(SO) Special Warfare Operator (Navy SEAL)

	Special Warfare Operator	SO
	SEALs perform a multitude of duties in support of Special Operations missions including land, maritime and air operations; reconnaissance operations; direct actions in all environments including urban, desert, jungle, arctic, and mountain warfare. These duties require skills in combat diving, paradrop and air operations, small boat operations, weapons, explosives, communications, medical care, intelligence gathering and interpretation, and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear defense measures.

SEAL (SO) candidates begin BUD/S training at the Naval Special Warfare Center, NAB Coronado, California. This six-month course of instruction focuses on physical conditioning, small boat handling, diving physics, basic diving techniques, land warfare, weapons, demolitions, communications, and reconnaissance. SEAL training is very rigorous, one of the toughest training programs for special operations in the world. The drop out rate for SEAL classes is regularly 80 percent. The average Navy SEAL spends over a year in a series of formal training environments before being awarded the Special Warfare Operator Naval Rating and the Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) 5326.

SEALs are named after the environments in which they operate, Sea, Air and Land, and are the foundation of NSW combat forces. They are organized, trained and equipped to conduct a variety of special operations mission in all operational environments.

Today’s SEALs trace their history from the elite frogmen of World War II. Training is both mentally and physically demanding to prepare candidates for the highly demanding job of a SEAL.

The Navy Challenge Program is the preferred method for qualifying under the Delayed Entry Program for the Special Warfare Operator (SO) rating and accounts for the majority of SEAL applicants. Sailors may also volunteer for SEAL training during Basic Training at Recruit Training Center (RTC), or any time during their first six years of active duty, prior to their 28th birthday or promotion to PO1. Entry into the program through this process is based on quota availability and selection is highly competitive. NSW/NSO “Dive” Motivators, at RTC, give presentations on the Navy's NSW/NSO programs. Guidance on suitability for assignment to SEAL training and how to complete an application is located in the MILPERSMAN 1220-300. A qualified SEAL is eligible to receive hazardous duty pays, special duty assignment pay and incentive pays. After completion of SEAL training selected SO personnel may attend Special Operations Combat Medic training, or SEAL Delivery Vehicle training.

After completion of SEAL training, graduates are assigned to SEAL Teams at: Little Creek, VA; or Coronado, CA. SEALs spend a majority of their career assigned to operational Teams with other assignments at training and headquarters commands. Advanced training opportunities include advanced weapons, Scout/Sniper, demolition, diving, communications, intelligence, instructor training, foreign language, and parachuting.

SOs are responsible for the training, preparation, and execution of
special operations in maritime, urban, desert, jungle, arctic, and
mountain environments. SEALS are experts in:

• Special operations tactics;
• Missions;
• Mission planning;
• Cultural awareness;
• Small-unit leadership;
• Operational risk management;
• Tactical, operational, and strategic thinking;
• Tactical communications;
• Tactical air control/terminal guidance;
• Combat diving and SEAL Delivery Vehicle operations;
• Paradrop operations;
• Small boat operations;
• Tactical ground mobility;
• Small arms and crew-served weapons;
• Fast roping and rappelling;
• Demolitions/explosive breaching;
• Trauma care;
• Intelligence gathering and interpretation;
• Transportation and logistics; and
• Chemical/biological/radiological/nuclear defense
measures.


Enlisted personnel are awarded Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC)
5326 and designated as SO SEAL upon completion of SEAL
Qualification Training (SQT). Recruit and fleet conversions are
authorized accelerated advancement to E-4 (SO3) upon the completion of SO “A” School. Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) Codes. Enlisted SO personnel are designated by NEC codes per their qualifications. Reference (b) further describes each of the NEC codes:


Qualifications and Interests
SEAL candidates should be motivated, self-assured and disciplined, willing to follow orders and able to work under stressful and hazardous conditions. SEAL training is physically and mentally demanding. Interested candidates should be in excellent physical condition and motivated to withstand the rigorous physiological demands imposed by the maritime environment. The ability to swim and withstand fatigue is a major factor in successful completion of SEAL training. Other necessary characteristics needed are good aptitude for mechanical skills, basic electronics, organized study habits, knowledge of arithmetic and basic algebra, and manual dexterity. Applicants must be U.S. citizens eligible for a security clearance.

Working Environment
SEALs perform special operations missions throughout the world, working in all environments, from oceans and seas to mountainous, desert, jungle or urban terrain. They conduct operations from fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, ships and submarines. They may be exposed to extreme environmental and hazardous conditions. They also conduct training with foreign militaries in various countries throughout the world.

Requirements:

SEAL PST
Event Allowable Time Minimum Repetitions/Time Competitive
Repetitions/Time Rest Period
500-yard swim using breast and/or sidestroke 12:30 Minutes 12:30
Minutes 10:00 Minutes 10 Minutes
Push-ups 2:00 Minutes 42 79 2 Minutes
Sit-ups 2:00 Minutes 50 79 2 Minutes
Pull-ups No time limit 6 (dead hang) 11 (dead hang) 10
Minutes
1 ½ miles Run wearing boots and trousers 11:30 Minutes/Seconds N/A
10:20 Minutes/Seconds N/A