Grueling Navy SEAL Training Toughest in the World

With the recent death of Osama bin Laden near Islamabad, the whole world has gone crazy for Navy SEALs. Everybody wants to know what it was like for SEAL Team Six to carry out their heroic mission last weekend. Others want to know what it takes to become one.

Navy SEALs are the United States most elite force, thanks to their ability to operate on sea, air and land. Being able to conduct missions underwater separates the SEALS from most other military units in the world, but it's not easy becoming one. The training is the most vigorous and harsh out of all the U.S. forces.

Over 1,000 potentials apply each year to become a SEAL. Only 200-250 actually succeed.

SEAL trainees during the Drown Proofing Test, where they must untie their bound feet and hands to swim to safety.

Training starts in the Naval Special Warfare Preparatory School in Great Lakes, Illinois, lasting two months. It's purpose is to prepare potential candidates for the rigorous activities they'll face at BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training). They're given a physical screening test, where they must meet the following guidelines:

• Finish 20 minutes or under in a 1000-meter swim with fins
• Get at least 70 pushups in 2 minutes
• Perform at least 10 pullups without quitting
• Get at least 60 situps in 2 minutes
• Run 4 miles in pants and shoes in 31 minutes or under

If they don't pass, they're removed from training and are reclassified into other Naval jobs.

SEALs trainees performing pullups in Coronado, California

Then comes BUD/S orientation in Coronado, California, which lasts for 3 weeks. SEAL instructors introduce the soldiers to obstacle course and other training aspects to prepare the candidates for First Phase training.

First Phase is the basic conditioning section, lasting 7 weeks long and focusing on developing teamwork and improving physical skills, water competency and mental tenacity. Each week, they are force to one-up the last week's training, with more running, swimming and calisthenics. They're graded on their timed performance in a four-mile run, obstacle courses, and 2-mile swim. But the biggest part of First Phase training is Hell Week, where candidates sleep for 4 hours during a near 6-day span, despite running over 200 miles and performing 20 hours of demanding training each day. This is where most fall out.

SEAL trainees crawl down the surf line in High Intensity Wet testing where they're taught to follow commands.

SEAL trainees locking arms during High Intensity Wet testing.

SEALs are exposed to tear gas in training. But this isn't just a SEALs test—Most U.S. military training also exposes trainees to tear gas.

Second Phase includes the combat diving phase, also lasting 7 weeks. Soldiers learn underwater skills that separate them from other special forces such as Delta and Rangers. They become combat swimmers, learning open- and closed-circuit diving and take part in one of the most notorious training aspects—the Drown Proofing Test. Those not completely comfortable in water usually struggle to succeed.

SEALs kneeling in the surf in unison as part of their ocean training.

SEAL trainees in the frigid surf at a beach in Coronado, California.

SEALs practicing temperature survival techiques in the swim tank.

SEAL trainees doing pushups prior to Drown Proof Testing.

Third Phase is focused on land warfare, another 7 weeks of training. This is where they get their weapons, demolitions, land navigation and other training. For the final three weeks of training, soldiers practice what they've learned on Clemente Island, 60 miles from Coronado. Once they've gotten this far in BUD/S, they usually make it to SQL.

Finally, they hit SQL (SEAL Qualification Training) which lasts a grueling 28 weeks. Upon completion, soldiers receive their SEAL Trident, marking them an actual SEAL. After that, they're assigned to a SEAL Team to begin preparing for their first deployment.

Total time training—60 weeks (15 months).

Check out the entire picture gallery over at The Daily Beast.

If you're interested in becoming a SEAL, the official Navy SEAL website has a Training Guide you can use to get used to the physical demands you'll encounter in SEAL training.