Anyone else read the new issue regarding the Navy seals. It seems they are specifically recruiting tri/endurance athletes for the seals. I would post the link but the issue is not online yet. Interesting to read if you get your hands on it. Since they started recruiting in this arena their graduation rates from Buds class have improved dramatically.
I’ve not seen the article, but I have seen printed quotes from SEALs to the same effect. They also actively support those SEALs who chose to compete. Makes perfect sense, but still it’s good to see. Too bad I’m too old.
Most of the local tris around here (NC area) have SEAL recruiters at the finish area. Their pitch seems to be pretty good, and they’ve upped the maximum age. Good marketing.
Outside has been consistantly over the years my favourite magazine and the article about the SEALs is a perfect example of why I like the mag and enjoy reading it cover to cover every month.
I want to try the Superfrog (near) Half Iron Triathlon in Coronado, and race against the SEALS. Has anyone done that one?
I agree. Outside is a great read and there is typically alot of really good information and articles in that mag. wish I could say the same about certain tri. publications.
Don’t know if this was in the article or not, but I just pulled this from the seal website. It looks like the physical requirements would be super easy for a triathlete to finish.
The SEAL Physical Screening Test (PST) is as follows:
500-yard swim using breast and/or sidestroke in less than 12 minutes and 30 seconds
10-minute rest
Perform a minimum of 42 push-ups in 2 minutes
2-minute rest
Perform a minimum of 50 sit-ups in 2 minutes
2-minute rest
Perform a minimum of 6 pull-ups (no time limit)
10-minute rest
Run 1 ½ miles wearing RUNNING SHOES and SHORTS in under 11 minutes
I wouldn’t doubt it. My college roomate was a Ranger and Special Forces officer and said that most guys were thinner (160-185lbs) and with the build of an endurance athlete as opposed to a muscle bound hulk toting a machine gun.
Bob
Don’t know if this was in the article or not, but I just pulled this from the seal website. It looks like the physical requirements would be super easy for a triathlete to finish.
Well… Not quite. Those are the minimums for consideration. There’s a surplus of applicants, so just making the minimum won’t get you in. When I was working up for it (and no, I’m not a SEAL - damn stress fractures), my recruiter said that to have a realistic shot of acceptance, it’s more like swim: 8:30, pushups: 100, situps: 110, pullups: 20, run: 8:00. Doable, but not exactly super easy.
For shits & giggles, look up some of the records that have been set for the entry test. Absolutely frickin’ inhuman.
Ahh fiddlesticks… I was headed out to Coronado to for Superfrog specifically for the purpose of doing a similar feature for our own website. Oh well, no more scoop.
I spoke with some members of Special Boat Team 20 recently and they mentioned to me the current **$40,000.00 SEAL Challenge. **For qualified candidates who enter and *complete *Basic Underwater Demolition School, the fabled entry gate into SEAL training, the navy will pay a $40,000.00 cash bonus.
http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=35329&archive=true
Now, let’s think about this: You’re 20, you’re an endurance athlete, *if *you win Ironman I think you’ll get $50K… *if you win. *But, if you sign on the dotted line and can follow instructions, think on your feet, stay mission focused and remain pure of heart and soul in your dedication to serving the United States of America and make it through hell week (a lot of ifs…) You will not only get your $40K prize money you also get paid along the way and, when (if) you finally make it through the whole thing, you get the most handsome and hard won insignia in the entire U.S. military:
I’m entered this year and very excited to go there.
They actually had a recruitment booth at the Vineman expo this year. My 12 year old son was checking it out and thought it was cool…until I told him some of those guys actually die in battle. Those guys are certainly studs though.
I love the tag line in the first photo.
Swim. Bike. Run. Shoot. Kill.
What’s the maximum age now?
Right, but…having the physical makeup to be a Seal and actaully having what it takes mentally and physically to become a Seal are two extraordinarily different things. BUDS washout rate (Ringing the bell) is something like 85% and that’s only the first training. You cans till wash out down the road, though that number is much lower.
Bob
What’s the maximum age now?
Not sure exactly. I know it used to be 27. A recruiter approached me at a race a couple of months ago, and when I mentioned that I was 29, he said it was no big. I get the impression they’re going on a case-by-case basis now - basically, of you can walk the walk, age is not really a factor.
All very good points Tom, but your competitors in the Ironman are not shooting at you or generally trying to put your head on a stick. Maybe the occasional road side bomb on the IM bike course would add to the adventure.
I think that will be my new tag line on my work e-mails…not to long before the “brass” gives me a call and has it removed.
I saw those numbers as competitive marks as well. Granted, not as easy as the minimum, but, I think most triathletes would be able to crush those values too (well, maybe not the pull ups in my case, but I could still do about 20, but all the others… for sure).
Funny story, my old soccer coach (in high school) joined the seals. He ran his whole training group into the ground, and ended up getting in trouble (whatever that means) when he indicated the running they did was too easy and that he used to make his high school age club soccer kids run harder on a daily basis. Granted, we weren’t doing the other training they did.
I don’t know if that’s changed, then. When I was in the Navy, I think the age limit was 28, but you could get a waiver. They had a guy who was 38 get through.
So did you sign on the dotted line?
