After reading about them on the news, I realized I would love to be a SEAL, and I was just wondering if there were any former SEALs on Texags who could give me any tips on what I should do to prepare myself

I am not a former SEAL but knew a couple while I was in. The first thing to prepare:

Become a PT GOD.

http://www.military.com/military-fitness/navy-fitness/complete-guide-to-navy-seal-fitness-third-edition

Probably still there, but there used to be a SEAL Platoon in the Corps of Cadets that would PT all the time, get their body and mind ready for applying. Get used to being COLD!

SEAL Training Selection Course BUDS Class 234

Episode 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQkn9qFsDzE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwCP0pDwkLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXwDvETiXk0

Episode 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir8_m7BnHU4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMuJl3tDgWg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68EEiuztDoo

Episode 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCHGFys0W-Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5KlkRJeTyI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtSmmipgftE

Episode 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VheexM-arJk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GHIlY-IFUA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_tjjYla-fg

Episode 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5f04NgJLUs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRPQM0X37xE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yMtYSwAm84

Episode 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4krOnMDVdu0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLxvqZvL4nM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jnfas4Qa95E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM0r72P8HW0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC9fBePRWfw

SEAL=
Sleep
Eat
And
Lift

SEALs love to work out, party, work out more and blow stuff up. Then they blow more stuff up and work out.

http://www.sealswcc.com/seal-default.aspx

finally back up...it's been getting a crazy amount of hits since Sunday and we had to order more bandwith.

so cool they have a separate web address from NPC! haha. I work in PERS.

There is a reason these men are the best of the best of the best...

quote:

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what I should do to prepare myself

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Based only on casual observations from a few TAD trips to Coronado I believe that you need to wear wet clothes all the time with a kapok life preserver, ensure that there is plenty of sand covering every crevice of your body, and swim across every body of water you encounter that is larger than a mud puddle.

To prepare, a few simple steps.

1. walk outside, run east until you hit the atlantic.

2. Swim east until you hit land.

3. Run to the nile river.

4. Wrestle a full grown hippo into submission, strap him onto your back.

5. Run to the south tip of Africa.

6. Swim to antarctica, keeping the entire hippo out of water.

7. Swim to the southern tip of south america.

8. Run home.

You need to be in great shape and there are many sites to help you get in shape before you enlist in the navy. If I was you I'd look at Marine Force Recon. We do the same things as Seals and go through the same training but you will get Marine Boot or OCS and Marine Infantry school which the Navy can't offer.

...and then they throw in the pool with a brick...

Upper body strength, lower body endurance, mental toughness. These are the 3 keys, with mental toguhness being the most important.


There's 2 things here 1) making it through BUD/S, and 2) being on the teams. Making it through BUD/S is the real trick. On the teams, the PT and training is demanding, but if you make it there, clearly you can handle it. Being in a unit like this means making a total commitment to being in peak physical condition at all times, and being ready to go anywhere RIGHT NOW with NO notice. It is a hard life. It is very hard on families, and best if you are not married.


Make sure there is something in the Navy you'd like to do for a living because the odds are you WILL NOT make it to one of the teams.


I was Marine Recon, and worked with several of the teams all around the world. They are/were good guys. Thought about doing it, just could not handle wearing that Navy uniform with the little blue flap on the back and bell bottoms.

If you are in the Marines, can you apply to be a Seal like the Blue Angels?

The sites all said that you have to be in the Navy to be a Seal. Could you enlist as a Marine and then transfer to the Seals?

quote:

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You need to be in great shape and there are many sites to help you get in shape before you enlist in the navy. If I was you I'd look at Marine Force Recon. We do the same things as Seals and go through the same training but you will get Marine Boot or OCS and Marine Infantry school which the Navy can't offer.

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Why would you say you go through the same training and do the same thing when you don't? As far as the rest of it goes, why would someone care about missing Marine boot camp or OCS if they actually completed SEAL training?

[This message has been edited by GAC06 (edited 5/11/2011 7:50p).]

How does navy Boot or OCS prepare you for Buds? It does not but going through Marine basic or OCS will prepare you for special forces training and also in the Marines you get a extra traing when you go to the school of Infantry. Marine boot is tough gives you alot of great skills and knowledge. Marine Force Recon is better but I'm Marine Recon so I lean that way.

I have a feeling that BUD/s and follow on training for SEALs gives you "alot of great skills and knowledge." Telling someone not to try for the SEALs because they would miss Marine bootcamp and SOI is kind of ridiculous.

FORECON is fully capable of operating independently behind enemy lines performing unconventional special operations, in cohesion of conventional warfare. Their combined methods of heliborne and waterborne insertions and extractions are similar to those of the United States special operations forces of USSOCOM (e.g. Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces, or Air Force Combat Controllers).

Although Force Recon has never been part of the United States Special Operations Command, their missions slightly differentiate themselves from other United States Special Operations Forces units. Colloquially, they are specialized in all tactical areas of warfare. Force Recon will train with other Special Operations forces, such as, United States Navy SEALs, United States Army Special Forces, and United States Air Force Pararescue, in order to master all skill sets. The Marine Corps has seen fit to train versatile specialists rather than specialists in individual areas of combat.
Two different mission types emerged during the Vietnam War, which are still implemented in the Force Reconnaissance motives today: Key Hole and Sting Ray. These practices subsequently became contemporary as "deep reconnaissance", or green operations; and "direct action", which are known as black operations.

Key Hole patrols were designed purely around reconnaissance and surveillance; usually lightly equipped and armed with defensive weapons—evasive techniques were employed to break contact from the enemy should the need arise, avoiding contact with the enemy was paramount. Sting Ray operations were the exact opposite of Key Hole missions with goals more closely in line of offensive strikes, the FORECON operators were heavily armed and used artillery and/or naval gunfire support, if available.

However, what began as a 'key hole' patrol could become a 'sting ray' patrol with little warning. The versatility of FORECON is demonstrated when missions quickly turn, planned or not, from a deep reconnaissance patrol to a direct action engagement.

The Mission Training Plan has five phases, and is based on a two-year platoon cycle. Training is ongoing and continuous, and functions as if it were a loop. Before FORECON operators are "Special Operations Capable" they follow the Company's MTP, which underlines the training protocol of the Pre-deployment Training Program (PTP).
1.Phase 1: Individual Training
2.Phase 2: Unit Training
3.Phase 3: MEU (SOC) Training
4.Phase 4: MEU (SOC) Deployment
5.Phase 5: MEU (SOC) Post Deployment

Phase 1

The first phase in FORECON's Mission Training Plan takes place within the MEU's Pre-deployment Training Program (PTP) Initial Training Phase. In order for Marines to become Force Recon operators, it is required to complete each course as they progress through the 'Accession Pipeline'. Although, there are other senior and veteran Marines that have already served with Force Recon, choosing to stay attached to the company only to repeat the 2-year platoon cycle continuously. Which ever the case, they both will attend their respective schools: the candidates traverse through the accession pipeline, as the recon veterans attend specialized schools—both participating in Phase 1 of the MTP.[5]

The recon candidates of Force Recon are required to obtain the designation of MOS 0326 [formerly 8654], Reconnaissance Man, Parachutist/Combatant Diver Qualified. In order to achieve that, they must attend the following courses.

Accession Pipeline

Further information: United States Marine Corps Reconnaissance Selection and Indoctrination#Accession Pipeline
Infantry Rifleman Course—Infantry Training Battalion, US Marine Corps Schools of Infantry (East or West)
Basic Reconnaissance Course—United States Marine Corps School of Infantry (West)

A platoon of Force Recon team operators battle their Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft (CRRC) against the surf out to sea, a skill that they learned since their days in the Basic Recon Course.
Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) [Level "C"]/Navy Remote Training Sites; NAS Brunswick, Rangeley, Maine, and NAS North Island, Warner Springs, California.
United States Marine Corps Combatant Diver Course—Navy Diving Salvage and Training Center, Naval Support Activity Panama City, Florida
Basic Airborne Course—United States Army Airborne School, Fort Benning, Georgia
Special Operations Training Group (SOTG)—I MEF, Camp Pendleton; II MEF, Camp Lejeune; III MEF, Camp S.D. Butler
Multi Mission Parachute Course—CPS Complete Parachute Systems, Coolidge, Arizona
High Risk Personnel (HRP) Course—MCB Quantico, Virginia

Special Schools

During the "Individual Training Phase", the candidates are undergoing the accession pipeline to become qualified MOS 0321; the already-billeted Force Recon operators (who had already completed the required courses in the accession pipeline [basic recon, parachutist and diving, and SERE/HRP courses] may continue to remain with FORECON after the 3-year rotation cycle and set up advanced cross-service training from other schools provided by the Special Operations Forces (SOF) units. Although these specialized schools are not necessarily required, they are highly encouraged.

Many Marine Corps 'training liaisons' represent the Marines at many cross-services schools, to ensure training slots and openings are met and filled by the Marines that requested, or were recommended, for advanced training.[5] Some of these courses may not be able to facilitate the Marine students, the instructors of these schools resort to complement the Marines' requested syllabus by designing subsidiary courses of the similar. This argument becomes clear on whether Marines may, or may not, actually attend the Basic Underwater Demolitions/SEAL (BUD/S). Nonetheless, in the past, selected operators within Force Recon had attended the courses of instructions provided by BUD/S Instructors and their completion is documented in their military Service Record Book (SRB) or Officer Qualification Record (OQR).
US Army Ranger School-All team leaders and above
US Army Recon and Surveillance Leaders Course—All team leaders and above
US Army Pathfinder Course—All team leaders and above
Low-Level Static Line/Military Free Fall Jumpmaster School—two per platoon
Mountain Leaders (Summer/Winter) Course—one per team
USMC Scout Sniper Course—one per team
US Army Jump Master School—two per platoon
HRST Master Course—two per platoon
Dive Supervisor Course—two per platoon
LAR V Technician Course—two per platoon
Ammunition Drivers Course—two per platoon
Laser Operators Course —one per team

Phase 2

The second phase of the MTP also takes place during the MEU's PTP Initial Training Phase.

Training Cell (T-Cell)

The Training Cell (T-Cell) is regulated by the experienced staff non-commissioned officers (SNCOs) of FMF Recon company's Operations Section (S-3). This removes the responsibility of coordinating training from the platoon headquarters, and permits them to train with their men (rather than to just oversee the training). There are no officers that go on actual missions with the force recon operators, they remain back with HQ Platoon in Operations and/or Communications to keep contact with his platoon(s). As the platoon headquarters may act as a 4th Team under certain conditions, this training is necessary.
"Fight as you train, train as you fight!"—quote by unknown.[5]
An additional and no less important advantage to the T-Cell is that it acts as a training ground for future platoon sergeants. Those assigned to the T-Cell are all highly trained and experienced operators. Some have deployed as platoon sergeants, and some have not. Experienced FORECON operators within T-Cell monitor, evaluate and improve the training to ensure that exercises meet real-world conditions.
Advanced Long Range Communications Package (3 weeks)—It is conducted by the Company Communications Section. As the term Deep reconnaissance indicates, the platoon will operate well forward of other forces. In order to report observations, call for fires or extract, all members need to have a complete and thorough knowledge of the sophisticated communication equipment carried. It includes manual Morse code, and long-range high frequency (HF), satellite, multi-band, and digital communications.
Weapons and Tactics Package (3 weeks)—Involves 5000-8000 rounds fired from the M4 carbine equipped with a Special Operations Peculiar Modification kit and the MEU(SOC) Pistol (.45 ACP). A live fire and maneuvering exercise in immediate action (IA) drills within close range of rotary wing support, as well as transportation, is conducted on the third week. As the Marines become familiar with their weapons, they conduct field exercise, force-on-force, live-fire drills using a militarized version of the Simunitions kit called the Special Effects Small Arms Marking Systems, or SESAMS. The Marking Cartridge ammunition contains a sabot and a small, plastic round encasing a colored detergent or paint, usually red or blue.
Threat Weapons Familiarization Package(1 week)—Concludes "knowledge of weapons" with identification and operation of threat weapons used by adversaries of the United States. Threat Weapons include assault, automatic and mobilized weapons.
Force Fires Package—Gives the Marines a working knowledge of fixed and rotary wing close air support and Naval Gun Surface Fire (NGSF) by using the AN/PEQ-1A Laser Acquisition Marker (SOFLAM) to "paint" their targets.

The Mercedes-Benz GDT-290 "Interim Fast Attack Vehicle" (IFAV) is a replacement of the Chenowth FAV desert buggy and the modified M-151A2 (MUTT Jeep).—circa 2001 Mobile Reconnaissance Package—Covers operating and maintaining the M998 HMMWV and the Interim Fast Attack Vehicle. Rapid deployment of FORECON requires fast mobilization. The current IFAV is a replacement of the two earlier FAVs, the M-151A2 and the Chenowth FAV that were employed in the 1980s and 1990s.
Advanced Airborne Package—Extremely important to Force Recon for inserting Marines behind enemy lines. In this three-week period, Marines will transition from conventional Low Level Static Line Low Level Static Line (LLSL) insertions into the hallmark HAHO techniques. Usually it consists of consecutive night jumps with night combat equipment, but HAHO training is also done in the Paraloft of the S3 Section using a complex virtual reality-based (VR) computer system. While wearing a VR headset device, the Marines hang suspended from the Paraloft ceiling that resembles the MC-5 Ram Air parachute. Many simulations are factored in this Virtual Reality Parachute Simulation; it allows the Marine to jump at high altitudes and visually check his main canopy for proper deployment, alleviate malfunctions, to cutaway and deploy a reserve parachute, then employ guidance and control to an unmarked drop zone (DZ).
Combat Trauma Package—Examination of first aid and medical treatment that can prepare Marines in many realistic scenarios where Marines can become casualties. This package is built for Marines to give them confidence and knowledge to apply medical attention to themselves or others while operating in hazard environments whether they are engaged in combat or not.
Amphibious Training Package (2 weeks)—While Marines were introduced to amphibious reconnaissance from the BRC, the T-Cell outlines the Amphibious Training package before they are attached to a MEU(SOC), this package refines their ability to conduct amphibious operations, and conventional and selected maritime special operations capabilities incorporating all their skills for Marines to work as a team. Refreshes long-range nautical navigation, and refines the platoon SOP for conducting hydrographic surveys. Launch and recovery is from a variety of naval vessels, including surface combatants and submarines. This training takes place at Seal Beach and San Diego, California on the west coast; and Onslow Beach, North Carolina on the east coast.
Combatant Dive Package—Designed for concentrating on the unit's capabilities in the water. They will learn more about the LAR-V rebreather as they have been taught at the USMC Combatant Dive Course. The T-Cell will introduce the Diver Propulsion Device (DPD) and the "buddy line", a 15–20-foot (4.6–6.1 m) pipe made from composite plastics that every Marine is attached to when diving. This ensures that the team remain close together as the water may be impossible for visuals contact in subsurface swimming.

Other training packages are available to mold the Marines into a fully functional Recon unit, including long range patrolling in desert areas, such as Twentynine Palms or MCAS Yuma, mountainous terrain and other environments relevant in peacetime or conflict. At the end of Phase 2 Training, the platoon is completely stood up in all aspects of the long-range reconnaissance mission. More importantly, they have spent 6-months of 'platoon-oriented' training together.

Phase 3

This 6-month training phase emphasizing more in the direct action, or "black operations". It is conducted by the Special Operations Training Group (SOTG). This phase takes place during the MEU's PTP Intermediate Training Phase. These courses involves both aspects of maritime and urbanized environments and how to apply close quarters combat and science in demolition, gas/oil platform (GOPLAT) training, cordon and search, Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS), shipboard assaults training and humanitarian operations.[16] The recon operators get the chance to train in unfamiliar urban areas and maritime structures.

Phase 4

Once the SOC Certification Final Training Phase is finished, the MEU with the detached Force Recon platoon as a functionable special operations capable force. Then they sail on a six-month deployment. This long deployment are known as the 'Deployment Phases' to Force Recon, they sail from either three locations, off the east or west coast, or Okinawa. The I MEF on the west would deploy its Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs) to the western Pacific and the II MEF's MEUs on the east coast sails across the Atlantic Ocean to either the Mediterranean Sea or the Persian Gulf. The III MEF's 31st MEU in Okinawa is to be used as a contingency for reinforced support of an area spanning from southwest Asia to the central Pacific. The III MEF is the only MEF of the FMF that is permanently fully deployed at all times.





Whether garrisoned on land or aboard ship, along with their naval counterpart, training is constant while at sea. These Marines are firing a modified Springfield .45 ACP, the MEU(SOC) pistol.
While Force Recon is afloat, they still remain focused on their self-disciplined training sessions. They conduct small arms live fire training on the deck of the ships and physical fitness training. Also in many cases, foreign maritime forces alike participate in joint exercises or training maneuvers, such as the Royal Thai Marine Corps, British Royal Marines, and Australian Forces. But while they may be training, the MEU are capable of projecting fully forward deployed operational task forces. Thus, epitomizing the infamous Marine Corps slogan, "force-in-readiness".

Phase 5

The last phase is the post-deployment phase. After 18-months of training and deployment, the platoon is granted 30-days of military leave. Once a Force Recon operator has finished deployment, they have a decision to make. What makes Force Recon unique from Division Recon, and the other SOFs, is the career style that is emplaced in the Force Recon company structure. They can choose to stay with the Force Recon Company and continue their assignment with the MEU, recycling its loop cycle; or they can get release from the FORECON company and go back to their original assignment, whether it being administration, motor transport, or infantry. However, on average, approximately 50% of the platoon will leave, their time in Force having expired.

Ok so can a Marine become a Seal?

I thought that MARSOC was intended to replace Force Recon?

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The sites all said that you have to be in the Navy to be a Seal. Could you enlist as a Marine and then transfer to the Seals?

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That sounds vaguely like a few allegations of recruiter malpractice I've read. Don't join the Marine Corps if you want to become a SEAL. Figure out what you want to do and throw away Plan B.

The Navy uses guaranteed enlistment options for BUDS as a recruiting tool and I applaud them for it. Every guy believes that he's going to graduate BUDS and not be among the many wash outs who fill out the requirements for yeomen and boatswains mates. They get their chance to become a SEAL and the Navy fills the empty billets with those who don't make the grade. It's a win-win proposal especially since they ditched the bell bottom dungarees with the front patch pockets.

quote:

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That sounds vaguely like a few allegations of recruiter malpractice I've read. Don't join the Marine Corps if you want to become a SEAL.

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Oh I am a few too many years removed to even be consider this! My ETS date was August 15th 1998! HA!

I was just curious.

I'd still like to know if anyone knows for certain if a Marine can apply to BUDS and upon completion and selection become a Seal.

My understanding is that you cannot go to BUD/s from another service. You either have to be granted a transfer or finish your service obligation and re-apply for the Navy. The Blue Angel thing is different, as they represent Naval Aviation as well as being a recruiting tool for the Navy.

As far as I know, MARSOC has indeed replaced Force Recon. I haven't worked with anyone calling themselves Force Recon in a few years. And none of those guys had gone to Range, Pathfinder, HALO/HAHO, RSLC etc training.

No basic training course can prepare you for special operations qualification courses. None. That's why they are called "basic" and not "special."

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The Navy uses guaranteed enlistment options for BUDS as a recruiting tool

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The Army does too for SF. Go to OSUT for Infantry, Airborne School and then SFAS. My brother in law tried and didn't make it. But they got him for 6 years. Had I known him prior I would have counselled him to talk to the local boyscout troop about getting some Land Nav skills and then to the fire dept for some first aid and cpr skills prior to going. he failed the Land Nav section.

When I was in, you had to be E4 or above 1LT or above, Minimum of 2 years of service, no disciplinary actions, 3 years of time on your contract, 110 GT score (for enlisted), 111111 profile just to apply. I had everything but the 3 years on my contract. I chose college, a decision I think about every freaking day.

quote:

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As far as I know, MARSOC has indeed replaced Force Recon.

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From my understanding MARSOC belongs to SOCOM now, yes?

Again, from my understanding only, Force Recon was part of the Marine Corps but MARSOC is part of SOCOM.

As a Ranger, you are part of SOCOM as well correct?

Yes Force Recon is old school and we are now MARSOC and we do cross train at other schools. What I posted earlier in my long post are the steps someone will have to complete if you become MARSOC (FORCE RECON). It was that way when I went through Recon back in 1996 alittle differant but for the most part the same. There are some guys that might not do all the cross training courses but most do. You can't be a Marine and be in the SEALS. You can be a Marine first then you have to serve your time and when it's up join the Navy.



[This message has been edited by BurnetAggie99 (edited 5/11/2011 9:57p).]

Thank you!

But with the advent of MARSOC, Marines now have their own SOF (actually recogonized as SOF).

Hey, eliteness matters if that is the lifestyle you've chosen! So congrats to the 3 operators that I know about on this site. I admire that and yes, I am envious.

[This message has been edited by Say Chowdah (edited 5/11/2011 10:01p).]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvrekMbqjYg

The CIA's highly secretive Special Activities Division (SAD) and more specifically its elite Special Operations Group (SOG) recruits operators from Marine Force Recon. In addition, joint Force Recon and CIA operations go back to the famed MACV-SOG group during the Vietnam War and still exist to this day.

So based on that video - yes?

If it were me doing this I would enlist and become a Navy Corpsmen. That will be an invaluable skill when/if you make it to the team. It will also help you as a SEAL get to the the Army SF 18D (Medical) course where you will be among the best trained medics in the world. This will be huge over your career and when you get out.

I would also do it sooner rather than later. You want to get combat experience. Everyone in the military has a deployment right now. If you are thinking about getting in then get in NOW. Never know when the GWOT is going to just go away.


[This message has been edited by Lobster Twins (edited 5/12/2011 3:44p).]

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Special Operations Group (SOG)

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That acronym actually stood for Studies and Observations Group.

Some of the stuff they did was amazing. Operation Eldest Son was pure brilliance and probably still at least one factor in why we seem to insist on the armed forces of developing countries that we assist using rifles based on a Stoner gas system rather than Kalashnikovs.

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As a Ranger, you are part of SOCOM as well correct?

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Yes.

The 75th Ranger Regiment is a part of USASOC which is underneath USSOCOM, but they get tasked underneath JSOC for deployments.

I will never forget during OCS at Ft. Benning watching a platoon of 3rd Ranger Batt guys put on their promasks before sprinting (repeatedly) up Cardiac Hill.

I was in really, really good shape during OCS, as were most of my classmates - but that was just flat out ridiculous.