Overview
As a prior service Special Operator, your thirst for adventure is understood. Carrying out difficult and often dangerous missions, the SEALs, Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen (SWCCs), Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians (EOD) and Navy Divers of the Special Operations community make up the most dedicated, motivated and physically fit Sailors of the U.S. Navy.
Description
As a SEAL, SWCC, EOD Technician or Navy Diver in the Navy Reserve, you may be called upon to dispose of ocean-borne mines or conduct combat operations in any environment throughout the world. To qualify for special warfare/special operations, you must complete an intense physical and mental conditioning program. The competition to become a member is fierce, but if you’re motivated, self-disciplined, in excellent physical condition and have the passion to perform under pressure in extreme environments, the Special Warfare/Special Operations field might be the perfect place for you. Typical missions include gathering enemy intelligence, performing covert reconnaissance or conducting counterterrorist operations and performing long-range maritime transit in support of a variety of Special Operations.
To qualify for a position in the Special Operations field, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent. If you have a bachelor’s or advanced degree, you may also be interested in a career as a Special Operations Officer.
Specifics
SEALs
Since 1962, when the first SEAL Teams were commissioned, Navy SEALs have distinguished themselves as individually reliable, collectively disciplined and highly skilled warriors. SEALs go through what is considered by many military experts to be the toughest training, both physically and mentally demanding, in the world. Their duties include, but are not limited to:
- Conducting insertions/extractions from the Sea, Air or Land (hence SEAL) to accomplish covert, special operations missions in any environment throughout the world.
- Capturing high-value enemy personnel and terrorists around the world.
- Collecting information and intelligence through special reconnaissance missions — reconnoitering both enemy installations and enemy movement.
- Carrying out small-unit, direct-action missions against military targets.
- Conducting underwater reconnaissance and the demolition of natural or man-made obstacles prior to amphibious landings.
SEALs receive normal military pay and allowances, plus incentive pay for special skills and assignments. There is also a $40,000 enlistment bonus available for SEAL applicants. The enlistment bonus is the highest paid in the Navy.
SWCCs
SWCCs are superbly trained as maritime mobility experts who operate a variety of high-speed Special Operations Craft (boats) in open ocean, coastal and riverine environments.
SWCCs are required to utilize a combination of specialized training in maritime navigation, radio communications, boat/propulsion systems engineering, crew-served and personal weapons, parachuting, first aid and tactics in completion of Special Operation missions worldwide. Some duties in this field may include:
- Conducting maritime insertions/extractions of SEALs and other Special Operations Forces.
- Collecting information and intelligence on enemy military installations in coastal areas.
- Performing parachute/helicopter insertion operations in support of missions.
- Supporting military and civilian law enforcement agencies.
EOD Technicians
EOD Technicians deploy to the world’s oceans and seas with Aircraft Carrier Battle Groups and amphibious-ready group staffs. They are always on hand to respond to ordnance in any environment. Specific mobile detachments called Mine Countermeasures specialize in mine hunting and mine clearance. They’re specially trained to use the equipment and procedures necessary to locate, identify, neutralize, recover, exploit, and dispose of sea mines, torpedoes and depth charges. EOD Technicians directly support the global war on terrorism by integrating with Navy SEALs and Marine Expeditionary Units. Their unique knowledge of Improvised Explosive Devices, conventional, non-conventional and underwater ordnance make them a force multiplier to any war fighter. Other duties may include:
- Supporting Aircraft Carrier Battle Groups and Amphibious Readiness Groups in all aspects of Ordnance safety.
- Conducting reconnaissance and demolition of natural or man-made underwater obstacles prior to amphibious landings.
- Conducting demolition of hazardous munitions, pyrotechnics and outdated explosives using detonation and burning techniques.
- Performing underwater location and identification of foreign and domestic ordnance.
- Rendering safe and/or disposing of foreign and domestic ordnance.
- Performing parachute/helicopter insertion operations in support of missions.
- Supporting military and civilian law enforcement agencies.
- Working with cutting-edge technology to remotely disable unsafe ordnance.
- Conducting underwater mine countermeasure operations to clear waterways in support of the fleet.
Navy Divers
From their simple beginnings as swimmers disarming mines during the Civil War, Navy divers trace their history back to the middle of the nineteenth century when they were primarily employed in the salvage and repair of ships. The term “Navy Divers” is anything but typical. Divers have played a critical role in the Navy. The rare breed of men and women in today’s Navy Dive Team play a vital role in a broad spectrum of missions. Using the most modern diving equipment available, divers are taught how to operate in a variety of conditions — from clear, warm tropical waters to frigid, arctic waters beneath icebergs to water so murky that the work must be done by touch alone. Today, divers perform a number of essential tasks, including underwater reconnaissance, demolition, construction, ship maintenance, search and rescue, and salvage operations. Other duties may include:
- Performing a variety of diving and salvage operations and special diving duties worldwide.
- Supporting military and civilian law enforcement agencies.
- Serving as the technical experts for diving evolutions for numerous military special operations units.
- Providing security, communications and other logistics during Expeditionary Warfare missions.
Training
Your training in Special Operations is a combination of intense physical and mental training, designed to push your mind and body to their limits. You’ll train in any number of conditions and environments, including maritime, coastal, riverine, mountainous, jungle, desert and urban terrains.
You may learn the fundamentals of explosive ordnance disposal through formal Navy schooling. Or you may learn about chemical and biological warfare, military tactics, deep-sea diving or a number of other tactical military procedures. The courses in this field are demanding, but individuals who accept these challenges are rewarded with extra pay and extraordinary duty assignments.
Jobs within Special Operations have comparable civilian counterparts that include high-level security assessment, security instructors, emergency medicine, law enforcement, civilian EOD/bomb disposal, Chemical-Biological-Radiological (CBR) protection and response, force protection/personal security and all types of diving salvage. You will be part of a community that values leadership, self-determination and organizational skills. As you mature in any of the Special Operations fields, employers in the military and civilian communities will value you. Completing some of the most demanding training our country has to offer says that you have what it takes to accomplish any task an employer could throw your way.
More Information
To qualify, you must have at least a high school diploma or GED.
To learn how you can become an Enlisted Sailor in the Navy Reserve Special Operations field, visit ways to join or contact a Navy Reserve Recruiter.