USNA & SEAL preparation.

J

Jmel12345

5-Year Member
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Sep 2, 2012
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Hi everyone,

My name is Jacob, I am a sophomore in highschool right now and i have dreams of going to USNA and becoming a SEAL someday.
I just have a couple questions about it that i'm hoping to get some clarification on though.

First of all i was wondering if the Naval Academy will somewhat prepare me for BUDs and the SEALs?
Or if i should start out as a marine to get a grasp of everything then someday work my way up to becoming a SEAL?

Im aware of how big and competetive of a goal it all is but i am very dedicated to striving for it.

Please feel free to ask me any questions about my thoughts on the subject.

Thnk you.
 
1: From what I have read on this forum (I'm only a sophomore too), the USNA BUDS prep program is 3 years long and those chosen to go to BUDS from USNA graduate at an approximately 80% rate.

2. If you chose to commission in the Marine Corps, I think that SEALs are off limits because those are two different Branches. Marine Corps is the Marine Corps and Seals are the United States Navy. You could go Marine Corps Special Operations from the Marine Corps, but not SEALs.

This is what I have gathered from reading this forum and it is probably wrong in some way so take it with a grain of salt.
 
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1: The selection process and prep for SEALs has been covered on here pretty thoroughly. Do a search, but the short answer is yes.

What I will say is this...the first round of guys from my class already started BUD/S. ALL of them (at least 5 or 6) made it through Hell Week. Obviously completing Hell Week isn't completing BUD/S and completing BUD/S isn't being a SEAL, but still. That's pretty good.

2: This doesn't make a whole lot of sense. SEALs and Marines do very different things. The SEAL training pipeline, from commissioning/enlistment to actually making it to a Team, is lengthy, thorough, and fairly specific to being a SEAL. I'm sure there's a limited amount of crossover there, but not enough to justify spending five years in the Marines.
Going Marine Corps, hoping for a infantry or ground intel billet at TBS, and then serving five years before leaving the service and trying to go SEALs is an unnecessarily circuitous route. Going Marines and trying to swing an interservice transfer to the Navy to go SEALs while still on active duty would be virtually impossible.
 
Jmel12345 said:
Hi everyone,

My name is Jacob, I am a sophomore in highschool right now and i have dreams of going to USNA and becoming a SEAL someday.
I just have a couple questions about it that i'm hoping to get some clarification on though.

First of all i was wondering if the Naval Academy will somewhat prepare me for BUDs and the SEALs?
Or if i should start out as a marine to get a grasp of everything then someday work my way up to becoming a SEAL?

Im aware of how big and competetive of a goal it all is but i am very dedicated to striving for it.

Please feel free to ask me any questions about my thoughts on the subject.

Thnk you.
Click to expand...


Why would someone join the Marines to become a SEAL, if you want to be a SEAL join the NAVY.

If you want to go to USNA you must first worry about an appointment which can be as difficult as going to BUDS.

Hear is a good interview with Don Shipley and a USNA SEAL:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_qdS4Y9wbQ

You want to be a SEAL watch the show: Navy SEALS training BUDs class 234 on the military channel or youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQFRePXMI9M

All the episodes are on youtube.

The mental toughness of someone who becomes a SEAL is greater than their physical toughness.

Always strive for the top and Good luck
 
Alright thanks that advice was helpful.

I have a brother in the Army and he told me i should go through the Marines first to maybe learn some things, i was questioning that plan from the start and it was helpful to get some outside opinions.

Thanks.
 
Send me a pm if you have questions on ways you can prepare for BUD/S. Before that just realize it has to be your #1 priority and it's that fire in your belly desire, with some luck and proper prep in regards to injury along with it, that will get you through. You have plenty of time to prepare. Have you taken an unofficial PST yet?

In regards to USNA and BUD/S, it's very competitive and the officer's I met were top quality performers and great guys. If you want to become an officer before you go through, USNA is a great path. Focus on admission and preparing for that first though because you can't become a grad and SEAL without getting in the academy first. If it's what you want, then go get it.

And if you want to enlist and become a SEAL.. don't go USMC first. Work hard and earn a SO contract and enlist.
 
Thanks a lot for the advice i will definately take you up on your offer if i have any questions.
Yes, i have tested myself on the same standards as the SEALs and i'm atleast beating the minimums but i am always trying to improve and prepare myself.

Thanks,
Jake
 
Right now these are about the competitive numbers to receive an enlisted contract. Note that Officer's standards are elevated.

Swim: 9:00 or below (9:30 is the slowest you should be)
Push ups: 85/90+
Sit ups: 100+
Pull ups: 20+
Run: 9:15 or below (again 9:30 is the slowest you should be)
 
@Jmel12345
Not to discourage you or offend you in any way, but those "standards" are what is tested AFTER WEEKS of nonstop training, low calorie diet, little to no sleep, and other physical/mental tortures the BUD/S candidates have faced. According to former SEALS and BUD/S dropouts (from interviews), that is what the standards are garnered from.

I agree with dkkght, you need to focus on getting into USNA first; if not, enlisting or NROTC is always an option.

But anyhoo, good luck with your future (and current) endeavors!
 
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Actually those standards are for the PST to gain a contract. During BUD/S you don't take PST's. You're tested on 4 mile sand runs in boots and pants, a 2 mile open ocean swims, and timed O-course runs. In each phase the times you have to make get faster. From the enlisted side the last PST you take is the exit PST from BUD/S Prep which is a 1000m swim, push, pull, sit, and a 4 mile run on a track in tennis shoes and pants.

If it's what you what you can do it man. When I first started training I didn't know how to do the combat side stroke, nor could I swim more than 100 yards without stopping (terrible form and swim endurance). Yet after incessant training, I earned my contract and passed my swims. And your diet is very high in calories, you get double portions when in student status.

From what I understand they changed things when prep was started. So chances are what you were saying (dlee96) was the case before things were changed around. Wasn't trying to be rude haha!
 
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Sorry if I digress! But I think in your case, if you really want to attend the USNA, you should make that your immediate priority during the remainder of your years in high school. You can certainly strive for BUD/S while being a mid, and you will be able to train with your peers who share the same goal as you. Such a great way to train! My advice, if you really have that desire to do both, I would focus on gaining admission to the academy first.
 
Awesome thanks for the info. Apgallozzi, it's been really helpful.

And yeah i am definately focused on making it into the academy as well as keeping in good physical shape. Usna is my first priority then i can start to focus more on the SEALs.
 
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