So you have a college degree and are now thinking about what you want to do with your life?  Many attempt to join the military through the Officer Candidate School (OCS) route.  There are many opportunities military wide for young college grads seeking to lead in the military, however officer slots for any of the Special Forces units are few and hard to come by.  In fact, latest numbers for SEAL officer candidates were about 1 in 8 get accepted to attend SEAL training after OCS.

Applying to Officer Candidate School and wanting to become a Navy SEAL means you will actually be selected to go to BUDS immediately after you complete OCS.  You will be accepted to attend SEAL training by a board of SEAL officers and then they will send you to OCS first with immediate follow on training at BUD/S.  

This is good as you know before you are sworn in that you are going to be afforded the opportunity to attend SEAL training.  It is a hard road as you are also competing with enlisted SEALs with college degrees seeking to become officers.

This route will require you to be highly competitive in EVERYTHING.  Here are what I consider the top five:

1 - College Grades should be great - 3.5 above

2 - Extra courses - language skills perhaps / awards

3 - College athletics is a plus - team captain helps more

4 - SEAL PST scores should be stellar:

     - 500yd swim - 8 min and under

     - 100+ pushups in 2 minutes

     - 100 situps in 2 minutes

     - 20+ pullups

     - 1.5 mile run - 9 min and under

5 - Letters of recommendations help too.  The best ones are from someone who really knows you not just some former SEAL who knew you for 10 minutes during an interview. However, you need those too though as these count as interviews with a SEAL or former SEAL.

Of course, it goes without saying, criminal records, medical issues, OAR test scores all should be without issue in order to get accepted.   See your local officer recruiter if you are seeking the OCS route after college.  See the OCS Website for more information on the administrative issues you have to also deal with going the OCS route to BUDS.

Related Articles:

Navy SEAL - Top 10 Things at BUDSSEAL Article
Navy SEAL -  Is it for you?
BUDS Warning Order
Mental Toughness
Navy SEAL Inventions
Navy SEAL Shape
Navy SEAL Grinder PT

Read up as much as you can about SEAL training as it is not for everyone, however most discover that at the training itself.

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Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.  He specializes in military and law enforcement fitness, particularly Special Operations units.  Please feel free to email him at Stew@stewsmith.com with any comments or questions.

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