The Top 10 Most Challenging Things About the 5.5-Mile Navy SEAL Training Swim

by Frumentarius · 4 years ago

Many here on SOFREP—including this author—have expressed emphatic lamentations over the level of suck inflicted on those foolhardy and courageous enough to attend Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training. It is nothing new to say that the training program is a kick in the proverbial bangers.

BUD/S is, of course, the U.S. Navy’s basic training course for men desiring to become Navy SEALs. It is a well-documented fact that the training taxes men physically, mentally, emotionally, and in all other ways one’s body and mind can be taxed. The instructors take a substantial levy out of the hides of all those who enter their hallowed training facility in Coronado, California.

About Frumentarius

is a former Navy SEAL and a former Clandestine Service officer with the Central Intelligence Agency's Counter-Terrorism Center. He has a Bachelor's degree in International Politics and a Masters in History. He is currently a professional firefighter. Follow him on Twitter @SOFFru1

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George E. Hand IV
We called it the SEAL recovery stroke; sort of like a side stroke, but a little different. It is the only swim stroke we army Green Beret pukes ever used. geo sends
George E. Hand IV
Lord Jesus...
George E. Hand IV
Still one of my favorite pieces on the site. RGR all, Fru! geo sends
Annica J
It probably had lots of comments when it first was published but they have redone the site a couple of times and with every new design all previous comments disappeared. If you look back at old articles you'll find lots of great stuff without a single comment for just that reason.
joesig_lives!
Just jumped here from George's article....this thing only got two comments? It's a shame it passed away with almost no notice: the 5.5 is an absolutely defining part of BUD/S. It used to be done on the island but....a guy literally swam himself to death in the class after mine. Died at the very end, in water he could stand up in. After that, the swim moved to the mainland, where emergency medical facilities are both better and closer.