Chance of Becoming a SEAL at Kings Point

Colleges and Universities A-Z Merchant Marine Academy - Kings Point
1

<p>Hi, I am currently looking at all of the US military academies. I have received a nomination (no appointments yet, but still finishing applications).
I have been searching around on the internet, but have not found an exact answer to my question I am about to ask. Google brought me to this site though, as there were a couple of discussions that mentioned what I am asking.</p>

<p>Does anybody know if the chances of becoming a Navy SEAL officer are higher at Kings point than at the Naval Academy?
The Naval Academy would be my first choice, because I want to be a SEAL and I don't know if I would enjoy Sea Year at the MMA, but during my interview the congressional board they mentioned to me Kings Point and about becoming a SEAL there. I am trying to figure out what the chances would be.
Any insight appreciated,</p>

<p>Jacob</p>

2

<p>There are a few current Midshipmen I know who are currently out to sea that are versed in the Seal program at KP. I can tell you that they have an active SEAL ops program run by Navy Seals. From what I understand the SEAL who won the medal of honor and of whom the book, Lone Survivor, was written about trained at the Kings Point SEAL program before he was accepted to BUDS.</p>

<p>As to which academy is the best, well that depends on which is a good fit for you. Everyone is different.</p>

3

<p>Awesome. </p>

<p>You are right, Michael Murphy used to visit the Academy. I love that book.</p>

4

<p>You asked a question that that is hard to answer but that fact that you are digging means you are on the right track...</p>

<p>The short answer is YES - you can become a Seal out of Kings Point - But it gets complicated from there with various pros and cons...</p>

<p>Here are some thoughts...</p>

<p>USNA has a program that leads to filling a certain number of quotas (USNA will rate x number of slots for BUDs each and every year - and will fill that quota with the best qualified Midshipmen).</p>

<p>USMMA may have a Seal program but (at least to my knowledge) does NOT have quotas assigned to the school (USMMA does have Pilot and Naval Flight Officer Quotas for example) - so you would be be competing for an unrestricted officer candidate for BUDs and have to work your way into an interview and acceptance on your own (with the help of the Naval Science Department). The other way to go that takes longer but it more conventional and frequently traveled is to join as a general officer, or Surface Warfare and once you have fulfilled your initial service obligation - apply for a lateral transfer. This method (become a SWO, get qualified and build some good Fitness Reports, and apply for a lateral transfer to Seal) used to be the only way to get into the teams. They do take a limited number of guys from direct commissioning sources now so you can compete for one of those billets.</p>

<p>Now, which Academy (should you be lucky enought to get accepted to both)? </p>

<p>If you go to USNA - there is a set path to Seal but there are also a hundred guys hard for the guard who want to be seals that you will have to compete with. I assume the number of billets each year for USNA is on the order of 10-20.</p>

<p>If you go to USMMA - there will probably be only a few guys who are serious. As a MIDN at USMMA you will have the opportunity to set up training periods with the Navy. I did a formal six week internship with the command of my choice and did a bunch of informal training sessions when I was on leave and during sea year. During each one of those training periods I collected business cards and asked for letters of recommendation. I believe that you will get FAR more ONE ON ONE opportunities at USMMA than at USNA. By this I mean - when USNA midshipmen do their summer training, they go as a group of many. If you get to participate in a Seal training period as a USNA MIDN it will likely be as part of a big group and look more like a tour than a training period... The exception to this is MINI BUDs - (used to be 2 week training period for USNA/NROTC and Sea Cadets interested in becoming Seals) - that is a no-joke training period but you can attend MINI-BUDs from USMMA too. I'm talking about training... When you go on your sea year and have to do your internship, you will not go with 50 other MIDS. USMMA generally sends MIDS to requested Naval training in the fall, winter and spring (any time other than summer) this is to avoid competing with USNA and NROTC. When my friend from USNA went on his first class cruise on a destroyer he was one of 25 mids on board in June for a two week tour. When I went out on a destroyer I was the only MIDN and I was onboard for two months.</p>

<p>So, there are pros and cons to both. If you go to USNA you put your name in a hat and go where they tell you, when, and take your chances as one of XXX number of other guys just like you. If you go to USMMA you are on your own to make the call and build your case - but there is freedome in that. And, if I had to pick a guy to join a very select group, I'd probably go with the guy who obviosly set himself apart. Its a crap shoot - good luck.</p>

<p>Keep asking questions and don't give up until you get what you want.</p>

<p>V/r
USMMECOM
Welcome</a> to USMMA Online, the one stop shop for all things related to the UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE ACADMEY</p>

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<p>I believe there are 2-3 seniors seriously interested/competing in a SEAL spot. Last year there didn't seem to be any, two guys from 2007 made it, and one guy from 2006. If you want to do it/have the drive, it's definitely possible.</p>

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<p>From what I've heard there is a M/N 1st Class at Kings Point right now that is the #1 pick for Seal Team 5. Has anyone else heard this?</p>

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<p>What is that supposed to mean? Even making it through BUDS doesn't necessarily mean that you will become a SEAL, its up to the unit that they assign you to accepting you or not. And besides, SEAL team 6 is the "elite" team. As with all KP rumors, take what you hear with a grain of salt. By the way, the M/N who was the "top pick" did not pass the medical physical.</p>

8

<p>The captain of the wrestling team in '06 graduated Honor Man from BUD/S and I know we sent at least one other person between now and than.</p>

<p>This year I believe there are two people who are actively competing for SEALs.</p>

<p>And I believe that KP has one slot for SEALs, however I have heard of two epople entering before.</p>

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<p>To be clear - Michael Murphy got his education at Penn State Universtiy. He was from Long Island, however. He went to the SEAL at USMMA program AFTER he graduated from college and then went through OCS.</p>

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<p>Yup Yup Mom. He only did his SEAL conditioning at KP not his education. I believe that the current Mids involved in the SEAL program went to a dinner with Murphys family to honor him this past November.</p>

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<p>This openings per academy graduate, I have no knowledge of and can't help you there. But here's the deal...#1 Becoming a SEAL Team member has nothing to do with where you went to school or where you grew up. #2 & First off, you need to focus on getting the nomination ...then an appointment...then indoc...then school...then sea, along with the regimentation of the academy etc,etc. There are so many obstacles for you to try to overcome before you will have an opportunity to test your mental and physical acumen in Coronado that maybe you should take a step back, take a deep breath and take things... one step at a time. Goals are great...but when I hear people on this forum say that KP or USNA is the EASIER Way to flight school or in this case Seal Teams, I cringe. If you want to be a SEAL, and you have the Mental Toughness, Physical Toughness, Mental Aptitude, and Physical ability (and you can swim,lol) you have as good a chance as anyone.
Going to one of these Academies will unlock alot of doors for you, but it's up to you to open and handle whats behind the door. I know everyone seems to want everything "fast and easy"...maybe you get to go to San Diego after you graduate and try out for SEALS then, or...maybe you have to do 2-3yrs in the fleet? Bottom line is, get your education from one of these Academies if you're fortunate enough. I think either academy you go to will make you an extremely competent Spec Warfare Officer.
A twist to this post is that my best friend went to USMMA @ KP in July "82" and was "toasted" before Thanksgiving (kicked out or quit...I never asked). His parents said they would'nt pay for college after he screwed up such a golden opportunity. He enlisted in Feb "83", after boot camp he went to Radioman "A" school. Following "A" school he got accepted to BUDS Training, started in Oct/Nov "83" with 80 guys in his group. Amazingly my buddy made it thru the 6 months of grueling training and graduated Buds/Seal Training in I believe May "84". Of the original 80...only 11 from his group were there on graduation day from BUDS. So just because you make it to BUDS doesn't mean you'll make it out. And just so folks know...it's not just Brawn to be a SEAL, it takes alot of Brains. He said what he remembers as the toughest part of the training was, ofcourse (Hell Week) but, what he really found very difficult was the (Diving Physics classes and calculations involved)...along with brutal shin splints.lol...</p>

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<p>Well said, snappler. 'Tis is a well-known little fact that many enlisted despise academy graduates because many of them see themselves a bit better than the rest. That kind of attitude does not sit well or fit in with special team units. No place for arrogance, it'll get you killed; and they don't like that sort of thing.</p>

<p>Proving you have the right stuff is what is required, not pedigree.</p>

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<p>Jaycub, another useful resource may be Kings Pointer magazine which contains detailed alumni news about the careers USMMA graduates are pursuing and the steps they are taking in those careers.</p>

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<p>Thank you for all of the replies so far. Where can I find Kings Pointer Magazine? Also does anyone know I would get into Kings Point's SEAL program? Obviously I will talk to admissions about it too.</p>

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<p>Jaycub, you asked where you can find Kings Pointer magazine.
Kings Pointer backlog magazines online:
Kings</a> Pointer Magazine
or ask either the USMMA Alumni Association or perhaps Admissions office for a more recent hard copy. Also, midshipmen and their parents each receive copies.</p>

16

<p>"Also, midshipmen and their parents each receive copies."</p>

<p>How do parents receive copies? We have a plebe son at KP but haven't gotten one yet is there a place to subscribe? I didn't see one at the site above.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

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<p>I don't remember having to subscribe.....it just showed up in the mail one day.</p>

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<p>ditto that... The magazine just showed up. You may want to contact Shirley at the Academy. She's the parent's coordinator at Wiley Hall. Look on the KP webiste and you'll find her contact information.</p>

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<p>Thanks, I remember meeting her at AD last fall, and will give her a call.</p>

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<p>Nope....We have never received an issue. But we will now try to contact the school about getting on the list.</p>