The U.S. Navy Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training is one of the most physically and mentally demanding military selection pipelines in the world. The six-month course, followed by the four-month SEAL Qualification Training (SQT), has a notoriously high rate of attrition. Most candidates who begin the process will not earn the Special Warfare Trident. Failing to complete the training is a common outcome, but it is not necessarily a career-ending event. The Navy maintains a structured process to reassign personnel back into the conventional fleet, and the candidate’s path forward depends on the specific circumstances of their departure.
Understanding the Types of Training Failure
A candidate’s future eligibility for re-application and their administrative path are determined by classifying the reason they left the pipeline. The most definitive separation is the Drop on Request (DOR), which is a voluntary decision to quit the training, often signaled by ringing a brass bell.
Non-voluntary separations fall into two primary categories: medical and performance drops. Medical drops occur when a candidate sustains an injury or illness that prevents safe continuation in the class. If the issue is temporary, the candidate may be “rolled” to a later class for recovery. Performance drops occur when a candidate fails to meet required standards, such as failing timed evolutions (like the four-mile run or two-mile ocean swim) or failing academic or leadership reviews. Repeated performance failures result in an involuntary drop from the program.
The Immediate Administrative Process After Dropping
Once a candidate is dropped from the training pipeline, they enter a transition phase where they are required to fulfill their contractual obligation to the Navy. Candidates dropped for medical reasons are often routed to the Physical Training Rest and Recuperation (PTRR) Division. This division manages the physical rehabilitation of injured personnel until they are fully recovered and cleared for duty.
Sailors who voluntarily quit (DOR) or are performance-dropped are processed out of the Naval Special Warfare Center and sent to a temporary holding unit, often referred to as Special Activities Training (SAT). Personnel complete necessary administrative paperwork and debriefings before receiving orders to the fleet. This process ensures the sailor remains accountable to the command while awaiting their final reassignment.
Reassignment to the Fleet (Needs of the Navy)
The ultimate destination for any sailor who fails to complete the SEAL pipeline is reassignment to the conventional fleet, based on the “Needs of the Navy.” This means the sailor does not choose their new role or duty station, as they are used to fill existing billets across the service. They must complete their remaining service obligation, typically four to six years, in this new role.
Sailors who already held a Navy rating, such as a Hospital Corpsman or Aviation Technician, generally return to that original job. Candidates who entered the Navy directly on a Special Operator (SO) contract are considered “unrated” after their drop. They are assigned a new rating based on Navy requirements and their aptitude tests. Unrated dropouts are often sent to jobs in the surface or aviation communities. Some, having already passed the background investigation, may be steered toward fields like Cryptologic Technician. The individual is expected to perform their duties in a conventional Naval unit for the remainder of their contract.
Can You Re-Apply for SEAL Training?
The possibility of attempting BUD/S again depends heavily on the circumstances of the initial separation and the candidate’s status. For officers, the opportunity is generally “once and done,” and they are not permitted to reapply. The pathway for enlisted sailors is more flexible.
Enlisted candidates who were medically dropped have the highest chance of a second attempt, provided they make a full recovery and are medically cleared. Performance drops may be allowed re-entry, but the candidate must demonstrate significant improvement. Candidates who chose to DOR face the highest barrier, as voluntarily quitting is rarely overlooked, and they may be permanently barred from reapplying. Even with a favorable drop classification, the sailor typically must serve successfully in the fleet for a minimum of two to three years before a waiver for re-entry is considered.
Pursuing Other Special Warfare Opportunities
Candidates unable or unwilling to return to the SEAL pipeline can pursue other high-intensity, specialized careers within Naval Special Warfare. The Navy maintains several other Special Operations communities that require similar levels of mental toughness and physical conditioning. These roles offer an alternative path for sailors who desire a challenging mission set.
Alternatives include:
Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC), who operate and maintain specialized boats.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician.
Navy Diver (ND).
Aviation Rescue Swimmer (AIRR).
Hospital Corpsman Advanced Technical Field (ATF).
These careers utilize the skills and commitment demonstrated during the SEAL selection process.
Long-Term Career and Personal Implications
Failing to complete BUD/S or SQT carries personal weight, but the experience provides long-term benefits. Successfully completing a military contract, even in a different role, demonstrates commitment and perseverance to future civilian employers. The physical conditioning and mental toughness gained from time in the pipeline are highly valued attributes in the post-military workforce.
The experience provides valuable self-knowledge and resilience. Regardless of the training outcome, the sailor retains military service benefits, including the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill for education and access to the VA Home Loan program. The commitment to serve and the character developed during the attempt remain substantial personal and professional assets.