Hey guys, I've been considering the military as a potential path post-high school but I'm a bit confused. I've heard the Navy SEALs mentioned quite a bit, but how is it different from just the normal Navy? Is it a separate branch altogether or a part of the Navy?
The Navy SEALs is actually a special operations force that is a part of the U.S. Navy. It's not a separate branch of the military, rather it's an elite unit within the Navy. SEAL stands for Sea, Air, and Land, which alludes to the wide range of environments these special operators can conduct missions in.
To give you an example, think about it like this: if the U.S. Navy was a college, participating in regular naval operations would be like achieving a bachelor's degree whereas becoming a Navy SEAL would be like obtaining a specialized graduate degree. Both paths are under the umbrella of the U.S. Navy, but the SEALs require additional, rigorous training and they undertake more specialized, critical missions.
Keep in mind, qualifying for the Navy SEALs is significantly more arduous than regular Navy enlistment. It involves passing a series of extremely intensive physical and mental tests including Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training (known as BUD/S), which is quite infamous for its difficulty.
So in a nutshell, Navy SEALs are not a separate branch but an elite unit within the Navy, with their own unique qualifications and roles.
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