How to Join the Seals
The Navy's Sea Air and Land Forces (SEALs) are the Navy's elite special operations force responsible for direct action, counterterrorism, special reconnaissance and internal foreign security. Established in 1962 by John F. Kennedy as a maritime military force with unconventional warfare capabilities, the motto of the Navy SEALs is "the only easy day was yesterday". Its training is considered the most rigorous and demanding of all the elite forces.
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Instructions
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Becoming a Navy SEAL
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Meet the requirements for becoming a SEAL. You must be between 18 and 28 years of age, a U.S. citizen, a high school graduate and have a clean record with no pending lawsuits against you. The Navy SEALs also have vision requirements: both eyes must be correctable to 20/20 and the uncorrected eyes must be no worse than 20/100 in one and 20/70 in the other. Women are not eligible to join the SEALs.
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Score high on the Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, which is taken upon enlisting. The ASVAB tests arithmetic reasoning, math knowledge and verbal knowledge, which is a combination of vocabulary and paragraph comprehension. The SEALs require a combined score of 165 to 220 for the various components of the test. ASVAB study guides and practice tests are available online at military.com. Workbooks and practice tests also are available in bookstores.
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Request a SEAL Challenge Contract when enlisting. There is no guarantee that you will be selected to become a SEAL. However, to ensure that you will be considered as a candidate, request a contract, also known as the Seaman to SEAL program, before you enlist. Be sure to tell the Navy recruiter you want to become a SEAL so you can join the program, which entitles you to special bonuses and benefits, and streamlines you into the SEALs training program if you meet the physical requirements.
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Volunteer to take the physical screening test during boot camp. If you haven't signed the SEAL Challenge Contract upon enlisting, you can still be considered a candidate for the SEALs by requesting to take the test during your first week of boot camp. If you pass, you will be interviewed by a naval special operations motivator who can request that you enter into the Navy SEALs training program.
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Ace the physical screening test (PST). In order to enter into the SEALs training program, you must pass the PST. The PST includes a 500-yard swim, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and a 1 ½-mile run wearing boots and trousers with very little rest time in between. The minimum requirements for the PST are 12.5 minutes for the swim, 11.5 minutes for the run, 42 push-ups in two minutes, 50 sit-ups in two minutes and six pull-ups from a dead hang. However, the competitive rates are 10 minutes for the swim, 10 ¼ minutes for the run, 79 push-ups and sit-ups in two minutes and 11 pull-ups. If you pass the PST, you will move on to the next phase of training.
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Tips & Warnings
If you intend to try out for the SEALs, create a fitness program for yourself so you are in shape and can pass the PST with ease.
SEALs training consist of an initial 12 months of intense physical and mental conditioning, followed by an additional 18 months of specialized predeployment training. Prospective SEALs are prepared to complete the most dangerous missions in the harshest surroundings and climates. Before joining the SEALs, be sure that you are prepared for the sacrifices that being a SEAL will entail.
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