Those numbers are similar to 292's. No performance rollbacks I guess indicates a candidate's competence.  No injury rollbacks, good luck, and successful tours of duty, that all the training pays off and that just maybe God listens to parents prayers --hopefully.  Our big event is now just a few weeks away. --Thanks Calvin.

I'm a 293 dad (from the East Coast) and we are trying to plan for graduation; any information regarding number of tickets/spaces available for graduation per frog?  ALL of his family desire to attend.

292s were asked to keep invited guests to a "reasonable number".  I understand there is seating for 600.  Hearsay has it that someone is inviting 23 people!  Perhaps he has a buddy who is only inviting 2.  We are quickly approaching our big day and have as yet heard nothing officially from the Navy.

I am told that one graduate of a recent class had twenty some as attendees and that standing space exists to view if all seated capacity is utilized. I would think that seated space is granted by invitations, but I recall seeing folks standing around the grinder area watching in the old Discovery channel series n BUDs.

Thanks for the reply RyeJim; we don't have nearly that many. Must be a prolific family. We "really" will probably only have 10-12 personnel as we are all traveling from the Right Coast. Pls keep me posted when you find out "officially"; and a huge !HooYa 292! from all of us following, Class 293 - out.

My son was 291.  He submitted the names of attendees.  We got a nice card requesting confirmation along with directions and parking information.  His graduation was preceeded by a Chief's ceremony.  Even with that going on it went very smoothly.  If you have family members with disabilities I'd let them know at the very latest with your confirmation.  I would recommend renting a car that can carry 5-6 people comfortably.  I would also recommend getting hotel reservations sooner rather than later.  We had a heat wave while there.  The Hotel Del Coronado was very comfortable.  Unfortunately we also decided to stay close to the beach after graduation, that motel did not have air conditioning.  Hopefully the weather has gotten cooler.  The Navy was very organized and put together some nice events for the family.  Bottom line there was enough room; we had 12 guests.  Jeff

Jeff:  Was there a reserved section for the parents or was it all "First come first served"?  And if the latter, how early did you need to arrive to get a decent seat?

The only reserved section was for the graduates.  We got there pretty early.  I would say about a half hour after the recommended arrival time.  That sun can be brutal especially for the grandparents, a large tent was provided.  They had some items for sale on the side of the grinder.  Don't worry about getting there too soon.  I was happy just soaking up the history of the place.  Also the extra time was spent getting photographs.  A light lunch was served afterwards.  Several nights before my group had cocktails outside of the Del Coronado, over looking the beach.   My first thought was it was a missed opportunity to meet familes and network.  It was expensive; I recommend arranging to meet people of a like mind there.  You can always cross the street and find places that are a bit more reasonable; Brigantine is one spot. 

Jeff:  Thanks!  That all sounds like great advice.  We're staying at Glorietta Bay which I believe has air conditioning should we need it.  My wife's folks, in their late 80s, (he is a Navy WWII vet --Battleship Texas and was at D-Day, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, et al) will be attending so the shade sounds good and we'll get there as early as we can so they'll be assured of getting seats. If you think of anything else we'd love to hear it!  Hope your guy is doing well.  Thanks again.

My son went through HW with 2 9 0 and was med rolled to and will finish with 2 9 2.  His current room mates finished with 2 9 0 and 2 9 1. One piece of advice his mentor gave before heading to GL was to make the right friends and stick to achieving your goals. We live not far from GL and I had occasion to meet a number of guys and to take them out a couple of weekends before they went to Coronado.  The confidence and resolve evident in their interaction then was striking, most made it through.  We are so proud and happy for all of these most uncommon of men from each class and look forward to meeting many of you folks who have witnessed this remarkable journey in a few weeks.

tk and RyeJim - an evening of cocktails on the back patio of the Del sounds like a good plan to me!  Thanks for the suggestion Jeff.

How many of us will be there?

If you aren't a guest, there seems to be plenty of parking north of the Del, along the coast.  The Del charges for parking and I can't remember if non-guests can get parking tickets validated at the bar.  They have propane patio warmers and fire pits if it gets cool.  Also, you may want to see if the Del hosts a margarita party if the weather turns real bad.  Stop at the Bullshirt store, 1007 Orange Ave., Coronado; they have some nice tshirts.  I got a flag there that is hanging inside our house.  Across the street is a jewelry store that offers some nice navy items for the wives, I think it was south of Bullshirts.  My wife was envious of what the Navy gave my son's wife; plus it was close to her birthday so I lost some change there.  I hope my suggestions aren't boring but you only go through celebrating your son's accomplishment once, my mission was to make it memorable.  I hope yours are too!  Finally, someone said they live close to Lake Michigan; same here.  Give me an email and I'll send you my cell.

Guys, I wrote a Blog on our trip to SQT Graduation you might find interesting. You can click HERE to find it on my page.

I know it is early by HooYah to all your guys.

Calvin, great Blog!  I appreciate your work on this site.  From the first day of the adventure to the present I've tried to research all I could and understand the dynamics etc.  This site has helped a lot.  It has been professional and responsible!  Congratulations to all!

One place worth considering staying is the Navy Lodge North Island.  When our son graduated we booked there.  It had recently been renovated and we took a chance on it because the other base hotel across from the training grounds was full.  Your son or daughter will have to be with you to get you a base pass and accompany you at check in.  They have complimentary breakfasts.  Balconies and free parking.  We were able to book a cabana (no charge) which is right outside the lodge right on the beach for a post graduation party which included a barbeque and volleball game.  No restaurant can beat this for a celebration!

Mark

We are staying at the North Island Beach Cottages right by the Navy Lodge.  Is the cabana you refer to by the cottages or is it something attached to the Navy Lodge?  Did you reserve this through the Navy Lodge?  My son said the graduates of the past couple of classes had organized a class party of sorts, I was going to ask him if that is the case here then perhaps plan some sort of party on the beach if possible.

They are right in front of the cottages on the beach.  There are number of them all with barbecue grills and picnic tables.  I called the front desk of the hotel and they gave me the tel number to reserve. This is def the way to go.  Laid back and relaxed. We bought the food at the commisary. Our son's roommate asked for the same when he got his trident.  

Hi all, I haven't been on in awhile but in reading your recent conversation, is it correct that there is an SQT graduation that parents can attend, but not BUDS? 

jde, there is a big graduation for SQT. I wrote a blog on out trip when GS graduated. There is no BUD/S graduation.

We stayed at the Gateway Inn across from NSWC and our GS to us to North Island and got a pass for our car so we could drive in and out of the base. The pass from the Gateway would not allow after 2200 access and the one from North Island was 24/7. We drove on base at about 0400 on night after going to the casino.

Calvin, that is fantastic to hear.  I had heard no more graduation ceremony for parents but misunderstood that its only from BUDS.  Thanks!

When we asked our son what his SERE experience had taught him, he answered: "DO NOT get captured!!" 

anyone  with  information  regarding  next   artillary  A school  ????

No one is immune to occasional lapses in good judgement  --apparently not even the Director of the CIA.  Sadly however there can be no wiggle room for this stuff when operational security and subsequently the lives of our finest warriors are put in jeopardy.  Thanks for reminder Brad.

Any word on Hell Week being secured this morning?

Hell Week has secured -- Hoo Yah!

Hooyah to all who made it through Hell Week; ours was a "medical rollback" 4.5 weeks into BUD/S, so he's recuperating and looking forward to joining a new class!

He secured, Hoo Yah

BC, congrats to your guy on making it through. Give him a big HooYah for me.

I'll be honest...I have so much confidence in my son but when I read that 10 guys out of 170 made it to SQT graduation w/out rollback, it seems so impossible that I'm afraid to get engrossed in reading suggested SEALs books which I would normally love to do! Oh how we want our sons to make it, huh?

Jon D, what class is he with now?  Was he medically rolled?

Jim G, I recall having those same thoughts.  Actually the odds are better for guys who eventually go on to become Seals (20 to 25%).  At my son's SQT graduation, he told me the guys he truly admires are those who got rolled several times, perhaps had to even repeat hw.  It seems for many not only is there no easy day, there's no easy way....but many of the toughest DO persevere!  --Hang in there! 

The 10/170 statistic is misleading in my opinion since it doesn't show how many (or few) do persevere and make it all the way through the training.  My son was recently rolled with an injury, so he will sit out to heal for a short time and class back up soon with probably more determination than ever!

The numbers are hard to find unless you know a member of the family of someone who graduated SQT. I have seen that the number of guy shipping to BUD/S from GL is about 200 and as a Class arrives there is a Class graduating. The Classes graduating and receiving there Trident is in the range of 40 to 50. What has happened to the somewhere around 150 guys that arrived. Math 200 enter and 50 graduate.

With class 298??

I was fortunate that I was never rolled back. We had thee roll backs in my class and only one made it. My son was rolled back twice and made it on his third try. He started with 172 and graduated in 174.

Any book by Dick Couch is worth reading. He has written fiction and non-fiction. All are great. I had the honor to serve with him in SEAL TEAM ONE.

Being a SEAL is an honor and a privilege. I was able to spend my time in the Navy with best and the bravest men in the world. No thanks needed. I am the one who is thankful.

Much appreciated

further info:

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque, 28, of Monroeville, Pa., died of combat related injuries suffered Dec. 8, while supporting operations near Kabul, Afghanistan. Checque was assigned to an East Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit.

For further information related to this release, please contact Naval Special Warfare Command Public Affairs at 619-522-2816 or 703-697-5342.