Picture a Navy SEAL. He’s in peak physical condition, he smart, he’s proactive and he’s intuitive. He’s bravery defined. When something needs done and the SEALs are called in, there’s no question: it will be resolved.

The Navy SEALs have such a wonderful reputation because they train for adversity. They train for extreme circumstances and they are prepared to be this country’s elite, agile, quick-response team. But what you may not know is that within this exclusive group of Navy SEALs, there’s a smaller group—a group, believe it or not, that has been through even more rigorous training. These are the Basic Underwater Demolition SEALs (BUDS). Their bodies are strong and fit and so are their minds. These maritime warriors are trained to take on any situation imaginable.

BUDS Training Eligibility

If you want to be part of the BUDS training program, there are several qualifications you must meet. Of course you need to be in excellent physical condition and able to pass the Navy’s Diver/SEAL physical to participate in the program. Additionally, your vision must be correctable to 20/20, and you have to earn a high ASVAB score (this is the test that determines your aptitudes for military careers). Lastly, you have to be a U.S. citizen and a member of the United States Navy or Coast Guard between the ages of 18 and 28, with a clean criminal and drug record.

If accepted into the BUDS training program, you’ll enter into 30 of the most extreme weeks of your life, and only 20-30 percent of those who begin will complete the program. Both officers and enlisted personnel are accepted into the BUDS training program and they train right along side each other. The integration of the team is critical for a BUDS team success. Trainees will be part of land warfare, diving and parachuting during this 7+ month Navy SEALs BUDS training period.

In The Beginning…

Before beginning BUDS training, individuals must successfully complete basic NAVY SEAL training. Then, candidates for the BUDS program will move on to Coronado, CA for specialized BUDS training in weapons, unconventional land warfare, demolition, reconnaissance and diving.

This training is designed to push the SEALs to their fullest capacity—taxing both their minds and bodies so that they’re prepared for whatever may come their way.

BUDS training is broken up into segments. It begins with 3 weeks of intensive physical training followed by 7 weeks of strenuous conditioning focused on water competency, mental tenacity and team dynamics. Of course rigorous physical training continues through BUDS training, however, this initial 10 weeks is designed to jump-start the candidates. While the Navy SEALs are being pushed to their physical limits, their schedule also allows very little down time or time for sleep.

At the end of this phase, the candidates begin Hell Week—which is exactly what its name implies. The candidates spend 132 hours training and straining their bodies and their minds—finding the outside limits of their capabilities in a non-stop action environment. The candidates who complete Hell Week will be stronger as individuals and as a team.

…And It Goes On

Phase two begins with 8 weeks of SCUBA training where the Navy SEALs also learn underwater combat techniques. Phase 3 focuses on land warfare for the next 9 weeks as the BUDS training candidates who remain work on weapons and tactical training as well as navigation, rappelling and working with explosives. Through it all, the Navy SEALs in the program are being asked to push their bodies to their physical limits. In the final phase, training shifts to parachuting.

When a Navy SEAL graduates from BUDS training, he leaves not only with expertise he has acquired through the vigorous training program but with a confidence that he can do things that before, he may never have imagined. BUDS training asks SEALs to push themselves beyond what the average civilian can even comprehend—but they do it all because these individuals will find themselves in circumstances that may also be incomprehensible for those people who make their living working 9-5. In intensive, perilous circumstances these individuals are called upon to protect our country and our freedom. They are expected to make it happen—and they do.

Photo courtesy of James Gordon