A candidate’s final seven weeks of training include basic weapons usage, land navigation, small-unit tactics, rappelling, demolitions, and marksmanship. It is only after being in training for over 18 weeks that a SEAL candidate is trusted with weapons and explosives powerful enough to kill an entire class. You can begin to see why such a selection process is required on the front end.
The second half of Third Phase is conducted on San Clemente Island (“The Rock”), just next to Catalina in California, and it lasts about 30 days. Or, more appropriately, it lasts 30 days and 30 nights. The first quotation you hear upon arrival is, “Welcome to The Rock, where no one can hear you scream.”
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A candidate’s final seven weeks of training include basic weapons usage, land navigation, small-unit tactics, rappelling, demolitions, and marksmanship. It is only after being in training for over 18 weeks that a SEAL candidate is trusted with weapons and explosives powerful enough to kill an entire class. You can begin to see why such a selection process is required on the front end.
The second half of Third Phase is conducted on San Clemente Island (“The Rock”), just next to Catalina in California, and it lasts about 30 days. Or, more appropriately, it lasts 30 days and 30 nights. The first quotation you hear upon arrival is, “Welcome to The Rock, where no one can hear you scream.”
I remember it was just about the second week of training on the island when I realized that the instructors were truly committed to the mantra, “The only easy day was yesterday.” With just a few hours of sleep each night, the training and demand for performance never relented once.
After a successful Third Phase, men have proven themselves committed to becoming a SEAL. Shortly after returning from “The Island,” graduation takes place. It is only now that these dedicated men can attend SEAL Qualification Training (SQT), where they will have their chance to earn the coveted trident and be called a SEAL.
Article courtesy of former Navy SEAL Eric Davis
Featured video courtesy of the U.S. Navy
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