadlift – 335lbs
• Standing OHP – 135lbs

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Navy SEAL Training Pipeline

In total, it will be well over 2 years of training to become a Navy SEAL.

1. Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School (NSW Prep): Located in Great Lakes, Illinois, this 8-week course prepares candidates physically and mentally for the challenges ahead.
2. Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training: Conducted at the Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado, California, this 24-week course is divided into three phases: physical conditioning, combat diving, and land warfare.
3. SEAL Qualification Training (SQT): This is a 26-week course that provides SEAL candidates with advanced training in weapons, navigation, small-unit tactics, parachuting, cold-weather warfare, and combat diving.
4. Parachute Training: SEAL candidates attend the U.S. Army Airborne School in Fort Benning, Georgia, for three weeks of basic parachute training.
5. SEAL Team Assignment: After successfully completing SQT and earning their SEAL trident, graduates are assigned to a SEAL Team.
6. SEAL Tactical Training (STT): Once assigned to a SEAL Team, members undergo additional training specific to the team’s specializations and operational requirements.
7. Continued Training: SEALs constantly train to maintain their skills and prepare for deployment. This includes specialized courses and exercises based on mission requirements.

Conclusion

Becoming a Navy SEAL is a challenging but rewarding path. Best of luck on your journey.

If you enjoyed this article, check out this article on How Hard Is Special Forces Training?