SEAL training also known as BUDS (Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL training) has been described as brutal, preparing trainees for the extreme physical and mental challenges of SEAL missions.
Arguably, this is the world’s toughest training and consists of six months at BUDS in Coronado CA, immediately followed by Parachute Jump School and SEAL Qualification Training (SQT). The final testing period is an additional 18 months of pre-deployment exercises and intensive specialized training.
It?s all designed to push you to beyond your physical limits and test mental capabilities that you never knew you had. Of course, all providing you do not ring out (DOR or drop out on request) and quit the program where the attrition rate is as high as 70%. All trainees volunteer in, but it’s much easier to volunteer out. Just by simply ringing the brass bell outside the instructor‘s door in the BUDS compound area. I can promise this, if you do succeed six months at BUDS, you?ll emerge in incredible physical shape and possess the necessary confidence, determination, and teamwork to succeed in any challenging environment.
Once you join one of the teams (East Coast Teams in Coronado or West Coast Teams in Virginia Beach, VA), your mission includes capturing high-value enemy terrorists all around the globe. Your tasks will also include collecting information and intelligence through secret ‘recon’ missions and carrying out combat missions against military targets.
SEALs are also performing underwater reconnaissance and the demolition of natural or man-made obstacles before boat amphibious landings.
To be a Navy SEAL, you must be willing to train and work in all kinds of challenging environments, including the desert and hostile urban areas, rigorous mountains, and living in the jungle and arctic conditions. Typically you?ll train for missions that involve insertions into a combat zone by any number of insertion methods: parachute (including HALO which stands for ‘high altitude low opening’ jumps), submarine lock-in and lock-out procedures while the submarine is underwater, plane and helicopter jumps (or repelling), high-speed boat, foot patrol or by a combat swimmer insertion. There are no limits how a SEAL may find or land at their enemy’s doorstep. SEALS are proud to maintain the element of surprise in their favor.
SEALs operate not only as highly capable individuals but also as members of tightly knit units. Beginning with your swim buddy. All SEALs are team players and most deployments for SEAL team operators last six to eight months.
All SEAL prospects have first to qualify to even get a plane ticket to Coronado CA or BUDS. This physical screening test includes:
1. 450 meters breaststroke swim or sidestroke within 12:30 minutes. Then rest for 10 minutes maximum.
2. 50 Pushups within 2 minutes; then rest for 2 minutes maximum.
3. 50 Sit-ups within 2 minutes; then rest for 2 minutes maximum.
4. 10 Pull ups within 2 minutes; then rest for 10-minute maximum.
5. 1.5 Mile run with tennis shoes all within 10:30 minutes.
Very few men graduate BUDS and go on to serve on the ‘Teams.’
But those who do, their lives will be changed forever.
In summary, Navy SEAL training prepares trainees not only to become a warrior, but equally as important, to meet the challenges of life with confidence, perseverance and unwavering faith rarely found in men.