View Full Version : Officer Or Not?
HalfFish
05-27-2003, 06:35 PM
Hey,
Im about to end Highschool. Im Deffinatly going SEAL/s Training but i was going to go college first. I read reciently that Its harder for Officers to get into SEAL/s due to lack of jobs. I was wandering if anyone could explain this better. Should i just try as officer,which i have good leadership skills, or would i be more likely to make it as enlisted? thanks.
Voided
05-28-2003, 07:46 AM
I'm not a SEAL but that doesnt mean I don't know the answer.
Officers need to be more fit then enlisted men. Also, if they don't need an officer you might not be able to become one at the time. Due to it being so much harder to become an officer then an enlisted SEAL many decide to join as enlisted and try to become an officer later. So to answer your question, yes you would be more likely to make it as enlisted, plus you can try to become an officer after you're already a SEAL. Hope this answers your question.
HalfFish
05-29-2003, 07:44 AM
Hey thanks man. I pretty much knew that so I geuss as of right now thats what im planning on doing.
By the Way, I really am Half Fish
frogwife
05-31-2003, 08:44 PM
Hey,
Im about to end Highschool. Im Deffinatly going SEAL/s Training but i was going to go college first. I read reciently that Its harder for Officers to get into SEAL/s due to lack of jobs. I was wandering if anyone could explain this better. Should i just try as officer,which i have good leadership skills, or would i be more likely to make it as enlisted? thanks.
Hey Half Fish,
This is Rik, frogwife's husband. I just wanted to pass on my experience with you. I went to college right after high school. I too was interested in going into the Teams, but chose to go to college first. I had a few friends that went into the Teams first. After graduating from college, I called the Center in Coronado, and spoke with the SEAL recruiter, a SEAL Master Chief, about going to BUD/S and wanting to be an officer. He gave this advise to me and I wish to pass it on to you.
Basically there are about 30 (Don't quote me on the exact number) spaces availabe for officers a year at BUD/S. You can count on at least half of them, if not more, going to graduates from the US Naval Academy. Next there are the guys that are NROTC graduates from around the country that get about 10 spots. That leaves roughtly 5 spots, a year, available for guys wanting to come in straight off the street and transfers from the fleet. That means there are a lot of guys putting in applications for a handful of spots. Then, the Master Chief said there are hundreds of spots for enlisted guys at BUD/S. It's True. A class will start with about three officers and and a hundred enlisted guys. You do the math. The Master Chief asked me if I wanted to be a SEAL or a Naval Officer. The decision was mine.
For me, I was coming into the Navy to be a SEAL First. I still wanted to be an officer, but a SEAL foremost. The advice the Master Chief then gave me, was to go into the Navy as enlisted, graduate BUD/S, get to a TEAM, do a platoon or two or..., make a name for myself, and then put in an application for Officer Programs. Thus, I would have a recommendation from my command and be able to decide if I still wanted to be an officer. I chose to become an officer, and it has worked out great for me. My time as an enlisted guy has help me out more than I ever would have thought. I have a different view than some of my peers. That is my opinion only.
I hope that my experience and advice, that was passed on to me, and now I pass on to you, helps you. Another idea that you might not have thought about, is coming into the navy straight out of high school, going to BUD/S, getting to a TEAM, do a couple of platoons, and then put in for an Officer Program (STA-21). This way you can go to college and the Navy pays for it. Best of luck in whatever path you choose.
Rik
It is such an advantage to have an experienced SEAL, one who has been through it, offer a detailed map of how to be in the Teams as an Officer. I am asked that question so many times and I did not have the exact cookie cutter answer for all situations. Telling a young High School student to do College or look for an in-service Officer Program is very difficult to explain to a non-experienced student. Well Done.
HalfFish
06-03-2003, 09:55 AM
Thanks alot Rik. You really shed a new light for me. Im not excactly sure what im going to do as of now, but i know for sure that im going to BUD/S. I really appreciate the detailed answer man. Thanks alot.,
Halffish,
By the way, I really am Half Fish.
GettinThere
06-07-2003, 04:13 AM
Just a correction. There are 16 spots open a year for Academy guys, 16 spots a year for NROTC guys, 10 spots a year for OCS guys (including enlisted SEALs), and 5-10 spots for fleet/interservice transfers. So you can try to fight for one of those ten OCS spots. You will be competing against hundreds if not thousands of guys who for the most part are all strong candidates. Make sure you have crazy PFT scores and you're on your way. Good luck.
frogwife
06-07-2003, 07:54 PM
Gettin There,
This is Rik and I wanted to say thanks for posting the actual numbers on this post. It will definitely come in handy for those individuals who are trying to decide the route they want to take on their way to BUD/S. These numbers just go to show how competitive a slot in BUD/S is for Officers. My previous number was just a ball-park figure for the advice I was trying to put out.
10 spots a year for OCS guys (including enlisted SEALs)
I am sure you are dead on with your numbers, but I would like to make an observation to this particular number. Prior enlisted SEALs, that go on to get their degrees, and then receive their commission as a US Naval Officer, are not required to go back to BUD/S as a student. In my personnal experience, I did not have to go back to BUD/S and go through the training again as an Officer, nor have any of my friends who received their commission after being in the TEAMS as an enlisted Frog. NSW gave me past credit for that class and experience. LOL.
Thanks again for adding your knowledge and helping to improve this thread.
GettinThere
06-08-2003, 06:15 AM
Yeah you're right. I didn't mean to imply that enlisted SEALs had to go back to BUD/S after receiving their commission. Thanks for clearing that up.
HalfFish
06-09-2003, 06:02 PM
Thanks for every thing Frog Wife and Wazz, I appreciate it.
by the Way i really am half Fish>
GettinThere
06-10-2003, 04:00 AM
You're welcome. I am happy to help. I guess only SEALs get thank yous though for providing good information.
HalfFish
06-10-2003, 04:47 AM
Ahh **** sorry man i forgot everyone who wrote. Thanks man it was all a help. Sorry dude.
GettinThere
06-10-2003, 08:14 AM
It's all good.
waterdog
06-10-2003, 01:41 PM
I was wondering , could you go to college first then enlist in the SEALS and then become an officer?
HalfFish
06-10-2003, 02:28 PM
Good question i dunno.
could you go to college first then enlist in the SEALS and then become an officer?
Isn't that what Rik said? If I understand you, What Rik did is exactly what you are asking.
Rik, Kid says, Hey. He is FINALLY going to college. Dog is now 220 Lbs.
A62 out