BUD/S Warning Order (1) - History and Requirements

This Warning Order is a course description of BUD/S, Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training. There is some very valuable information in this Warning Order on subjects such as a course description on all three phases of BUD/S, workouts to get you prepared for the physical stresses of BUD/S, and helpful hints on nutrition. The BUD/S Warning Order is designed to prepare any highly motivated individual, regardless of athletic history, for the toughest military training in the world.

History

Sea-Air-Land (SEAL) Teams trace their history back to the first group of volunteers selected from the Naval Construction Battalions in the Spring of 1943. Their mission was clearing obstacles from beaches chosen for amphibious landings, Thus, the first formal training of the Naval Combat Demolition Units (NCDUs) began. The NCDUs distinguished themselves at Utah and Omaha beaches in Normandy and in Southern France.

In the Pacific, the NCDUs were consolidated into Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs). The newly formed UDTs saw action in every corner of the Pacific during World War II. In September 1950, the UDTs participated in the Korean War at Inchon, Wonsan, Iwon, and Chinnampo. The redeployment of the United Nations Forces featured the UDTs conducting delaying operations using guerrilla warfare.

In January 1962, the first SEAL Teams were commissioned to conduct unconventional warfare, counter-guerrilla warfare, and clandestine operations in maritime and riverine environments. These Teams were SEAL Team ONE on the West coast and SEAL Team TWO on the East coast. During Vietnam, the SEALs compiled an impressive record of combat success. Since the close of the Vietnam conflict, the ever-changing world situation and increased operational tasking have prompted the expansion of SEAL Teams in number, size, and capabilities. To effectively respond to this evolutionary process, Underwater Demolition Teams have been redesignated SEAL or SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams. Thus, the newly designated SEAL Teams acquired the SEAL mission and retained the amphibious support mission inherited from their UDT forefathers.

SEAL and SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Teams and Special Boat Units comprise the elite combat units of Naval Special warfare. These units are organized, trained, and equipped to conduct special operations, unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, and clandestine operations in maritime and riverine environments. These highly trained specialists are deployed worldwide in support of fleet and national operations. The wide range of tasks performed by Naval Special warfare and their outstanding combat records have earned an enduring and highly respected reputation.

Naval Special warfare extends a personal challenge to those interested individuals like yourself. This program will push you to your physical and mental limits, again and again, until you are hard and strong, both physically and mentally, and ready for the adventure of a lifetime in the SEAL Teams. Freefall parachuting at 10,000 feet into the ocean at night, traveling by small rubber boat for 100 miles, conducting a mission, then traveling 30 miles out to sea to rendezvous with a submarine is a typical mission for the SEALS and is an adventure most people can experience only by reading a book. So, if you are ready for both a challenge and an adventure, the navy has just the training to test your mettle. BE SOMEONE SPECIAL!

As a BUD/S student, you will participate in challenging training and encounter opportunities to develop and test your stamina and leadership. BUD/S training is extremely thorough both physically and mentally; but through adequate preparation and a positive attitude, you can meet its challenges with confidence. The workout schedules in this booklet are designed to prepare you physically for BUD/S. You are the one who has to prepare to give all you have every day. At BUD/S it is essential to live, eat, and sleep BUD/S. 110% is required of you every day. BUD/S is a challenge, but if you meet it head-on with determination not to fail or quit, it will be the most rewarding time of your life. Good Luck!

Course Description

First Phase (Basic Conditioning)

First Phase is nine weeks in length. Continued physical conditioning in the areas of running, swimming, and calisthenics grow harder and harder as the weeks progress. Students will participate in weekly four mile timed runs in boots, timed obstacle courses, swim distances up to two miles wearing fins in the ocean, and learn small boat seamanship.

The first five weeks of First Phase prepare you for the sixth week, better known as “Hell Week.” During this week, students participate in five and one half days of continuous training, with a maximum of four hours of sleep. This week is designed as the ultimate test of one’s physical and mental motivation while in First Phase. Hell Week proves to those who make it that the human body can do ten times the amount of work the average man thinks possible. During Hell Week, you will learn the value of coolheadedness, perseverance, and above all, TEAMWORK. The remaining three weeks are devoted to teaching various methods of conducting hydrographic surveys and how to conduct a hydrographic chart.

Second Phase (Diving)

After completing the First Phase, you have proven to the instructor staff that you are motivated to continue more in-depth training. The diving Phase is seven weeks in length. During this period, physical training continues, but the times are lowered for the four mile runs, two mile swims, and obstacle course. Second Phase concentrates on combat SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus). Students are taught two types of SCUBA: open circuit (compressed air) and closed circuit (100% oxygen). Emphasis is placed on long distance underwater dives with the goal of training students to become basic combat divers, using swimming and diving techniques as a means of transportation from their launch point to their combat objective. This is a skill that separates SEALS from all other Special Operations forces.

Third Phase (Land Warfare)

The demolitions, reconnaissance, and land warfare phase is nine weeks in length. Physical training continues to become more strenuous as the run distances increase and the minimum passing times are lowered for the runs, swims, and obstacle course. Third Phase concentrates on teaching land navigation, small-unit tactics, patrolling techniques, rappelling, infantry tactics, and military explosives. The final five weeks of Third Phase are spent on San Clemente Island, where students apply techniques acquired throughout training in a practical environment.

Post-BUD/S Schools

BUD/S graduates receive three weeks basic parachute training at the Army Airborne School, Fort Benning, Georgia, prior to reporting to their first Naval Special Warfare Command. Navy corpsmen who complete BUD/S and Basic Airborne Training also attend two weeks of Special Operations Technician Training at the Naval Special Warfare Center, Coronado. During this course, they participate in an intense course of instruction in diving medicine and medical skills called 18-D (Special Operations Medical Sergeant Course). It is a 30-week course where students receive training in burns, gunshot wounds, and trauma.

After assignment to a Team and successfully completing a six-month probationary period, qualified personnel are awarded a SEAL Naval Enlisted Classification (NEC) Code and the Naval Special Warfare Insignia. New combat swimmers serve the remainder of their first enlistment (2 1/2 - 3 years) in either an SDV or SEAL Team. Upon reenlistment, members may be ordered to additional training and another SDV or SEAL Command, where they will complete the remainder of a five-year sea tour. Advanced courses include SDV training, Diving Supervisor, language training, and NAVSPECWAR communications. Shore duty opportunities are available in research and development, instructor duty, and overseas assignments. In addition to normal pay allowances, Naval Special Warfare personnel currently receive $175/month dive pay and $110/month hazardous duty pay.

Physical Fitness Standards

First Phase

Activity
50 meter underwater swim	PASS/FAIL
Drownproofing test	PASS/FAIL
Basic lifesaving test	PASS/FAIL
1/2 mile (0.8 km) pool swim w/o fins	Completion
3/4 mile (1.21 km) pool swim w/o fins	Completion
1 mile (1.61 km) pool swim w/o fins	60 min
1 mile (1.61 km) bay swim w/o fins	70 min
1 mile (1.61 km) bay swim with fins	50 min
1 1/2 mile (2.41 km) ocean swim with fins	75 min
2 mile (3.22 km) ocean swim with fins	95 min
4 mile (6.44 km) timed run	32 min
Obstacle Course	15 min

Second Phase

Activity
2 mile (3.22 km) ocean swim with fins	75 min
4 mile (6.44 km) timed run	29:20 min
Obstacle Course	11 min
5 1/2 mile (8.85 km) ocean swim with fins	Completion

Third Phase

Activity
2 mile (3.22 km) ocean swim with fins	70 min
4 mile (6.44 km) timed run	28 min
Obstacle Course	10:30 min
14 mile run	Completion

Academic standards required on written tests before graduation from BUD/S are:

80% or above for officers
70% or above for enlisted