Education · 1 of 5
The path
You do not need a degree to become an enlisted SEAL (Sea, Air and Land) operator. You need to be fit, a strong swimmer and very hard to discourage.
- 1
Meet the basic rules
Before you apply
US citizen, under 29, eligible for a security clearance, able to pass a diver's medical exam, and eyesight of at least 20/40 in the better eye and 20/70 in the worse, correctable to 20/25.
- 2
Enlist for the job
Varies
Reach the required ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) scores and sign for the Special Warfare Operator job, the Navy's name for an enlisted SEAL (Sea, Air and Land).
- 3
Pass the shipping fitness test
2 weeks before boot camp
A swim, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups and a run, taken 14 days before you leave for boot camp.
- 4
Boot camp
9 weeks
Basic training for every new sailor.
- 5
Initial SEAL (Sea, Air and Land) training
56 weeks
Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S), parachute jump school and SEAL Qualification Training (SQT).
- 6
Pre-deployment training
18 months
Specialized training with your team before you deploy.