Navy SEAL (SO)
Conduct special operations across all environments.
Job Overview
SEALs execute direct action, special reconnaissance, and unconventional warfare missions.
SEA-Air-Land operators conduct the full spectrum of Naval Special Warfare missions worldwide, on maritime and unconventional battlefields.
History & Deep Dive
AI-assistedWriting a detailed history and deep dive… first visit takes ~5 seconds, then it's cached forever.
Daily Responsibilities
- Constant training
- Mission planning
- Direct action
- Reconnaissance
- Combatives and shooting
Training Pipeline
- 1Recruit Training10 weeks
- 2BUD/SCoronado, CA · 24 weeks + Hell Week
- 3SQT26 weeks
Official Qualification Requirements
Requirements being verified against the official service publication. We do not display unofficial or estimated scores — contact a recruiter for the current minimum.
SECRET
Requirements are subject to change by the Department of Defense and each service. Always confirm the current standard with an official recruiter before making a decision.
Required in practice. Recruiting sites do not print a job-by-job rule, but this specialty needs access to classified information, and federal personnel-security rules (32 CFR 117.10 and the SEAD-4 adjudicative guidelines) limit security clearances to U.S. citizens. Verified August 2026.
Video Library
Career Progression
Element leader, chief, master chief, warrant officer.
Assignments & Special Schools
- Coronado, CA
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Guam
Deployment: Frequent overseas rotations.
Advantages
- Elite reputation
- Extraordinary training
- Special pay
- Brotherhood
Disadvantages
- Extreme selection
- Very high injury risk
- Long deployments
- Family strain