Both becoming a Navy SEAL and a Green Beret require a great deal of dedication, training, and physical and mental toughness. Both are highly respected elite military units with unique missions, and both require a high level of discipline and skill. However, there are some differences in the training and selection processes that make one program more difficult than the other.
Navy SEALs
The Navy SEALs are a special operations force that is responsible for conducting maritime operations, such as underwater demolition, reconnaissance, and direct action missions. SEALs are trained to operate in a wide variety of environments, including the ocean, jungle, and desert. The selection process for becoming a Navy SEAL is notoriously difficult and has a high attrition rate.
To become a Navy SEAL, candidates must first meet a set of strict physical and mental requirements, including passing a physical fitness test and a psychological evaluation. Candidates must also complete a series of medical examinations to ensure that they are physically fit to endure the rigorous training.
The initial training for Navy SEALs, known as Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, is one of the most grueling military training programs in the world. BUD/S training is designed to test candidates’ physical and mental toughness and weed out those who are not up to the challenge. Candidates undergo a six-month training program that includes three phases:
- Basic Conditioning: This phase includes eight weeks of physical training, including swimming, running, and calisthenics.
- Dive Training: This phase includes seven weeks of intensive dive training, including pool work and open-water training.
- Land Warfare Training: This phase includes nine weeks of land warfare training, including weapons training, tactical operations, and field exercises.
Only about one in four candidates who begin BUD/S training successfully complete the program and go on to complete the additional training required to become a Navy SEAL.
Green Berets
The Green Berets, also known as the United States Army Special Forces, are a special operations force that is responsible for conducting unconventional warfare, such as guerrilla warfare and foreign internal defense. Green Berets are trained to operate in a wide variety of environments, including jungle, desert, and mountainous terrain. The selection process for becoming a Green Beret is also difficult and has a high attrition rate.
To become a Green Beret, candidates must first meet a set of strict physical and mental requirements, including passing a physical fitness test and a psychological evaluation. Candidates must also complete a series of medical examinations to ensure that they are physically fit to endure the rigorous training.
The initial training for Green Berets, known as the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC), is also a grueling training program. SFQC training is designed to test candidates’ physical and mental toughness and weed out those who are not up to the challenge. Candidates undergo a six-phase training program that includes:
- Assessment and Selection: This phase includes two weeks of testing and evaluation to determine whether candidates have the necessary skills and mindset to become Green Berets.
- Small Unit Tactics: This phase includes seven weeks of training in small unit tactics, including weapons training, tactical operations, and field exercises.
- Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Training: This phase includes three weeks of training in survival skills, including how to evade capture and resist interrogation.
- Language and Cultural Training: This phase includes 25 weeks of intensive language and cultural training, with a focus on the region where the candidate will be operating.
- Special Forces Military Occupational Specialty Training: This phase includes 13 weeks of training in the specific skills required for the candidate’s chosen Green Beret specialty, such as medical or communications.
