Navy Boot Camp is seven to eight weeks long, depending on scheduling. Navy Boot Camp resides at the Recruit Training Command (RTC) in Great Lakes, Illinois, which is in close proximity to Chicago. In Boot Camp, civilian recruits are transformed into Navy sailors. During their time at RTC, recruits are subjected to physical training and military discipline. They are trained in subjects such as seamanship, small-arms familiarization, swimming qualification, firefighting, and ship damage control. Navy history, traditions, and core values are an integral part of the Boot Camp regimen, and recruits are constantly taught and questioned on these subjects. After graduating from Boot Camp, sailors are sent to their A schools, where they will be trained in the specific job they will be doing once they arrive at the fleet.
On average, an unmarried East Coast E-5 SEAL, with four years of service, makes $68,857.20 a year. A SEAL on the West Coast makes more due to receiving a higher housing allowance to compensate for an increased cost of living. Here’s the breakdown of an E-5 Navy SEAL’s pay for 2020:
SEALs are entitled to re-enlistment bonuses ranging from $30,000 to $160,000. In addition, depending on where SEALs deploy, they may be eligible for Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay, Hostile Fire Pay/Imminent Danger Pay, and exemption from income tax.
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Navy Boot Camp is seven to eight weeks long, depending on scheduling. Navy Boot Camp resides at the Recruit Training Command (RTC) in Great Lakes, Illinois, which is in close proximity to Chicago. In Boot Camp, civilian recruits are transformed into Navy sailors. During their time at RTC, recruits are subjected to physical training and military discipline. They are trained in subjects such as seamanship, small-arms familiarization, swimming qualification, firefighting, and ship damage control. Navy history, traditions, and core values are an integral part of the Boot Camp regimen, and recruits are constantly taught and questioned on these subjects. After graduating from Boot Camp, sailors are sent to their A schools, where they will be trained in the specific job they will be doing once they arrive at the fleet.
On average, an unmarried East Coast E-5 SEAL, with four years of service, makes $68,857.20 a year. A SEAL on the West Coast makes more due to receiving a higher housing allowance to compensate for an increased cost of living. Here’s the breakdown of an E-5 Navy SEAL’s pay for 2020:
SEALs are entitled to re-enlistment bonuses ranging from $30,000 to $160,000. In addition, depending on where SEALs deploy, they may be eligible for Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay, Hostile Fire Pay/Imminent Danger Pay, and exemption from income tax.
On average, an unmarried East Coast E-5 SWCC, with four years of service, makes $62,677.20 a year. And, as above, an SWCC on the West Coast makes more. Here’s the breakdown of an E-5 Navy SWCC’s pay for 2020:
Similarly to SEALs, SWCCs are entitled to re-enlistment bonuses ranging from $30,000 to $160,000. In addition, depending on their deployment they may be eligible for the same bonuses and tax exemptions as SEALs.
SEAL stands for Sea, Air, and Land, thus acknowledging a Navy SEAL’s versatile ability to wage war. Navy SEALs are trained to insert and operate in maritime environments. They are qualified in military free fall and static line operations to infiltrate a battlespace by air. They are extensively trained in ground warfare. SEALs are just as comfortable fighting in the mountains of Afghanistan as they are operating a SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) in the cold waters of the Pacific.
SWCC stands for Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman. SWCCs specialize in maritime special operations, operating high-speed, performance special operations vessels. Just as SEALs, SWCCs are qualified in military free fall and static line, allowing them to insert anywhere in the world. SWCCs are trained extensively in both small arms and heavy weapons and are trained in land warfare and small boat operations and tactics, making them a very versatile force.
To become a Navy SEAL, an individual can either enlist at a Navy recruiting office and earn a Special Operator (SO) contract, or a sailor already in the Navy can submit a package requesting an SO contract. In order to qualify for an SO contract, an individual must prove their physical ability by passing multiple Physical Screening Tests (PST) and achieve a required minimum score on the ASVAB.
Minimum PST scores to earn an SO contract:
Minimum ASVAB score to earn an SO contract:
In addition, candidates must be 28 years old or younger, successfully pass a medical dive physical examination, be a U.S. citizen, have the ability to obtain a Secret clearance, and meet the minimum eyesight requirements.
Minimum eyesight requirements:
To become a Navy SWCC, an individual can either enlist at a Navy recruiting office and earn a Special Warfare Boat Operator (SB) contract, or a sailor already in the Navy can submit a package requesting an SB contract. In order to qualify for an SB contract, an individual must pass multiple Physical Screening Tests (PST) and achieve a required minimum score on the ASVAB.
Minimum PST scores to earn an SB contract:
Minimum ASVAB score to earn an SB contract:
In addition, candidates must be 30 years old or younger, successfully pass a medical dive physical examination, be a U.S. citizen, have the ability to obtain a Secret clearance, and meet the minimum eyesight requirements.
The minimum eyesight requirements are the same as for the SEALs.
There are eight conventional SEAL Teams. In addition, there are two SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams (SDV), two reserve SEAL Teams, and the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), informally known as SEAL Team 6.
SEAL Teams 1, 3, 5, 7, and reserve Team 17 are located in Coronado, CA. SEAL Teams 2,4,8,10, reserve Team 18, and DEVGRU are in Virginia Beach, VA. SDV 1 is in Pearl Harbor, HI, and SDV 2 is in Virginia Beach, VA.
There are three conventional Special Boat Teams. Special Boat Team 12 is in Coronado, CA, Special Boat Team 22 in Stennis, MS, and Special Boat Team 20 in Virginia Beach, VA. SWCCs also serve as operators at Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Development Group (DEVGRU), formally known as SEAL Team 6. Reserve SWCCs are assigned to SEAL Team 18.
Since the Global War on Terrorism began after September 11, 2001, 17 Navy SEALs have lost their lives in training accidents. SEAL training is inherently dangerous and requires operators to push it to the edge in order to prepare for combat deployments.
The entire Navy SEAL training pipeline is 58 weeks long. SEAL training is broken up into six training segments:
The entire Navy SWCC training pipeline is 39 weeks long. SWCC training is broken up into four training segments:
For years, Navy SEALs have carried the Sig Sauer P226. During the last couple of years, Naval Special Warfare (NSW) has been transitioning to the Glock 19. This has been a hotly debated issue, with staunch supporters on both sides. The Glock 19 shoots a 9 mm rounds and has a magazine capacity of 15 rounds. The Glock is slightly smaller and lighter than the P226. It is easy to break down and clean and has a reputation for operating flawlessly in the worst conditions.
For years, Navy SWCCs have carried the Sig Sauer P228, a smaller version of the venerable P226. Within the last couple of years, Naval Special Warfare (NSW) has also been transitioning to the Glock 19. The Glock is slightly larger but lighter than the P228.
The Navy SEALs are beginning to transition to the Glock 19. But, SEALs have used the Sig Sauer P226 for years due to its chrome-lined barrel and chamber, stainless steel slide, and Nitron coating, which made it an ideal weapon for use in harsh saltwater environments. The reliability, accuracy, and ability to easily breakdown and clean, made the P226 an ideal weapon for the Navy SEALs.
In addition to the above reasons, the compact nature of the P228 made it a perfect weapon to carry in close quarters, while operating on special operations boats.
SEALs are trained in using conventional, open-circuit SCUBA dive gear. This allows them to dive to approximately 300 feet. In addition, SEALs are extensively trained in utilizing a specialized rebreathing device, known as the Draeger. SEALs diving with a Draeger rarely go deeper than 50 feet.
An active-duty Marine cannot become a Navy SEAL. In order to go through Navy SEAL training, an individual must be a member of the Navy. An active-duty Marine who wants to transfer to the Navy, in order to attend SEAL training, can submit a Request for Conditional Release, but the chances of that being approved are slim to none. If a Marine wants to become a SEAL, they will most likely have to finish their contract and then go visit a Navy recruiter to re-enlist and receive a SEAL contract.
As above, a Marine who wants to become a SWCC will most likely have to finish their contract and then go visit a Navy recruiter to re-enlist and receive an SWCC contract.
There are approximately 2,500 active-duty Navy SEALs.
There are approximately 700 active-duty SWWCs.
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