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Stew Smith
is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, a
former Navy SEAL, and author of several fitness
and self defense books such as The Complete
Guide to Navy SEAL Fitness, and Maximum
Fitness. As a military fitness trainer,
Stew has trained hundreds of students for
Navy SEAL, Special Forces, Air Force PJ, Ranger
Training, and other physical law enforcement
professions. His eBooks at Military.com can
help you achieve your fitness goals, whether
you're a beginner or an expert. For more info
on his books, visit the Military.com eBook
Fitness Store.
Every week, most of my emails are from young sailors and civilians
who wish to become SEALs one day. Though I try to focus more on fitness,
I thought it was time to answer the several emails with my top ten
things you need to know before going to BUD/S - SEAL Training.
1. Arrive fit! Not just able to do the minimum scores but the
above average recommended PFT scores:
500 yds swim - under 9:00
Pushups - 100 in 2:00
Situps - 100 in 2:00
Pullups - 20+
1.5 mile run - under 9:00 in boots and pants
If you need letters of recommendation from SEALs, most SEALs will
not endorse you unless you can achieve the above numbers. Sometimes
it takes a solid year of training before you are physically capable
of reaching these scores. You WILL have to take this PFT before going
to BUD/S and on the first day at BUD/S.
2. Run in boots and swim with fins! At least 3-4 months prior
to arriving at BUD/s get the legs used to swimming with fins and running
in boots. They issue Bates 924s and UDT or Rocket Fins at BUD/S. The
fins are difficult to find, so any stiff fin that requires you to
wear booties will do.
3. Officers at BUD/s: Go there ready to lead and get to know
your men. Start the team building necessary to complete BUD/s. You
can't do everything by yourself, so learn to delegate but do not be
too good to scrub the floors either. Be motivated and push the guys
to succeed. Always lead from the front.
4. Enlisted at BUD/S: Be motivated and ready to work as a team.
Follow orders but provide feedback so your team can be better at overcoming
obstacles that you will face. Never be late!
5. BUD/S is six months long! Prepare for the long term, not
the short term. Too many people lose focus early on their training
and quit. It would be similar to training for a 10K race and running
a Marathon by accident. You have to be mentally focused on running
the Marathon - in this case a six month "marathon."
6. Weekly physical tests: The four mile timed runs are weekly
and occur on the beach - hard packed sand next to the water line.
They are tough, but not bad if you prepare properly. The 2 mile ocean
swims are not bad either if you are used to swimming with fins when
you arrive. The obstacle course will get you too if you are not used
to climbing ropes and doing pullups. Upperbody strength is tested
to the max with this test.
7. Eating at BUD/S: You get three great meals a day at BUD/S,
usually more than you can eat. During Hellweek, you get four meals
a day - every six hours! The trick to making it through Hellweek is
just make it to the next meal. Break up the week into several six
hour blocks of time. In a couple of days you will be on "auto-pilot"
and it will be all down hill from there. And if you need any help
with dieting before you go to BUD/S, I developed a new dieting aid
that may help you: Click
here and place on your refrigerator.
8. Flutterkicks: This seems to be a tough exercise for many.
Practice 4 count flutterkicks with your abdominal workouts and shoot
for sets of at least 100. There maybe a day you have to do 1000 flutterkicks.
By the way - that takes 45 minutes!
9. Wet and Sandy: Jumping into the ocean then rolling around
in the sand is a standard form of punishment / motivation for the
class at BUD/S. It is cold and not comfortable, so you just have to
prepare yourself for getting wet and sandy everyday at BUD/S. On days
that you do not get wet and sandy, it will be the same feeling as
getting off early at work on a three day weekend!
My BUDS Class - Graduation Week - Wet and Sandy in the Surf
10.
Did I mention running? You should be able to run at least 4 miles
in 28 minutes in boots with ease. If not, you will so learn to hate
the "goon-squad". The goon squad is to motivate you never to be last
again or fail a run again. You only get three chances to with most
events. If you fail three of anything - you will be back in the Fleet.
10.
Did I mention running? You should be able to run at least 4 miles
in 28 minutes in boots with ease. If not, you will so learn to hate
the "goon-squad". The goon squad is to motivate you never to be last
again or fail a run again. You only get three chances to with most
events. If you fail three of anything - you will be back in the Fleet.
