Navy SEALS option

[Hopeful MDN]

In order to be sent Coronado, CA for BUD/s training for SEALS, how high is a Midshipman required to graduate in his class?

 

[peskemom]

You are only asking one component of the equation....I happen to know one of our local Navy SEALS who interviews all USNA mids for SEAL Selection. While you have a better chance at landing your first choice the higher in your Order of Merit you are, you could be ranked First in the Class and if the interview Officers determine you are not a good candidate, you will not be selected. They have their own methods of selection following interviews and some of their decisions are quite unexpected. I also interact with some of our recent grads who went SEAL and have learned a great deal about this process, most of which can't be shared simply because one has to experience it to understand it. I can hear words like "Hell Week" or "Sere Training" but that does not flesh out the mental challenges these amazing American warrior/patriots face.

Remember also that enlisted men also request BuDS/SEALs. In some says they have a better chance since Officers have only 1 chance to roll back but enlisted are given 2. And Officers discover much to their surprise that they are moved from their group in the latter half of training simply to teach them about leadership under difficult circumstances with anyone on any TEAM, and enlisted folk who start with a Class, barring their own issues, graduate with the same class....

hope this helps

 

[usna1985]

As an aside, I recommend the book Lone Survivor, which provides an excellent look into SEAL training and a mission that went wrong Also demonstrates the unique abilities and physical/mental toughness of Navy SEALs.

 

[bsa07eagle]

I agree usna1985, that was an excellent book. Although I am not trying to become a SEAL, it still shows what those guys are made of. I still can't get over the fact that these guys were getting hit 3,4, even 5 times by AK fire and still wouldn't stop fighting. Absolutely incredible what they go through and what they can take.

Later,

Brian

 

[DMeix]

I met with a CDR who is the SEAL component of a CT department in the State Dept. (all made up of SOF guys from the different branches) before my interview last week. He basically told me that the interview will make or break your package. If they decide they want you after the interview, everything else becomes just details.

I've heard of guys in the top 10 and guys from the bottom half of the class getting selected. The fact is, the selection process is considerably more involved than say, going up for Pilot. In that case, all you can really do is have a good relationship with your CO or SEL as they represent you to the board. For SpecWar, you have the PST, a personal essay, a resume, peer rankings are done among the candidates, and finally the interview. While they may ask you why your OOM is so low/high, it really plays a very small part in the overall selection process.

For the sake of confidentiality should you eventually decide to try for SEALs, I won't say what was asked during the interview, but I'll tell you it was definitely not what I expected. That said, I came out of it with a good feeling and will keep y'all updated when service selection rolls around (Nov. 18 I think).