Navy SEAL training is extremely demanding, and it is not designed to "get you in shape." You must be in excellent physical condition and pass the physical screening test before you can be considered a SEAL candidate. For more on how to get and stay in SEAL shape, visit the Military.com Fitness Center.
The following Navy SEAL PST is designed to see whether you have what it takes to enter SEAL training. To pass, you must complete the following regimen:
| PHYSICAL SCREENING TEST | MINIMUM | AVERAGE | OPTIMUM |
| Swim 500-yard breast or side stroke | 12:30 | 10:00 | 9:30 |
| Push-ups in two minutes | 42 | 79 | 100 |
| Sit-ups in two minutes | 50 | 79 | 100 |
| Pull-ups no time limit | 06 | 11 | 25 |
| Run 1.5 miles* | 11:00 | 10:20 | 09:30 |
* While at Recruit Training Center, SEAL candidates will transition to boots and long pants for the run portion of the PST. To remain qualified for the SEAL training pipeline, the candidate must perform the 1½-mile run portion of the PST in boots and long pants in 11:30 or less.
To qualify for a contract, a prospective candidate must meet the minimum requirements. It is recommended that you strive for the optimum fitness standards and beyond to better chances at BUD/S. Check out the official Navy SEAL PST Calculator to compare your scores and rank you with other prospective candidates.
For more information on academic, medical screening, and background requirements, see the official Navy SEAL/SWCC page at www.sealswcc.com.
The minimum standards will allow you to start training with your Navy SEAL/SWCC mentor during your delayed entry program phase. Once you reach the optimum levels, you can go to boot camp. Before you go to boot camp, your PST scores are ranked nationally, and only the best PST scores (optimum range plus) fill the needed billets for that boot camp cycle. This program is called the Navy spec war draft, and it creates a ranking system of the top scoring athletes who get to go to boot camp. This will give the SEAL/SWCC candidate more time to train properly before boot camp -- or discourage him to find other employment. Recent events have made the Naval Special Warfare community very selective in who attends BUD/S.
Once you have finished Navy boot camp -- if you make the cut -- you will attend PRE-BUDS, a seven- to nine-week apprenticeship training division school (A-School), with immediate assignment to BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL) training. The goal of PRE BUDS is to prepare you better for BUD/S physically after getting somewhat deconditioned at boot camp.
The Navy SEAL Training Program
The Navy SEAL training program will stress you beyond your limits to make sure you're worthy to serve with the world's best fighting force. Be prepared, stay focused, make mature choices and understand what you are volunteering for.
SEAL training prepares you for the extreme physical and mental challenges of SEAL missions. If you're up to the challenge, you'll be in incredible physical shape and possess the confidence, determination and skills needed to succeed in today's combat environment.
Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training
BUD/S is a seven-month training challenge that develops your mental and physical stamina and leadership skills. Each BUD/S phase includes timed physical condition tests, with the time requirements becoming more demanding each week. Talk with your recruiter and discuss the entry physical requirements.
Navy SEAL Pay: Did you know?
SEALs receive military pay and allowances, plus $375/month dive pay, $300/month special delivery vehicle (SDV) team pay, $225/month HALO (jump) pay, $110/month special duty assignment pay and various amounts per month for second-language proficiency.
Navy SEAL Training BUD/S Phase Descriptions
Indoctrination: Gives students an introduction to required BUD/S techniques and performances.
First Phase (basic conditioning): Includes continuous physical conditioning. Students also study small boat seamanship and hydrographic surveys and charts.
Second Phase (diving): Covers SCUBA skills. Students learn open and closed circuit combat diving and how to complete long-distance underwater transit dives.
Third Phase (land warfare): Includes land navigation, small-unit tactics, rappelling, military land and underwater explosives, and weapons training.
Navy SEAL Training Post-BUD/S
BUD/S graduates attend several more courses before they are assigned to a team:
Basic Parachute Training
Diving medicine and medical skills training in the Special Operations Medical Course (for medical personnel).
Once all courses are completed, graduates are assigned to a SEAL or SDV team for duty.
Advanced Training
Training, physical conditioning and drills are part of the SEAL lifestyle. Once you've completed the initial SEAL training, you can go even further with advanced training, which includes foreign language training, SEAL tactical communications training, sniper, military free-fall parachuting, jump master, explosive breacher and much more.
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