I have questions about the seals

[navymom17]

My son is only 17 and a junior but has been interested in joining the Navy for several years. He wants to become a seal. I'm a little concerned and scared for his well being. I don't know a whole lot about the seal program or the Navy for that matter. If someone can give me some info, I would greatly appreciate it.

We have talked to a recruiter but since he is only a junior they can't do anything just yet. I'm just hoping that I can get him to keep an open mind about what he wants to do in the Navy.

[PhillyBeth]

Being a SEAL is hard, dangerous work that requires very high levels of mental toughness and physical fitness. The links below will give you both a good idea as to what's involved:

http://www.sealchallenge.navy.mil/seal/default.aspx
http://www.sealswcc.com/

And then SEAL Moms here:

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/sealmoms?

-beth

[Chris A.]

The SEALs are so glamorized in movies that many a young man has been carried away with the excitement of it all, but the reality is that more than half the trainees wash out of the program. The physical requisites are unbelievably hard and the mental even harder. My son toyed with the idea of trying for SEAL but a retired Master Chief warned him to be very sure it was something he could mentally handle. After some thought he felt he couldn't so went for Rescue Swimmer instead, which is a step below SEAL. That's not to say your son couldn't make it but he needs to know what he'd be getting into.

[navymom17]

It is that glamourization that i'm worried about. I just want him to know what it is really going to be like. I do know that he has researched the Seals. He actually did a paper on it a couple of years ago and it was amazing.

[Helen]

Hi Mom-I am not an expert in this area, but I do have a brother that was in the SEAL Program. I was just speaking with him, because my son was considering it. He did tell me that just the physical aspects are very hard. He had to float in the Pacific Ocean for 8 hours and they run 12-14 miles a day. He said that was the way it was when he was in (and that was many years ago) and a lot has changed since then. Now-I do have a brother that is currently in the Navy and one area for your son to look into is EOD. Good luck!!!

[Diane (Ryan's mom)]

When he takes his test and depending on his score that will determine what jobs are available. My friends son is a Navy Seal and loves it. It is very hard work, but he joined saying he was going to be a Navy Seal.

[teryn]

Hi mom - my son signed up for the Navy just after his junior and was in the DEP program. He leaves Thursday 11/5 and his goal has always been the SEALS. While scary to me & his father, my son has applied himself 100% since he joined. He did speak with the trainer (an ex-seal) and after getting all the information he could find, decided it was the place for him. I would tell your son to speak with his recruiter and possibly an ex-seal if possible to get as much detail as he can. Good luck.

teryn

[Kimandtheboys]

My son is a new SEAL and I can't imagine him doing anything else with his life. His journey has been both mentally and physically challenging, which he thrives on. He has always been the type to push himself a little farther. When he was about 12, he heard there was nothing harder than becoming a SEAL, and that was it, it was all he wanted to be. He enjoys doing dangerous things and would probably hang a sign around his neck, "Just shoot me" if he ever had a nice, safe, desk job. We have joked about me yelling at him for years about blowing stuff up in the backyard and now the Navy pays him to do it. (No lie, when he was home on leave for Christmas last year, he was here honestly less than 30 minutes and blew something up in the backyard.) If he sounds crazy, well, yes, I agree he is nuts, but you have to be, you know? Does any of this sound like your son? Not that they're all just like mine is, but it does seem to be a common thread. These guys just seem to ooze testosterone.

You know, I keep my mind off the potential danger. It's just something military parents have to deal with, but not dwell on. The most important thing to me is my son is doing what he was meant to do, and that brings me such joy, seeing him so happy and satisfied.

If you click on my picture it will bring you to my page, and I have several books listed that may be of interest to both him and you. Some moms do better, though, not knowing everything, so if you are the worrying type (I am not, and wanted to learn everything I could) just get the books for him.

[navymom17]

My son is a little like that. His thing is guns. Ever since he was little he would build guns out of legos and as he got older was more interested in the real guns. He is very active in school. I think I could probably keep my mind off the potential danger. I'm the type that likes to know everything I can about everything and don't feel comfortable if I don't.

Thank you for your help and I will definitely go to your page and look into those books for him and I.

[NavyMomXXXY]

Navymom17, my son is one of the public affairs officers for the SEALs training program. I echo what the other ladies have said. First, you son has to enlist, go through boot camp, etc. then apply for the SEALs program. Less than 1/3 of the candidates make it through. It is the toughest thing, mentally and physically, anyone can do. And I also agree, it has been glamorized by the media/movies, etc.

If you and your son check out the websites mentioned, and he is still interested, I would suggest calling the BUDs program, and talking to one of the public affairs officers. They may invite you for a visit, or give you additional suggestions.

[Kimandtheboys]

SEAL wannabe's have a SEAL contract when they swear in and before shipping to boot camp. They need to pass the PST while in DEP to get a SEAL contract. So they don't apply at boot camp, they are put into a Special Ops division there and need to keep passing the PST to keep their contract.

[navymom17]

Will they talk to my son even though he is only 17 and a junior? This has been a goal of his for years and his mind is set on this. I think the more info he has the better off he will be.

[Kimandtheboys]

We signed papers for my son to be in DEP when he was 17, but he was a senior.