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SEAL Officer Selection


 

Navy SEALs are trained, organized, and equipped to operate in the sea, air and land domains to accomplish special operations missions.  All SEALs attend Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training at the Naval Special Warfare Center.  Upon completion of BUD/S, SEAL Officers attend Junior Officer Training Course (JOTC) and later undergo SEAL Qualification Training (SQT).  Those who graduate are awarded the Trident insignia, which signifies a qualified SEAL Officer, and earn the 1130 Designator.
 

Ready to LEAD Special Operators?
FY25 APPLICATIONS DUE NLT 23 FEB 2024


PART I – Application Package (Completed by Candidate)

Submit all NSW package items as two (2) PDFs to the following to SEAL_Apply@navy.mil:

1.  NAVPERS 1210/9 ODC - Digital PDF
2.  All other documents in single, numbered order according to Accession Guide - PDF


APPLICATION CONTENTS
Accession Guides Located at Right


COMMON TO ALL:
Officer Data Card (ODC) – (Template)
     Download / Enable All Features
Physical Screening Test (PST) – (Template)
     OCM office DOES NOT schedule PSTs for applicants
     While challenge rate administrators are preferred (SEAL, EOD, Navy Diver) any E7 or above from another community can administer the PST if one is not available
Letters of Reference (LOR) / No more than two (2) - (Template)
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
     No specific format required
Official College Transcripts - Digital PDF only
DD2807/2 - (LinkRedact SSNs
     Civilian applicants should request it from their recruiter or processor. **EKG/ECG and Chest X-Ray required**
DD2808 - (LinkRedact SSNs
     Medical exam stamped "PQ for diving duty". **Dive medical officer signature is preferred yet not required to attend summer cruise but IS required for final accession into NSW**


OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL (OCS):

CIVILIAN
N3M Letter (Example) - Obtained from Naval Recruiting Command (NRC) after reviewing your MEPS Physical

AD & AD SEAL
CO Endorsement (Template)
Last 4x EVALS

 
NROTC / STA21 CORE Option:

NSW Application Letter (Template)
Duty Preference / CO Recommendation (Template)

     Signed by NROTC unit CO, including first choice designator (1180 for SEAL officer)

 
LATERAL TRANSFER:

NSW Application Letter (Template)
CO Endorsement (Template)
Last 4x FITREPs

 
INTER-SERVICE TRANSFER:

NSW Application Letter (Template)
CO Endorsement (Template)
DD Form 368 (Link)
   Form can be sent AFTER notification of selection
Master Personnel Record (Example)
Last 4x FITREPs/EVALs

 
INTER-SERVICE ACADEMY TRANSFER:

NSW Application Letter (Template)
CO Endorsement (Template)
DD Form 368 (Link)
   Form can be sent AFTER notification of selection


USNA:
Personal Statement (Template)
Midshipman Performance Record (Example)


PART II Down Select Panel (Completed by SEAL OCM)

Down select panel narrows down eligibles to ~210 applicants.  Selected candidates from this panel are invited to attend SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection (SOAS) during the summer over three separate opportunities (JUN/JUL/AUG).


PART III SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection (Completed by Naval Special Warfare Assessment Command)

Two weeks (~10 days) sessions during either June, July, or August


In order to be considered by the annual SEAL Officer Selection Panel, candidates (other than active duty SO members) must attend SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection (SOAS).  Officers seeking lateral and inter-service transfer should make every effort to attend SOAS.  If unable to attend due to operational commitments, applicants must conduct an interview with SOAS staff members.  SOAS provides an opportunity for SEAL officer candidates to be assessed against their peers in an equitable training environment, regardless of accession source. Prospective SEAL Officers are evaluated based on the following characteristics: Honor and Integrity, Leadership, Physical Fitness, Communication Skills, Commitment, Academic Performance, Conduct, and Peer Evaluations.


PART IV SEAL Officer Selection Panel (SOSP) – (Completed by NSW Board)

The SEAL Officer Selection Panel convenes to select candidates who will begin Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL (BUD/S) training during the subsequent fiscal year.


SEQUENCE OF EVENTS SUMMARY

1.  February - Applications for all candidates other than active duty SO members are due to SEAL_apply@navy.mil.
2.  March - Down select panel narrows down eligible applicants.  Selected candidates from this panel are invited to attend SEAL Officer Assessment and Selection (SOAS).
3.  June - SO application packages are due to SEAL_apply@navy.mil.
4.  June, July, or August - SOAS takes place in three different sessions during the Summer in Coronado, CA.
5.  September - The SEAL Officer Selection Panel convenes to select candidates who will begin Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL (BUD/S) training during the subsequent fiscal year.

 
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