US Navy SEAL: What It Takes

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Are you brave, passionate and patriotic? Are you motivated, determined, quick, fearless and daring? Are you a leader? Can you obey orders and never give up on anything? Seems a mass of contradictions doesn’t it? How can you be a leader and a follower at the same time? But, being a US Navy SEAL is just that – requiring personal as well as military attributes.

Personal traits

What does it take to be a part of the elite US Navy SEAL unit? It takes grit, zeal and enthusiasm. But above all it requires a dynamic nature capable of adjusting to harsh situations. Being a US navy SEAL is not everyone’s choice. The mere fact that you volunteer just takes over the first line of resistance. You are aware of what the US navy SEAL training entails and you are willing to undergo it. So, in a nutshell what does it take to join the US navy SEAL – how can you say that Soldier A has what it takes and soldier B doesn’t?

Preparation

You have to be enthusiastic and aware of the various tough calls of the unit. There is no point in volunteering and joining and then turning around to quit saying that it is too tough – it is not for you. Be very sure of yourself – your abilities and capacity. If not, take aptitude tests to become aware of them.

• Know yourself to make the decision
• Read about the US navy SEAL application requirements and training -- Study military history, politics and international relations.
• Undergo various vigorous physical and mental tests to develop the cognitive, physical and psychological nature required
• Prepare yourself for the SEAL team application requirements -- including specific test scores, age and rating requirements, physical tests, swimming tests and a diving physical. This usually involves tests for pressure and oxygen tolerance.

Application requirements:

• You have to be a US citizen to volunteer
• You are not eligible if you are on an alien permanent stay visa
• You have to be above the age of 21 – waivers for those above the age of 28 are possible but 28 is the recommended age
• You have to be a bonafide member of the US navy
• Good eyesight -- at least 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other
• Pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery i.e. the ASVAB
• Pass a stringent physical screening test that includes the following procedure:

1. swim 500 yards in 12.5 minutes or less, followed by a 10-minute rest
2. do 42 push-ups in under two minutes, followed by a two-minute rest
3. do 50 sit-ups in under two minutes, followed by a two-minute rest
4. do six pull-ups, followed by a 10-minute rest
5. run 1.5 miles in boots and long pants in less than 11.5 minutes

Only dedicated and brave US navy personnel are ultimately chosen to begin the basic US Navy SEAL training. This basic training resembles sifting the wheat from the chaff where the real soldiers are separated from the ordinary ones. These real brave men are then instructed on endurance tests and trained to operate in small units. Do you have it in you to become one of the elite few?