Posted on Mar 15, 2024
Jasmine Joy
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Hi, I’m a woman in her 20s and I’m training to become a U.S. Navy SEAL.

What advice would you give for women that want to be SEALs? If you had to go to BUD/S again, how would you prepare differently? What books or workout programs would you recommend?

Most female SEAL candidates struggle with carrying the boats and logs, doing pull ups, having grip strength and completing the “Dirty Name” on the obstacle course. Also, a lot of female SEAL candidates break their legs or develop stress fractures.

A woman made it to day 4 of BUD/S first phase recently but she quit on day 4. That’s the farthest a woman has made it. Her BUD/S classmates told me that her class hated her and ran her out from under the boat because she was a boat ducker. Nine women have entered the SEAL pipeline since 2016.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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The only thing I can say about preparing physically is to research all SEAL workouts out there. Find what works for you and do that.

Bone density for women is (usually) not as thick as it is for men...hence the easier ability to break/stress fracture. Not saying this won't happen to men in BUD/S.

BUD/S, by its design, is supposed to weed out those that can't physically cut it. The course has an attrition/failure rate of 70-85%.

My advice: Do all that you can to prep and when you get to the course, you need to do all that you can to stay. However, I caution you that you will want to listen to your body. An ache is an ache, but pain is pain and a telltale sign something is wrong. That's the physical side of the house. As for the mental side, be that team player. Show drive and determination without sacrificing your integrity.
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CSM Chuck Stafford
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Can't speak to Navy training specifically, but your body will do what it can do -- Mentally, take it one cycle at a time and don't quit. It's all you can ask of yourself
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
1 mo
EXACTLY Chuck
Ya Nailed The Answer, Right On Target:" "It's all you can ask of yourself".
The Perfect Answer To a Great Question..... And That's As Good As It CAN Get..
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MSgt Electrical Power Production
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Edited 29 d ago
Don’t be swayed by all the glamour as seen on TV. Seals are not the only special ops kids on the block. Check out the other branches, they have their own Pipe Hitters (Spec Ops for those confused by the term). And you might find a specialty that interests you more. Good luck!
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
29 d
CPT (Join to see) - ...
USAF Wouldn't Let You Enlist?
Ya Gotta Do What I Did: ~ "LIE Your AZZ OFF".~
In 1961, When I Enlisted on my 17th Birthday, ONE Of The Requirements Was A 10th GRADE Education~~ I Was a MID-9th GRADE DROP OUT ~ With And 8TH Grade Education. ~~
BUT When I Hit Little Rock AFB, In Jacksonville, AR... I Made A Quick Dash To The Education Office And Scheduled My H.S.GED...... THEN I Discovered All The FREE PROGRAMS Which Were Offer And I Took Every Damned Business Course I Could Complete in A 4 Year Period ~~ Last One Was Completed In 1965 While Stationed At Osan ~ In South Korea.. ...3 months Before Bering DD-214th Out... See My Bio For How MUCH The USAF Contributed To Life ....It Was HUGE! ~~ I Owe Them Every Bit Of My Success... Without The USAF, I MAY Even Have Gotten A Job Cleaning Toilets At McDonald's ~~ IF I Were Lucky Enough.~~
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MSgt Electrical Power Production
MSgt (Join to see)
29 d
A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney -

The later years from about the 80’s on the Air Force was much more difficult to enlist in. You had to have a high school diploma or GED and good ASVAB scores to even get in the door. I tried going active duty from the Air Guard in 1986 and they weren’t even interested because I had been a Marine NCO. The recruiters told me I had a completely different indoctrination that wouldn’t fit in the Air Force. But I suppose after 9/11 many things may have changed. By then I had a good job and the reserve fit my life better, I retired in 2004.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
29 d
MSgt (Join to see) -
"YES".. You're Absolutely Correct; But In 1961, No Computers Were Available To Confirm Information, And Written Confirmation Could Take Much Longer ~~ SO One Could Easily "Get Away" With A Lot More ~~ And I Used That To My Advantage. ~~ In 1967 When I Interviewed At F.M.C. For The Position Of "Purchasing Agent", A College Degree Was A Requirement....SO I Figured "What The 'L', I'll Bet I Have One Of Those Laying Around Here Somewhere"... And "Golly Gee, There It Was, A Bachelors In Business Administration, With a 3.6 GPA"....See My Bio For Results...
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PO2 Mark Fraktman
PO2 Mark Fraktman
23 d
YES, during the early to mid 80's while stationed on Okinawa I knew and dove with a female PJ. She was with the 333rd (I think) ARRS.
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