February
19, 2007: The U.S. Navy has found a way to lower the attrition rate (75
percent) of candidates for SEAL training. Having decided to expand the SEAL
force, and not getting enough new candidates, the navy established a "prep
school" for recruits wanting to become SEALs. Noting that the major cause of
failure is the inability of the candidates to handle the heavy physical demands
of the training, the navy decided to help wannabe SEALs cope. The navy hired
former SEALs, who are stationed around the country to show potential recruits
how to prepare for the physical screening tests they have to pass to get into
SEAL school, and what level of conditioning is required to complete the
course. So far (about a year on), sixty percent more of the SEAL
candidates complete their training (the failure rate goes from 75 to 60
percent). The navy is recruiting civilians who are athletic and want to be
SEALs, and the addition of the physical conditioning coaches has made SEAL
school less intimidating.
The
former SEALs also play a role in abolishing a lot of the myths about SEAL
training. Yes, it's tough, but there's a lot of urban legends out there making
it seem impossibly tough. The navy knows it has lost a lot of potential SEALs
because of all the wild stories. The former SEALs, serving with the recruiters,
get potential SEAL recruits into the right physical, and mental, shape to get
into, and pass, SEAL school.
