If I want to become a Navy Seal what are the steps I need to take to achieve this goal?

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Col John Boyd (USAF-ret) used to ask his guys “do you want to be somebody or do you want to do something?”

By which he means, everyone wants to look cool. They want the title. They want the cool hat or badge. But they don’t necessarily want to do that work or put in that effort.

Everyone would love to be a firefighter. Not everyone wants to run into a burning building.

What makes an operative "special"?

James D. Kiras approaches the question of ‘special operations’ with his definition, “Special operations can inflict disproportionate moral damage, in conjunction with strikes against material resources, by virtue of their ability to accomplish what was previously thought impossible.”

Unfortunately, Kiras’s definition is too generic and leaves open the possibility that air power in many forms represents a “special operations”capability. (Very few people would begrudge the Air Force, in general, the title of "special operations.") It also tends to focus on the relatively narrow “direct action” aspect of special operations vice some of the other significant roles undertaken by SOF.

The most complete definition of “special operations forces” is provided by Dr. Robert G. Spulak who first identifies the three most common frictions of war (intense mental and physical stress, the inability to predict what is going to happen, and the inability to know what is out there) and then provides three attributes required by special operations personnel to overcome those frictions.

Spulak suggests that SOF need to be "elite warriors" who are "flexible" and "creative."

The first means they have the physical and mental endurance to survive the stressors of combat and long term deployment behind enemy lines without support. SOF personnel are in incredible physical shape. They approach every work out with the intent of making themselves better, not just maintaining what they have. They are constantly pushing the limits and they are always in competition. Mentally, they exhibit discipline. The ability to deny themselves simple pleasures or to push on through pain, exhaustion, and even demoralization.

Being flexible requires a wide repertoire of skills which can be adapted to a given situation (demolitions, skydiving, SCUBA diving, languages, etc.) By extension, this implies the ability to learn new skills quickly. How to break down a subject into its component parts, how to study, how to practice effectively. Which skills are not as important as a variety of skills and the ability to pick-up new skills quickly.

With regards to practice, SOF personnel subscribe to the philosophy:

“Amateurs practice until they get it right. Professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong.”

Creativity relates to the operator’s ability to conduct unique missions with no previously established doctrine or tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and to develop the necessary solutions to the problem at hand. In other words, there is not an "approved solution" to a given tactical situation. (For example, when conducting an assault there is specific doctrine, a requirement for at least a 3:1 force ratio, and TTPs for how to apply covering fires, etc, etc.) Special operators understand how to break a problem down. Look at the root causes, pick apart the vulnerabilities and then to focus their efforts on those solutions with the highest “return on investment.” So critical thinking skills, lateral thinking, and problem solving are essential.

Develop those three attributes and everything else is details.

With that in mind, I would suggest the following with regards to how to prepare…

Discipline. Develop discipline both physically and mentally. If you can do that, you can overcome any of the challenges that are thrown at you.

Every special operator I have ever met has had two stories: 1) about the guy who was in better shape than anybody else in selection and washed out and 2) the guy nobody thought would make it because he was slight, goofy looking, a city kid, whatever but he had the intestinal fortitude to push through all trials.

What's the difference between them? Discipline. One was physically powerful but when everything went to hell, he was unable force himself to go on. He didn't want it bad enough and chances are he had never had to force himself to dig down deep. Everyone has certain things that they are naturally more inclined to because of a combination of genes and environment. Many who are physically strong likely come from a gene pool where that was in abundance and then they were able to apply it an environment that rewarded those traits. Those people are physically strong and will do well in many, many circumstances. But SOF (regardless of the Service or country) is focused on pushing people to their limits. If you are used to things coming easy to you (even if you still have to train, go to practice, etc.), then SOF selection is going to be very difficult for you. If you don't have the right mindset, if you aren't there for the right reasons, you won't push on.You'll quit. And that's the one thing you have to learn not to do.

SOF operators strive to be the best. At everything. Everything is a competition and every challenge is an opportunity not to just overcome it and prove something to yourself but to actually beat everyone else. Be faster, stronger, smarter, funnier, etc. There is no place in the SOF community for someone who is wiling to settle for "good enough" in ANY endeavor.

Bottom line: While in school, you need straight As in every course you take.The only reason you can't get an A in every course you take is because you aren't willing to put in the time to study and prepare for the tests. "Not willing" is the key to failure in selection.

On top of that, you need to ensure that you are maxing out your PT. Know the standards you are going to be held to and MAX them. Again, there is no room for someone who can *pass* the PFT. SOF only wants those who can beat the maximums in every category. And do so AFTER a full workout. Every PFT you take in selection will be after you have already done a full workout by any normal human's standards. You'll do your 1.5 mile run after you've already done a mile of walking lunges. You'll do your push-ups after you've already done log carries. You'll do your crunches after you've already done hundreds of flutter kicks. If you can't max the PFT after all of that, its because you didn't put in the effort for it. And "not putting in the effort" is the key to failure in SOF.

Lastly, take only cold showers. No kidding. Cold showers are the bane of human existence. It is the most uncomfortable you can make yourself on a daily basis and it requires intense discipline to accept that as your day-to-day life. That it will never start with a hot shower. Every morning you can look forward to standing under ice coldwater while you wash-up. And really, you will find that this will be your life in selection, so get started now.

Straight As. Maximum PFT scores. Cold showers. That doesn't leave much time for socializing. It doesn't leave much time for drinking. It doesn't leave much time for sleep. Embrace it and you will succeed. Make excuses and don't waste your time with selection, you'll just leave with an unfulfilled sensation.

Physically, there are no special exercises you need to do but running long distances and swimming long distances will help. Seize every physical challenge you can find by competing in marathons, iron man races, and spartan events. Always find a way to push yourself to your very limits. That's the only way to train for SOF selection.

And then of course, at some point, you need to meet with a Navy recruiter.