Where do I Start ?!?!?!

[Lunatc]

For about 2 years now, all I can think about is becoming a Navy SEAL. However i have no idea where to start. I am 15 years old, a member of a cadet corps, I am fit, I am smart, and i have an unbreakable Spirit.
I want to become a Counter-Terrorist Expert.
I am qualified in martial arts. I also wish to be qaulified in Explosives, Weapons and Tactics.
I one day hope to be a SEAL team captain.
My question is,
'How do i prepare totally, and where do i start?'
Any information you could give me would be appreciated.

[rvernetti]

For starters, check out the info on the Ofiicial SEAL recruiting site here at http://seal.navy.mil/
RV

[Engvalt]

go here http://www.sealchallenge.navy.mil/workout.htm

[ChrisD]

Hi Im fifteen to and i have wanted to be a SEAL since I was twelve. I do swim team and my Highschool and i would like to start cross country to build up my running strength and stamina. I also like to visit the recruiting office to get information about what i should do to get ready for the seals and what its going to be like. When it comes to PT I do push ups, sit ups, chinups etc. every night The recruiters really emphasized running and swimming which i will have to do alot more of. One thing i always tell people when they ask how i can do so many pushups and they cant is that i do it every night and they might tell me that they have trouble doing ten, i just say " you gotta start somewhere" so as i do pressure myself to go higher, harder, and do more i understand that i have to build my way up to strength and endurance and if i dont do as well as i think i just do it over until i do. I also hope to go to the U.S. naval academy or to atleast become an officer but i hope that that wouldnt keep me out of the field because that is why i would want to join the seals in the first place.

[creatureblacklagoon]

how do seals get thier boots on so quick when they do maritime ops when they secure beaches how do they get thier boots on so quick? do they keep them on with thier fins? or do they have thier boot laces tied a special way to put them on and secure the boots and move it ?

[elpaninaro]

Hey Chrisd and Lunatc,

Congrats on your mission. I am not a SEAL, but someone like you who wants to get there. So hopefully I can offer some thoughts.

The websites recommended to you are good places to start. Also be sure to get yourself a copy of the BUDs Warning Order available in a link from this site, and following the training directions TO THE LETTER. Find out where your physical limits at this moment are relative to the training schedule and take it from there.

I would also highly recommend doing a web search for Brian Curle's Navy SEAL site and getting some of the videos. The BUDs training video will give you some good shots of how the sidestroke is done, and Chris Carraci's workout videos will give you some great workouts you can do in addition to get ready for BUDs.

ChrisD- to answer your question, I know several Academy guys including one who is currently a Lt. Cdr. in the Navy SEALS. Going to the Academy will not hurt your chances at BUDs- in fact it will probably, from what I can see, be your best shot at getting a SEAL officer billet. But you might face some flack from your fellow grads. While I am sure the War on Terrorism changes things somewhat, I have read that traditionally the Academy ranks do not look with favor on the Teams in general. Best that you get perspectives on this in your own research and emails with SEALs, but my information indicates any trouble will be from your regular Navy types and not from the SEAL detailer.

A couple of years ago I had the privilege of emailing with the SEAL Commander of Team 8, and his BIG piece of advice was to climb rope every day to prepare for BUDs. So put that in your workout regimen.

If you look at the BUDs screening test you will see that the exercises involved are not about how much you can bench press, but about your ability to maneuver your own body weight quickly an effectively. So focus on endurance more than strength.

Also remember that you will both (as will all other candidates) be expected to perform your best every day- and that what you did yesterday is not good enough today.

The Warning Order contains the requirements for entry into BUDs- but those are minimums. Ignore them. They are not that hard. But they are there for a good reason I think. The way I see it, they are the first test. Prepare for the BUDs screening test to meet the minimums, and that does not look good. But many will do it that way. Prepare to do the best you can, and you will be much better off.

The SEAL detailer in DC, the guy who ultimately decides if you get in or not, told me a while back what is expected of office candidates on the screen test. In his words, performing to the following level makes it "Hard to say no."

500m swim SIDESTROKE (do NOT use breaststroke) in 8:00 or less
120 pushups in 2 minutes
120 situps in 2 minutes
25 dead hang pull-ups
1.5 mile run in 8:00 or less.

You are both still very young. Take advantage of that. Work towards the above goal and you have plenty of time to meet the above standards by the time you are of enlistment age- or officer enlistment age after college. If you would like specific tips on how to train for any aspect of the screening test, write away and I will tell you what I have learned.

And just so you know- as someone striving to be a SEAL you are a "gonnabe". So be proud, work hard, and best of luck to you both and anyone else out there who shares the dream.

[BUDStobe]

Wat exactly is sidestroke? Is it the same as freestyle?