U.S. Navy Seal Fact Sheet

1. Elite special operations of the U.S. Navy. 2. Name derived from the elements in which they operate: sea – air – land. 3. Perform some of the most DANGEROUS missions of all military special forces. 4. SEALs use stealth and guerilla warfare to accomplish many missions. 5. Usually operate in small groups in any terrain, weather, day or night. 6. Known for their skill in underwater missions. 7. Began during World War II (early 1940s) for underwater demolition, known as “frogmen.” 8. Officially formed in 1962 under John F. Kennedy. 9. Training involves demolition, martial arts, marksmanship, parachuting, SCUBA, & teamwork. 10. It can take up to 2.5 years before a SEAL is trained and ready for deployment. 11. Only 20 percent of SEALs make it through training. 12. SEALS train under similar stresses they would encounter in actual battle. 13. Use a variety of weapons and explosives depending on the mission. 14. Usually carry short barrel rifles so they can maneuver in tight spaces. 15. Weapon of choice is usually the M4 carbine assault rifle or the HK MP5 9mm sub machine gun. The M4

can be outfitted with a grenade launcher and noise suppressor. 16. Use of “stun grenades” produces bright light and loud noise, temporarily disorientating the enemy. 17. Usually outfitted with night vision goggles and ‘live-feed ”helmet cams. 18. SEALS use SCUBA gear, special boats or underwater vehicles to accomplish their missions. 19. Can be deployed almost anywhere in the world. 20. SEALS are experts in “fast-roping” and parachuting. 21. Must be expert navigators and information gathering (recon). 22. SEAL Team Six is used for especially sensitive or hazardous missions. 23. There are approx. 2,000 active duty Navy SEALs. 24. Most all SEAL missions are dangerous, top secret and the world will never know about them. 25. Think you can be SEAL? Make sure you can pass the pre-test first: Swim 500 yards in 12 minutes or

less, do 42 pushups within 2 minutes, do 50 sit ups within 2 minutes, do 6 pull ups within 30 seconds, and finally run 1.5 miles in less than 11 minutes. • Teamwork is one of the most important things that SEALs learn. • NO SEAL has ever been left behind on a mission. • NAVY SEALs expect a challenge everyday. • SEALs have a saying, “the only easy day was yesterday!”