Jake (& brother), I am not a SEAL but I have been married to one for a long time. All of the questions you are both asking are best answered on the website run by the SEAL Recruiting Directorate at BUD/S, sealswcc.com. Check out the info, videos, etc. They clearly spell out what it takes to become a SEAL through different routes. Sign up on their forum and get your questions answered from the source. Call them at 888-usn-seal. Be very wary of recommendations that you get from other sources as there is a ton of misinformation (although well meaning) on the web in regards to this community.