7 Steps to Start the SEAL Challenge

Think you’re ready to be a US Navy SEAL? Here are 7 steps to start the SEAL Challenge.

  1. Contact a Navy Recruiter in your area and say “I want to join the SEAL Challenge program!” Understand the SEAL Challenge Requirements.
  2. Take the basic Navy medical physical, and aptitude tests (ASVAB) at a Military Entry Processing Station.
  3. The Navy Recruiting District for your area will contact a SEAL Mentor  (former SEAL, SWCC, Diver, or EOD) who will determine if you are a good SEAL candidate.
  4. Sign a contract with the U.S. Navy to join its Delayed Entry Program to become a SEAL Challenge candidate.
  5. Your Mentor will physically and mentally prepare you while you finish your education and/or wait to go to Navy Recruit Training Command.
  6. Take the SEAL Physical Screening Test (PST) at least two times and meet minimum passing scores for the swim, pushups, sit ups, pull ups and run:
    • Take your 1st PST within 60 days of starting the Delayed Entry Program. (You must pass this to continue in the program.)
    • Take your 2nd PST within 14 days of leaving for Navy Boot Camp. (You must pass this to continue in the program at Boot Camp.)
  7. Go to Navy Recruit Training Command (Boot Camp) in Great Lakes, IL for a 12-week introduction to Navy Life. You will have three (3) official tries to pass the PST by the 6th week.
    • Take your 1st PST the first week at Boot Camp. (Do the 1.5 mile run part in running shoes and shorts in 11:00 min. or faster.
    • Take your 2nd PST but do the 1.5 mile run in 11:30 min. or faster.
    • Take your 3rd PST by the 6th week if you have not already passed. (You must pass this time or you will be dropped from the SEAL Challenge program, released, and reclassified into another Navy career specialty.)

SEAL Challenge Requirements

  • U.S. Citizen (Not waiverable)
  • 18-28 years old, 17 with parental permission. Waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Males only (Not waiverable)
  • High school graduate or equivalent. Be proficient in reading, speaking, writing, and understanding English.
  • Uncorrected vision no worse than 20/200 in both eyes. Both eyes must be correctable to 20/20.
  • Minimum ASVAB Score of: General Science (GS) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC) + Electronics Information (EI) = 165 or Verbal Expression (VE) + Mechanical Knowledge (MK) + Mechanical Comprehension (MC) + Coding Speed (CS)=220.
  • Pass the SEAL Physical Screening Test (PST).

Waiverable requirements change frequently and are considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact a Navy recruiter for up-to-date waiver information.