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Don't waste your time trying to find the recruiter near you. Let us do the work.
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Top 10 Things You Need to Know Before Going to BUD/S
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By Stew Smith, Military.com
Columnist and Former Navy SEAL
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Thinking about Serving?
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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.
View
the Smith Archives
Email Stew Smith at stew@stewsmith.com.
Visit Stew Smith's Official Website: www.stewsmith.com.
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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.
Any more questions? You can read more in the Navy SEAL eBooks at the Military.com
Fitness eBook Store or ask Stew at stew@stewsmith.com.
© 2004 Stew Smith. All
opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily
reflect those of Military.com.
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