SEALS

SArhino21

5-Year Member
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Apr 5, 2011
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I was wondering how the path to a SEAL career is from the Naval Academy. I've heard of mini-BUDs and the like, but can't find too much info.
Thanks!
 
Being a PT STUD is your number one priority. You don't do anything official with SEALs (or EOD if that's your thing) until 2/C year. However, it's a very good idea to go to the optional SEAL workouts in the morning to both get familiar with how they do things and try and get on their radar. Being on a varsity or club A (i.e. rugby) sport helps a lot, and you need good aptitude scores as well.

In either the fall or spring of your 2/C year, usually fall, you take the SEAL screener. Basically, it's like a mini Hell-Week that takes place over the weekend. People who complete that are ranked and the top ranked few get SEAL cruise spots for the summer before 1/C year. Getting a cruise is no guarantee of getting SEALs, and technically you can get SEALs without a cruise or even doing the screener (this is basically impossible). Generally at service selection there's about 50-60 people who are seriously competitive for SEAL spots and around 25 get it.

For an idea of where you should be fitness wise, the recommended PST scores are:

- 500 yd swim in 9:00 or less (sidestroke)
- 100+ push-ups
- 100+ sit-ups
- 20+ pull-ups (forward grip)
- 1.5 Mile run in 9:00 or less

Most people who get SEALs crush these scores.
 
I was wondering how the path to a SEAL career is from the Naval Academy. I've heard of mini-BUDs and the like, but can't find too much info.
Thanks!

There is a program at USNA for those interested in the SEAL community - VAST (Varsity Athlete SEAL Training). You will find out about it when you arrive. VAST hosts guest speakers, guest trainers, etc. that will give you an opportunity to prepare for the SEAL screener that takes place your 2/C year.

SEAL prep is physical but also involves academics as well. The needs from the SEAL community evolve and change depending on world events. Your diplomatic skills are just as important as your physical skills.

When you arrive at USNA, ask about the VAST program.
 
Not sure about VAST participation, but women are NOT allowed to be SEALs. Divers, yes. EOD, yes. SEALs, no.
 
I was wondering how the path to a SEAL career is from the Naval Academy. I've heard of mini-BUDs and the like, but can't find too much info.
Thanks!

SEALS is one the most difficult service selections to get. Many want to do it - very few are selected.

As far as the number of midshipmen who want a particular service selection versus the number who actually get it - statistically, you'd have a better chance going Medical Corps - and that's very hard to get.

How's that for raining on your parade? :smile:

But those are the facts.

There's a lot of propaganda in the admissions catalog and promotionals about what is available versus what is reasonably available as far as career paths.

For instance - if you look at those "Fulfill Your Destiny" spots, they have one completely dedicated to going into the Medical Corps. Less than 1% of the class will ever do that. To me, that's a gross misrepresentation bordering on false advertisement.
 
For instance - if you look at those "Fulfill Your Destiny" spots, they have one completely dedicated to going into the Medical Corps. Less than 1% of the class will ever do that. To me, that's a gross misrepresentation bordering on false advertisement.

They are allowed to take 15 medical slots. Whether or not they do it is a different story. I agree that it is ridiculous that they are advertising but its probably more than 1% of the class, if only slightly.

Other than that, anyone can join VAST. Its just like any other club on the yard. All you have to do is show up. Most of their training revolves around swimming because, as the name suggests, it was formed by a group of varsity athletes who didn't have time during the week to practice swimming because of practices. They normally swim on Sundays, and they have some big-wig in the SEAL community come every month or two. They also do things at Little Creek and Coronado during leave periods.

Another group is SOT (Special Operations Team). I personally like these guys a little bit better. They're not actually a team but they meet more often, and they get Stew Smith to come out and work out with them just about every weekend. They also have more variety in their workouts than VAST. However, nothing is stopping you from doing both.
 
They are allowed to take 15 medical slots. Whether or not they do it is a different story. I agree that it is ridiculous that they are advertising but its probably more than 1% of the class, if only slightly.

Officially, it is written where up to 2% of the class can enter the Medical Corps. And they were doing that until the past few years where they have reduced it to a flat number of 10. And, since the graduating classes are now >1000, that would be less than 1%.

They are already advertising only 10 slots to both the class of 2012 and 2013.
 
BTW, as a general rule, you should not go to USNA or any SA "only" to do X career field. All sorts of things can happen.

Some examples: you are injured or otherwise medically DQ'ed from your choice; USNA grads no longer have that option (the Medical Corps program was terminated in the mid-70s for almost a decade); you don't meet the qualifications (academic, physical) for that program; or, you don't stand high enough in your class to get what you want. And probably many others I haven't mentioned.

It's fine to go to USNA saying, "I want to be an X (pilot, Marine, etc.) more than anything in the world," but be prepared to do Y, if X doesn't happen. And that will be true throughout your military career.
 
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