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About This Quiz
Every year, the Navy enlists around 40,000 new recruits. Only 6% of them will pass the initial round of testing to enter the SEAL/BUD(S) training program! Then, only 25% of those who make it past the assessment will actually become a Navy SEAL. Do you know what each candidate will have to go through to become one of the nation's most respected members of the military?Â
Those who make it to the coveted position can expect to dedicate nearly two years of their lives to an intensive training program. Each set of physical requirements becomes harder as candidates go through the phases of the program. From timed activities to sleep deprivation, SEAL trainees do not get a break. Or do they? How much do you really know about it?
Whether you are a Navy trivia buff or you are considering entering the program, your knowledge of the SEAL/BUD(S) physical requirements will be put to the test. SEAL/BUD(S) candidates don't give up easily, and seeing what you know about all they must accomplish will be inspiring! Can you make it all the way to the end like a SEAL, or will you need to take off your helmet and ring the bell?Â
20/20
20/70
Perfect vision is not required to enter SEAL/BUD(S) training, but candidates must test at a level of 20/70 to be considered. Even then, 20/70 vision must be able to be brought up to 20/25 with the aid of glasses or contacts.
20/90
20/110
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Surf torture
Wave handling
Raft training
Surf passage
SEAL trainees undergo a lot of training designed to build endurance. An exercise called "surf passage" pushes them to the limits. It involves hoisting an inflatable boat above their heads, carrying it into waist-deep ocean waters and boarding the boat to head out to sea. In rough conditions, it can be quite challenging.
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Butterfly stroke
Front crawl
Backstroke
Combat sidestroke
While undergoing the PST, prospective SEAL team members must complete a 500-yard swim in under 12 minutes and 30 seconds. They may choose to use the breast stroke or the combat sidestroke, but all other swimming strokes are forbidden.
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100
75
50
Part of the preliminary screening to enter training involves being able to pass a physical test within a small time frame. Potential SEALS must throw down at least 50 sit-ups in two minutes. They need to do 90 to hit the level that's considered competitive.
20
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Drown proofing
During the basic conditioning phase of training, drown proofing exercises are conducted in a 9-foot pool. Including retrieving an object from the bottom with their teeth, trainees must perform a number of maneuvers
Float training
Float swimming
Tread training
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5
8
4
10
Any hopeful SEAL will have to complete a minimum of 10 pull-ups to pass the initial physical readiness exam. Candidates will have to do 18 to be considered competitive, but there's no time limit on the pull-up test.
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29
SEAL/BUD(S) training is open to enlistees who are between the ages of 18 and 29 years old. Both 17- and 30-year-olds will be considered on a case-by-case basis, but it's highly unlikely that they will be enrolled in the program.
45
35
50
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1
12
7
Once a candidate reaches the BUD(S) training portion, they will go through several training phases including combat diving. They will spend an additional 14 weeks undergoing land warfare and physical conditioning.
24
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4
After making it into the BUD(S) training program, the notorious "Hell Week" begins. During that week, trainees will get no more than four hours of sleep. That's four hours of sleep ... for the whole week! If their team does especially well, they might eke out FIVE hours!
12
8
6
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23%
To be considered for the program, men entering the SEAL training program must have a body fat index of less than 24%. For women, the maximum body fat percentage must be less than 35%.
34%
45%
18%
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Combat diving
Land warfare
Hell Week
If a sailor moves forward into BUD(S) training after the Physical Screening Test, they begin the indoctrination phase. INDOC lasts for three weeks, and the first week is known as "Hell Week." It's so strenuous that candidates undergo two physical exams within 24 hours of completing the task.
Physical conditioning
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Water resistance
Surf torture
Endurance is a huge part of BUD(S) training! Surf torture is designed to increase a candidate's ability to survive the ocean's tough conditions. Future SEALs lie flat in the 65-68 degree water while the waves wash over them. Then, they are ordered to complete various physical tasks.
Surf training
Hypothermic resistance
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Fewer miles to run
Fewer pull-ups
Nothing
All male and female SEAL/BUD(S) trainees are subjected to the same strenuous training standards. In the history of the SEALS, only one female has entered the program. Like 50% entering training, she did not make it past the first phase of training.
A shorter training period
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4 miles
8 miles
2 miles
After completing the physical conditioning phase of BUD(S) training, prospective SEALS spend seven weeks undergoing combat diving training. By the end of the diving phase, they are required to swim two miles with fins in under 80 minutes.
5 miles
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Big Log
Old Misery
Log training has its roots based in British commando training. Future SEALS must work together to move a giant, telephone pole-sized log named "Old Misery" down the entire length of a beach.
Old Matheny
Jim
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Land warfare
Physical screening test
Indoctrination
Once a future SEAL makes it past the Physical Screening Test, they move on to the next four training phases. They spend three weeks in the indoctrination phase. Then, they move on to seven weeks each of land warfare, combat diving and physical conditioning.
Combat diving
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42 inches
36 inches
52 inches
39 inches
Sucking in your gut will not help you get into the SEAL/BUD(S) training program. Strict standards require that male candidates measure no more than 39 inches around the abdominal region.
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Zero minutes
10 minutes
Two minutes
SEAL/BUD(S) candidates will undergo two PST (Physical Screening Tests) during their time in training. They are permitted to rest for two minutes between attempts to make the competitive count of each type of exercise.
Five minutes
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12,000 feet
5,000 feet
2,500 feet
9,500 feet
For those lucky enough to make it to the parachute training phase, fearing heights is not an option. Candidates must complete a parachuting exercise at night. The will exit the airplane at 9,500 feet in altitude.
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60 inches
There's no height requirement.
SEAL/BUD(S) trainees are held to the highest of physical standards, but height is not one of them. As long as the competitive levels of each physical task are met, enlistees of any height may advance.
52 inches
72 inches
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50
25
75
100
Future SEALS must be able to do at least 42 push-ups in two minutes to qualify for moving past the screening phase. However, those who will be considered top performers will be able to do at least 100.
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25 minutes
15 minutes
Nine minutes
SEALs are some of the best swimmers in the military. Before candidates can move past the boot camp phase of training, they must be able to complete a 500-yard swim in nine minutes.
Five minutes
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Wet trousers
Boots
Those enrolled in the first phase of SEAL/BUD(S) training must complete a 1.5-mile run wearing combat boots. In recent years, there has been a push for them to be able to run in sneakers, but the Navy has yet to change its official policy.
Sneakers
A 35-pound rucksack
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Two minutes
Can you hold your breath for 120 entire seconds? Only 12% of candidates make it to the combat diving phase. While there, they must prove that they can hold their breath underwater for two entire minutes.
One minute
Three minutes
90 seconds
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10
Five
Including the bowline, square, Becket's bend, clove hitch and right-angle knots, SEAL/BUD(S) divers must tie five kinds of knots while underwater. They must also tie them in a specific sequence, surface for air taking only one breath and return to the bottom to untie them again.
Three
Seven
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5-10
10-15
4-5
For those interested in becoming a SEAL, the Navy has put out a comprehensive Naval Special Warfare Physical Training Guide. It advises prospective candidates to get in at least 4-5 core training exercises per week before entering the program.
1-3
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Five minutes
Once candidates are attending the Preparatory School portion of SEAL/BUD(S) training. drown-proof training is taught. During this exercise, both their legs and feet are bound and they are required to float for five straight minutes.
10 minutes
23 minutes
8 minutes
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35 miles
115 miles
200 miles
Those lucky enough to proceed after the Physical Screening Test will have to face "Hell Week" next. During one week, candidates will rack up over 200 miles and sleep less than 5 hours.
75 miles
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Indoctrination
Combat diving
Physical screening
Land warfare
The third phase of SEAL/BUD(S) training takes place on San Clemente island. There, candidates will study land mapping, rappelling and live ammunition handling. It is considered the most grueling of the phases.
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Hawaii
Death Valley, CA
Alaska
For those fortunate enough to make it through SEAL training, the physical tasks don't end there. SEALs are then sent into their various positions. Those who will be working in colder weather receive specialized training in Kodiak, Alaska.
Mississippi
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Five
Seven
The last phase of BUD(S) training lasts for seven weeks, and it takes place every day. Called land warfare training, BUD(S) trainees are put in situations that mimic combat conditions. Candidates do not receive breaks during this period.
Three
Four
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A four-mile run
Prior to exiting BUD(S) training, candidates undergo another physical screening. As training progresses, the physical requirements follow suit. At this point, the length of the required run is increased to four miles.
A two-mile swim
500 pushups
Assemble a raft
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They use dummies.
Other candidates pretend to be drowning.
Instructors attack the candidate.
SEALs often encounter people who are in danger or drowning who are often scared or combative. To train for this kind of situation, candidates are attacked by their instructors during the combat diving training phase.
Candidates rescue decoy animals.
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Over the beach training
Over the beach training is an exercise that teaches SEAL/BUD(S) candidates to effectively enter a beach from the water. The exercise may or may not be conducted with tanks, ships or inflatable boats.
To the beach training
Land forward training
Onboarding
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75
50
Curl-ups are tested alongside tasks like sit-ups and pushups. To pass the first screening, SEAL candidates must complete at least 50 curl-ups, but they must do 75 to be considered a competitive candidate.
40
20
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You Got:
/35
