Last Updated on December 15, 2021 by
When you take up the journey of the rest of your life You can be sure to be thrown into the mix every day with something completely different.
It’s not just for everyone.
Of the approximately 1,000 applicants who participate in the Navy SEAL program each year, just 200 to 250 get through the program. There are nine active SEAL teams based in more than 30 places around the world So only the best candidates are considered SEAL team members.
It is true that the Navy SEAL standards are quite tough however, the Navy SEAL SEAL training is even more challenging.
Are you sure you’re a good candidate?
In addition to being as strong as nails, Navy SEALS must comply with a variety of other requirements in addition to the demanding Navy SEAL instruction program.
However, not all who apply for jobs get it and even Olympic players have attempted but had failure.
With the thousands of applicants who are physically fit, however, the program of training SEALS must undergo requires more than just physical endurance.
Navy SEAL training can take at least a year one-half from boot camp to the time they join a SEAL team. After joining a SEAL Team, and prior to the first deployment, there’s an additional year of training. Navy SEALs continue to work throughout their careers.
Prior to going into Navy SEAL classes, it is important to get yourself ready as far as you can. This includes going more than what is required and preparing your body to avoid injuries like shin and splints.
Physical and mental endurance, strength, and grit are all important for becoming a SEAL also your age. If you’re over the age of 28 years old, you’ll require an additional waiver. If you have prior knowledge of special operations or abilities, applicants between 29-30 years old might be eligible.
Here’s how you can prepare yourself physically to prepare for SEAL School (Basic Underwater Demolition), commonly referred to as BUD/S.
Preliminary Assessment
If you’re considering joining the ranks as a SEAL No college education is needed. However, there are some specific standards. SEAL candidates must be between the ages of 17 to 28. They are evaluated by the following tests:
- Medical screening prior to enlistment
- Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Usually, tests are conducted usually administered Military Entrance Processing Stations assess the ability to learn and mental capacity of a person. SEAL applicants must score these scores
- GS + EI + MC = minimal score of 170
- MK + MC + CS is a score of 220
- AR + VE = an average score of 110
- A minimum score of 50
- Computerized-Special Operations Resilience Test (C-SORT) evaluates the mental strength or resilience. Scores vary between 1 and 4. (4 being the highest) which are calculated based on three areas listed below:
- Performance strategies – goal setting, control, etc.
- Psychological resilience – the ability to adapt to situations, the ability to deal with the challenges and threats
- Personality characteristics
- Physical Screening Test (PST)
Stage 1: Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School (NSW Prep)
This phase in Navy SEAL training includes many requirements to ensure you’ll succeed in the entire training. This two-month period is designed to improve participants’ physical fitness for BUD/S.
Training involves physical exercise, academic topics as well as mental toughness.
After NSW Prep, candidates must be able to complete these modifications to PST or they’re not eligible to continue SEAL-related training:
- 1000 yards of swimming equipped with fins (20 minutes or less)
- At least 70 push-ups (two-minute duration)
- At least 10 pull-ups (two-minute maximum time)
- Curl-ups should be at minimum 60 seconds (two-minute duration)
- Four miles of running in shoes with shorts (31 minutes or less)
Stage 2: Naval Special Warfare Orientation (NSWO)
What’s next? You will spend three weeks in this introduction to BUD/S Coronado, California. This time has been devoted to the unique operating training environment.
Goals are:
- Make sure you tackle the obstacle course
- Improve swimming skills
- Be aware of the value of teamwork and perseverance.
Instructors begin by hand-picking those with exceptional skills, the right character, and integrity. Then, you’ll be able to participate in diving demolition classes.
Stage 3: First Phase – Basic Conditioning
This is the stage that’s called “Hell Week” for SEALs.
For seven weeks, the focus will be on training for physical fitness in water, water competence, mental toughness, and fostering collaboration. Learn how to conduct surveys of hydrographic properties.
At this point, expectations for performance are increasing each week. Candidates will run faster and swim longer, as well as do more calisthenics exercises in a gradual way. The individual performance is evaluated through a four-mile run or obstacle course, and 2-mile swimming.
What is the pressure? Each event is timed.
A large portion of applicants submitted their Drop on Request (DOR) to withdraw from the course at this point of their training. The past has shown that SEAL instructors have discovered that those who have composite PST scores of less than 827 are 3 times more likely to achieve success.
Hell Week
Do you love sleeping? It’s likely that you’ll get a lot in Hell Week.
In this stage of training, you’ll only be able to get 4-hours of rest on average during the five-and-a-half-day period. The days are long to twenty hours per day which will force you to go for over 200 miles.
If you’re able to make you all the way through Hell Week, then you’re most likely to be able to demonstrate the dedication and commitment required to become the next Navy SEAL.
Stage 4: Second Phase – Combat Diving
The majority of SEAL missions were designed to be underwater missions, and that’s why this aspect of training is essential.
In these 7 weeks of training, Navy SEALs acquire unique underwater abilities. This course teaches you to develop into an effective combat swimmer in both closed-circuit and open-circuit diving.
In physically uncomfortable and stressful conditions individuals who are sensitive to the water will have a difficult time completing this task.
Stage 5: Third Phase – Land Warfare Training
This time is the one with been the lowest “drop-out” rate as candidates have demonstrated a solid determination to get to this point in their training.
The training sessions concentrate on:
- Basic weapons
- Marksmanship
- Demolitions
- Navigation
- Patrolling
- Rappelling and other tactics for combat
Additionally, you’ll spend time in the classroom, learning to process and gather information needed to accomplish missions and to become more comfortable on the job. The final 3.5 days, of course, will be completed at Catalina Island, actively practicing techniques in a setting that is akin to real-world mission requirements.
Stage 6: Seal Qualification Training (SQT)
6. Stage six is considered to be the most important and longest stage of training for Navy SEAL recruits. It lasts for 26 weeks. you’ll be focusing on the latest tactical training and becoming a member of a SEAL squadron.
After completion, the trainees are issued the SEAL Trident and they are assigned to a SEAL team, where they receive further education (a time period of at least a year) so that they can be ready for major deployments.
Training for Stage 6 includes
- Training with weapons
- Operation maritime
- Small unit strategies
- Navigation on land
- Demolitions
- Cold weather training
- Skills in medicine
SERE-related training requires:
- Survival
- Evasion
- Resistance
- Escape
SQT training is also able to qualify applicants for:
- Parachute operations using static lines
- Freefall parachute operation (High Altitude Low opening “HALO”)
- Parachute operation in Freefall (High Altitude High”HAHO”) “HAHO”)
Can You Handle The Navy SEAL Training Program?
Do you think that you’re capable of being SEAL?
There’s only one way to know and that’s to invest a good amount of time physically and mentally in preparation for this.
While it’s possible to work out according to your schedule, you should not pack all exercises into one day. For example, calisthenics and cardio and swimming, etc. into one day.
The most important thing is to progress as your body becomes stronger and adjusts to the demands of training. Keeping track of your progress during training can keep you on track and focused. It’s also helpful to track areas of weakness to continue training with your coach or trainer.
Keep an optimistic mindset. This will help you get through the toughest phases of your training. Many SEAL trainers will say it’s 90 percent mental.
Are you confident that you’ll be able to survive a Navy SEAL exercise and training course? Tell us in the comments section below how you’re planning to prepare if you want to become a Navy SEAL!
