United States Navy SEAL selection and training
The average member of the United States Navy's Sea, Air, Land Teams (SEALs) spends over a year in a series of formal training environments before being awarded the Special Warfare Operator Naval Rating and the Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) O26A Combatant Swimmer (SEAL) or, in the case of commissioned naval officers, the designation 113X Special Warfare Officer.
Once outside the formal schooling environment SEALs entering a new Team at the beginning of an operational rotation can expect 18 months of training interspersed with leave and other time off before each six-month deployment.
For two years, of seven initially planned,[3] members of the Coast Guard were allowed to obtain SEAL training, until the program was suspended in 2011.
[5] Academically, all applicants must have the equivalent of a high school education, have a composite score of at least 220 on the ASVAB and be proficient in all aspects of the English language.
Medically, all potential applicants must have at least 20/70 vision, correctable to 20/25, be able to pass the SEAL Physical Screening Test and have no recent history of drug abuse.
Lastly applicants must have "good moral character" as determined by their history of criminal convictions and civil citations.
[6][7] Since December 2015, women have been eligible to enter the SEAL training pipeline provided they can meet the same acceptance guidelines as men.
[13][14] The training curriculum begins at Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School in San Diego, CA.
Those unable to pass the final modified PST test are removed from the SEAL training pipeline and reclassified into other jobs in the Navy.
[18] Pre-BUD/S or BUD/S Orientation, previously known as Indoctrination (Indoc), is a two-week course that introduces candidates to the Naval Special Warfare Center and the BUD/S lifestyle.
[15][19][20] The first phase of BUD/S assesses SEAL candidates in physical conditioning, water competency, teamwork, and mental tenacity.
Physical conditioning phase utilizes daily running, swimming, calisthenics, and grows harder as the weeks progress.
[15][21] Because of its particularly challenging requirements, many candidates begin questioning their decision to come to BUD/S during First Phase, with a significant number deciding to Drop on Request (DOR).
Successful Second Phase Candidates demonstrate a high level of comfort in the water and the ability to perform in stressful and often uncomfortable environments.
Upon successful completion of BUD/S, SEAL Candidates go on to receive both static line and free-fall training at Tactical Air Operations in San Diego, CA.
The accelerated three-week program is highly regimented, facilitated by world-class Instructors, and designed to develop safe and competent free-fall jumpers in a short period of time.
These schools lead to required qualifications and designations that collectively allow the platoon to perform as an operational combat team.
ULT is a 6-month block run by the respective group (NSWG1/NSWG2) training detachment, where the TRP/PLT's train in their core mission area skills: Small unit tactics, land warfare, close quarters combat, urban warfare, hostile maritime interdiction (VBSS/GOPLATS), combat swimming, long range target interdiction, rotary and fixed wing air/surface operations and special reconnaissance.
NSW Troops have ranged in size from 60 personnel to over 200 and can consist of SEAL's and any USSOCOM operational element and enablers.
