The short answer is: depending on particulars of the furlough from the TEAMs, will determine what and if the SEAL requires any refresher training. But once you complete BUD/s you don’t repeat it. I am sure each case may depend on particular circumstances. But as far as I know, the returning SEAL is NOT required to re-do BUD/s, at least in the manner that you have questioned. In 1980, long before there was SEAL Advanced Training, as was in my case, a returning SEAL to duty was assigned to BUD/s to attend Diving Refresher Training. In fact, in my class, then in 1974, Diving was conducted during the 3rd Phase of training; we had several Vietnam SEAL Vets returning that participated in our Diving Training for O2 diving refresher. I was only out of the Navy for less than 3 years while I attended college and obtained my degree in Business Admin and Management- then shipped off to Officer Candidate School and then assigned to UDT-11 - Short time later to be re-designated as SEAL Team FIVE. But I did have about a 2-3 week assignment to get diving refresher training completed. But remember, the diving refresher was required to bring the returning SEAL up-to-date on the equipment that is used. It is possible with the introduction of new equipment or procedures a returning SEAL may be given the opportunity to re-fresh and re-certify with the equipment or procedures. And this would be the reason to return to BUD/s. Remember the words for this acronym, BASIC Underwater Demolition / SEAL. The TEAMs are more highly advanced today, and you have to be an extra sharp knife in the drawer or a very fast learner to keep up with the new technology. Those that are successfully screened to attend and pass BUD/s, are required to demonstrate that they have the ability to comprehend information and utilize those learned skills effectively in order to graduate. No one gets pushed up into the next grade, or as in this case the next phase of training without proving oneself and being very proficient in the every aspect that is required to be a SEAL, at least on the basics. This “Basics” is one of the major areas of training that separates the Navy SEALs apart from the other special ops forces, at least in my opinion. Just the basics alone are a major leap and bound over types of SPEC OPS Training. Now you add the new advanced training and transform this already highly trained operator into a well oiled and lubricated warrior. This advanced training was initially conducted on the job while assigned to a TEAM and a platoon. But now the BUD/s graduate can receive a more intense specialized training program that permits the warrior intense exposure to real-world operational training. When the SEAL warrior reports to a TEAM, he is OPERATIONAL READY! There is just one question that you have to ask yourself:ARE YOU THAT SOMEONE SPECIAL? DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A NAVY SEAL? ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE? Well,… do YA Punk?HooYah!

AP  Lieutenant Commander, USN (Retired)Navy SEAL"Yes, you can ask me questions about BUD/S, the Teams and Navy Opportunities.