Do you have what it takes to enter the elite fraternity of Navy SEALs?

Know someone that wants
 to become a SEAL?

Follow this link for more information:
  http://www.seal.navy.mil/ 

Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL Training

Better Known as BUD/S.  

Potential candidates for the Navy SEAL and SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Teams go through what is uniformly considered as the most difficult mental and physical military training in the world. Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training is conducted exclusively at the Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, California. Students encounter obstacles and mental challenges that develop and test their stamina, leadership and ability to work as a TEAM in the most challenging environments. The "acid test" for students is conducted during the fifth week of the 26 week training cycle. This 5 day period is called "Hell Week". Students are expected to perform a myriad of physically and mentally demanding evolutions during this 5 day period with less than 1.5 hours of total sleep time while staying wet, cold and incredibly miserable. SEAL candidates who have completed "Hell Week" continue on to complete the diving and land warfare phases of BUD/S. After BUD/S, parachute training is conducted which is followed by SEAL Qualification Training, an advanced training curriculum. It is then the deserving candidates are finally assigned to specific SEAL and SDV Teams.

The SEAL of Today

Traditional "Frogmen" traits and characteristics continue to fuel
todays SEALs. Across the spectrum they are:

Committed to the fight against those who wish to harm America.

Professional both on and off the battlefield.

Relentless in pursuit of excellence from themselves and their entire unit.

Innovative beyond imagination; can adapt and overcome serious obstacles.

Intelligent and decisive; can quickly sort through options and perform calculated actions.

Devoted to country, team, and teammate.

Physically and mentally strong to endure extreme challenges.

Driven to perform at the highest level.


History

Today's United States Navy SEAL and SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Teams have a heritage rich in tradition, honor and courage. The acronym S.E.A.L. is taken from the dangerous elements in which they operate….the Sea, Air and Land.  They have a heritage spanning from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Grenada, Desert Storm, The Balkans, Desert Shield, Operations Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), and a host of other little know conflicts throughout the world. Their capabilities, tenacity and courage are without equal. The training to become a SEAL is regarded as the toughest training in the world, with an average training drop-out rate that has remained constant at 70+ percent over the years. Only those men who come with the most steadfast determination to succeed regardless of the challenge or difficulty will make it through training and become a Navy SEAL.

The first WWII amphibious landing attempts were costly in terms of casualties….most of which were sustained before troops could put their feet on dry ground. The invasion of the island of Tarawa proved to be the costliest and most deadly amphibious operation mounted and would prove to be the "decision point" which eventually would lead to the formation of the Naval Combat Demolition Units (NCDUs), the early fore-fathers of today's SEAL Teams. While immobilized on unseen reefs and other underwater obstacles, the Tarawa invasion force became a "target of opportunity" for the well manned, well trained and protected Japanese gunners. The Japanese guns were deadly accurate against the stranded American invaders. Of those not killed immediately by enemy gunfire, many men, laden with full combat gear drowned in their attempts to make it to the beach. The Tarawa invasion, although successful, made it readily apparent to American Naval Commanders that some form of "pre-invasion" landing site reconnaissance would be of paramount importance and would have to be put in place and perfected extremely fast.

To meet this requirement, it was with the utmost secrecy and priority that the Navy was tasked to recruit, train and deploy an all volunteer force (just as the Navy's SEAL and SDV Teams are today) who could be deployed in low numbers along an intended beachhead prior to an amphibious assault. These men would be trained to collect, record and interpret valuable hydro graphic reconnaissance information about the intended-landing site. This information would include underwater obstacles, enemy positions and strengths, tidal movement, water depths and reef positions. All of this information would have to be quickly and secretly gathered by a small group of unarmed men who would perform their mission right under the noses of the enemy. This information, when provided to Naval Commanders, would allow amphibious assault planning that would result in the most successful and least costly invasion operation. Additionally, this small group of men would also be tasked with returning to the landing site are just prior to the assault to neutralize many of the obstacles with explosives.

The NCDUs and, later named Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs), distinguished themselves during World War II in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of operation, including the "D" Day invasion at Normandy.

In 1947, the Navy organized its first underwater offensive strike units. During the Korean War, these Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs) took part in the landing at Inchon as well as other covert missions, including demolition raids against enemy bridges and positions accessible from the water (even today, water and their ability to operate in and from it, is the "common denominator" that makes the SEAL and SDV Teams unique). The UDTs also conducted limited mine-sweeping and harbor clearance operations during the Korean War.

During the early 1960's, at the direction of then President John F. Kennedy, each branch of the Armed Forces formed its own counterinsurgency forces. The Navy utilized members "hand-picked" from its Underwater Demolition Teams to form these "unique" units. One unit was formed on each coast. These units were the first SEAL Teams, SEAL Team ONE formed at Coronado Amphibious Base in California and SEAL Team TWO, formed at the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Virginia. These Teams were formed under the utmost secrecy, and were specifically tasked with conducting unconventional and guerrilla warfare as well as classified clandestine missions in both "blue-water (open ocean)" and "brown-water (coastal and riverine)" environments.

Vietnam showcased again the gritty performance SEALs deliver. Known for being small, quiet groups of heavily outfitted operators, SEALs perplexed the Viet-Cong enemy with their stealthy movement and bewildering firepower. This earned them the nickname "devils with green faces", as SEALs would appear out of the jungle, conduct their devastating mission, and disappear quietly without a trace.
 
In 1983, existing Underwater Demolition Teams were re-designated as either SEAL Teams or SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Teams and the requirements for hydro graphic reconnaissance and underwater demolition became SEAL or SDV missions. Following suit with SEAL Teams ONE and TWO, numbering for each of these Teams was even-numbered for the East Coast and odd-numbered for the West Coast.

The Naval Special Warfare Command (WARCOM) was established and commissioned in April 1987 at the Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, California. Its mission then and now is to plan and prepare Naval Special Warfare forces to carry out their assigned missions and, in conjunction with the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to develop joint special operations strategy, doctrine and tactics with a specific eye on the capabilities, expertise and utilization of the SEAL and SDV Teams.

The 1980's, 90's, and 2000's saw the continued growth of Naval Special Warfare, comprised of 4 SEAL Teams and one SDV Team per Coast (1,3,5,7 West / 2,4,8,10 East). The entire SEAL community is comprised of only around 2,000 members. This small, elite force has always proved to be an immeasurable asset in our nations arsenal.

Modern SEALs are faced with sustained combat operations in support of the War on Terror. The training and tools todays SEALs utilize is extremely impressive. Operating in small units, SEALs are cross-trained in order to fill-in for a teammate if need be.  Months are spent away from home station, on the road training at civilian and military facilities in order to sharpen their fighting edge. They then deploy on a rotational basis, most SEALs being overseas for 4 to 8 months conducting intense, highly dangerous direct action missions in pursuit of High Value Targets. As a whole, they are the most decorated fighting force our country has every seen. They have displayed incredible amounts of selfless devotion to our nation. Rest assured, this fighting force has disposed of staggering amounts of radical enemy fighters.

Sadly, in an effort to protect and keep in place the freedoms of our great nation, both training and combat have taken many lives throughout the history of Naval Combat Demolition Units, Underwater Demolition Teams, and
SEAL / SDV Teams. 

Please take a moment to reflect upon the rich history of the US Navy SEAL and the commitments and contributions their fallen teammates have made to our country.