<p>I was hoping to get into the naval academy and go for a seal officer position, but frankly I have no idea how I should go about it. Any ideas? Phisical requirments, academic? Are there different requirments? I would expect there is. Any help would be much appreciated.
Thank,
249</p>
<p>Worry about getting into USNA first. Once there, you work on going into the SEAL program. There are additional requirements to go SEAL while at USNA but until you get to USNA, they really don’t matter.</p>
<p>There is no different/additional requirement for getting into USNA for those desiring SEALs as a service selection.</p>
<p>249…a couple more things…Officers who go for SEAL’s have NO room for error. I know since I just watched an '07 grad go through. Of the 5 in his group who started his SEAL class…2 made it. The others had medical drops or were told to drop (note: they were TOLD to drop, they did not request to drop, no matter, they were through) …An enlisted rank has a 2nd chance if they DOR (drop on request) to apply again. Not so for any officer. The stress for the team is incredible, but for the officer they carry an even greater mental stress. Officers are held to a higher standard 24/7…minute by minute…second by second. </p>
<p>If you are thinking you want to go SEALS - like USNA 1985 says…focus on the NOW and forget the rest. Wanna begin to think ahead? Then get yourself in ridiculously teriffic shape and never stop training in some area of your life…academically/physically/relationally and yes, even spiritually. Get your own priorities in order to be the best, but be the HUMBLEST. Those who swagger - don’t get very far. These guys are team players who know how to work together. Most SEAL guys don’t tell you they are SEALS and if you sat next to one in church, or stood next to them in line at a grocery store or gas station - you wouldn’t be able to spot them as " SEAL!!!" For it is in their very unassuming stance that they carry the power to be truly formidable Spec Ops guys. </p>
<p>SEAL sounds awfully romantic to we outsiders. And after watching this entire journey as an outsider from start to finish and all the ups and downs inbetween…I am humbled, sobered, and amazingly proud of every one of our military Spec Ops folk.</p>
<p>Wow thanks for the great advice.</p>
<p>Yeah, inconspicuous… that’s why they grow out huge beards too. I don’t know about not being able to spot them if standing next to you at church though… they often have a knack for radiating a very unnerving aura… the one where you look at the guy, shake a little bit, and then think “Damn, that guy could probably snap every bone in my body 100 different ways, on the spot.” That’s hard-core.</p>
<p>249, You may want to consider your priorities. If your priority is USNA and you’d like to be selected for BUD/S, then focus on getting in to USNA while still working on getting in great shape. It’s true that if you’re not initially selected for SEALs upon Graduation from USNA you can still pursue a lateral transfer within the first couple of years. However, you will miss out on at least one platoon thus limiting your operational time, which SEALs hate. You also get only one shot at BUD/S as an officer. If your priority is SEAL, then you may want a different approach. Many choose to get a degree and then enlist to get to BUD/S. As peskemom says, if you quit or are performance dropped then you can have another shot at BUD/S in a couple of years. If you make it through BUD/S & SQT and complete a successful tour or two as enlisted, you can then look into an officer program. That gives you the most opportunities for platoons since you start over again as a SEAL officer. Or you can get a degree and then shoot for an OCS spot at BUD/S and if that doesn’t work out, enlist. I would urge you to get a degree first either way, since it’s hard to fit it in later as an operational SEAL.</p>
<p>my son is accepted to Annapolis but questions whether he will “be behind the lines” as an officer. He wants to be in there with the troops. Maybe enlisting is the better way for him to go as his goal is to be a seal. I hate to have him give up Annapolis though.</p>
<p>Wow, a year and a half old thread revived from the dead.</p>
<p>studentsmom- Military members go into harm’s way regardless of rank. A number of my classmates have been killed or wounded in combat. Ship drivers, special ops, and Marines are right there with enlisted in the stink. Your son will have plenty of opportunity to lead men behind the lines as a seal or any other designator he chooses. I would not under any circumstances choose to enlist over being an officer.</p>
<p>sound, wise counsel.</p>
<p>studentsmom: in about three years, assuming his class rank is high enough, he can simply list Marine Ground as his #1 choice for Service Selection.</p>
<p>OP: here’s how you prepare for BUD/S training: learn to hold your breath in cold water for 5-6 minutes. Then no matter what the instructors do to your tank/valves/hoses/equipment in the pool in BUD/S to make you panic, while those around you are panicking and surfacing, you just smile inside and think: “is THAT all you’ve got?”</p>
<p>And upon exiting after not breathing for that 5-6 minutes, being effectively brain dead, they’ll transfer you to Army infantry. ;)</p>
<p>The Academy now has an excellent prep program called VAST (Varsity Athlete Seal Training).</p>
<p>A) Do NOT give up a slot at USNA, if you have one because you think it might be easier to get to BUD/S as an enlisted sailor. Go to USNA and accept a commission. True, there are far fewer SEAL slots for officers than, enlisted, but it can be done.<br>
B) Your best bet is to get on a swimming team and a water polo team.<br>
Play water polo for NAVY - those guys a ripped and tough. Then, put in for a BUD/S slot. Be prepared to serve wherever the Navy needs you.</p>
<p>Son mentioned that a seal Lt USNA Grad who was part of the team that took out the pirates holding the Captain of the Maersk Alabama had lunch with them in King Hall the other day. You never know who will pop in with Mids-pretty cool stuff frequently happens like this!</p>
<p>Agreed …it is stunning how many celebrity-types frequent the Yard. And it’s often sort of ho-hum …another astronaut, ACE, ambassador, secretary of thisorthat dept, and on and on. </p>
<p>The really irksome issues aren’t like @ so many places, “My professor’s making me go to hear some dweeb who’s published an article on where dinosaurs went …” but rather …“Darn, this guy who helped raise the Soviet sub that sank …” or “The first Ace in the Vietnam war was here and …” …</p>
<p>“And they didn’t even tell us. Man, I’da loved to have met him.” There are so many Mr. (and Ms.) Bigs visiting, lecturing, seminaring, etc. on the Yard, it’s impossible for Mids to make enough time for them. Amazing educational opportunities like none other.</p>
<p>btw, I’d venture to say, at risk of being shot at, geography/location AND diversity of career options (vs. other SAs) is perhaps THE strategic advantage and monstrous difference between Navy and the other SAs. There simply is way more access, cachet, convenience, and cause/call for these big wheels to visit Annapolis vs. the foothills of CO, upstate NY or CT, and LI. THE major academic/educational advantage.</p>
<p>WP let em shoot but they will be wrong. CA is the only idiot to try to destroy USNA and its reputation.</p>
<p>USNA offers more than most will ever know!</p>
<p>Silence on CA’s part is consent.</p>
<p>Old thread, I know. But assuming you’re still interested in being a SEAL officer, I would check out this site:</p>
<p>socnet.com</p>
<p>However, I would tread lightly. Their tolerance for BS is low.</p>