News

August 19, 2008: The U.S. Navy has angered many in the Coast Guard by aggressively recruiting Coast Guard personnel for the SEAL forces. The Coast Guard is particularly concerned that the SEAL recruiters will go after the Coast Guard rescue swimmers (who jump off ships or out of helicopters to rescue people). This is an elite force (half the candidates for the training flunk out). The Coast Guard has only 300-350 of these highly trained rescue swimmers, and doesn't like the navy poaching them.

For the last few years, the U.S. Navy has been spending a lot more effort in trying to recruit sailors into the elite SEALs, and expand the force from 2,400 to 2,800. The training is very tough, with over half of those accepted failing to complete the SEAL training. The navy refuses to ease up on these high standards. One reason is, if they did, there would be a major exodus of SEALs not willing to serve with those trained to a lower standard. The navy is already using re-enlistment bonuses of up to $150,000 to keep experienced SEALs in service.

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