ACTIVE DUTY SEAL OFFICER APPLICATION STEPS

Naval Special Warfare (NSW) conducts an annual officer accession selection panel to select the next generation of Sea-Air-Land (SEAL) officers. Every SEAL Officer is expected to lead men and women in combat operations early in their careers. In addition to the traditional concentration on direct action and surveillance and reconnaissance missions, officers will be diplomats and development experts. They must be culturally aware, adept at interagency collaboration, and experts at waging war at the individual to the troop level in complex, politically sensitive, and dangerous environments. Each SEAL Officer will be required to fill critical leadership positions, and must be honorable men and women who can represent the nation well throughout the world. Officer selection is highly competitive; applicants must be dedicated to the Naval Special Warfare community and its mission. Future officers must possess leadership skills, integrity, teamwork, drive, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in the face of adversity.

In selecting futrue SEAL officers, the panel utilizes a holistic approach in its rigorous search for the men and women who'll lead SEAL platoons, troops, and eventually teams into combat. Leadership potential is the most sought after trait. Honor and integrity are indispensable, and the highest levels of physical fitness are expected. Academic achievement, with an emphasis on foreign language skills (Arabic, Farsi, Pashtu, Dari, French), regional expertise, and cultural knowledge and experience are highly valued. In consideration of the whole person, letters of recommendation are incredibly important, especially those written by SEAL officers. The panel recognizes that not everyone has access to a SEAL officer - someone who could write a letter of recommendation.