<p>My cousin is considering joining the program... anybody have any experience with this? Pros? Cons/</p>
<p>SEALs are hardcore....elite of the elite. really tough program to get in to. </p>
<p>i myself am in between Navy SEALs or Marine Corps Force Recon...</p>
<p>For a long time I wanted to go Naval Aviation, but after reading The Warrior Elite by Dick Couch, I made a complete 180. The author is a Vietnam era SEAL and follows BUD/S Class 228 (the winter class of 1998, if I recall correctly) through the six month physical and mental hell. It is a superb book, and I strongly reccommend it to anyone interested in the SEALs or BUD/S.</p>
<p>Capt. Couch also wrote The Finishing School. Upon completion of BUD/S, the candidate is NOT awarded the Trident, but has to go through another year of the hardcore professional training where he actually learns how to fight like a SEAL. After a 6 month probationary period, he is then put before a board that determines if he is fully qualified to be an operational SEAL. Again, another excellent book. It only fortified my determination to pursue this career path.</p>
<p>Pertaining to the Academy, my BGO told me I'd have to be in the top 50 or so in the class when service selection comes around, as only about 20-25 are selected to go straight to BUD/S.</p>
<p>Good Luck to all who want to become the 'elite of the elite'</p>
<p>HOOYAH!</p>
<p>DMEIX--Top 200 has a shot and 23 went from class of 2005.</p>
<p>Personally... Seals are going to be my first choice, followed closely by Naval Aviation. What are you physical stats guys? I feel that my main downfall is going to be size... hopefully I can take care of that at the academy. Right now I am standing at 5'-9" 170 lbs., bench pressing 285, squat 525. Strength I have... Size I don't.</p>
<p>But can you swim? That kills a whole bunch of wanna-be SEALs. </p>
<p>Dick Couch's book is indeed a great read (the officer's in the book were classmates, though, so maybe I'm biased). </p>
<p>DeepThroat</p>
<p>Like a fish... sir...</p>
<p>What are the physical prerequisites- I know there's a 1.5 mile run, swim, puships, situps, pullups...?</p>
<p>A great source for information like physical preparation, medical requirements, etc, and even news articles pertaining to SEALs would be <a href="http://www.navyseals.com%5B/url%5D">www.navyseals.com</a></p>
<p>SEAL training is divided into numerous phases.</p>
<p>Phase I is eight weeks of the most intense physical training known to man. AMong the things you will be doing is 4 mile timed runs, 2 mile ocean swims (all timed of course), intense physical training, and small boat seamanship day after day after day. The 5th week is the famed "Hell Week" where the mAximum amount of sleep allowed is 4 hours TOTAL FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK.</p>
<p>Phase 2 is primarily diving and underwater skills training. This phase teaches you to be a combat diver, which distinguishes you from any other unit in the US military. </p>
<p>Phase 3 teaches basics of land warfare, including demolitions&explosives, weapons, reconnaissance, navigation, and other specialized skills.</p>
<p>After Phases 1-3, SEAL trainees proceed to airborne training at the US ARMy Airborne Center at Fort benning, GA. Those SEALs who also want to be medics will undergo an additional 30 week course in medical skills, basic surgery, and field medicine.</p>
<hr>
<p>Most trainees won't even make it close to this far. SEAL training has one of the highest failure rates of any unit in the US military, so prepared to be the best of the best to even survive.</p>
<p>"Like a fish... sir..."</p>
<p>I prefer "counselor" these days. </p>
<p>I wouldn't be concerned about your size. I think that a majority of SEALs are right around your size. </p>
<p>DeepThroat</p>
<p>Let's hear from the guys!</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>BKOZY-
How do you know the service selection stats for c/o 2005 already?</p>
<p>Wow those are impressive lifts for your size, esp. the squat. Do you do power clean and if so what is your max? Hope to see you in June.</p>
<p>I've never really done power clean for any max type lifting. I did however do the dead lift... my max in that was 550. I would have no idea on what my max would be for power clean, I will give it a try next time I'm in the gym and I'll get back to ya on that</p>
<p>class of '05 had 21 SEAL selectees. i saw it on the board at the supt's brief tonight. This was abnormal, however, in that there are usually 15 or 16. </p>
<p>Naval Aviation had 250, about 30 more than SWO. Corps has 100 odd something. </p>
<p>3 selected army, 5 air force, and 1 went coast guard. </p>
<p>anyone have any questions for an '08 mid?</p>
<p>Yeah, how bad is plebe summer?</p>
<p>My brother went to plebe summer at the coast guard, hated it, and came home....
but I don't know about the navy...</p>
<p>Most SEALs are actually "average height and build". But what sets them apart is their reluctance to quit, they just won't.</p>
<p>It's my understanding that if you want to be a SEAL Officer you better go to the Academy, as only 16 or so are selected from NROTC every year, and then their are those from OCS and the Fleet.</p>
<p>I think it's more important to be able to do push ups, pull ups, and ab work for SEAL training, cause there ain't a weight room on the beach. Don't get me wrong weight training is important (heck I do it) but you want high rep, endurance, muscles not to be looking so much like the GovEnor of CalEfornia.</p>
<p>As for me and my aspirations to be a SEAL, yea I want it, but don't know if I will be an O or enlisted when I do.</p>
<p>Stat wise I can get about 18-20 pull ups, and about 85 push-ups in two minutes, about 85-90 sit ups in two minutes, and I stink at the run, probably 10:30-10:40. (Workin on that part!)</p>
<p>...and the Governor of California sorely needs a brain transplant! Oops, I forgot, the political discussion is on the other thread.</p>