What does a Navy SEAL do?

I'm thinking about military options after high school and heard about Navy SEALs. What are their main responsibilities? I know they’re elite, but I’m curious about their daily lives and expectations.

Navy SEALs (an acronym for Sea, Air, and Land) are indeed an elite group within the United States military, specifically within the Navy. They are primarily responsible for conducting covert missions in diverse environments (sea, air, and land, as the name suggests). They are involved in a range of high-stakes operations including special reconnaissance, direct action warfare, counterterrorism, and foreign internal defense.

Regarding daily lives, much of a SEAL's time is spent in consistent and rigorous training, even when not deployed. This includes physical conditioning, diving, parachuting, navigation, demolitions, weapons, and survival training. The training is designed to keep their skills sharp and readiness high, ensuring they can thrive in some of the world's most challenging environments.

Moreover, due to the mission-critical and often classified nature of their tasks, Navy SEALs are trained to operate in small teams, often in isolation, so camaraderie and trust among team members are key aspects of their daily lives. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and stress management are seriously ingrained in their duties.

It's also worth noting that the path to becoming a SEAL is incredibly challenging. It starts with Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training, an intensive 24-week program that tests physical and mental endurance. After BUD/S, candidates attend SEAL Qualification Training (SQT), where they receive training in tactics, basic parachuting, and Combatant Diver Qualification Course (CDQC), amongst other things. Upon completing SQT, the trainees are finally assigned to a SEAL Team and are able to embark on missions.

Do keep in mind that a career as a SEAL is incredibly challenging, both physically and mentally. Before making a decision, it would be beneficial to thoroughly research, and perhaps seek advice from those with military experience, to understand if it can align with your personal goals and lifestyle.