Im going to graduate highschool this year and have been thinking about joining the navy and joining the navy seals. How long would I have to be enlisted before I can volunteer? I have not talked to a recruiter yet but plan to in a couple weeks. I dont plan on going to college but am wondering if I should. Can anyone give advice any advice on this, I know the question is not very clear but help would be appreciated

quote:

Originally posted by clock_out69:
Im going to graduate highschool this year and have been thinking about joining the navy and joining the navy seals. How long would I have to be enlisted before I can volunteer? I have not talked to a recruiter yet but plan to in a couple weeks. I dont plan on going to college but am wondering if I should. Can anyone give advice any advice on this, I know the question is not very clear but help would be appreciated

You may walk into any Navy Recuiter, ask for an Enlistment Guarantee Contract, often referred to as a SEAL Contract. This contract affords you a great deal of assurance that you may enlist and progress toward any Rating, to include SO (SEAL). However, with the SEAL Contract there are steps of qualification you must participate in and pass before moving on to the next step of qualification. After all steps of qualification have been passed you may be then transfer to Coronado and enter into pre-BUDS training leading to SEAL BUDS training. Ask your Recruiter.

You can apply to BUDS and the SEAL program from the fleet for many ratings as well.

You WILL NOT become a SEAL if you go nuclear or submarines.

Technically, you are authorized to apply after AT LEAST 2 years in the fleet in your designated rating. Submariners and nukes going SEAL is nearly impossible (never seen it done myself at least) since they need submariners and nukes as badly as they need SPEC OPS.

If you fail to meet the SEAL contract they will assign you a new rating. . .often not one of your choosing. Which is why if you plan on applying AFTER you come in you get the PRO of selecting a good rating you will enjoy. The CON is that being recommended to try out is not guaranteed the way it is in the special SEAL contract.

For most ratings they will encourage you to try out for SEALS at BOOT.
They got us nice and fired up and then threw the fine print at us. (Subs and nukes need not apply.)

quote:

Originally posted by clock_out69:
Im going to graduate highschool this year and have been thinking about joining the navy and joining the navy seals. How long would I have to be enlisted before I can volunteer? I have not talked to a recruiter yet but plan to in a couple weeks. I dont plan on going to college but am wondering if I should. Can anyone give advice any advice on this, I know the question is not very clear but help would be appreciated

Tell your recruiter you want to be a SEAL. Then you have to pick a basic job rating. Pick something that interests you besides SEALs. You go to MEPS and sign a contract for that rate. Then you get hooked up with a SEAL mentor who works out with you maybe a few times or week or maybe a few times a month depending on where he is based out of. You'll take the PST and if you pass it then you get a SEAL contract. If you should DOR or get dropped from BUD/S then you will revert back to the rate/job you initially picked.

If you can get college completely paid for through scholarships or grants, then go. You could also do NROTC in college and become an Officer and then go try to be a SEAL. Otherwise, you can enlist and once you get out the Navy will pay for your college.

I thought only Quick Draw McGraw did the Thinin around here?

Or am I the only one old enough to remember that cartoon?

am telling you guys u can just enlist and become a seal my friend just did that they also told him he doesnt need any other job rate, so it basic then they send him to some svhool to to trian for BUDS school for two months then he goes to BUDS

quote:

am telling you guys u can just enlist and become a seal

No. You can't. Maybe you should go back and read sb5's post. Maybe you should also not try to pass on your pearls of wisdom about things you don't KNOW about.

quote:

Originally posted by ABSAILOR:
am telling you guys u can just enlist and become a seal my friend just did that they also told him he doesnt need any other job rate, so it basic then they send him to some svhool to to trian for BUDS school for two months then he goes to BUDS

check out sb5's profile, notice the pin? he knows what he's talking about here

quote:

Originally posted by catherine0830:

quote:

Originally posted by ABSAILOR:
am telling you guys u can just enlist and become a seal my friend just did that they also told him he doesnt need any other job rate, so it basic then they send him to some svhool to to trian for BUDS school for two months then he goes to BUDS

check out sb5's profile, notice the pin? he knows what he's talking about here

TMC and Catherine

I do appreciate your endorsement of my post. True, I was in the Teams and I am quite current on the administration and recruitment of hopeful SEALs. I have a large library that comes from past and current SEALs. I make it a strong point to not post hearsay, pulp book dialog, or guesstimations. These young men who inquire are coming up to take my place and others like me. This is where SEALs come from, the High Schools and Colleges. There is no special cadre or location where future SEALs come from.

Naval Specaial Warfare is trying hard to find methods of retaining larger number of SEALs after training, i.e. without relaxing training standards. Approx 1/3 of a begining Class ending up as SEALs is not a sufficient number. That is why NSW has instituted the pre-BUDS cirriculum at Boots. Toughen 'em up before the real training comes along.

When prospect read my stuff be aware I know of what I post. Besides, I am not ready to embarrass myself with a lot of hearsay or guesstimates and get caught by someone in the know.

If you wish to be a SEAL prepare yourself well in advance by doing your physical exercies. Also do things that are adverse to your wishes. Like taking out the trash when Mom asks, mow the lawn when Dad ask. When the track coach says run, then run. Never mind your mood. I assure you, when you do BUDS your personal mood will not be considered. And or if you make it through BUDS and end up in a war zone the Bad Guys won't give a slit about your mood. ~~~ Do it. Be it. Go SEALs.

See my post within this thread:

http://forums.military.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/94919558/m/3400046641001

Catherine - You have earned a laugh at my expense. What is a pin?

The below is a rather long post but some on here certainly need to read it in its entirety.

IMHO,no where in sb5's post did he say this was not the case.

Keep in mind that this is talking about 'off the street' NEW recruits into the Navy under the "SEAL Challenge Contract" as well as the other NSW/SPECOPS ratings.

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Recruiting SPECOPS
First Mission at RTC, Becoming a Sailor
Story by Scott A. Thornbloom
Navy Creates New Ratings

In October 2006, the Navy created four new ratings that the Navy categorizes as naval special operations: special warfare operator (SO), special warfare boat operator (SB), Navy diver (ND) and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD). The new ratings replaced previous source ratings, that had been used to distinguish SEALs (Sea, Air, Land) and special warfare combatant-craft crewmen (SWCC), Navy divers and Sailors in EOD detachments by job classifications. Before the new ratings were formed, all naval special warfare (SEALs and SWCC) and special operations (ND and EOD) Sailors maintained a source rating, although their training and focus was to maintain special warfare qualifications.

The Navy is now actively recruiting for candidates for the new ratings with the goal of developing a more cohesive special operations team.

“Special operators are dependant on each other, knowing each other’s mission or task and working as a team,” said Master Chief Special Warfare Operator Paul Tharp, officer-in-charge of the new Naval Special Warfare Center Preparatory Course (NSWCPC) at Great Lakes. The NSWCPC prepares SEAL candidates for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training at the Naval Special Warfare Center.

“From day one in the Navy, SPECOP candidates are learning how to work as a unit,” said Tharp. “In the NSWCPC and BUD/S training it’s imperative the division stays together, learns to work as a team and depend on and trust each other.”

“Special operations was very well recognized in the last Quadrennial Defense Review,” said Capt. Evin Thompson, commanding officer, Special Warfare Group 4. “Throughout SOCOM, we are growing in Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy special operations. The SEALS are growing from 1,800 enlisted SEALS up to 2,500 this year. Special boat operators will grow from 525 to 825.”

Former Special Warfare Operators Become Mentors

To recruit the right candidates, Commander, Navy Recruiting Command has contracted retired and former operators to assist Navy recruiters find and mentor the right candidates to be SEALs, special warfare boat operators, Navy divers and EOD specialists. These former operators are assigned to all 26 Navy recruiting districts in the country and travel to different high school and college athletic events, triathlons and even extreme sporting events, like the X Games, looking for potential candidates.

“Just as the Navy recruits for the submarine community, nuclear programs, aviation and medical communities, it is now recruiting for the special operations community,” said Mark Negle, a retired senior chief hull technician Navy diver. “But we need a more physically fit candidate than the normal recruit. We look for a candidate we think will be able to handle the physical and mental rigors of being a special operator.”

Negle was one of the first mentors who worked with Navy recruiting to help find candidates for the special operation ratings. He now is continuing that mentoring with the dive motivators at RTC. The dive motivators are present and former senior enlisted members of the SPECOPS community who are responsible for screening special operations candidates after they arrive at RTC. They also are in charge of providing the extra physical training each candidate is required to participate in during recruit training including periodic physical screening tests and swim qualifications.

“We’re there to not only write the contracts for the candidates who have been recruited but also to set both the recruiters and the candidates up for success,” Negle said. “Our goal is to make sure each candidate is ready to go to boot camp and ready to start their journey to reach their special operations goal.”

Becoming a Sailor First

Div. 253 graduated 47 SEAL (SO) candidates, 23 SB candidates, six ND candidates and one EOD candidate. Of the original 83 candidates who arrived at RTC, these 77 successfully completed training, drilling and learning how to be Sailors first.

“Special Warfare Command (SPECWARCOM) insists that all recruits become Sailors first,” said Capt. Annie B. Andrews, commanding officer of RTC. “If they don’t learn the Core Values of the Navy, the teamwork and how to be a Sailor first they could never learn how to be part of the SPECWARCOM team. The special operator candidates go through the same ‘Sailorization’ process, including curriculum and regimen, as every other recruit who begins a Navy career here at RTC.”

Andrews added that except for the additional physical training handled by the dive motivators at the pool.

“Every recruit participates in the same basic military training requirements. Every minute of recruit training has been consciously designed to provide the fleet with basically trained, highly-motivated and dedicated Sailors ready to operate in the Navy.”

For the recruit candidates who have already graduated or are still attending boot camp, becoming a Sailor and serving their country is the first thing on their minds.

“I’ve wanted to serve my country for a long time and I can’t think of any better way of doing that than by being a Sailor and special warfare operator,” said Seaman Travis Carter, the recruit chief petty officer from the now-graduated Div. 253.

Carter, whose father is a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel, said it was exciting getting through the training at RTC. “It was really fun being part of a special operator division. We all came together and helped each other get through the training. Becoming a Sailor first was really important to all of us and I think it will help us all move on in the communities we were recruited for.”

Carter, who transferred to BUD/S training after graduating from RTC, said he has always wanted to be a SEAL. “… It started with the diving I did in Okinawa, where my Dad was stationed, but grew after 9/11. I just wanted to come in and serve and protect my country.”

The next step: Preparatory Courses

Following graduation, Div. 253, and the other divisions, spent four days at the Training Support Center (TSC), Naval Station Great Lakes, for the Chief of Naval Operations-mandated courses in personal financial management and Navy military training. ND and EOD candidates then received orders to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Dive Preparatory Course also at Naval Station Great Lakes.

This month, SO SEAL candidates began staying at Great Lakes to attend the new Naval Special Warfare Center Preparatory Course (NSWCPC) before advancing to their BUD/S “A” school. Before NSWCPC stood up, SO candidates went straight to BUD/S at the Naval Special Warfare Center, Coronado, Calif. SB operators are the only special operations personnel who do not attend a prep course. After completing the CNO-mandated courses, SB candidates travel straight to Coronado and the Naval Special Warfare Center to attend basic crewman training.

NSWCPC is under the direction and guidance of Naval Special Warfare Command, through the Naval Special Warfare Center and must be completed before an SO SEAL candidate moves on to BUD/S training. The course and students are supported in Great Lakes by the TSC and Naval Service Training Command. The course staff and course curriculum were developed and provided by the Naval Special Warfare Center.

According to a SPECWARCOM mission statement, NSWCPC was established to implement a progressive physical and mental training program to prepare SO SEAL candidates toward successful completion of their perspective training objectives in a military training environment.

“NSWCPC is a prep course for BUD/S. It is not an “A” or “C” School, but a course to prepare SEAL candidates for BUD/S, which can be considered the SEAL “A” School,” Tharp explained.” In other words it is designed to physically prepare the candidates for the rigors of BUD/S. The course will train the candidates in the proper ways of running and swimming.”

Tharp added the prep course is all about an opportunity for success. Every BUD/S candidate – to include fleet accessions – will cycle through this prep course prior to going to BUD/S. There will be physical exit standards beyond the historic PST that each candidate must pass. The program’s progressive nature will build the candidates up over time – average length of the course will be eight weeks.”

So far, thanks to the CNO-initiative and the work at RTC, TSC and NSTC, the numbers and percentages of the naval special warfare and special operations ratings are increasing.

“Having the Naval Special Warfare Center Preparatory Course here will enhance the training pipeline that started the day a special warfare operator candidate was recruited,” said Rear Adm. Arnold O. Lotring, Commander, Naval Service Training Command. “NSWCPC will also ensure that we will be sending a better prepared and highly motivated candidate to BUD/S.”

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So, it would appear that ABSAILOR is somewhat correct about his buddy, he just does not understand the full process and/or did not explain it correctly.

BoatsBM1

quote:

check out sb5's profile, notice the pin? he knows what he's talking about here

Catherine
I apologize. I forgot that I filled in my profile just a bit ago. This after being on Mil.com for approx 7 years. I now know what a pin is. Your turn to laugh again.

ABSAILOR was correct if his buddy enlisted before October 1, 2007. For a year or so, I don't know the exact time, a guy could enlist with a SEAL (SO) contract before even taking the PST. However, come October 1, 2007 guys are required to choose a rate, pass the PST, then get a SEAL contract. I just went to MEPS 2 weeks ago, so I do know what I'm talking about. I had to get an AIRCREW contract originally, just passed my PST yesterday, will be getting my SEAL contract on Monday.

quote:

Originally posted by sb5:

quote:

check out sb5's profile, notice the pin? he knows what he's talking about here

Catherine
I apologize. I forgot that I filled in my profile just a bit ago. This after being on Mil.com for approx 7 years. I now know what a pin is. Your turn to laugh again.

It's ok. I was confused as to why that was funny. Now it all makes sense