When I was in the Navy we sometimes "worked with" the SEALs. I got to know some of the guys and talk to them at length. I think Chet put it best, the training is mental. You are prepared physically, but even that is part of the mental training. They are taught that they can do it, just about anything. Most are just regular guys, but when it's time to work they're not quite the same.
I don't want this to be about submarines, but this post confuses me Tara.
Aye, the second best (if you don't make the Seals) usually go subs, and usually nuclear power.
One word of advice, research research research- learn what it is all about (I also concur, do NOT go to a recruiter, they are full of BS).
I work on Submarines nearly every day and I cannot tell you how many young men I deal with daily who had absolutely no idea what they were getting themselves into when signing up: they miss home, hate the routines, HATE duty, hate having to leave loved ones pier-side for months at a time- even relocating- which makes it near impossible to have any substantial or trustworthy relationship, dislike a lot of their superiors (as I've stated most rising in the ranks around here occurs more from politics rather than knowledge of the equipment or decent people skills) and they constantly learning how to understand and operate the equipment- while you are here, you essentially give your life to your equipment AND the Navy.
There are a few (like your brother, Outcast) who like their job and want to put their best forward. But more than anything I hear the constant "I can't wait to get out in blank years, months".
I guess what I am saying is, be SURE you know what you are getting into and be SURE you will like, or at least understand, what your options are if the Seals fall through.
I was in the Navy for eight years and I only knew of two men in the submarine service who tried out for SEAL training and didn't get in.
In the US Submarine Service you go through Sub School. Sub School is taught on a sub base, by other submariners. In the schools there you are not only taught a lot about submarines, but also about submarine life. You hear all of the stories, all about the hours, the work, the fun, the danger, the long deployments, being out of touch with the world, everything. By the time you get to a boat you are well aware of everything that you are getting yourself into. That's the way it works best, no surprises on submarines.
Many relationships, marriages and otherwise, fail in the submarine community. It works for some, and I don't know statistics, but I don't recommend mixing the two. No argument there.
Rising in the ranks in submarines is only done if the candidate is fully qualified. The line officers have it the toughest, they go through a rotation. In their submarine career they will be the officer for each division; nav officer, weapons officer, communications officer, engineer, etc. Then they must serve as executive officer on a boat, with the ultimate goal being a command of their own. No political passes, no radioed (phoned in) qualifications.
The crew on a submarine is tight, the whole crew. Of course officers are distinguished by rank and training and given all the respect their position merits, but are every bit a friend and brother just like the rest of the crew. Even in home port officers attend parties at crew members houses, get togethers usually are for the whole crew. If one of the Os showed up unannounced it would be a good thing, another crew member present at the party. Again, that's the way that it works.
You can't have hating at sea on a submarine, there's nowhere to get away and everyone MUST work together when you're hundreds of feet under the water punching holes in the oceans.
That constantly learning about the equipment and giving your life to the equipment and the Navy? That's what you
DO, that's your
JOB, that's what you volunteered for when you went subs, and it is very apparent that's the way it will be
before you get to a boat.
If a sailor in the US Submarine Service hates being there they're not stuck, they can get out. Submarines in the US Navy are totally voluntary. You don't want someone going to sea if they don't want to be there and be part of the crew, really don't.
I got out in 86. I can see some things changing, but a submarine crew must operate as a tight team all of the time, no slack. Like I said, you don't want surprises on submarines.
