Any BUD/s class graduate noone?

[soulburst]

Has their ever been a class that graduated no one?If no what was the lowest number of graduates in a
single class.

[elpaninaro]

Hi soulburst,

Yes there have been classes with zero graduates. I do not recall the specific books (I have about 40 books on SEALs so do not remember where I read everything), but I do remember reading about two cases in two separate accounts where there were no graduates of a BUDs class. Not sure if it was two different people referring to the same class, but at least once there were no graduates.

And I also read an account where only one student made it- an officer. Now how much fun would that be to be the only student with all those instructors?!?! Single digit classes appear to have been numerous as well.

I am not sure that is so common anymore though. I do not know for sure, but a lot has changed that would logically dictate classes are not too small anymore. Instructors no longer are allowed to punch students. Also, by all accounts there is a lot more medical monitoring that- hand in hand with great advances in sports medicine- has prevented BUDs ending injuries. The rollback process is also more generous these days according to the accounts of some early SEALs thus keeping good students in the program. Finally, enlisted students are allowed these days to quit in Hell Week but recant and then continue (they only have a few minutes to exercise this option however), and so I am sure that has made a difference as well.

One more interesting factoid- there was a single class that made it through without a Hell Week. I am sure it was due to outside political pressure, but it never happened again. It is reported that the class as a whole were very lacking in teamwork and total discipline relative to other classes that had endured Hell Week. I think this class was in the 1970s, but I would have to do some digging to find out for sure.

[soulburst]

Thanks El
Since you are a SEAL encyclopedia do you know were I can get a copy of Jeff Kraus book
'You Want Me To Do What' I have heard that this guy went to Ranger School ,Geen Beret training and BUD/S
I can't find it listed anywere.Also is it true that the book 'Swimmer Among The Trees' is a fake.


SB

[elpaninaro]

Hi SB,

I have actually read Kraus' book I think- I remember the title. I cannot find it right now, but you are welcome to it if I can just find the thing. All of my SEAL books came from Barnes and Noble with a very few exceptions, so this might be out of print if you are not able to locate it now. I would suggest Amazon.com or eBay. Books go cheap on eBay and a paperback like that with a very limited audience would likely sell for under $5.

I have not seen "Swimmer Among the Trees" before, so not sure. But the best way to find out if it is a fake is to get the author's name and then check the Wall of Shame. One of the most common fakes out there is "Before the Dawn" by Mickey Block. I bought the book seeing SEAL on the cover and then noticed there was no reference to BUDs or even mention of the author acting as a SEAL in the book! Well, I was checking the Wall of Shame one day to verify a veteran SEAL someone asked me about and saw Mickey Block's name on there. So I would say check there. Writing a book is a pretty high profile declaration of one's self, and I imagine most- if not all- of the faking authors of SEAL books are on that website.

Speaking of cool books- it is not SEAL related- but check out "Very Crazy G.I" by Kregg P. Jorgenson. It is full of interesting and wierd true accounts of the on and off duty activities of US soldiers in Vietnam. Very funny book and one of the most interesting I have ever encountered.

Will let you know if I find Kraus' book. Will be hitting the bookstores this weekend for some other things, and will see if I can get you a copy.

[soulburst]

He is on it Joel Hutchins.