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Navy SEAL Requirements

Are you tough enough to handle the minimum Navy SEAL requirements? If so, you're better than most.

By Mike MavenfulPublished 7 years ago 2 min read
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The Navy SEALs are considered to be the toughest that the US military has to offer, and joining the SEALs is something that many people dream of doing. After all, that's why they're featured in so many movies. Unfortunately, just because you want to join the Navy SEALs, doesn't mean you can.

Most people who apply to be a Navy SEAL can't actually meet the minimum Navy SEAL requirements. In fact, they fall pretty short of what it takes to even get it to the special prep academies for SEALs. Do you have what it takes to make it to SEAL level?

First, you're going to have to meet the very basic requirements of Navy SEAL physique.

While Navy SEAL requirements are strict, they aren't unreasonable, nor do they require perfection. So, here's the leeway that they allow entrants into the SEAL program:

  • You don't have to have perfect eyesight. However, it does have to come pretty close. The worst eyesight you can have is 20/70, as long as it's correctable to 20/25. You can't be colorblind.
  • You also have to be a healthy height and weight, and meet the basic requirements for all entrants to the US military. If you are too heavy to meet National Guard requirements, or too short to enter the military, you won't be able to meet Navy SEAL requirements.
  • You have to pass a physical exam for divers. Not all can do this, and yes, it will be performed by a doctor.
  • Lastly, you have to be 28 years of age or younger to join the Navy SEALs. The Navy SEALs program is very rough on the body, and older people can't handle it most of the time. So, the cutoff age is 28 rather than the standard 34 years for military entrance.

You also will have to pass tests at a Navy SEAL level.

Along with passing the ASVAB with flying colors, you also will have to undergo a pretty rigorous PST, or Physical Screening Test. This test includes, but isn't limited to...

  • Doing 50 pushups in 2 minutes
  • Swimming 500 yards in 12 minutes and 30 seconds
  • Doing 50 situps in 2 minutes
  • Doing 10 pullups in 2 minutes
  • Running 1.5 miles in under 10 minutes

Mind you, these are the bare bones requirements for all Navy SEALs entrants. Passing the Navy SEALs requirements at this level won't guarantee you a spot in the elites.

After passing these minimal requirements, the Navy then selects the highest scoring people to become part of the SEALs program. If you don't outperform the others, you don't make it in.

Lastly, it's important to realize that the Navy SEALs requirements to train among SEALs here aren't the only ones you have to meet.

The program is rigorous, and meeting those requirements alone will get you into a training program to further improve your physical strength. After that schooling program, you'll have to be tested again in order to ensure that you've made it to minimum standards for full SEAL training.

After you pass those Navy SEALrequirements, you can officially start training as a full Navy SEAL. If it sounds brutal, it's because it is — and because you don't end up being the best without that kind of training, anyway.

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About the Creator

Mike Mavenful

Baby boomer, Pharmacologist, Movie reviewer and proud grandfather.

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