First of all, thank you for your decision to serve your country. It`s always nice to see someone in their teens thinking about their future and their ministry. What I`m going to share with you is the long answer, because I often get this question and feel like it deserves the full answer – taking you from your current age in high school to and through BUD/S. If you`re considering a career as a Navy SEAL, enrolling in your high school`s JROTC program is a great place to start. JROTC programs are taught by retired military officers and recruited men and women whose primary mission is to instill leadership, confidence and teamwork in their cadets. Most JROTCs have incorporated elements of marksmanship, military exercises, and fitness into the curriculum, which is an added benefit for emerging Navy SEALs. If your high school has a Navy JROTC, chances are your instructors will be able to tell you more about what it takes to be accepted into the Navy SEAL program. To be eligible for a commission, a potential candidate must meet the minimum requirements. The eligible DLI must be managed by a Naval Special Warfare coordinator or mentor. Successful candidates in the second phase demonstrate a high level of comfort in the water and the ability to perform in stressful and often unpleasant environments. Candidates who don`t feel completely comfortable in the water often have trouble succeeding. [14] [20] Good grades in school are not a SEAL requirement.
You need a high school diploma or a GED or university degree if you want to become an officer. You must pass the military proficiency test, otherwise you will never become a SEAL. A thorough knowledge and use of the English language, both oral and written, is essential to becoming a Navy SEAL. Take advantage of courses such as English composition and American literature, as they will help you improve your vocabulary and writing skills. Contact your advisor to find out if your secondary school offers additional English classes focused on advanced reading, writing and public speaking. Navy SEALs are trained voluntarily, and recruited officers and sailors train side by side. To volunteer, a SEAL candidate must be a U.S. citizen between the ages of 18 and 29 in the U.S. Navy. On occasion, personnel from foreign forces allied to the United States have been invited to train with BUD/S. For two years, seven originally planned Coast Guard members[3] were allowed to complete SEAL training until the program was suspended in 2011.
[4] Derogations are available for 17-year-olds with parental permission and on a case-by-case basis for 29- and 30-year-olds. [5] Academically, all applicants must have the equivalent of a secondary education, have a total ASVAB score of at least 220, and be proficient in all aspects of the English language. Medically, all potential candidates must have a vision of at least 20/70, correctable to 20/25, be able to pass the SEAL physical screening test, and have no recent history of substance abuse. Finally, candidates must have “good character” determined by their history of criminal convictions and civil law citations. [6] [7] To become a Navy SEAL, you must be physically fit. During high school, you should attend as many sports lessons as possible. In addition, you should try yourself for the most physically demanding sports such as football, basketball, athletics and swimming to improve your cardiovascular system. If organized exercise isn`t to your liking, work with your physical education instructors to develop a year-round fitness program that emphasizes endurance and physical strength.
Navy SEALs must meet the same standards as any other Navy recruit. To present yourself as a sailor, the U.S. Navy says you have to be American. Citizen or lawful permanent resident with a high school diploma or GED. To join as an officer, you must be a U.S. citizen with a four-year degree from an accredited university. Seafarers must be between the ages of 17 and 39, with 17-year-olds obtaining parental consent. Civil servants can register between the ages of 19 and 32. You must pass a medical examination to serve. These are just the minimum requirements. The more you can perform these tests, the more likely you are to be accepted as a SEAL. The Navy says a SEAL must meet these standards and more.
Additional requirements for SEALS include 20/40 vision in the best eye and 20/70 vision in the worst eye, correctable to 20/25. You can`t be colorblind; must be a U.S. citizen 28 years of age or younger; can pass the physical examination of the naval diver; and may be eligible for a security clearance. You don`t need a university degree unless you`re an officer, but the Navy requires you to have good study habits and know basic arithmetic and algebra. Due to the particularly demanding requirements, many applicants begin to question their decision to join BUD/S in the first phase, with a significant number opting for Drop on Request (DOR). The tradition of the DOR is to drop the lining of the helmet next to a pole to which the brass bell of a ship is attached and to ring the bell three times. [14] [18] [19] All sailors entering the SEAL training pipeline selected by Naval Special Warfare Command must also complete the six-month SEAL Special Operations Tactical Medic course at Stennis, MS, and then purchase the NEC SO-5393 Naval Special Warfare Medic before joining an operations team. Once outside the formal school environment, SEALs who join a new team at the beginning of an operational rotation can expect 18 months of training, punctuated by vacations and other holidays before each six-month assignment. After training camp, you will participate in an advanced training program on the Great Lakes that will prepare you for BUD/S. Taking the Navy SEAL PST is always a requirement, and it is highly recommended to enter the optimal range. The latest academic, physical and psychological training requirements can be found on the official Navy SEAL/SWCC page.
If I wanted to become a Navy SEAL, when should I start training? I`m 15 and I`ve wanted it since I was 10. What are the requirements to become one? I read some of your articles and I wanted advice on some tips for training and taking the course? Do I have the right mentality, etc.? As a Navy SEAL, your missions can take you around the world. Learning to speak fluently in other languages can make all the difference between your SEAL team members becoming local heroes or victims of war.