Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training is one of the most physically and psychologically demanding military pipelines globally. The rigorous selection process filters candidates who possess the mental toughness, physical endurance, and teamwork necessary for Naval Special Warfare. The intense difficulty results in a consistently high attrition rate, with a majority of candidates failing to complete the program. For those who start with a SEAL Operator contract, failure to graduate means a significant and immediate redirection of their Navy career path.
Understanding the Different Ways Candidates Fail
A candidate’s exit from the training pipeline falls into one of three primary categories, which can influence their immediate administrative processing and future career options. The most definitive exit is Dropping on Request (DOR), a voluntary decision where the candidate rings a brass bell, signaling they are quitting the program. This choice is final and typically carries the most significant long-term consequence for re-entry prospects.
Failure to meet the high physical and academic standards results in a Performance Drop, where the candidate is removed from training by the instructors. This occurs when a student fails a specific evolution, such as a timed run or a pool competency test, or repeatedly violates safety rules. The third type of exit is a Medical Drop, where a candidate is removed due to injury, illness, or a medical condition that prevents them from continuing safely. Common injuries include stress fractures, torn muscles, and debilitating joint problems due to the relentless pace.
Immediate Administrative Consequences and Reassignment
When a candidate fails to continue, they lose their Special Warfare contract and revert to the general Navy population. This transition begins with a mandatory administrative holding period, often referred to as “Special Activities Training” (SAT) for enlisted personnel. During this holding period, candidates who were medically dropped receive the necessary care and rehabilitation to become fit for duty in the conventional fleet.
Candidates who entered the Navy specifically for the SEAL pipeline, without a prior Navy job or “rate,” must then undergo a re-designation process. The Navy determines the candidate’s new job classification, which is heavily influenced by the Navy’s current personnel needs. This job assignment is often out of the candidate’s control, though their scores on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and other qualifications are considered. Once the new rate is assigned, the individual is sent to an “A” school to train for their new specialty, fulfilling the remainder of their service obligation in a non-Special Warfare role.
Navigating a Non-SEAL Navy Career
Candidates who fail BUD/S are not discharged from the Navy but are instead re-routed into the conventional fleet. Their new rate is determined by a combination of their original qualifications, their ASVAB scores, and the current manning requirements of the Navy. Many BUD/S drops are assigned to jobs that need to be filled on ships, submarines, or in fields like medical, intelligence, or aircrew.
Starting a career in the fleet after a high-profile failure presents unique challenges, particularly regarding the initial lack of a specialized skill set if they enlisted with only a SEAL contract. However, the discipline and physical conditioning gained during the intense BUD/S training often translate into success in their new field. Some former candidates are even offered roles in other demanding Navy specialties, such as Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) or Rescue Swimmer, depending on their performance and the Navy’s needs.
Requirements for Re-Attempting BUD/S
A second attempt at BUD/S is technically possible for enlisted sailors, but it is an extremely rare and highly competitive path. Officers who fail or quit are generally limited to a single attempt and are not permitted to reapply. Enlisted candidates typically face a waiting period of two to three years before they can even submit a request to return to training.
The path to re-entry demands that the sailor perform exceptionally well in their reassigned rating, demonstrating superior performance and maturity in their current fleet assignment. Candidates must also meet even stricter physical standards than the minimum for new applicants, often requiring a waiver from Naval Special Warfare leadership. A voluntary exit (DOR) makes a re-attempt significantly more difficult, as the Navy is reluctant to invest resources in a candidate who quit. A performance or medical drop, where the candidate was removed against their will, is generally viewed more favorably by the selection board, provided the underlying issue has been resolved.
Coping with the Psychological Impact of Failure
The intensity of BUD/S training, combined with the high personal stakes, means failure often results in a significant mental and emotional toll on the candidate. Deep disappointment is common, as the individual has failed to achieve a goal that consumed their focus for a long period. Instructors leverage psychological pressure, sleep deprivation, and relentless physical discomfort to test mental fortitude, often forcing the mind to yield before the body.
Candidates can experience an identity crisis, having heavily tied their self-worth and future identity to the goal of becoming a SEAL. To navigate this, reframing the experience as a learning opportunity rather than a permanent failure is beneficial. The discipline, resilience, and problem-solving skills honed during the training are transferable assets in their new Navy career. Seeking support through Navy resources and applying the mental toughness gained during the process to their new field of service can help them move forward constructively.