Wrestling vs. Swimming for the U.S. Navy SEALs

jimmyd93

5-Year Member
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Oct 11, 2011
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Between a Naval Academy Wrestler and a Naval Academy Swimmer, who would make a better U.S. Navy SEAL candidate? Also, assume both ran Cross Country in the fall and played Lacrosse in the spring during high school.
 
Swimming. Seals do that a lot. But there are other benefits to swimming. Like cross country, swimming builds mental toughness. It forces you to challenge yourself and keep going when your body is screaming at you to stop going. And it's a much healthier sport, IMO
 
My SEAL friend said it's a great deal of mental stress. The better you are physically, the less that adds to the stress. Swimming and running are big parts. Half Nelsons and take downs, not so much (wrestling keeps you fit, but swimming and running will do, and being a wiz at swimming is one less than that will pile on you).

I'm no SEAL, but that's the general feel from a friend or two.
 
Like all of the above posts, swimming.

It's a better workout (like stated above) and the Navy SEALs do that a lot (also said above). Some people who go to the SEAL training, aren't very good swimmers. Or even worse, fear the water and the potential of drowning. Swimming in the Naval Academy will [hopefully] help you a lot more in the long-run.
 
Yet another candidate aiming to be a SEAL. Surprise, surprise.

Whether or not you become a SEAL will depend on a huge number of factors. Don't worry too much about which sport.
 
If there is a single sport in which NSW focus their visibility to potential candidates it's Water Polo, although both swimmers and wrestlers have historically high (relatively) success rates in BUD/S. If you go to USNA and become the Captain of the Water Polo team, even better. You can check out sealswcc.com which is run out of the SEAL offices at BUD/S (right on the Grinder) or call 888-usn-seal and ask them how to best set yourself up.
 
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