My journey to SEAL

[Vitamin C]

This is a continuation of my other thread titled, "I joined the Navy this past weekend," located somewhere in the Misc. section.

I joined the Navy September 15, 2008.

They would not let me go SEAL since I have a criminal background, so they gave me a rating ("job") in aviation. That was almost 2 years ago.

I submitted my SEAL package as soon as I got to my first command and just got picked up for BUD/S.

If I make it, the process will go like this: pre-BUD/S, then BUD/S, then SQT (SEAL Qualification Training), then on to the teams.

This is a journal of my experiences.

I will update at my earliest convenience.

I start pre-BUD/S in August and my orders have me slated for BUD/S in January.

[BamaBruce]

GL bro!

[AlphaXray]

Hell yeah man. Back when I wanted to join the military, I only wanted to be a SEAL. I was a dreaming fat kid then, but still. SEALs are the ****. Good luck man. Look forward to reading this stuff. So don't disappoint me lol.

[STFUandTRAIN]

Slick.

BZ on making it this far. Best of luck on the rest of the process.

[ChrisHansenDatelineNBC]

good luck man

[Vitamin C]

I have another SEAL PST coming up. This will be my 30-day PST.

My last PST was two days after I ran an ultramarathon (62 miles) and my legs hurt like hell, but here were the results:

8:38 swim
97 push ups
104 sit ups
19 pull ups
8:43 run

I'll post the results of my next PST which will be on 12 AUG.

[Bushmaster]

Subscribed.

Best of luck OP!

[Robination]

I have another SEAL PST coming up. This will be my 30-day PST.

My last PST was two days after I ran an ultramarathon (62 miles) and my legs hurt like hell, but here were the results:

8:38 swim
97 push ups
104 sit ups
19 pull ups
8:43 run

I'll post the results of my next PST which will be on 12 AUG.

Impressive! Good luck bro!

[ElGordoNoMas]

This is a continuation of my other thread titled, "I joined the Navy this past weekend," located somewhere in the Misc. section.

I joined the Navy September 15, 2008.

They would not let me go SEAL since I have a criminal background, so they gave me a rating ("job") in aviation. That was almost 2 years ago.

I submitted my SEAL package as soon as I got to my first command and just got picked up for BUD/S.

If I make it, the process will go like this: pre-BUD/S, then BUD/S, then SQT (SEAL Qualification Training), then on to the teams.

This is a journal of my experiences.

I will update at my earliest convenience.

I start pre-BUD/S in August and my orders have me slated for BUD/S in January.

Good luck bro! Keep your nose to the grinder and be squared away when you get to Great Lakes. You're already in the Navy and were good enough that you were able to be picked up, so I'm sure that goes without saying. I went through some training there as I was contracted for SWCC. How are your times right now with the css, run, pull-ups, etc? Good luck!

* edit: I just read the rest of the thread and I saw your pst numbers. Those are very, very impressive numbers. With numbers like those you exponentially increase the liklihood that you will complete BUD/s. There are actually statistics out there which show if you get below certain times your chances go up certain % points. At any rate, you're certainly physically prepared.

[oopa]

I've wanted to be a Navy SEAL since I was 9 years old. They are the ultimate badasses. I have the uttermost respect for anyone to have even made it as far as you. Good luck, sir.

[Footprints31]

Congratulations! Way to overcome the odds to move forward In your goals. How did you get them to overlook the criminal background? I've wanted to join as well but also have a conviction in my past.

Any suggestions?

Look forward to watching your journey.

[smokeater]

Good job man! 2 tidbits of advice;

1) Take BUDS one evolution at a time (I've yet to see a graduate say something to the contrary)

2) Try not to piss off Instructor Patstone (you'll see why if you do)

[MLDK]

Awesome work man, best of luck!

[Vogin]

Great example of learning from mistakes (criminal past) and overcoming the odds (going to SEAL anyway). Thanks for inspiration.

[Vitamin C]

Congratulations! Way to overcome the odds to move forward In your goals. How did you get them to overlook the criminal background? I've wanted to join as well but also have a conviction in my past.

Any suggestions?

Look forward to watching your journey.

Well it's not so much that they overlooked it. I had no NJPs (non-judicial punishment) or any other screw ups within the past 3 years so they waived my record. It's standard operating procedures. Nothing more, nothing less.

My suggestion is - if you plan on joining - to be up front about prior convictions. I tried to cover mine up and they found out. My criminal background included being arrested and fingerprinted. At MEPS they will take your fingerprints and run them. This is what they did to me and it made me look like a damn fool when they called me out, as well as almost completely killed my chances of going SEAL. The only saving grace I had was that there existed an opportunity to put a couple of years in the Navy to prove I'm not a total screw-up.

The wait has been well worth it. I have learned a lot about myself and have had the experience to learn and work with different types of people.

At this point in my career, it's not even about whether or not I make it through the program. It's about following through and doing the best I can. I'll let everything else take care of itself.

Thanks to everyone for the support.

I'll keep you posted.

[Bushmaster]

My suggestion is - if you plan on joining - to be up front about prior convictions. I tried to cover mine up and they found out. My criminal background included being arrested and fingerprinted. At MEPS they will take your fingerprints and run them. This is what they did to me and it made me look like a damn fool when they called me out,

Your recruiter didn't tell you they'd do that?

[Footprints31]

Thank you for the response & inspiring me by your attitude & determination. I can't imagine the heart it will take to make it through so LORD bless you in your journey.

I'm encouraged to pursue this myself & watch you go forward. Keep us posted as your able. Hoo Rah!

[yeshli2nuts]

I have another SEAL PST coming up. This will be my 30-day PST.

My last PST was two days after I ran an ultramarathon (62 miles) and my legs hurt like hell, but here were the results:

8:38 swim
97 push ups
104 sit ups
19 pull ups
8:43 run

I'll post the results of my next PST which will be on 12 AUG.

Dang dude! What was your time for the ultramarathon and the distances for the swim and run?

[pearldrummer]

Good luck!!! I have seen documentaries and read books about BUD/S. It looks nuts. I am in the army and I have been thinking about going SF but I don't know if I will because of my family.

[vroompac]

Very impressive and inspiring. Subbed for more.

[phi214]

Way to go bro! That was something I tried to do but medical issues held me back. Your an inspiration! I went to school with the Luttrell brothers who were both SEALS.

This is a continuation of my other thread titled, "I joined the Navy this past weekend," located somewhere in the Misc. section.

I joined the Navy September 15, 2008.

They would not let me go SEAL since I have a criminal background, so they gave me a rating ("job") in aviation. That was almost 2 years ago.

I submitted my SEAL package as soon as I got to my first command and just got picked up for BUD/S.

If I make it, the process will go like this: pre-BUD/S, then BUD/S, then SQT (SEAL Qualification Training), then on to the teams.

This is a journal of my experiences.

I will update at my earliest convenience.

I start pre-BUD/S in August and my orders have me slated for BUD/S in January.

[whackj75]

nice job man
turned your life around

[judoka323]

best of luck bro,

[schnell123]

Good luck, stay strong, few people get to become what they truly have always wanted to be and you have a chance to do that right now.

[Nagalfar]

This is a continuation of my other thread titled, "I joined the Navy this past weekend," located somewhere in the Misc. section.

I joined the Navy September 15, 2008.

They would not let me go SEAL since I have a criminal background, so they gave me a rating ("job") in aviation. That was almost 2 years ago.

I submitted my SEAL package as soon as I got to my first command and just got picked up for BUD/S.

If I make it, the process will go like this: pre-BUD/S, then BUD/S, then SQT (SEAL Qualification Training), then on to the teams.

This is a journal of my experiences.

I will update at my earliest convenience.

I start pre-BUD/S in August and my orders have me slated for BUD/S in January.

The mental side is the king of that kingdom.. 90% mental.. 10% physical.. one is used to break down the other..

[arody169]

Hey good luck man. I am right there with ya. I joined the Navy on Feb. 2007 and have been to BUD/S once. I didn't make it due to family issues, but am in the process of trying to get back now. I submitted and re-submitted my package. And this last time that I submitted it, I got disqualified for my poor eyesight (20/200). Soon as I get done with deployment, I will be getting PRK and re-submitting my package. I hope you make it and look forward to seeing you in the teams.

The only advice that I have for you is not to let watching your friends quit affect you. Don't let your ego get inflated if things turn out to be easier than expected. And probably the biggest thing is to just take BUD/S meal by meal and know that no matter what the instructors say or do to your class, it will end and it is all a part of the schedule.

[NCPump]

good luck man! you got this. Ain't nothin to it but to do it.

[Vitamin C]

Dang dude! What was your time for the ultramarathon and the distances for the swim and run?

The ultra took me 8h 57m. It was called the Orange County 100k.

Recent PST results:

Swim - 9:00
Push ups - 79
Sit ups - 100
Pull ups - 13
Run - 8:45

My scores went way down for some reason, but it will do for now.

I'm going to work on getting my numbers back up (or down, respectively).

I was at the BUD/S base today and they were going through hell week. The survivors were shuffling along and looked strong. I think it's class 284.

Thanks for the support. I'll update again when I'm in Great Lakes.

[NavyEckert]

Good Luck, As you already know its going to take alot more than just strength to get through, I respect all my SEALS! Congratulations!

[-Cereal-]

Awesome stuff man.
I tip my hat to you sir, the training is no joke.
In my firefighter academy we did a couple of SEAL workouts and I can honestly say that was the hardest *ish i've ever attempted.