11 year old friend of my daughter says she wants to be the first female Navy Seal. What advice would you tell her?

2016-05-14T15:40:41-04:00

In conversation my daughter's friend who is 11 said she wants to be the first female Navy Seal. I told her that was an excellent goal to have as it was challenging, very forward thinking with females and the military but added its very difficult as 80% of the men that attempt to become seals don't. Her response I thought was outstanding and coming from a Seal mindset, "Yeah but 20% make it."

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made May 14 at 2016 3:51 PM

2016-05-14T15:51:00-04:00

I would tell her to excel in academics and athletics in her school, and to strive to be the best in her school district (or beyond) in both. Develop the habits that brings her to excellence, and that will set her up for success no matter what she does. If she can't do that, she would likely not have the base needed to achieve such a milestone.

Though I would also add that since she is only 11, another female will probably beat her to it, but you can't go wrong by excelling in academics and athletics. She needs to be the best in everything she competes in, and to make that a habit. Also learn from failures along the way, as those will come.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made May 14 at 2016 3:53 PM

2016-05-14T15:53:16-04:00

She needs to do well in school and work on toughening her resolve and body. I would suggest martial arts and weight lifting.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 14 at 2016 4:13 PM

2016-05-14T16:13:30-04:00

This is purely a thought I was only noncombat the thing is the kid of a friend of mine is in the naval sea cadets which I had read about after he told me we yak about such things their program for kids is pretty incredible I've seen YouTube videos on their orientation for kids who want what your daughter's friend wants well worth perusing I'd just thought to mention it they also have a pretty advanced STEM program as well hope it was if use be eager to know your thoughts many thanks.

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made May 14 at 2016 4:13 PM

2016-05-14T16:13:51-04:00

Presence is the point where manifestation becomes action. Earthwind

Response by SGT Robert George made May 14 at 2016 4:17 PM

2016-05-14T16:17:53-04:00

Well honey there is plenty of time to think about this from now till graduation... So in my humble opinion I dont think you have to explain a whole lot because people change their minds all the time and you also give them room to think for themselves ..

Response by SPC Rory J. Mattheisen made May 14 at 2016 4:55 PM

2016-05-14T16:55:53-04:00

Pray, because there are many hard charging young ladies who have the same goal,so she better pray none of them make it before she gets her shot.
Train for it anyway, even if she isn't the first she can show up, kick the door off the hinges and go after the all-time records in each and every event.
Last of all, every time she gets close to her goals move the bar a little higher!

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2016 5:51 PM

2016-05-14T17:51:29-04:00

I love her response! And, at only 11, no less! I would tell her, "to always believe in herself, because with a positive attitude, she will overcome all obstacles to becoming whatever she desires. "

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2016 5:58 PM

2016-05-14T17:58:44-04:00

SPC David S. - I would want to understand her impressions and reasoning behind her goals and motivation. I can be supportive . , , but want to know what we are pursuing. Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by PO3 David Fries made May 14 at 2016 6:08 PM

2016-05-14T18:08:29-04:00

My advice would be to start training now. Look into Seal Fit. Start swimming and running. Get used to being cold, wet, and sandy.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 14 at 2016 6:36 PM

2016-05-14T18:36:57-04:00

Don't let anyone try to stop you from trying to accomplish your goal.

Response by SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM made May 14 at 2016 7:07 PM

2016-05-14T19:07:53-04:00

SPC David S. ,
Tell her to do that shi*!!! But to remember to remain grounded and focused on both the academic and fitness side of things. It most certainly is not a far fetched goal as my son has been telling me since the age of 8 (He is now 14), he plans to attend Georgetown University and complete his Bachelor of Science in Sports Management. I am all for it but the school costs $40,000 per year, even as a D.C. resident. However, if he is committed, so am I. Goodbye cigarettes and alcohol. And lastly, she most certainly can achieve it if it lies within her heart and faith coupled with family support.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2016 7:08 PM

2016-05-14T19:08:59-04:00

I would tell her to do her best at everything she does. She needs to learn from her mistakes, and not make the same mistake twice. The hardest challenge is mental, and she has to stay as positive as she can when facing hard challenges. Take it one step at a time.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2016 7:42 PM

2016-05-14T19:42:31-04:00

As a very small child I watched a fireman jump into a fire engine and watched the fire engine drive away lights flashing, siren blaring. It was that sense of awe people must have had watching Neil Armstrong stepping on the moon. At that point I knew what I wanted to be ... A fire engine.
Man I was a stupid kid!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 14 at 2016 8:34 PM

2016-05-14T20:34:05-04:00

If you fall down, You get back up again. several Seals that I have heard of made several attempt to finally succeed. If you shoot for the stars even if you fail you are still most the way there and way ahead of everybody else. It is a Small Elite Club and I can't think of a better goal. I can only tell you about the ones I know and met. Contrary to Popular Opinion, Quiet, Reserved, Valley Boys/Surfer Dudes who's second nature is in the Water. Make yourself completely comfortable in the water. You are a Master of the Water that is your world.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made May 14 at 2016 9:43 PM

2016-05-14T21:43:15-04:00

I would commend and encourage her but couldn't help and wonder how long that idea would last as she grows older and more and more possibilities and opportunities become apparent to her. Not saying she couldn't do it.

Response by PFC John Meyer made May 14 at 2016 9:45 PM

2016-05-14T21:45:29-04:00

I would tell her to be the First Navy Seal that just so happens to be a female and also try to be the best Navy Seal!

Response by GySgt Ascencion Gomez, D.S.L. made May 14 at 2016 9:55 PM

2016-05-14T21:55:45-04:00

Shoot for the Stars...

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made May 15 at 2016 9:23 AM

2016-05-15T09:23:41-04:00

Tell her to go for it. It will require a lot of physical training, so she should get started toughening up now.

And hit the books and get top grades.

Response by SSG Dennis Grossmann made May 15 at 2016 10:40 AM

2016-05-15T10:40:59-04:00

Tell her to follow her dreams. Her future teenage years will affect her outlook on everything, hormones, boys (or girls), school, peer pressure, all will make her choices clearer. If she keeps that positive attitude, trains as hard as she can, and excells in school, and never gives up, she might get her wish.

Response by SGT Charles W. made May 15 at 2016 10:58 AM

2016-05-15T10:58:26-04:00

Why not go for her PhD. Statistics are probably pretty close on how many people in this country that have obtained that. Why not get her PhD in Marine Biology and work with the seals that place bombs underneath ships? I would think that would be a way cooler job? Just a thought.

Response by SGT Charles W. made May 15 at 2016 3:46 PM

2016-05-15T15:46:16-04:00

One thing I would mention is that the only spec ops that I know that takes women (of course on the DL) is Army Delta. They are referred to as the "funny platoon", and are used for special missions that are easier to get females into place without attracting attention. Rumor has it that there are only approximately 2 handfuls, but that is all that's needed. Army Delta is nothing to sneeze at. In my opinion, they are the best of the best in the world second only to British SAS.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2016 10:04 AM

2016-05-16T10:04:07-04:00

Demi Moore was the first female Seal...duh :)

Response by LTC Thomas Tennant made May 16 at 2016 10:50 AM

2016-05-16T10:50:31-04:00

Tell her to start by exercising and building up muscle and endurance. She has at least eight to ten years to get her to the point she just might be able to pass the requirements for BUDS. She sounds like a potential "overachiever" so she should take some mixed martial arts training as well. It is never too early to develop basic weapons proficiency in the form of training for CMP, IDPA, IPSC, and USPSA matches...pistol, three gun, and distance rifle. Are her parents on board...they have to be "parental gun" owners for the matches.

But her prep has to be more than physical fitness and other like skills. BUDS, like Ranger School, will push her to edge of her mental and physical limits. So she needs to start to toughen herself emotionally and at the same time develop mental flexibility. This starts by her keeping good marks up in school and being active in sports and other student activities (chess, science club, etc.). She should read everything she can about the SEALs and warfare in general. Faith is a big factor in mental toughness and she needs to stay active in her church and youth groups.

Life is all about relationships, because in the end it is those relationships which will give her the resiliency to push on to her goals. She needs to make it a point to develop a strong network of family, friends, associates, acquaintances, and advisors. These are people who will support her as she works towards her goal. As she gets older, and if possible, have her reach out to current and former Navy SEALs. Pick their brains by listening to their "sea stories" so she can be sure being a SEAL is her legitimate goal. Keep in mind, Navy Seals have a certain mind set and rules of initiation...new guys are always hazed even after BUDS.

I wish her luck. Remind her that luck is a combination of good planning and preparation meeting opportunity. Again, she has eight to ten years to prepare.

Response by LT Lance Burton made May 17 at 2016 8:07 AM

2016-05-17T08:07:49-04:00

She needs to start getting ready NOW....athleticism is only one part: building mental toughness and resilience is what will make the difference. Running, swimming, martial arts, strength training, water skills (treading, breath holds, etc), and such are all important. She will need to smash the SEAL PT test (500 yds sidestroke, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and 1.5 mile run). High ASVAB scores too so don't slack off on academic development either.

In the end, assuming she has the physical capability, it will be the inner desire that will carry the day. 'How bad you want it' has to be stronger than all the uncomfortable things that go along with the training...and that is putting it mildly.

Also, she has to come to an understanding as she gets older that this training is about creating elite warriors for battle...not just tough athletes.

If she lives around Dallas I'd consider training her..my pre-BUD/S students get pushed hard and are learning all the basics that they will need.

All the best!

Response by MCPO Nick Baggett made May 17 at 2016 11:31 AM

2016-05-17T11:31:43-04:00

This is a disturbing question when you think about the impact of having women in Special Operations, and small girls planning their futures around achieving a political agenda for the ones who are willing to sacrifice them and the quality of their lives for political and and selfish gains. I haven't seen any of the women who pushed or supported this agenda showing any signs of sacrifice or for that matter even exercising at high intensity to where they had to face their physical, neurological, and hormonal changes. Nope, let someone else so it and, by the way, they have not encouraged their daughters do it.
I sat in as a non participant, on the discussions of how to incorporate women into Naval Special Warfare positions. The group who addressed this issue were clueless on even how to employ women much less how to screen and train them. They addressed no long term problems, and for the most part they agreed to let the status QUO continue until it had to be dealt with. Their other opinion was that the standards are too high at BUDS for women to make it through and Naval Special Warfare (NSW) would never lower their standards.
Before I continue, I want to say upfront so no one has any confusion about my respect for the women I have worked with in the Military. They are some of the most incredible people I have met who possess exceptional talents and abilities to perform unique strength sets, better than any man and this includes transgender men. There are some women athletes who are "BAD ASS", and have my full respect for their accomplishments.
The standard is the base line for you to achieve to pass or fail. The Standard for the Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT), is fairly adjusted to accommodate standards for male and females based on their physical abilities. If NSW was to make the Navy Standard the BUDS standard, then it has not changed their standards since it was already a Navy Standard. An example would be that, the old SEAL PRT was much harder than the current SEAL PRT standards, which they are required to meet based on men and women at the NSW commands and having to meet Navy standards. So the standards are not exactly the same in comparison by the actual physical demands, but they are the standard.
As a Master Chief I sought to have the women I knew at an NSW command to have their say in their future and pulled them together and explained the decisions that were in the process of being made. These women were the best in their chosen fields from Medical to Direct Support. They unanimously, were angry that some one wanted to make them SEALS, and flat out said that they do not want to be SEALS, that they understood the differences and what they really wanted, was to be employed where they made a difference doing what they do, according to their strengths as women on the front in harms way. I suggested them to write a point paper and submit it up the chain of command and to make the end recipient the NSW Admiral.
They did and it included: screening, recruitment, training, deployment cycles, longevity of the female roles, they also took into consideration physical demands, wanting to have children and a family, the emotional, and psychological effects to include hormonal changes and diet and nutrition.
They submitted it up the chain of command and it disappeared and was never heard from again,. The next thing that was announced was that females were going to be allowed into the Navy SEAL training pipeline.
I have not dove deep into this topic, but questions you should consider should include: Carrying a 120-150 lb ruck sack and gear for prolonged periods of time and the effects on a females skeletal system, such as her pelvic girdle, Stress on the nervous system, which affects the hormonal changes and how it affects women's health in the long term, will they be able to maintain a health level that allows them to bear children, to give birth to children who are free of birth defects associated with her exposure to contaminants, will the constant pounding and impact, increase breast cancer or ovarian cancer or cervical cancer. How will hormonal changes impact her and her units operational capability?
There is a tail attached to the decision to place women into direct combat units and Special Operation roles. The long term affects will not be readily observable for years to come and only exposed after it being silenced by those guarding their military and political careers.
My recommendation for the answer for you to give your daughter would be to tell to her that there is nothing more noble than to serve ones country, but to focus on her academics and to push herself physically and to excel in them both according to her strengths. Maybe she could become a doctor or a Psychiatrist and then join and then serve her country. Also , about this time in her life she should be seeing some of the results of these decisions first hand and if she were to conduct an independent long term study on this topic she would see the results first hand. I imagine she would probably tell you Mom and Dad, "thank you that was good advice",

Response by PO1 Brian Carlson made May 17 at 2016 12:12 PM

2016-05-17T12:12:35-04:00

I never was a SEAL and never will be, but I was stationed with with SEAL Team six for three years. The BUDS training is just the start of being a SEAL. For the few who do make it, they will be doing things like HALO (High Altitude Low Open) jumps. They leave submerged submarines using scuba gear. All these things are a typical day in the life of a SEAL. I could go on and on. Being a SEAL is a tremendous challenge for a male, and even more so for a female. let the little girl have her dream, but let her know it will be the most physical and mental challenge that she will ever go through, and that's if the SEALS start accepting woman.

Response by MCPO Tom Bennington made May 17 at 2016 12:58 PM

2016-05-17T12:58:02-04:00

She is too young to be first but it will be a significant honor to achieve the goal of Navy Seal no matter when it happens.

Response by PO1 Gregg Mundy made May 17 at 2016 1:40 PM

2016-05-17T13:40:54-04:00

Along with Maj Weiss suggestions I would, at the proper time, get her into a fitness and weight training class.

Response by PO3 William Farinas made May 17 at 2016 1:51 PM

2016-05-17T13:51:58-04:00

Study hard in school because you have to make a good score on your ASVAB test, Seals are smart guys. get into sports wear you learn about team work thats very important. Get to the pool as much as you can, and learn how to swim properly, and become at home in the water. If you have the ability to take the SEAL CHALLENGE I would say do that. Keep yourself informed on the SEAL WED SITE about any new changes that come . If you make the selection, the only thing I can tell you is JUST DONT QUITE!! Good luck with your dream!!

Response by CWO3 Curtis Conway made May 17 at 2016 10:09 PM

2016-05-17T22:09:22-04:00

I'm not a real fan of the concept of female SEALS. However, if an officer you get one shot. Drop out and you are done. Enlisted may take the course many times. Each time you discover another aspect of yourself you must own, grow through, and transcend. Eventually, you grow into the individual entity that can finish the course. Remember, this is not for everyone, and most have not the skills or capabilities to complete the course because G-d has not blessed you with those abilities. Your greatest challenge is to discover those abilities and use them in His service, in the military or otherwise.

Response by PO3 Tim Littrell made May 17 at 2016 11:45 PM

2016-05-17T23:45:03-04:00

After watching some of the toughest men I've ever met ring out in BUDS I would say she has to be better than the best she can be. Study hard but learn to never be a quitter! The Teams want people that keep pushing past the point of breaking, the hardest part for most people to get through is the fact that they will break you. But your ability to push past is all the difference in the world. Still the idea of a female doing what we did is very hard to fathom. But best of luck!

Response by SSG Delanda Hunt made May 19 at 2016 8:55 PM

2016-05-19T20:55:01-04:00

Go see a Psychiatrist.

Response by Max McNeal made Jun 11 at 2016 7:01 PM

2016-06-11T19:01:01-04:00

Don't do it because you will destabilize the teams and there are probably no physiologically normal females that can pass bud/s. To put things into perspective, the fastest woman in history Flo Jo is slower than the fastest 18 year old male. Or even look at cross fit, there is no true contest between the sexes.

Response by Kayden Estremera made Apr 9 at 2018 8:11 PM

2018-04-09T20:11:30-04:00

im 11 i want be a navy seal its a good choise

Response by Kayden Estremera made Apr 16 at 2018 5:45 PM

2018-04-16T17:45:34-04:00

the world is ending its true its in the bible

Response by Kayden Estremera made Apr 16 at 2018 5:52 PM

2018-04-16T17:52:12-04:00

the world is ending its true its in the bible

Response by SPC David S. made Jun 7 at 2019 7:48 AM

2019-06-07T07:48:01-04:00

A little up date for anyone tracking this thread now 14 - the young lady I mentioned was one of two selected from her eight grade class to receive a leadership award from the Daughters of the Revolution. So far so good -

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2019 3:07 PM

2019-06-07T15:07:42-04:00

At age 11 her goals will change countless times over the next 6-7 years, when she becomes eligible.