The essential requirements civilians must fulfill in order to join the SEAL teams are outlined below; click here to find out information about how to join if you are already in the Navy , or if you want to join the Navy SEALs as an officer.

ENLISTMENT

You must be enlisted in the Navy in order to become a SEAL.
During the enlistment process, you will be required to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) . You must score be high enough to qualify for the SEAL program, as well as the SEAL source rate ("A" School) of your choice. Once you’ve selected your souce rate , and gotten yourself into prime physical condition, you are ready to sign your SEAL Challenge Contract and enlist in the United States Navy. Hooyah!

BOOT CAMP

Your next destination is boot camp. While boot camp may seem like a grueling period, for prospective BUD/S trainees, boot camp is just a light warm-up for the intense training ahead. However, making sure that you get the most out of your experience at boot camp will help you to develop the leadership and physical skills needed to try out for the Navy SEALs.

During boot camp, you will get four opportunities to pass the physical screening test. If you wish to attend BUD/S, you MUST pass the test.

"A" SCHOOL

You must complete a follow-on school called "A" school for enlisted, which further qualifies you in your specialty (called a rate - fireman, electrician, weapons technician etc.). During this time, it’s imperative to continue your physical training and to demonstrate leadership qualities.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

After Tadpoles (pre-trainees) attend either Navy Boot Camp (for enlistees) or an Officer Selection Program such as Officer Candidate School, the Naval Academy or Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), they must volunteer to undergo the initial screening for acceptance into BUD/S training LINK.

The initial requirements are as follows:

• Pass a diving physical exam
• Have eye-sight no worse than 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other and correctable to 20/20 with no color blindness (strict on this one)
• Minimum ASVAB score: VE + AR = 104, MC = 50 (for enlistees)
• 28 years old or less (strict on this also, although there have been guys who persuaded the powers that be to ignore the cut-off)
  
• Only men are eligible
• Pass the physical fitness test (remember it is maximum effort they are looking for - not the minimums!)
  • 500 yd swim using breast/side stroke in 12:30 - ten minute rest
  • Minimum of 42 pushups in 2 minutes - two minutes rest
  • Minimum of 50 sit-ups in 2 minutes - two minute rest
  • Minimum of 8 pull-ups - no time limit - ten minute rest
  • Run: 1.5 miles wearing boots & fatigues in 11:30

Congratulations! At this point, if you’ve passed everything with flying colors, then you wait for a billet to open up - at which time you can report to Coronado, Ca. for BUD/S training (if your Commanding Officer lets you transfer - so you don't want to make yourself too indispensable at your first command or they may keep you. You want out and fast because the only place for you now is in your newfound hell called Fourth Phase)!

* The following people are also eligible to go through the screening process: active duty and active reservists from any branch of the United States Armed Forces -- i.e., Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Army, and Coast Guard. ROTC and OCS candidates with proper authorization from their program coordinator may also participate. All participants must have a valid official identification card at the time of testing.

If you are in the Navy, this is what goes into and where to send your package. The requirements for submitting a BUD/S training application package are as follows:

Be certain you meet the General Requirements LINK. Contact the SEAL recruiters should you require additional information. All SEAL recruiters are qualified SEALs who know the program inside and out. They are an excellent source of information.

Submit through your chain of command a "Special Request Chit" requesting BUD/S training. Then see your Command Career Counselor to begin the process outlined below.

Submit to SPECWAR/Diver Assignment a "Personnel Action Request" (Form 1306/7). Include the following with your request:

A certified copy of your ASVAB test scores
Your physical screening test results
Pressure and oxygen tolerance test results (if completed)
Your completed diving physical
(Form SF88 - SF93)
Your medical record documenting that all immunizations and HIV results are up to date
A certified copy of your last performance evaluation report

Make a copy of your entire package and keep the copy in a safe place.

Mail your package to the address below. For safety's sake, you may wish to mail the package via a service that permits tracking; e.g., certified U.S. mail, Federal Express, United Parcel, etc.

SPECWAR/Diver Assignment
BUPERS PERS401D1
5720 Integrity Drive
Millington, TN 38055-0000
Phone: (901) 874-3622

OFFICERS

There are very few officer billets and many applicants. This allows the Naval Special Warfare community to be very selective in who gets orders. If you do not meet the guidelines below, there is still hope. You may have to choose between being an officer and being a SEAL. If you are one of the many who have just completed college and are looking at your options, then consider enlisting under the SEAL Challenge Contract, completing two platoons at a SEAL Team, then applying for your commission under one of several programs the Navy offers. Keep in mind, if you enlist and subsequently drop out of BUD/S, you will still have to serve your obligated service in the fleet.

Officer applicants should do extremely well on the PT Screening Test. Typical swim times for officers selected for BUD/S range from eight to nine minutes, and successful officers can generally perform more than 100 sit-ups and pushups, more than 20 pull-ups, and can complete the run in under nine minutes.

ARMED SERVCIES VOCATIONAL APTITUDE BATTERY

During the enlistment process you will be required to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). Your scores on these tests determine the rates for which you are eligible. You must score well enough to qualify for the SEAL program, as well as the SEAL source rate ("A" School) of your choice.

Your recruiter can arrange for you to take a pre-ASVAB test. The pre-ASVAB will identify weaknesses in your performance and enable you to undertake remedial work, if necessary. In addition, several books are available to help you prepare for the ASVAB test. Check your high school or public library, or your local bookstore. Alternatively, use one of the popular web search engines and search on the following string: "armed services vocational aptitude battery."

The ASVAB is broken down into several categories. To be eligible for BUD/S, you must combine the "AR" and "VE" categories and your score must be 104 or higher. You must also get a score of 50 or higher in the "MC" category. At this time, there is a 5-point waiver (for all categories combined), should your score be below our requirements.

If you need more than 5 points, you must retake the ASVAB. Take this test seriously and study for it. If you score lower, then those lower scores will stand, so study.

If you have not enlisted yet, then you may retake it several times. If you take the ASVAB and score high enough to enlist, but not high enough to sign up under the SEAL Challenge Contract study hard and plan to retake the ASVAB. Inform your recruiter that you are serious about doing well on the ASVAB, so you will qualify for the SEAL Challenge Contract.

SOURCE RATES

To enroll in BUD/S, you must qualify for and complete training in one of the SEAL source rates. The table below lists the current SEAL source rates, as well as a brief description of the job duties. Investigate these opportunities thoroughly and be sure to select a rate that interests you. If you do not complete BUD/S training, you will serve out your enlistment working in the rate you select.

Some of the SEAL source rates may not be open at the time of your enlistment. Rate availability is determined by Navy staffing needs.

• Aviation Boatswain's Mate (AB) - ABs operate, maintain, and repair aircraft catapults, arresting gear, and barricades. They direct aircraft on the flight deck and in hangar bays, and use tractors to position planes.
• Aviation Ordnanceman (AO) - Navy planes carry guns, bombs, torpedoes, rockets, and missiles. AOs maintain, repair, install, operate, and handle aviation ordnance equipment.
• Aviation Antisubmarine Warfare Operator (AW) - AWs operate airborne radar and electronic equipment used in detecting, locating, and tracking submarines.
• Boatswain's Mate (BM) - BMs train and supervise personnel in all activities relating to marlinspike, deck and boat seamanship, and the maintenance of the ship's external structure and deck equipment.
• Electrician's Mate (EM) - EMs are responsible for the operation and repair of a ship's or station's electrical power plant and electrical equipment.
• Engineman (EN) Internal combustion engines -- diesel or gasoline -- must be kept in good order. This is the responsibility of ENs. They also maintain refrigeration, air-conditioning, distilling-plant engines, and compressors.
• Electronics Technician -(ET) ETs are responsible for electronic equipment used to send and receive messages, detect enemy planes and ships, and determine target distances.
• Gunner's Mate (GM) - Navy GMs operate, maintain, and repair all gunnery equipment, guided-missile launching systems, rocket launchers, guns, gun mounts, turrets, projectors, and associated equipment.
• Hospital Corpsman (HM) - HMs perform duties as assistants in the prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries. They also assist health care professionals in providing medical care to Navy members and their families. HMs may function as clinical or specialty technicians. They also serve as battlefield HMs with the Marine Corps rendering emergency medical treatment or may function independent of a physician as a surface, submarine, SEAL, RECON, or diving IDC.
• Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) - HTs are responsible for maintaining ships' hulls, fittings, piping systems, and machinery. They install and maintain shipboard and shore-based plumbing and piping systems.
• Interior Communications Electrician (IC) -ICs operate and repair electronic devices used in the ship's interior communications systems, SITE TV systems, public address systems, electronic megaphones, and other announcing equipment.
• Intelligence Specialist (IS) - Military information, especially secret information about enemies or potential enemies, is called "intelligence." An IS is involved in collecting and interpreting intelligence data; analyzing photographs; and preparing charts, maps, and reports that describe in detail the strategic situation all over the world.
• Information Systems Technician (IT) - ITs operate the radio/computer communications systems that make complex teamwork possible. They operate radiotelephones and radio-teletypes, administer computer networks and equipment, prepare messages for international and domestic commercial telegraph, and send and receive messages via the Navy system.
• Machinist's Mate (MM) - MMs are responsible for the continuous operation of many engines, compressors and gears; refrigeration, air-conditioning, and gas-operated equipment; and other types of machinery afloat and ashore.
• Machinery Repairman (MR) - MRs are skilled machine tool operators. They make replacement parts and repair or overhaul a ship's engine auxiliary equipment, such as evaporators, air compressors, and pumps. They also repair deck equipment.
• Operational Specialist (OS) - OSs operate radar, navigation, and communications equipment in shipboard combat information centers (CICs) or bridges. They detect and track ships, planes, and missiles.
• Photographer's Mate (PH) - PHs photograph actual and simulated battle operations and make photo records of historic and newsworthy events for the Navy. A five-year enlistment is required.
• Personnelman (PN) - PNs provide enlisted personnel with information and counseling about Navy jobs, oppor-tunities for general education and training, promotion requirements, and rights and benefits. They also keep records up to date, prepare reports, type letters, and maintain files.
• Aircrew Survival Equipmentman (PR) - PRs pack and care for parachutes, as well as service, maintain, and repair flight clothing, rubber life rafts, life jackets, oxygen-breathing apparatus, protective clothing, and air-sea rescue equipment.
• Quartermaster (QM) - QMs assist the navigator and officer of the deck (OOD), steer the ship, take radar bearings and ranges, make depth soundings and celestial observations, plot courses, and command small craft.
• Storekeeper (SK) - SKs are the Navy's supply clerks. They see that needed supplies are available, including clothing, machine parts, forms, and food. SKs have duties as civilian warehousemen, purchasing agents, stock clerks and supervisors, sales clerks, store managers, buyers, and even fork lift operators.
• Signalman (SM) - SMs send and receive various visual messages, handle and route message traffic, operate voice radio, and repair visual signaling devices. They also render honors to ships and boats, and serve as navigators.
• Torpedoman's Mate (TM) - TMs maintain underwater explosive missiles, such as torpedoes and rockets, that are launched from surface ships, submarines and aircraft. They also maintain launching systems for underwater explosives, and are responsible for shipping and storage of torpedoes and rockets.

SEAL CHALLENGE CONTRACT

The SEAL Challenge Contract is the ONLY enlistment contract that guarantees you an opportunity to compete for a place at BUD/S. To see what the contract looks like, click here.

Your recruiter has a responsibility to inform you about the whole range of opportunities the Navy offers. But if you are certain about your commitment to SEAL training, let your recruiter know you want the SEAL Challenge Contract and settle for nothing else. If the recruiter tells you that you do not qualify for the contract, contact a SEAL recruiter or motivator first, before signing anything, to see if they can help you get the waiver you may need.

The SEAL Challenge Contract guarantees you a place at BUD/S only if you pass the physical screen test during boot camp (you get four opportunities). You MUST pass the physical screen test to gain admission to BUD/S.

Play it smart and safe: Make SURE you can meet the minimum physical screening requirements BEFORE enlisting and going to boot camp.
 
 

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