NAVY SEALs

Becoming a SEAL


Man in Camouflage face paint

If you want to become a SEAL, the U.S. Navy Special Warfare Community has a challenge for you. The SEAL program consists of more than 12 months of initial training — followed by an additional 18 months of pre-deployment training — and intensive specialized training designed to push you to your physical and mental limits — again and again. If you succeed, you’ll be part of a SEAL Team and conduct missions and operations that most people can only dream about.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

By law, only men are eligible to apply for the SEAL program. After joining the Navy, you must:

  • Meet specific eyesight requirements.
  • Meet minimum Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) score.
  • Be 28 years old or younger.
  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Pass a diving physical examination.
  • Complete the Physical Screening Test Requirements. The program is as follows:
    • Swim 500 Yards within 12:30
    • Rest 10:00
    • 42 push-ups within 2:00
    • Rest 2:00
    • 50 sit-ups within 2:00
    • Rest 2:00
    • 6 pull-ups (no time limit)
    • Rest 10:00
    • 1.5 mile run within 11:00
  • Pass a Basic Underwater Demolition/SEALS (BUD/S) physical fitness screening test in Boot Camp and in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) in order to qualify for a SEAL contract.
  • If you want to join the Navy and take the SEAL Challenge, Locate a Recruiter.

STEP 1: CHOOSE THE SEAL RATING (SO)

STEP 2: TRAINING

  • BUD/S Indoctrination: (5 weeks — Coronado, CA)
  • BUD/S Phase I: Physical conditioning (2 months — Coronado, CA)
  • BUD/S Phase II: Diving (2 months — Coronado, CA)
  • BUD/S Phase III: Weapons, demolitions and small unit tactics (2 months — Coronado, CA)
  • Parachute Jump School: (1 month — Ft. Benning, GA)
  • Advanced Sea, Air and Land Training: (5 months — Coronado, CA)

STEP 3: ADVANCED TRAINING/PLACEMENT

  • Graduation and Receive Naval Special Warfare SEAL Classification — (NEC) Opportunities for Advanced Training.
  • Report to First SEAL Team or SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Team (Virginia Beach, VA; Pearl Harbor, HI; or Coronado, CA).
  • Individual Specialty Training (6 months) while assigned to a SEAL Platoon or SDV Task Unit.
  • Unit Level Training while assigned to a SEAL platoon or SDV task unit (6 months).
  • Task Group Level Training (6 months) while assigned to a SEAL Platoon or SDV Task Unit.

STEP 4: DEPLOYMENT AND COMBAT OPERATIONS

A diver inderneath seaweed, carying a gun

A typical SEAL mission could involve insertion into an objective by parachute, submarine, helicopter, high-speed boat, foot patrol or by a combat swimmer insertion. SEALs are also capable of operating a variety of high-tech, specialized equipment. Most deployments last 6 to 8 months.