My future, in your replies. Take a peek

[k2]

**I hate when people ask questions already answered in forums, but my questions are all scattered around, want a solid answer from an experienced person if possible**

Hi, my name is Carlos, I am from Puerto Rico and an 18 year old high school senior, my main language is spanish although I speak english very fluently and have been wanting to be a SEAL Sniper since I was 6, I just didn't know it until 3 days ago. I had said in the past many times that I wanted to be a SEAL, that I was born for that, but my parents we're always telling me that no, I couldn't waste my life in the Navy etc...

Three days ago I clicked, I felt something I had never felt before, a feeling that I have never been so sure about anything in my life. It's something inexplicable and don't know if it has happened to many.

This is what I want to do with my life, and im dead serious and very highly motivated to succeed, I have succeeded in anything I had put my mind to my whole life, and from the research I have done BUD's is hard, but not impossible. I know I can pass it, I need the tools to get there first.

My Plan was:

Go to college here in Puerto Rico because there was nothing I could get in the US that I couldn't get here, was planning on studying Finances, in the way learning three (3) or four (4) languages through out my four (4) years in college, going to the country of the language I wanted to learn for the whole summer, every summer, that'd be 4 new languages, and was then planning on going to do a masters at maybe Wharton or another well renowned business school to study international business with already 6 languages learnt, I was planning my future around becoming a millionaire. I had always wanted to be a SEAL but had the pressure that if I went to the Navy I would basically "Morirme de hambre" slang for being broke.

Until three (3) days ago, I thought I couldn't be both, but now I have figured out a way to do it.

My New Plan:

Go to college, join the NROTC, become an officer, become a SEAL, be in the SEALs for 4 to 8 years, then go do my masters, and keep on with my life, it was the same plan as before, but with 4 to 8 years in between my education, and have the SEAL experience, an experience I know I will regret not doing if I pass this chance.

The Problems:

-There in no NROTC here, only Air Force and Army ROTC's.

-I can go to the US, and I know I will be accepted into a college there but:
1. It is too late to apply to any college (I think, not 100% sure)
2. I didn't take the SAT because I knew I didn't need it, took the practice tests and was expected to get between 1900-2100. (average score is 1500) so that will help alot getting into a college with a good NROTC.

Questions:

-Do I have to be in the NROTC program the whole four (4) years, or can I study a year here, then transfer to the US, and start the NROTC a year late?

-If I can get there and finish NROTC, I become an officer and then what? How long does it take to get from graduation (college) to BUD's? (Take in consideration that I will most likely excel in most of the things) and yes, I have very high leadership skills and very fit, although I still have five (5) years of training before BUD's. :)

-My main fear is that for some reason, I have to wait like a year or two doing random **** until I get to BUD's, thus having waisted two (2) years. If I excel in every aspect, and get good recommendations after NROTC, is it possible to go straight to BUD's in less than a year (one week preferably lol) after graduating from college?

-Once in BUD's, what does it take to become a Sniper? I know it's harder, but I'm willing to go to any extent to get there.

-Heard that the ROTC will pay full tuition for college, and you have to pay them by serving in combat (something I was already planning on doing, so I get the best of both worlds, study for free, and pay "it" by doing something I love). Where do I go to start all the paperwork and applications to get to NROTC as fast as possible, I will start filling paperwork and sending resumes as soon as someone points me the right way.

-Is it true they choose if youre a spotter or a sniper? cause to get all the way there to be a spotter, no thanks.

-Any tips of further training I should do to become a SEAL Sniper, going to the range while on ROTC etc...

Further Thoughts:

-I am highly motivated, the highest I have been in my life, I'm willing to go to any extent to achieve my dream, and do it in a time range of less than eight (8) years after college.

-Would stay forever in the Navy but I want to retire from the Navy and still be young enough to keep studying and start my life financially. Prefer to do it young and healthy than old (if not dead) and well, late.

-I already started training, and have five (5) years ahead of me, but I know it will all pay off once I reach the sands of BUD's. I want to train so that BUD's becomes cake,(already have the mental strength to endure BUD's, need more physical though) and my dream of becoming a SEAL Sniper gets fulfilled.

-I am 100% sure that if I don't do this, when I'm old I will regret deeply not going through this experience. So I will forget what my parents say or do, and i will make the first big decision of my life, and will hopefully, and I know it will be, the right decision.


Please post here with any answers to my questions, or any tips on what I should/shouldn't do or email me at: cadon1@hotmail.com

Sincerely, Carlos

-Future Navy SEAL Sniper. Class 339 (lol I made the class thing up, would be funny if I get in that one though lol)

[itsallorganek]

Carlos,

Welcome aboard!! This a great site with a lot of information and BTDT's that are willing to help us out. As far as your specific questions go about ROTC, I would like to leave those for someone with a little more knowledge, I have a vague idea about how ROTC works, as it is big at my college, but I dont know the specifics. As far as becoming a SEAL, it takes a lot of heart and motivation to 1. prepare yourself adequately for BUD/S and 2. actually pass BUD/S, SQT, and eventually earn the trident. The last thing that should be on your mind right now is worrying about how to become a SEAL and a millionaire. Most guys that pass training dont go into it saying, " well I think I will be a SEAL for 4 or 5 years, then leave the teams to make more money." Im all for going to college and earning a degree before joining the Navy, but Im doing to 1. have four years to become more mature and train and 2. to have an education and degree to make myself more marketable when my naval career is over. But money should never be a question when preparing yourself for some of the toughest training in the world. Also, as far as becoming a sniper, just worry about making it through BUD/S first. Im sure as you already know, that is something 80 percent of us just wont do, and most of those guys were POSITIVE they were going to make it before it all started. Im not trying to be a jerk, and im not putting down your goals, because you seem very focused and motivated. But part of training to be a SEAL is getting your mind right, and worrying about money, becoming a sniper, etc, etc, will only do one thing, and that is distract you from preparing yourself for the rigors of BUD/S. Make sure that your 100% in it for the right reasons, and that you are willing to make the sacrifices neccessary to become a Navy SEAL. I wish you the best of luck man, hopefully some other guys here can answer your other questions for you.

[k2]

True, and its called constructive criticism, so no I wont take any answer as a jerk answer. Thanks for the tip and yes, I know what you mean, but that is also a big part of my future, I wanted to state that because I wouldnt want to have to wait like 3 years to get to BUD's and countless other things that can happen to slow the process down, that is what I'm most afraid of.

I want to get to BUD's as fast as possible, but with an education. And what college are you in? because I still don't know which to go that has a good ROTC program and a good college life.

Thanks for the help, Carlos

[itsallorganek]

I go to Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va...which happens to only be about 10 minutes from Little Creek Amphib. Base, which is where the east coast teams call home. Virginia Beach/Norfolk are big military areas so ODUs Naval ROTC is one of the better programs.

As far as worrying about all the stuff that can slow down the process...DONT :p If you want to be a SEAL bad enough you will just roll with the punches and wait for your shot. Luckily the Navy has the SEAL challenge contract which can help speed up the process. As far as becoming a SEAL officer, that can be a little more difficult because they only offer so many billets to officers at BUD/S and a good number of those will go to the Naval Acadmey grads. If you go ROTC and OCS your gonna have to put up some really solid numbers to get a spot. Like I said, I am in college, but I will be taking my chances enlisted when I graduate. So really it comes down to whatever you think is best for you.

[bigv123]

I go to Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va...

Hah! We used to pass the ODU campus pretty much every time we left the Norfolk base. It's just a quick jog from the base :)

V

[itsallorganek]

You would be suprised how many SEALs actually attend classes at Old Dominion. There are a couple who are in the criminal justice (my major) department at ODU. They got me hooked up with the dive motivator at Little Creek, and one actually keeps tabs on me through email. Plus, if your an aspiring SEAL candidate, the track and swim coaches are willing to work with you to get pool time and what not.

[Courtenay]

Hi Carlos. I was married to a man from Puertorico, who was in the Navy, (not a SEAL). He grew up in Toa Baja, went to the U of PR, then spent 8 years in the Navy. Going to college and then to the Navy is a great idea for a young person from PR, you'll find a world of opportunities will open up to you which you would not have had back home. My son who grew up in San Diego, CA is now a Navy SEAL. And he loves every minute of his job.

A couple of things you may not have considered. If you go ROTC, you may have an obligation to serve the military afterward, that will be as an officer. Getting to BUD/S as an officer is a daunting task, and very few actually are chosen. The plus side, very few officers drop from BUD/s. Realistically, if you enter the Navy through the OCS program after college, you will most likely not get a shot at BUD/s and becoming a SEAL. Going to college first is a great idea, and one which I encourage. No one can ever take your education away from you, and that four years you spend there will allow you time to grow and mature before you go on to the military. You may just want to consider finding another way to pay for it beside ROTC so that you have more options.

Many guys who have degrees enlist first so that they have a better chance at BUD/s. I know a few personally who have done it that way. I know two who went on to OCS after serving as enlisted for awhile, and quite a few who plan to stay enlisted, then use their degree after leaving the Navy. You indicated a desire to stay in the Navy, so should you go in enlisted, you will probably go on to OCS later and serve as an officer.

Another thing to know, is that officer and enlisted roles in the teams are quite different from one another. Take some time and research officer responsibilities and enlisted responsibilities within the teams so that you are clear which option is best for you. If you want to be a sniper, you'll want to be enlisted. HOWEVER, becoming a sniper is not YOUR choice. The leadership from your team will decide if and when you go to sniper school, and if and when you get to serve as a sniper for your team once you have gone. At this time, there is no direct track to becoming a sniper, nor any guarantee of becoming one because that is what you want to do.

I hope this answers some of your questions. Good luck.

[dive doc]

Nice post Court. I hope this helps somewhat K2.

[bigv123]

hrmmm....yea, what Court said. Good post.

V

[k2]

Thanks alot Courtney, I did not know that and with further research found out the enlisted men get more deployments since officers after a couple of deployments are given a non-combat job, desk job, intructors etc.. If I enlist it would be great since I dont't have to go searching for a college etc...and I am really happy where I am at right now, I could go to college here, for four years and then enlist.... thanks alot you clarified alot.


Quick question......let's say I do everything possible after college to get into BUD's as fast as I can, I imagine I need to do some basic training or something similar....right out of college, how long to BUD's, let's say everything goes as "planned".

[itsallorganek]

First you have basic training at RTC great lakes which is 8 weeks, then you have the BUD/S prep course at great lakes which I believe is another eight weeks. From there I dont know exactly how long it is until you class up, but I assume you go to indoc with the next available class, assuming there were no complications in the process.

[k2]

BUD's prep is the same as BUD's or is it a course before BUD's? what is indoc btw?

[Courtenay]

BUD's prep is the same as BUD's or is it a course before BUD's? what is indoc btw?

Now you are asking questions which you can find the answers on your own. Go to the Navy's official website, or use the search function on this site, you'll find the answer to those two questions.

[kavon]

I've seen a mod on here post this a lot "just worry about getting through BUD/S" Since the attrition rate is so high that should be your number one concern. If you work at it I'm sure there are ample opportunities for SEALs who put out to do what they want. Worry about sniper school and all that good stuff after BUD/S and SQT


*This isnt my advice this is something I'm relaying from a BTDT which I've seen given to several people