short interview with Mark Divine, NavySEALs.com owner
Submitted by Guest on Sat, 03/08/2003 - 06:00.
Source: Unknown
Interview with Mark
Divine, Navy SEAL and NavySEALs.com founder:Hi Mark - thanks for answering these questions for my high school project on the SEALs. I apprciate it very much!
Ryan
1. How did you become interested in this job?
I was in New York working as a CPA and I was bored to death - I wanted a much bigger challenge and leadership experience...and the SEALs were the biggest challenge I could find. So I left my MBA and CPA behind and joined the Navy to become a SEAL. I attended Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island, then went on to become Honor Man of my Basic Underwater SEAL training class 170 in 1990.
2. What type of training do you need?
The SEALs are experts at all diving related skills, parachuting, demolitions, small arms / exotic weapons, leading small unit commando missions etc etc...all of this training is mandatory. Prior to joining you can increase your chances of success with a disciplined fitness program (see the program on NavySEALs.com) - also the martial arts (I had a black belt in Karate) as well as swimming.
3. Who trains you?
The active duty SEALs do 90% of the training (at the Naval Special Warfare Center and the Group Training departments) and we attend some special forces (Army) training (like Ranger school) and other (like CIA training)
4. What type of college is nessesary?
Officers need a bachelors degree and need to get a Masters while in the Navy. Enlisted do not need a degree unless they desire to become an officer. I had a Masters degree prior to joining. Many enlisted have at least an associates and many have bachelors and masters - but went enlisted because it is extremely difficult to get into the SEALs as an officer.
5. Do you need special degrees in electronis, weapons, or handling explosives?
No special degree for the SEALs, but tons of special training ONCE you become a SEAL. It helps to have specialized skills prior to joining, but it is not necessary b/c you can get all the training in the Navy. Other careers within the Navy require special degrees - such as the medical careers, oceanography, JAG etc.
6. Special training?
Tons - too many to specify. The Navy provides all of this training.
7. Was training the hardest thing you have ever done? If not then what was harder the BUD/s?
Hell week in BUD/s was difficult - no sleep for 6 days of continuous training in a simulated combat environment. But some training and operations I did on active duty were much harder mentally and physically due to the extreme cold and the fact that in the real world - you can not take a "break" - it is the real deal and your life is on the line.
8. How dangerous is your job? What are the risks of going to work as a SEAL?
It is one of the most dangerous jobs known to man. I have at LEAST 10 friends who are either in a wheel chair or no longer here due to parachuting, diving or weapons / demolition accidents or being shot in combat. This environment causes special operations warriors to be very aware of their surroundings and to take their training very seriously. You often face death on a daily basis, and it is your training and awareness that saves your life on a daily basis. Interestingly this is also what attracts Special Ops guys to the profession - the danger, adventure and risk.
9. Are there different ares of expertise in your job? such as an electronics expert or a demolitions expert or a sniper?
SEALs first learn ALL the jobs of being a SEAL. The only exception is the SEAL corpsman (medic). He gets the equivelent of paramedic training. Other SEALs get basic EMT training. Then we are all trained in diving, weapons, demo, the communications equipment, etc. Officers must do all this too, but their focus is on leadership and mission accomplishment. As a SEAL progresses in his career, he will specialize in an area that he is good at - such as diving, sniper, weapons so that he can run a department to allow the platoon to accomplish its mission in all the diverse things it must do.
10. How long does someone stay as a current SEAL?
It depends on a lot of factors - like if you get married (like I did and I got out at 7.5 years due to marriage, If the Navy wants you to have a wife they will issue you one!) or if you enjoy your assignments or not. the average is probably 10 years.
11. If you leave the military, can you use your training for something else?
The biggest skill that SEALs have after leaving the military is their attitude - the one that allows them to succeed against all odds. However, many SEALS, particularly enlisted, will go into security consulting, or to a federal agency such as the CIA, FBI, DEA or something like that. Many officers go on to Business School (Harvard has had up to 6 former SEAL officers a year go through its MBA program) and then go on to succeed at a high level in business.
12. Thanks for answering my questions! This helps a lot
My pleasure!
Mark Divine
Class 170 honorman, SEAL Team 3, SDVT-1, NRST-1
