Requirements and Phases for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training with the Navy SEALs

Introduction

Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training is known for its rigor and is often considered one of the most demanding military training programs. This article provides an overview of the requirements and phases that are necessary for aspiring Naval Special Warfare Operators to successfully complete BUD/S training with the Navy SEALs.

Basic Requirements for BUD/S Training

To become a candidate eligible for BUD/S training, one must meet the following requirements:

USA Citizen High School Diploma

After meeting these basic requirements, candidates must pass the Physical Screening Test (PST), a rigorous physiological fitness test, to move forward in the selection process.

Physical Screening Test (PST)

The PST is a critical part of the BUD/S selection process. Candidates must meet the minimum requirements to be eligible for the Navy SEAL contract. Below are the minimum and optimum scores for the PST:

Event Minimum Optimum Swim (500 yards breast or side stroke) 12:30 9:30 Push-Ups (2 minutes) 42 100 Sit-Ups (2 minutes) 50 79 Pull-Ups (no time limit) 6 11 Run (1.5 miles) 11:00 9:30

Prospective candidates should aim for the optimum scores to significantly increase their chances of being selected for BUD/S and succeeding in training.

For a thorough self-assessment, candidates can use the SEAL PST Calculator, which provides a comparison between their scores and actual BUD/S entry-level scores.

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

The ASVAB is another key requirement for aspiring SEALs. This test, administered at military entry processing stations (MEPS), provides valuable insights into a candidate's mental sharpness and capacity to learn. Candidates should aim for the following scores to meet the minimum requirements for the Navy SEAL program:

Word Knowledge (WK): 110 Arithmetic Reasoning (AR): 50 minimum, 110 recommended Mechanical Comprehension (MC): 50 minimum, 110 recommended Electronics Information (EI): 50 minimum, 110 recommended Mathematics Knowledge (MK): 50 minimum, 110 recommended General Science (GS): 50 minimum, 110 recommended Paragraph Comprehension (PC): Required to be combined with VE to gather a VE line score Coding Speed (CS): Additional line score, required as of May 1, 2012

For a composite line score:

GS, MC, EI: 170 or better, option 2 VE, MK, MC, CS: 220 or better (as of May 1, 2012)

Men who are successful in BUD/S training typically have higher ASVAB scores, often surpassing the 78th percentile in most subtests.

Physical and Mental Resilience Testing

Physical and mental resilience play crucial roles in the success of candidates during BUD/S training. Tests such as the Computerized-Special Operations Resilience Test (C-SORT) are used to evaluate a candidate's maturity and mental resilience, helping to determine their potential to succeed in the SEAL community.

Phases of BUD/S Training

BUD/S training consists of several phases, each increasing in difficulty and intensity. These phases are designed to transform candidates into SEALs through a rigorous training process:

Basic Orientation: This three-week course introduces candidates to Coronado, the Naval Special Warfare Center, and the BUD/S lifestyle. Candidates are prepared for the challenges that lie ahead, particularly Day One of the First Phase. First Phase: Basic Conditioning (7 weeks, San Diego, California) Second Phase: Advanced Watercress (8 weeks, San Diego, California) Third Phase: Hellweek (8 weeks, San Diego, California)

Phase One focuses on developing basic physical and mental conditioning, promoting teamwork, and introducing candidates to the SEAL combat environment. Phase Two and Phase Three progressively increase in difficulty, culminating in the grueling Hellweek, which is known for its extreme physical and mental challenges.

Successful completion of Hellweek is one of the most significant achievements in BUD/S training, indicating that a candidate has the physical and mental strength necessary to become a Navy SEAL.

After BUD/S training, candidates proceed to further specialized training, including Parachute Jump School (PJS) and SEAL Qualification Training (SQT), designed to develop advanced combat skills and ensure readiness for deployment.

By combining strict physical fitness requirements, mental sharpness, and resilience testing, the Navy ensures that only the most qualified and prepared individuals become candidates for the elite SEAL team.