Officers' Leave: Bud/S Training

Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training is an intensive programme that takes place in Coronado, California. Candidates for Navy SEAL status must complete BUD/S training, which includes a challenging five- to six-week Indoctrination Phase (INDOC) that tests students' physical fitness and mental resilience. While it is unclear whether officers get to go home during BUD/S, it is known that the training is rigorous and demanding, with little time for anything other than physical and academic challenges.

Candidates have weekends off during BUD/S training but use this time to prepare gear and rest

BUD/S training is Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) school, a 24-week course that develops SEAL candidates' mental and physical stamina and leadership skills. Each BUD/S phase includes timed physical condition tests, with time requirements becoming more demanding each week. Candidates are also divided into "boat crews" and must paddle out from the shore, through the surf zone, and back again.

During the weekends, candidates will have to prepare their rooms, helmets, dive knives, and uniforms for the Monday morning inspection. They will also have to eat well and limit their late nights.

BUD/S training is challenging and has a high dropout rate

The first phase of BUD/S assesses SEAL candidates in physical conditioning, water competency, teamwork, and mental tenacity. The physical conditioning phase utilizes daily running, swimming, and calisthenics, which grow harder as the weeks progress. Candidates are also divided into "boat crews" consisting of six to seven people with one small inflatable boat known as an IBS, and must paddle out from the shore, through the surf zone, and back again. Candidates participate in weekly four-mile timed runs and timed obstacle courses, swim distances of up to two miles wearing fins in the ocean, and learn small boat seamanship.

The second phase of BUD/S concentrates on dive physics, underwater skills, and combat SCUBA. Candidates will learn two types of SCUBA: open circuit (compressed air) and closed circuit. Also, basic dive medicine and medical skills training is provided. The emphasis is placed on long-distance underwater dives with the goal of training students to become basic combat divers, using swimming and diving techniques as a means of transportation from their launch point to their combat objective.

The third phase of BUD/S teaches the class basic weapons, demolitions, land navigation, patrolling, rappelling, marksmanship, infantry tactics, and small-unit tactics. During the third phase, the class is taught to gather and process information that will complete the overall mission. There is more classroom work that teaches map, compass, land navigation, and basic weapon skill sets. These skill sets allow the class to transition from having novice skills to becoming more comfortable out in the field. Most of this training is new to the class, and the learning pace becomes faster and faster.

BUD/S has a high dropout rate, with roughly 75% of candidates failing to complete the program. The reasons for leaving the program include the rigorous physical fitness component, the challenging curriculum, and the mental toughness required. Many candidates begin questioning their decision to join BUD/S during the first phase, with a significant number deciding to drop out. The fourth week of training, known as Hell Week, is particularly grueling, with candidates sleeping only about four hours during the entire week and completing about 20 hours of physical training per day.

To increase your chances of completing BUD/S, it is important to train hard and smart, focusing on long-distance endurance. It is also crucial to identify and train your weaknesses, as Special Forces training is designed to expose candidates' weaknesses. Eating healthy and nutritious meals is essential for proper recovery, and ensuring your body is in top physical shape will help you endure the challenges of sleep deprivation. Finally, candidates should aim to develop their mental toughness and resilience, as this is a critical factor in determining their success in the program.

Candidates must have exceptional physical fitness and mental resilience to make the cut

Candidates aspiring to join the Navy SEALs must possess exceptional physical fitness and mental resilience to make the cut for this elite military unit. The path to becoming a Navy SEAL is challenging, with a high dropout rate during training.

The Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training is held in Coronado, California, and is the final step to becoming a Navy SEAL. Candidates must first go through Boot Camp Training, where they are required to take and pass the Special Warfare/Operations Physical Screening Test (PST). The PST includes a 1000-meter swim with fins, push-ups, pull-ups, curl-ups, and a four-mile run, all of which must be completed within a set time limit.

Following Boot Camp, candidates undergo the Pre-Training Phase, which involves an extensive physical training program for 6-8 weeks. This phase aims to help candidates improve their physical fitness as Boot Camp does not adequately prepare them for the advanced training they will encounter in Coronado.

To make the cut for Navy SEAL training, candidates must demonstrate exceptional physical fitness and mental resilience. The training is extremely rigorous and demanding, testing the limits of the candidates' physical, emotional, and mental capacities. Those who successfully complete the training are those with the highest levels of grit and mental toughness.

Mental toughness is a key differentiator between those who succeed and those who do not. It involves consistency, commitment, and the ability to bounce back from setbacks. Mentally tough individuals are more consistent in their habits and actions, such as not missing workouts or assignments and always supporting their teammates. They possess a clear goal that they work towards each day and do not let short-term setbacks deter them from their long-term vision.

Additionally, mental toughness is comprised of four key traits, known as the 4C's: Control, Commitment, Challenge, and Confidence. Control refers to the extent of emotional control and sense of purpose an individual has. Commitment involves the ability to set and achieve goals without getting distracted. Challenge pertains to an individual's drive to achieve their personal best and their willingness to embrace challenges and change. Confidence is the belief in one's abilities and the ability to maintain routine and resolve in the face of setbacks.

To increase their chances of success, candidates must possess both physical and mental toughness. They must be able to endure the physically demanding nature of the training, which includes long marches, heavy loads, and extreme conditions. At the same time, they must also remain calm and focused under pressure, making quick and sound decisions.

Overall, the selection process for Navy SEALs is highly competitive, and only a small percentage of applicants are successful. Candidates must demonstrate exceptional physical fitness and mental resilience to make the cut for this elite unit.

There are several routes to get to BUD/S but only one way to become a SEAL

There are several routes to get to BUD/S, but only one way to become a SEAL.

Enlist as a Civilian

If you've never been in the military, you can enlist as a civilian. To do this, visit your local Navy recruiter and tell them you want to become a SEAL. You'll need to meet the basic eligibility requirements, which include education, age, citizenship, medical history, and police background. If you meet these requirements, the recruiter will put you in contact with the regional Naval Special Warfare/Special Operations Mentor or coordinator, who will help guide you through the Navy SEAL-specific requirements and prepare you for the Physical Screening Test (PST).

Enlist While in the Navy and Apply for a Transfer

If you're already in the Navy, you can apply for a transfer to BUD/S. First, notify your command of your desire to become a Navy SEAL by submitting a Special Request Chit. Then, ask your Navy Career Counselor to complete the Navy Career Counselor Worksheet (NC Worksheet). The Naval Special Warfare Recruiting Directorate will process the worksheet and contact you to let you know if you meet the basic eligibility requirements. If you do, you'll need to pass the PST to be considered for a transfer.

Enlist from Another Branch of Military Service

If you're in another branch of the military, you can transfer to the Navy and apply for the SO (SEAL) rating. About 60 days before you separate from your current branch, visit your local Navy recruiter and tell them you want to join the Navy to become a SEAL. The recruiter will put you in contact with the local Special Warfare/Special Operations mentor or coordinator, who will help guide you through the process.

Officer Routes

There are several routes for officers to get to BUD/S:

• US Naval Academy: First, you must get into the Naval Academy, where you'll undergo rigorous training and screening to prepare for BUD/S.
• Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC): Going to college under a Navy ROTC program is another route to get to BUD/S. ROTC graduates have the opportunity to attend BUD/S after graduation, but it is highly competitive.
• Officer Candidate School (OCS): To apply for OCS, you need to have a college degree. If accepted, you will be selected to go to BUD/S immediately after completing OCS.

Regardless of which route you choose, becoming a SEAL requires exceptional physical fitness and mental resilience. The dropout rate during training is high, and candidates must be prepared for intense physical and mental challenges.

The enlisted route is less tedious and less competitive than the officer route

The enlisted route is also less tedious because it is a more straightforward process. To enlist as a civilian, one simply goes to the local Navy enlisted recruiter, takes the ASVAB and C-SORT tests, and goes through the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Once medically cleared, the enlistee takes physical screening tests (PST) with their SEAL mentor. As their scores become competitive, they are selected and get a date to attend boot camp, Pre-BUD/S at Great Lakes in Illinois, and finally arrive at BUD/S in California. This process can take several months.

In contrast, the officer screening is different and more lengthy. To join the Navy as an officer, a civilian must request to attend Officer Candidate School, followed by BUD/S. If selected to attend the selection program, the candidate will attend SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection (SOAS) during the summer after their application was submitted in January or February of that year. The candidate will attend SOAS with ROTC, the U.S. Naval Academy, and other service academies' cadets and midshipmen seeking one of the few officer slots they offer each year (usually 50-70 slots). This process can take a year or more from submitting an application to receiving an OCS date.

Additionally, the enlisted route offers more specialty pays and reenlistment bonuses, which help bridge the gap between junior officers and enlisted. The enlisted career path also allows one to train in different areas of expertise, such as communications, weapons, explosives, medical, and sniping.

Therefore, while the officer route may offer higher base pay and leadership roles, the enlisted route is less tedious and less competitive.

Frequently asked questions