BUD/S :  Basic Underwater Demolition/SEALs Bootcamp

   [ First Phase | Second Phase | Third Phase | Post-BUD/S | Fitness Standards ]

   So, you wanna be a SEAL huh? First you have to go through BUD/S, the
   toughest Special Forces bootcamp in the United States, if not the
   world. It last roughly 6 months. It is, according to Dick Marcinko, a
   "6-month kick in the balls". Passing BUD/S is a must if you are
   planning on being a SEAL. Getting to BUD/S is not as easy as some
   think either. You have to pass numerous physical and mental test.
   

   First Phase (Basic Conditioning)
   First Phase is nine weeks in length. Continued physical conditioning
   in the areas of running swimming, and calisthenics grow harder and
   harder as the weeks progress. Students will participate in weekly four
   mile timed runs in boots, timed obstacle courses, swim distances up to
   two miles wearing fins in the ocean, and learn small boat seamanship.
   

   The first five weeks of First Phase prepare you for the sixth week,
   better known as "Hell Week" During this week, students participate
   in five and one half days of continuous training, with a maximum of
   four hours of sleep. This week is designed as the ultimate test of
   one's physical and mental motivation while in First Phase. Hell Week
   proves to those who make it that the human body can do ten times the
   amount of work the average man thinks possible. During Hell Week, you
   will learn the value of coolheadedness, perseverance, and above all,
   TEAMWORK. The remaining three weeks are devoted to teaching various
   methods of conducting hydrographic surveys and how to conduct a
   hydrographic chart.
   

   Second Phase (Diving)
   After you have completed First Phase, you have proven to the
   instructor staff that you are motivated to continue more in-depth
   training. The diving Phase is seven weeks in length. During this
   period, physical training continues, but the times are lowered for the
   four mile runs, two mile swims, and obstacle course. Second Phase
   concentrates on combat SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing
   Apparatus). Students are taught two types of SCUBA: open circuit
   (compressed air) and closed circuit (100% oxygen). Emphasis is placed
   on long distance underwater dives with the goal of training students
   to become basic combat divers, using swimming and diving techniques as
   a means of transportation from their launch point to their combat
   objective. This is a skill that separates SEALS from all other Special
   Operations forces.
   

   Third Phase (Land Warfare)
   The demolitions, reconnaissance, and land warfare phase is nine weeks
   in length. Physical training continues to become more strenuous as the
   run distances increase and the minimum passing times are lowered for
   the runs, swims, and obstacle course. Third Phase concentrates on
   teaching land navigation, small-unit tactics, patrolling techniques,
   rappelling, infantry tactics, and military explosives. The final five
   weeks of Third Phase are spent on San Clemente Island, where students
   apply techniques acquired throughout training in a practical
   environment.
   

   Post-BUD/S Schools
   BUD/S graduates receive three weeks basic parachute training at the
   Army Airborne School, Fort Benning, Georgia, prior to reporting to
   their first Naval Special Warfare Command. Navy corpsmen who complete
   BUD/S and Basic Airborne Training also attend two weeks of Special
   Operations Technician Training at the Naval Special Warfare Center,
   Coronado. During this course, they participate in an intense course of
   instruction in diving medicine and medical skills called 18-D (Special
   Operations Medical Sergeant Course) . It is a 30-week course where
   students receive training in burns, gunshot wounds, and trauma.
   

   After assignment to a Team and successfully completing a six-month
   probationary period, qualified personnel are awarded a SEAL Naval
   Enlisted Classification (NEC) Code and the Naval Special Warfare
   Insignia. New combat swimmers serve the remainder of their first
   enlistment (2 1/2 - 3 years) in either an SDV or SEAL Team. Upon
   reenlistment, members may be ordered to additional training and
   another SDV or SEAL Command, where they will complete the remainder of
   a five- year sea tour. Advanced courses include SDV training, Diving
   Supervisor, language training, and NAVSPECWAR communications. Shore
   duty opportunities are available in research and development,
   instructor duty, and overseas assignments.
   

Physical Fitness Standards

Physical Evolution                                      Required Time

(First Phase)

50 meter underwater swim                                PASS/FAIL
Drownproofing test                                      PASS/FAIL
Basic lifesaving test                                   PASS/FAIL
1/2 mile pool swim w/o fins                             Completion
3/4 mile pool swim w/o fins                             Completion
1 mile pool swim w/o fins                               60 min
1 mile bay swim w/o fins                                70 min
1 mile bay swim with fins                               50 min
1 1/2 mile ocean swim with fins                         75 min
2 mile ocean swim with fins                             95 min
4 mile timed run                                        32 min
Obstacle Course                                         15 min

(Second Phase)

2 mile ocean swim with fins                             75 min
4 mile timed run                                        29:20 min
Obstacle Course                                         11 min
5 1/2 mile ocean swim with fins                         Completion

(Third Phase)

Obstacle Course                                         10:30 min
4 mile timed run                                        28 min
14 mile run                                             Completion
2 mile ocean swim with fins                             70 min

Academic standards required on written tests before graduation
from BUD/S are:

80% or above for officers               70% or above for enlisted