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PRE BUDS

First things first - you have to want to be a SEAL. You watched Navy SEALS and thought Charlie Sheen had a cool lifestyle, or you have read every word ever printed that mentioned the SEALs (including pouring through all of CDR Richard Marcinko's Rogue Warrior series) and this is it for you. Or you could be like a few of the students in BUD/s who just sort of ended up there because it seemed better than chipping paint on the USS Never sail. In any event, you must first have a strong desire to be a SEAL and be willing to set out upon the journey of a lifetime. Why? Because it will seem like a lifetime if and when you are one of the lucky 5 percent of students who apply for the program to actually make it into the Teams.

TADPOLES

Tadpoles (pre-trainees) must first attend either Navy Boot Camp (for enlistees) or an Officer Selection Program such as Officer Candidate School, the Naval Academy or Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). It is at this indoctrination phase of your Navy career that you must volunteer to undergo the initial screening for acceptance into BUD/S training. The initial requirements are as follows: 

1. Pass a diving physical exam 
2. Have eye-sight no worse than 20/40 in one eye and 20/70 in the other and correctable to 20/20 with no color blindness (strict on this one) 
3. Minimum ASVAB score: VE + AR = 104, MC = 50 (for enlistees) 
4. 28 years old or less (strict on this also, although there have been guys who persuaded the powers that be to ignore the cut-off) 
5. Only men are eligible 
6. Pass the physical fitness test (remember it is maximum effort they are looking for - not the minimums!) 
   o 500 yd swim using breast/side stroke in 12:30 - ten minute rest 
   o Minimum of 42 pushups in 2 minutes - two minutes rest 
   o Minimum of 50 sit-ups in 2 minutes - two minute rest 
   o Minimum of 8 pull-ups - no time limit - ten minute rest 
   o Run: 1.5 miles wearing boots & fatigues in 11:30 

Piece of Cake gents. However, if you are not able to demolish the above times and minimums, you will not cut it in training. Having met all of the above qualifications, you must successfully complete the indoc program; you must also complete a follow-on school called "A" school for enlisted, which further qualifies you in your specialty (called a rate - fireman, electrician, weapons technician etc.). Then you wait for a billet to open up - at which time you can report to Coronado, Ca. for BUD/S training (if your Commanding Officer lets you transfer - so you don't want to make yourself too indispensable at your first command or they may keep you - you want out and fast because the only place for you now is in your newfound hell called Fourth Phase)!

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