How Hard is it to become a Navy SEAL?
We get this question about every two weeks. “Coach, how hard is it really to become a Navy SEAL?”
Well.. let me put it in perspective for you.
About 1 in 10 young males growing up proclaim they want to be a Navy SEAL.
Probably more – we all dream of doing something fun and adventurous and want to climb Mt Everest.
Everyone likes to do something larger than life and be a Hero.
BUDS class 234 in Hell Week
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From the US Navy statistics – Only 6% of Navy SEAL applicants qualify to go to BUDS. Of those candidates only 25% go on to become Navy SEALs. You have a better chance of applying to Harvard Law and graduating than you do becoming a frogman.
A real life example: I was one of 50 guys in my boot camp platoon that went to try outs for the SEALs in Navy boot camp. That is 2% of that group. I then became one of 20 candidates lined up at the pool. Only 2 in 20 made it. That is only 10% of those young men. So of that original 2% pool – only 10% of that group went on.
Once I got to BUDS – there were 140 candidates lined up on the grinder. Those 140 were a combination of those pool side events to find SEAL candidates. Remember that only 2 of my group made it. So they needed about 70 pool side events to get a pool of 140.
Once BUDS started – all Hell broke out – literally. Over the next 6 months many were injured and quit. We were left with only 16 of the original 140 in BUDS Class 132. That is a 88 percent fail rate. The normal rate over the past years is about 80% fail rate.
Before that they issued us Altama Jungle Boots
The Bates are lighter and supposed to help reduce shin splints which decreases injuries and keeps more guys in the program.
Listen to Positive Mental Edge Stuff while You Ruck and Workout
Statistics from the US Navy:
How many people make it through BUD/S?
Each year, about 1,000 men start SEAL training. Although training success rates vary per class, usually about 200-250 men succeed each year. Candidates who have Physical Screening Test scores above 800 are three times more likely to succeed than those men who only meet the minimum requirements.
You probably have an equal chance of playing NFL Pro Football or basketball where less than 1% of all high school athletes make it to professional sports.
Currently they are issuing the Darn Tough Merino Wool Socks
These are really great socks. You may pay a few dollars more but they will last and last.
Pretty hard to destroy these socks.
BUDS is pretty freakin’ hard. Good luck.
We used vaseline in our socks and in our crotch but sometimes that attracts more sand.
The best way is to get some Bodyglide Anti-Chafe Balm
Your nipples can get rubbed raw and bleeding from the salt water and sand so you want to protect your body.
Navy SEALs BUD/S Class 234 – Part 1 – Welcome To BUD/S
Try going through Hell Week at BUDS with cotton underwear and let us know how that goes. Chaffing is a real threat and guys have been rolled for extreme chaffing. Don’t try to be macho, get your body glide and compression shorts and be prepared.
Questions from our readers online:
Question: Coach, what was the hardest part of BUDS for you? I would have to say it was being in the cold water for long periods of time. I am not a fan of cold water.
Question: When did most guys quit – and Why? The first and second night of Hell Week. They got tired of being wet and cold and sandy with no relief in sight.
Check out this link with a PDF of stats of high school athletes making it to professional sports.
http://www.ncaa.org/sites/default/files/Probability-of-going-pro-methodology_Update2013.pdf
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brad McLeod is married with two kids and an all around average family guy. His SGPT motivational audios have been downloaded in 30 countries around the world.
He grew up in Tallahassee, Florida and despite training all the wrong ways – made it to Navy SEAL training in Coronado, California.
He flunked out of Navy SEAL BUD/S training after making it over half way through (6 months of grueling training). After a year in the Fleet Navy on the USS Cleveland (LPD-7) he came back to graduate BUDS and serve on SEAL Team Four.
His story is simple–Don’t Ever Quit on your Dream! Put one foot in front of the other and fall forward.
Proceeds from this website go to help raise funds for the Navy SEAL Foundation on CrowdRise.
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May 22, 2014 @ 10:12 am
Brad,
What kind of wetsuits did you use with the SEALs?
Thank you..
May 22, 2014 @ 8:08 pm
Frank: we just used the Navy issue wetsuit in BUDS. Later when you get on the Teams you get issued a custom fit wetsuit from a local Dive supplier. I hope that answers your question.
thanks for posting Frank.
May 23, 2014 @ 10:06 am
Hi Brad,
It does help, thanks. I should’ve been more specific. But I guess you would’ve told me if you knew the wet suit specs. I use a 3/2 mm which is good for water down to 45degrees F. I also have a short 2/2 mm for warmer water, like now.
I would assume you used a thicker suit, neoprene and nylon, etc.
Thanks again Brad.
September 3, 2014 @ 9:38 pm
I can’t imagine going through BUDs. You guys are on a different level and I respect the hell out of that. I have the Discovery Channel video and watch it for motivation.
September 9, 2014 @ 8:14 pm
I was just an average guy with a BIG dream. Hit me up with an email and I will send you a free motivational audio.
September 3, 2014 @ 10:12 pm
One hell of an article brad. This is so informative and inspiring. Thank you for your service and your sage insight.
September 9, 2014 @ 8:14 pm
Glad you like Dan. Hit me up with an email and I will send you a free audio.
October 25, 2017 @ 2:58 pm
Is there a way I could contact u directly? I have a few things I would love to go over. Thankyou
November 9, 2017 @ 1:41 pm
Good to hear from you Justin. Email brad “at” sealgrinderpt “dot” com.
September 7, 2014 @ 7:37 pm
Brad any tips for being a competitive SEAL candidate at a NROTC? It seems that it goes beyond maxing the navy PFT to be accepted by the Seal Training cadre in College.
September 9, 2014 @ 8:11 pm
Good question Jack – you can see online the info for “competitive scores for BUDS”. Keep rocking the workouts.
September 10, 2014 @ 8:07 am
When do you take the test to get into BUD/S ? After Prep school or before you even get in there ? And is it better to enlist first and then after beeing SEAL go for officers school ? I heard if you enlist that you have 3 tries and as an officer you only have one shot . How does that work ? they sent you back and you have to wait for a year ?
September 15, 2014 @ 3:40 pm
You take the test before you enlist. Most guys go into BUDS enlisted as it is extremely hard to get an officer spot. Talk to a SEAL motivator for the most updated info.
Email brad “at” sealgrinderpt.com and I will send you a free motivational audio.
October 13, 2014 @ 1:45 am
I’ve read a lot of challenges during BUD/s, what does it take to go through it? Do most SEALs come from Athletic and sport backgrounds?
October 14, 2014 @ 3:39 pm
You need to have some athletic ability just to make a good PST score.
September 27, 2017 @ 11:12 pm
This is a really nice article! Thanks for the information!
September 27, 2017 @ 11:12 pm
I respect the Navy SEALS and everything that they do for our country
October 1, 2017 @ 9:27 am
Glad you like Addison. Email brad@sealgrinderpt.com and send me your address and will send you some free SGPT stickers.
June 30, 2018 @ 9:21 pm
I can’t imagine how hard it is. I have so much respect for you guys. I think of you wen I need to go through something tough. Also, if you haven’t seen the movie lone survivor, it will show you how insane it is.Thank you for your service and hard work. I admire seals so much. You guys are the toughest humans to walk on earth.