There probably isn’t a person on the planet who hasn’t heard of the Navy SEALs. Known for their special operations, rigorous training and exceptional dedication to achieving whatever objective is placed before them, there is nothing a team of Navy SEAL training graduates can’t accomplish.
One of the world’s best-trained military units to be found anywhere, the United States Navy Sea, Air and Land forces, most commonly known as the Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy’s Special Operations Forces. Navy SEAL training is more intensive team training than perhaps any military unit ever has been. Taken one step further, as amazing as that may be to imagine, is the Basic Underwater Demolition, or BUDS training program. As with all Navy SEAL training, the focus of BUDS training is on building men of character into technically adept maritime warriors at the peak of their physical condition.
Basic Underwater Demolition
Basic Underwater Demolition, or BUDs training, as it called, is the most rigorous training imaginable. These individuals perform the impossible on a daily basis. Their training consists of 30 weeks of grueling conditioning, diving, land warfare and parachute training. This is not for the faint of heart. Only 20-30% of the young men who begin BUDS training are able to complete it successfully.
The criteria for admission into this elite training program are specific and unwavering. Applicants must be male U.S. citizens, Coast Guard or Navy officers or enlisted men, aged 18-28, with vision that is correctable to 20/20, a high score on the ASVAB (Armed Services Aptitude Battery) and no criminal record or prior drug use. Applicants must also pass the Diver/Seal Physical Screening Test (PST). The unique aspect of BUD SEAL training is that enlisted men and officers train side-by-side. The interoperability of these men must be perfect to ensure success of the mission.
The BUDS Training Program
After completing Navy SEAL training, BUDS training candidates travel to Coronado, CA for 30 of the most challenging and demanding weeks of their lives. Training includes small boat handling, diving techniques and physics, unconventional land warfare, foreign internal defense, communications, weapons, demolitions, counter-terrorism, physical conditioning and reconnaissance.
Starting with 3 weeks of indoctrination and PTRR (Physical Training Rehabilitation and Remediation), followed by a 7 week Basic Conditioning Phase, candidates will begin their ultimate challenge of becoming the very best that they can, physically and mentally. The Basic Conditioning Phase consists of 7 weeks of training in water competency, mental tenacity, working within a team and, of course, more physical conditioning, which includes running, calisthenics, swimming and obstacle courses. Teamwork is everything and sleep is minimal.
This phase ends with the infamous Hell Week, which consists of 132 hours of grueling, non-stop physical activity that will challenge their abilities as leaders, team members and physical dynamos.
Water Combat, Land Warfare And Air Attacks
The 8 week diving phase of BUDS training is where candidates learn to SCUBA dive and how to fight underwater. Water combat demands every possible ounce of strength, teamwork and will power available. The physical conditioning continues at an even greater level of intensity as BUDS training continues.
The land warfare phase covers 9 weeks of weapons, demolition and tactical training. Physical demands become ever greater as candidates learn land navigation, patrolling techniques, marksmanship, small-unit tactics, rappelling and explosives. This is followed by 3 weeks of parachute training.
By the end of the BUDS training program, the rare individuals who succeed are counted upon by our military elite to accomplish whatever needs to be done, under whatever circumstances or conditions that may occur. There are no excuses made and none accepted. These individuals are America’s greatest fighting team and they carry themselves with well-deserved pride.
Photo courtesy of K38 Rescue
