Why do the U.S. Navy SEALs desire Officers with technological degrees?

[jamessoraya]

For example, why would a Computer Science or Computer Engineering major be more attractive to the U.S. Navy SEALs than an English or History major?

[hawk]

Originally Posted by jamessoraya

For example, why would a Computer Science or Computer Engineering major be more attractive to the U.S. Navy SEALs than an English or History major?

Because everyone knows that engineers are more attractive than English or History majors!!!

It's the pale skin, glasses, etc from all the extra study!

[BillSL]

Perhaps because they solve practical problems? Haha.

[NavyHoops]

I think it is because the military is so technical. Especially on the SEAL side of the house they are operating in such small teams they do not have a huge support network of IT/technical experts to rely on when operating in very remote areas. In fact they only the team that is out there to do it all. The voice and data networks that are required to operate in today's military is very complex and requires smart folks to setup, operate and maintain them.

This doesn't mean writing skills are not important in any way. On the officer side of the house, regardless of service or specialty you will spend a great deal of time writing, so do not discredit the necessity to be a solid all around writer. Awards, fitness reports, recommendations, investigations, orders, and a million other things have to be written on a daily basis. Being a skilled writer will benefit your troops, Sailors, Airmen and Marines more than you can imagine. The other part is also officers will fill B billets/shore tours that can deal with acquisition, training, requirements development, etc. These billets are very technical and the more technical the operating forces are, the better equipped the services are in filling these billets. Oh yeah and not to mention any career level school will require a great deal of reading and writing in the future.

[MemberLG]

Originally Posted by jamessoraya

For example, why would a Computer Science or Computer Engineering major be more attractive to the U.S. Navy SEALs than an English or History major?

I think your assumption is false. Or please share with us the source for why you state SEALs want officers with technical degrees.

According to Wiki, SEAL wanna be needs to pass the Diver/SEAL Physical Screening Test and Indoctrination Course, before starting SEAL traininig. Your major is not going to really help you with above.

I believe there is some movement in West Point to grow non-science major. In an non-conventional environment, soft skill (i.e. diplomacy, cultural understanding, language skills, and etc ) is more important than hard skills.

[basilrathbone]

Originally Posted by jamessoraya

For example, why would a Computer Science or Computer Engineering major be more attractive to the U.S. Navy SEALs than an English or History major?

This is a false premise. They would not be more attractive to the SEALs. In fact, Engineering majors have a high attrition rate in BUD/S, I think they're second only to Fine Arts majors (no joke).

[Zaphod]

So that the Chiefs don't have to be there to ensure the officers put the thing that goes BOOM under the right part of the big floating thingamajig....

[AnneMartinFletcher]

Originally Posted by jamessoraya

For example, why would a Computer Science or Computer Engineering major be more attractive to the U.S. Navy SEALs than an English or History major?

I think the real answer is they want people who can do EVERYTHING. Remember the raid on Bin Laden? In and out in 20 (okay, maybe 30) minutes, after acquiring all the intelligence in the computers in the compound?

Read a good SEAL memoir lately? Full of technical descriptions of their weapons, usually discussed with more fondness than they describe their wives and girlfriends.

At the same time, they need cultural experts (history is good) and linguists. You need to demonstrate that you have the smarts and knowledge to learn and apply anything.

And I agree with all the posters above, too.

[dunninla]

I may have missed the memo -- who said that SEALS prefer operators with technical backgrounds?

It is true that NROTC has an 85% Technical Degree requirement in the allocation of scholarships, but I've never seen anyone say or write that SEALS have any particular technology requirement. SEALS may come from NROTC, Annapolis, OCS, or the enlisted ranks.

It would be interesting to know, now that you bring it up, of those SEALS who have college degrees (lot's don't), what % are Tier I (Engineering), Tier II (Science, Math), and Tier III (everything else).

[nick4060]

Since Ive been in ROTC there have been 5 guys from my school selected for SEALs. I dont think any of them were tech majors.