The Navy SEALs are a special operations force that forms a part of the United States Naval Special Warfare Command. Established in 1962, the SEALs are trained to operate in all environments and capable of conducting various types of missions, including direct action warfare, special reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, and counter-terrorism
Established in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy
First saw action in Vietnam in 1967
Gained widespread public attention and recognition due to their roles in the Operation Neptune Spear that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011
A special operations force of the United States Army
A special forces unit of the United States Army specializing in unconventional warfare
The main special operations unit of the Navy SEALs that consists of several operational platoons
A manned submersible and delivery vehicle used to transport SEALs and their equipment over long distances and insert them covertly into enemy territory
A special operations force that operates and maintains small watercraft used to support Navy SEAL operations
SEAL stands for Sea, Air, and Land, which represents the environments in which the Navy SEALs are trained to operate.
The training process to become a Navy SEAL is one of the most rigorous in the military and consists of several stages, including Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S), SEAL Qualification Training (SQT), and specialized training for specific mission types.
There are approximately 2,500 active-duty Navy SEALs and 7,000 total personnel in the Naval Special Warfare Command.
The age limit to become a Navy SEAL is 28 years old, although waivers may be granted for certain circumstances.
Yes, women are eligible to apply for all roles in the Navy SEALs, including SEAL Team and Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC). However, as of 2021, no women have successfully completed the rigorous training to become a Navy SEAL.