US Navy SEALs: Myths, Legends, and Truths

Posted July 28th, 2009 by Navy SEAL

Formally founded in the 1960s with their origins dating back to the bombing of Pearl Harbor in the early 40s, the Navy SEALs (an abbreviation of Sea, Air, and Land) is truly an enigmatic group.The US Navy SEALs are the special elite force that most individuals only dream to be able to join. To a lot of people the mere mention conjures up imagery of covert operations and heroic reconnaissance missions; and while a lot of men aspire to be a part of it, few even survive the grueling training required to make the cut. The records of the US Navy SEALs are filled with numerous stories of successful missions, daring rescues, and phenomenal feats so much so that there are myths and legends out there that need to be separated to highlight the truth.

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Myth About Women Navy SEALs

Youve probably heard some people say they know women who are Navy SEALs, well the truth is there are no women Navy SEALs, chances are they are talking about a woman marine. The truth is the Navy SEALs do not recruit women; few men, let alone women are capable of passing the stringent physical fitness requirements that it takes to become a SEAL.

Hell Week

During the rigorous training for basic conditioning to become a Navy SEAL the fourth week is known as the legendary Hell Week. During this period students are subject to five days and five nights of relentless training with a total of only four hours of sleep. Extreme training and obedience to orders during this five and a half day period are vital elements of a Navy SEALs training to ensure that for future operations are not compromised and that the US Navy SEALs are able to function oblivious to temperature, terrain or personal physical comfort. Their lives, as well as the lives of others, may depend on it. Few trainees make it past hell week to move on.

Legends

World renowned as probably one of the toughest Special Forces programs to complete the Navy SEALs have turned out several individuals who are legends by their own right thanks to former training, discipline and skills acquired through various mission as Navy SEALs. Former Navy SEALs like Richard Marcinko, Chris Cassidy, Jesse Ventura and Chuck Pfarrer, to name a few, are veterans that have accomplished a great deal and have literally raised the bar of achievement through their successes.

The Reality

Joining the US Navy SEALs is no doubt tough and the reputation of being one of the hardest programs to pursue in the America is undoubtedly a challenge to invite the very best who seek the Navy SEAL label. Only after completing normal Navy training do SEALs get to volunteer for the Navy SEAL training program. However the rigorous training and mission requirements often result in a lot of volunteers being unable to cope with the demands of being a SEAL and ultimately dropping out, while the determined ones take on the SEAL training program more than once in a bid to succeed.

This Article is written by James Kara Murat


7 Responses to “US Navy SEALs: Myths, Legends, and Truths”

  1. Macky

    I know a guy who claims to be an Navy Seal, during Vietnam. I wonder if what he’s saying is true. He always bring up the subject about him being a seal. But when we say “then what happen?”, he says “I don’t want to talk about it”. Why do he always bring up the subject, then don’t want to talk about it? I mean don’t bring it up if you don’t want to talk about it? Is it because he don’t want us to know he’s a fake?

  2. Devlin

    If what I know of it is true, they arent allowed to talk about their missions, and its probably a horrible gory story

  3. "Mac"

    The Navy Seals did not exist during the Vietnam war…it was only a loose group of guys that later went two ways…one group became the Seals…and the other developed into Delta.

  4. Ryan

    Mac you are so competely off it’s hilarious. President Kennedy commisioned the seals in 1962 because he believed guerilla warfare was the future. Seals came from utd teams. Seals were a huge part of Vietnam, actual teams. Not just a rag tag bunch of guys that ran around with no particular agenda. And as far as sfod detachment delta, they are a counter terrorism unit more closely compared not so much to regular seal teams, but seal special warfare developement group. (devgru) and also I’m my opinion, that guy is probably not a seal. There’s alot of seal wannabes out there.

  5. MAlister

    Mac, you are seriously mistaken. The SEAL’s were created before Vietnam, no group ever split in half to become either SEAL or Delta. For one, they are totally different groups with different task specific training. My math teacher was a SEAL officer in Vietnam and vividly recalls everything he saw and heard. The proof would be the highly coveted trident that sits in a case on his desk. Nobody would be stupid enough to try to steal it, he could hang it from a nail in the wall with a sign reading, “Please take me” and students would pretend it wasn’t there. He isn’t really a hard ass, but his methods of teaching and how he handles misbehavior solidifies his stake as “someone not to f#@k with” among the faculty.

  6. margaret

    I heard something that I am wondering if it is true – that SEALs all wear a valuable jewel in their ear as if they get into trouble one of their buddies will find them?

    True or False?

    Thank you

    margaret

  7. moises soto

    You do not neccesarily have to be in the Navy to compete for a contract in Naval SpecWar programs such as SEALs,SWCC,Etc. Individual’s must show physical capability in areas such as cardio, calisthenics, and swimming to show a scout they have what it takes to take the challenge. Individuals must be go-getters and be prepared to do whatever it takes to emerge top of the class. I myself am currently in the competition stage I can do 110 push ups 120 sit ups 30 pull ups run 1.5 miles in under 8 minutes as well as swim 500 yards in 8 minutes. But its not the physical strength that I or anyone going into BUD/s Should be afraid of. Its the mental abuse im hoping the Navy will do their best to desensitize me to. Becuase looking down a long road to a unfathomable goal, I want it to be as tough as it gets. So If anyone you hear is walking around talking about how they are a SEAL I know a few and they never tell random people about it or say it much, the most I hear them say is that they are pool boys.

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