Can a Marine go through SEAL training?

2018-07-27T15:12:19-04:00

This is for the old timers here. I saw a Marines shadow box from his time in Vietnam. He had the seal trident on display with all of his other medals and ribbons. Back in that time could a Marine have earned the trident?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2018 3:13 PM

2018-07-27T15:13:26-04:00

No if you have his name and any other information give it to the guys at https://militaryphony.com/ they will investigate.

Military Phonies

Protecting the Valor of those who have defended our freedom

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jul 27 at 2018 3:22 PM

2018-07-27T15:22:51-04:00

ive never heard of a Marine being able to go through SEAL training. feels like it could be made up. though im not the expert at all on this.

Response by SPC James Neidig made Jul 27 at 2018 3:24 PM

2018-07-27T15:24:44-04:00

He may have served in the navy then went marines or vice- versa ask before you jump to conclusions

Response by SPC James Neidig made Jul 27 at 2018 3:29 PM

2018-07-27T15:29:42-04:00

I had marine AC wings then I went army got questioned about them all the time jumped a whole lot by CSM and 1st sgt till I explained

Response by SPC James Neidig made Jul 27 at 2018 4:54 PM

2018-07-27T16:54:04-04:00

I served with a SGT who was a ranger had airborne and air assault wings and CIB then became an 88M

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 27 at 2018 5:29 PM

2018-07-27T17:29:06-04:00

No they cannot. They would have to enlist in the Navy, and meet the age limit and minimum physical standards. However, being accepted into SEAL training as part of an enlistment deal would be largely impossible. Thank you for your service.

Response by LCpl Shane Couch made Jul 27 at 2018 5:55 PM

2018-07-27T17:55:51-04:00

I would ask him the story on the Trident itself SSgt Dan Montague. could possibly be very interesting and give you the answer you are looking for.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jul 27 at 2018 6:04 PM

2018-07-27T18:04:16-04:00

Only Sailors and a very select few foreigners have gone through BUDs. Master Chief Don Shipley has answered this a few times on his "Phony SEAL of the Week" videos.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Jul 28 at 2018 1:41 AM

2018-07-28T01:41:31-04:00

About eight years ago two USCG officers earned their trident. They never transfer to the Navy. The two services have a long history of cooperating in drug interdiction operations and naval patrols. Do not know if more USCG members have entered and completed SEAL training. A acquittance just retired as an O-6 (Captain) from MacDill. He is a USAFA grad who transferred to the Navy for SEAL training.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 28 at 2018 11:57 AM

2018-07-28T11:57:10-04:00

I am not a Naval Special Warfare expert, but the Naval Special Warfare insignia was not created until October 1970. Prior to that there was a UDT badge which is similar but not the same.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Warfare_insignia

Special Warfare insignia - Wikipedia

The Special Warfare insignia, also known as the “SEAL Trident” or its more popular nickname, "The Budweiser," recognizes those members of the United States Navy who have completed the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, completed SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) and have been designated as U.S. Navy SEALs. It is one of the most recognizable breast insignia of the U.S. Navy.

Response by PO2 Richard Taylor made Jul 28 at 2018 6:54 PM

2018-07-28T18:54:04-04:00

From what I know you can be from any branch but must transfer to the Navy. SEALs are only from the Navy.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 28 at 2018 8:26 PM

2018-07-28T20:26:22-04:00

Not that I ever heard of, it's no piddling 6 week course. Tho in those days he could have been assigned TDY with them, doing base security, etc.

Response by Sgt James De Napoli made Jul 29 at 2018 12:06 AM

2018-07-29T00:06:50-04:00

That's a broad question, and a shadow bow is very personal.. In such a controversial time is it not impossible that it may be more of a symbolic memorial (friend, possibly family) than a service achievement?? Some may hold on to certain things not necessarily their own for other more personal reasons... Just sayin it's not unbelievable is all...

Response by Sgt James De Napoli made Jul 29 at 2018 12:07 AM

2018-07-29T00:07:44-04:00

*box (it doesn't allow editing)..

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2018 6:26 AM

2018-07-30T06:26:41-04:00

Who trains MARSOC swimmers, the Navy or the Army?

Response by LCpl Shane Couch made Aug 16 at 2018 1:52 PM

2018-08-16T13:52:51-04:00

SSgt Dan Montague any update on your findings?

Response by CWO3 Jim Grindstaff made Sep 14 at 2018 9:28 AM

2018-09-14T09:28:32-04:00

No. Again, send me his name and I can tell you if he was ever a SEAL.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2018 8:54 AM

2018-09-16T08:54:34-04:00

A Marine can become a SEAL, but only after joining the Navy. I have known so many Marines though, who constantly said they could be Special Forces or SEALs, but weren't. Why not? You left the Marines as infantry or aviation maintenance. Couldn't hack it? Secondly, if you could be SF or SEAL, why weren't you Force Recon? If you were Force Recon, why weren't you a Raider? Lots of shoulda, woulda, coulda out there.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2018 10:47 AM

2018-09-16T10:47:07-04:00

I’m going to agree with a lot of these folks. This raises serious question. However, never jump to conclusions. Recently served with another Doc on deployment who was just different. I pulled him aside one day and he confirmed to me that he had actually been blacklisted and lost his Trident due to being named in an internal investigation that brought doubt upon the communities. Saw his graduations documents and all; still has the archived NEC too.

Many possibilities good or bad ... he should be a brother until he proves otherwise.

Response by Sgt Dan Dickinson made Sep 29 at 2018 2:43 PM

2018-09-29T14:43:35-04:00

I served in the Air Force but I have two Army GCMs. I had someone challenge that but the explanation is really very simple. the Air Force was once a part of the Army and they continued to use the Army GCM until 1962-63 when the Air Fore medal was used instead. I enlisted in 1955 so mine are the older Army medals.
Don't challenge that man's decorations unless you are willing to be made to look stupid in the process.

Response by Sgt Dan Dickinson made Sep 29 at 2018 2:48 PM

2018-09-29T14:48:58-04:00

I don't know. I was in the Air Force but I have an Army GCM with a device. I have been challenged on that account, but the Air Force used the Army GCM until 1962 or 63 when they started using their own version. Since I enliste in 1955, I got the old Army GCM and device for the early years of my service and the Air Force medal for service later. If you challenge that person's decorations, you could get an interesting history lesson and you could be made to look like a fool

Response by Sgt John Mizell made Oct 6 at 2018 9:30 PM

2018-10-06T21:30:37-04:00

Me home on 30 day emergency leave from Vietnam 1968, I agree with James Neidig

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2018 11:14 AM

2018-10-07T11:14:11-04:00

If he was prior service Navy. I bet there was a story to that because indon’t Know too many SOF guys that go back to the ho hum of being a regular non-SOF military member or just transfer services.

Response by SSgt Dave B. made Oct 9 at 2018 7:32 AM

2018-10-09T07:32:45-04:00

My dad was a Marine Raider during WWII. He spent a lot of time after the war training units, including seals.

Response by SPC David S. made Jun 29 at 2019 11:19 PM

2019-06-29T23:19:21-04:00

The Budweiser didn't come out until 1970 as well it was gold for officers and silver for enlisted. If he was enlisted it should be silver. The silver SEAL insignia was done away with in 1978. Hope that helps.