Coast Guardsmen are 1st to ever graduate BUD/S

[bobdina]

Coast Guardsmen are 1st to ever graduate BUD/S

By Susan Gvozdas - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Sep 4, 2009 12:02:28 EDT

Two Coast Guardsmen became the first in their service to graduate from the Navy’s Basic Underwater Demolition/SEALs training Thursday.

The graduates, whose names have not been released, have been training since January. They still must go through another six months of training before they officially become SEALs, said Lt. Fred Martin, a spokesman for the Naval Special Warfare Center at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif. Up next: parachute training, the Junior Officer Training Course and the final SEAL qualification training, which includes cold-weather training in Kodiak, Alaska.

Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen wrote proudly about the graduates in his blog.

“Two Guardians made history today,” he said. “While they still have an intensive training program to complete before pinning on their Tridents in the spring, this is an impressive accomplishment, and we should all be very proud of our shipmates and their performance representing the U.S. Coast Guard amongst the elite Navy SEALs.”

One of the Coast Guardsman graduated as the class officer in charge —the senior ranking member of the class, Martin said.

“They still have a ways to go, but they have handled themselves very well,” Martin said.

The Coast Guard originally sent four service members to training, but one dropped out and another was injured before the dreaded Hell Week began. He has since recovered and will start training with a new class next week, Martin said.

The Coast Guard received 16 applications this year from service members who want to join a SEAL class, Allen wrote. The applications will be reviewed, and if the candidates meet the Navy admission guidelines, they will be sent for training next year.

[ghost]

Coast Guard huh? Does this mean that they will actually become SEALs, and go on missions with the SEALs? If so, then I didn't know that you could do that. I've never heard of a Marine going to Ranger school, and becoming a Ranger, or an Airman going to MARSOC training....

Speaking of which(I know this is a bit off topic), I have heard that Marines have gone to BUDS and become SEALs, though. But I never actually read this anywhere, it was just "word of mouth". How does MARSOC and Recon school rack up against BUDS?

Sorry for going off topic. It just popped into my head, and sort of has to do with the topic; inter-service training.

[nastyleg]

Q1: What is MARSOC?

R1: In October 2005, the Secretary of Defense directed the formation of a Marine Component of U. S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). It was determined that the Marine Corps would initially form a unit of approximately 2500 to serve with USSOCOM. MARSOC will reached full operational capability in October of 2008.

On February 24, 2006, MARSOC activated at Camp Lejeune, NC. MARSOC initially consisted of a small staff and the Foreign Military Training Unit (FMTU), which had been formed to conduct Foreign Internal Defense (FID). FMTU is now designated as the Marine Special Operations Advisor Group (MSOAG).

In the months after the activation of MARSOC the structure and personnel of both 1st and 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company transferred to MARSOC to form the 1st and 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalions.

MARSOC also formed the Marine Special Operations Support Group (MSOSG) and the Marine Special Operations School (MSOS). The MSOSG provides combat support and combat service support to MARSOC Units, to include: Logistics; Communication; Intelligence; and K-9 support. The MSOS Screens, Assesses, Selects, Trains, and Certifies Marine Special Operations Forces (MARSOF) and has responsibility for doctrine development.

Q2: What Does MARSOC Do?

R2: As a service component of USSOCOM, MARSOC is tasked by the Commander USSOCOM to train, organize, equip; and when directed by CDRUSSOCOM, deploy task organized, scaleable, and responsive U.S. Marine Corps special operations forces worldwide in support of combatant commanders and other agencies. MARSOC has been directed to conduct Foreign Internal Defense (FID), Direct Action (DA), and Special Reconnaissance (SR). MARSOC has also been directed to develop a capability in Unconventional Warfare (UW), Counter Terrorism (CT), and Information Operations (IO). Commander, USSOCOM assigns MARSOC missions based on USSOCOM priorities. MARSOC units then deploy under USSOCOM Deployment Orders.

Q3: What Makes MARSOF Different From Other Conventional Forces?

R3: Building MARSOF, like all special operations forces, is a combination of efforts which include selecting individuals with the required attributes, giving them advanced training, and then retaining them in the unit for an extended period of time to build experience, continuity, and relationships with other nations.

All members of MARSOC are Recruited and Screened. Marines and Sailors intended to serve as operators are then Assessed and Selected. Assessment and Selection (A&S) is an intensive 3 week testing program that determines whether or not a candidate has the attributes required to be MARSOF. MARSOF Operators must be mature, intelligent, mentally flexible, determined, and physically fit. They must be complex problem solvers who are comfortable working in an ambiguous environment. Candidates with these attributes are selected and subsequently assigned to MARSOC.

Initial members of MARSOC were screened, but joined the command without attending A&S. MARSOC conducted class 1 of A&S in the Spring of 2007. Beginning in Fall 2007, all intended MARSOF Operators entering the command must attend A&S. Marines who are assigned to 1st or 2nd MSOB as operators are already Reconnaissance Marines. They participate in specialized unit level training to prepare them to conduct assigned SOF missions.

In October 2008, all MARSOF Operators began attending the MARSOC Initial Training Course (ITC). ITC is an in-depth training program that covers the culture, technical, and tactical skills required for MARSOC’s assigned tasks. All operators will have the same baseline training and then receive further specialized training based on the unit that they are assigned to.

Q4: What Changes Are Coming For MARSOC?

R4: MARSOC has started a reorganization. The primary purpose is to better balance the capabilities of MARSOF and better balance the operator/support ratio within MARSOC to execute direct and indirect missions. The reorganization enables a long term relevant special operations force with greater self sufficiency.

Based on requirements from USSOCOM and Theater Special Operations Commands, MARSOC identified the need to have greater capacity in FID. The reorganization provides more capacity by reducing capacity in other areas.

After action reports from deployments identified a significant shortfall in the ability of an MSOC to be user-friendly and plug into a JSOTF with minimal impact. The reorganization addresses that shortfall by increasing the Combat Service Support in an MSOC. In the reorganization, MARSOC will adopt a uniform naming convention. The base unit of MARSOC will be the 14-man Marine Special Operations Team (MSOT), commanded by a Captain. All MSOTs will have the same organization.

MSOTs will be part of a Marine Special Operations Company, commanded by a Major. Each MSOC headquarters will have the same structure. All MSOCs will be elements of an MSOB, commanded by a LtCol. The uniform naming convention gives MARSOC consistent, clearly understood force modules which enable effective resourcing and joint employment.

The restructured MARSOC will be more agile, user-friendly, and relevant for the long term. It will provide operational commanders with well trained Marine Special Operations Forces that are prepared to execute the assigned missions.

http://www.marsoc.usmc.mil/questions-responses.html

SEAL training is extremely demanding, both mentally and physically, and produces the world's best maritime warriors. Our focus during this training is based on three core pillars:

Men of Character: The nature of our mission requires men who will uphold the Navy Core Values - Honor, Courage, and Commitment.


Physical: The nature of our mission also requires men who are physically fit and capable in every environment, especially the water.


Technical: Finally, maritime Special Operations require men who are intelligent and can quickly learn new tasks.
Naval Special Warfare Training - Following basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL, and the NSW Preparation Course, Great Lakes, IL, you will begin Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) Training in Coronado, CA. This six-month course of instruction will focus on physical conditioning, small boat handling, diving physics, basic diving techniques, land warfare, weapons, demolitions, communications, and reconnaissance.




First Phase (Basic Conditioning) - 7 weeks - First Phase trains, develops, and assesses SEAL candidates in physical conditioning, water competency, teamwork, and mental tenacity. This phase is eight weeks long. Physical conditioning with running, swimming, and calisthenics grows harder and harder as the weeks progress. You will participate in weekly four mile timed runs in boots, timed obstacle courses, swim distances up to two miles wearing fins in the ocean, and learn small boat seamanship.




The first three weeks of First Phase will prepare you for the fourth week, better known as "Hell Week." During this week, you will participate in five and one-half days of continuous training, with a maximum of four hours sleep total. This week is designed as the ultimate test of one's physical and mental motivation while in First Phase. Hell Week proves to those who make it that the human body can do ten times the amount of work the average man thinks possible. During Hell Week, you will learn the value of cool headedness, perseverance, and above all, TEAMWORK. The remaining four weeks are devoted to teaching various methods of conducting hydrographic surveys and how to create a hydrographic chart.




Second Phase (Diving) - 8 weeks - Diving Phase trains, develops, and qualifies SEAL candidates as competent basic combat swimmers. This phase is eight weeks long. During this period, physical training continues and becomes even more intensive. Second Phase concentrates on combat SCUBA. You will learn two types of SCUBA: open circuit (compressed air) and closed circuit (100% oxygen). Emphasis is placed on long distance underwater dives with the goal of training students to become basic combat divers, using swimming and diving techniques as a means of transportation from their launch point to their combat objective. This is a skill that separates SEALs from all other Special Operations forces.




Third Phase (Land Warfare) - 9 weeks - Third Phase trains, develops, and qualifies SEAL candidates in basic weapons, demolition, and small unit tactics. This phase of training is nine weeks in length. Physical training continues to become more strenuous as the run distance increases and the minimum passing times are lowered for the runs, swims, and obstacle course. Third Phase concentrates on teaching land navigation, small-unit tactics, patrolling techniques, rappelling, marksmanship, and military explosives. The final three and a half weeks of Third Phase are spent on San Clemente Island, where students apply all the techniques they have acquired during training.

BUD/S Training Timeline

Indoctrination (3 weeks)
Basic Conditioning (7 weeks)
Diving (8 weeks)
Land Warfare (9 weeks)
Basic Parachute Training (3 weeks)
Receive Naval Special Warfare Classification - (NEC) Code

http://www.seal.navy.mil/seal/buds.aspx

What training and schools can I expect to attend?
Initial training consists of Marine Recruit Training, & the School of Infantry, training as a rifleman. Students are then assigned to the Basic Recon Course. Upon successful completion of the BRC, Marines report to their assigned recon unit & receive various professional, technical and tactical training. Among these are: Airborne (basic and Military Freefall) Jumpmaster, Pathfinder, Ranger, Scout-Sniper, Combat Diver (SCUBA) Diving Supervisor, Mountain warfare & assault climber, Jungle operations, specialized training in urban tactics, Close Quarters Battle & shooting skills, demolitions, communications, photography, controlling aircraft landing operations and directing Airstrikes, Naval Gunfire and Artillery..

http://www.forcerecon.com/reconfaq.htm#six

Do I have to be in the Navy to be eligible for SEAL training?
Yes, to go through BUD/S and become a SEAL, you must be in the US Navy.

http://www.seal.navy.mil/seal/pdf/faq.pdf

[nastyleg]

Hope that helps

[ghost]

Hmm thanks.

[Reactor-Axe-Man]

I had a friend who went to BUD/S after he washed out of nuke school. The guy made it through Hell Week, only to screw up his knee in 2nd Phase and get medically dropped. Couldn't make the swim times. Back then, Hell Week was week 5 of 1st Phase.

I'm not sure why they're letting Coasties go through BUD/S, myself, unless the plan is to let those who pass transfer services to the Navy so they can be SEALs.

[bobdina]

I had a friend who went to BUD/S after he washed out of nuke school. The guy made it through Hell Week, only to screw up his knee in 2nd Phase and get medically dropped. Couldn't make the swim times. Back then, Hell Week was week 5 of 1st Phase.

I'm not sure why they're letting Coasties go through BUD/S, myself, unless the plan is to let those who pass transfer services to the Navy so they can be SEALs.

If any or all of the officers make it through the nearly two years of physically and mentally daunting training, they will be assigned to a SEAL team for five to seven years, although they officially will be part of the Coast Guard.

Those who successfully complete the service commitment are not required to return to the Coast Guard, but Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen said last summer he wants them to come back.

[Reactor-Axe-Man]

Fair enough, but it almost sounds as if someone is trying to create a special forces unit for the Coast Guard. If so, does the Coast Guard really need one? If not, why desire to waste their training as SEALs by wanting them to return to the CG?

[ghost]

Fair enough, but it almost sounds as if someone is trying to create a special forces unit for the Coast Guard. If so, does the Coast Guard really need one? If not, why desire to waste their training as SEALs by wanting them to return to the CG?

Well, Coasties are very good at their jobs. I don't really see what kind of unit they could have, if they were to have their own "special operations" unit. The main focus of the Coast Guard is rescuing people, and drug interdiction. They are very good at both.

[bobdina]

Fair enough, but it almost sounds as if someone is trying to create a special forces unit for the Coast Guard. If so, does the Coast Guard really need one? If not, why desire to waste their training as SEALs by wanting them to return to the CG?

I don't think they are, I just think the Navy wanted to open it up to the other waterborne service because some off them have a lot of experience already in boarding, hostage rescue training , and the like. It's just another area to pull in guy's who are already qualified in some of the many specialties that make up a SEAL team . I actually think it's a good idea if they do a 5 or 6 year tour in the teams and go back to the guard as they are getting more and more missions in the anti-terror role and they would be great teachers. They already have a counter terrorism role http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg532/pwcs.asp so I think it would be a great idea for the guy's who come back to Coast Guard fleet to be trainers.