straight answers on medical/ age requirements

[determined]

After checking this board, I am yet more confused about the possiblity of getting an age waiver for age 30 (currently not in navy). Also the vision requirements, I know my vision is currently well beyond the allowable limit. What is the straight facts on PRK surgery waivers, contact/ glasses usage? I have made up my mind I WILL complete BUD/S , I will not quit. My fear however is failing due to something I have no control over i.e medical, age and ending up a "swabbie" in the fleet. Thanks

[Bullrider]

There are several things that must be addressed with this question.
The Facts about age waivers: Age waivers are not as hard to obtain as most people believe. I had at least five guys in my class that were between the ages of 30 and 32. I know that the age limit for BUD/S is 28, but I graduated with several guys above that age, and they are kicking *** in the teams.
PRK: I myself had PRK done 4 years ago. At the time you had to wait a year to enlist, but now I believe it is 6 months. If you have good enough vision to go into BUD/S, there is no reason to spend the damn $4000 to get it done. Once you get to the teams, then you are first in line to have the military pay for it.
I think that the reason that most people never attempt to become SEALs is what happens to you if you do not make it. No doubt that signing up for the training has very high risks. If you get hurt really bad or quit, you are doomed to spend the next four years in the fleet. No offense to the fleet guys because every job counts, but lets be honest here. For the guys that go in the Navy wanting to be SEALs being in the fleet is less than desirable. It is a risk you have to take. You can easily sign with the Army, and if you don't make it as a Ranger or Special Forces Operator, you can still find a combat arms field that is respectable.
We need more guys in the Teams. The training is never going to get easier, and if the same amount of guys are willing to risk it, the same amount of guys will graduate. Army Airborne school puts more people through training a year than we have in the past 50 years. I highly encourage you to take the risk! If you are in good shape and have a no quit nothing can stop me attitude, then why settle for second best? A life of rewarding oppotunities awaits you.

Mike
Active Duty SEAL

[tdh001]

Hey Mike,

Just wanted to say thanks for shedding some light on this subject and giving some examples as well... couple of questions : were these people enlisted personnel or officers? And if they were enlisted had they been in the Navy for a while or had they joined just to become SEALs?

My concern is if I "go for it" I'd be sitting with 18 and 19 years olds at bootcamp in Great Lakes... worse still, if I get hurt or fail (although I can't see myself failing) I'd be scrubbing decks in Okinawa and hating life!

Any thoughts?

[JonnyR]

I am not a SEAL and will catch s#$% for replying, but thought it relevant. I am 30 and in the same boat, going with the SEAL Challenge/Age Waiver. There are more older guys than you think (gathered from the research I have done)... just joining to get a shot at BUD/S and the Teams. - my thoughts are the majority are enlisted. I have often thought about going to Boots/A School with the youngins... but it's all good. You might be new to this site, but the younger guys here have a lot of guts and determination.. my guess is if/when one gets to BUD/S it will not matter how old/young you are... it is all TEAM...

[tdh001]

Just for clarification, is there another route besides foing to Boots/A school? You mentioned going the SEAL Challenge/Age waiver route? Don't you have to go through bootcamp?

thanx,

Toni

[JonnyR]

The only route for newly enlisted - Bootcamp then A School then to BUD/S.