Can Navy officers become SEALs after graduating from the Naval Academy?

I'm interested in both attending the Naval Academy and possibly joining the SEALs in the future. Is it common for Naval Academy graduates to become SEALs, and what is the process like to make that transition?

Absolutely, Navy officers can indeed become SEALs (Sea, Air, and Land teams) after graduating from the Naval Academy. In fact, the Naval Academy is one of the primary commissioning sources of Navy SEAL officers.

The process involves a rigorous selection criteria and it starts while you're at the Naval Academy. During your junior year, you'll have the opportunity to attend SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection (SOAS), which serves as a preliminary screening to see if candidates have what it takes to succeed in the grueling Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training.

If you pass the SOAS, you may be offered a SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection (SOAS) contract. Accepting this contract means that upon graduation, you will move on to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training.

BUD/S takes place in three phases over roughly six months, and includes physical training, dive physics, basic diving techniques, and land warfare including weapons and demolition training. Following BUD/S, you'd move on to SEAL Qualification Training (SQT) where you'll receive training in parachute operations, tactical air operations, tactical combat medicine, cold weather operations, maritime operations, and more.

Keep in mind that this path is incredibly tough and competitive. Navy SEAL training is considered one of the most psychologically and physically challenging in the world, and more than half of the candidates typically don't make it through. However, with determination, resilience, and proper preparation, it is certainly attainable.