| The Navy SEAL Teams can trace their history back
to the first group of volunteers selected from the Naval Construction
Battalions in the spring of 1943. Their mission was to clear obstacles
from beaches chosen for amphibious landings, which began the first
formal training of the Naval Combat Demolition Units (NCDUs). The
NCDUs distinguished themselves at Utah and Omaha beaches in Normandy
and in Southern France. In the Pacific, the NCDUs were consolidated
into Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs).
The newly formed UDTs saw action in every corner of the Pacific
during World War II. Beginning in 1950, the UDTs were active in
the Korean War, participating at Inchon, Wonsan, Iwon, and Chinnampo.
The redeployment of the United Nations Forces featured the UDTs
conducting delaying operations using guerilla warfare.
In January 1962, the first SEAL Teams were officially commissioned
to conduct unconventional warfare, counter-guerilla warfare, and
clandestine operations in maritime and riverine environments. These
teams were SEAL Team ONE on the West Coast and SEAL Team TWO on
the East Coast. During Vietnam, the SEALs compiled an impressive
record of combat successes.
Since the close of the Vietnam war, the ever-changing world situation
and increased operational tasking have prompted the expansion of
SEAL Teams in numbers, size, and capabilities. To effectively respond
to this evolutionary process, Underwater Demolition Teams have been
re designated as SEAL or SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Teams. The
newly designated SEAL Teams acquired the SEAL mission and retained
the amphibious support mission inherited from their UDT forefathers
SEAL, SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams, and Special Boat Units comprise
the elite combat units of Naval Special Warfare. These units are
organized, trained, and equipped to conduct special operations,
clandestine maritime and riverine operations, foreign internal defense,
and unconventional warfare. These highly-trained specialists are
deployed worldwide in support of fleet and national operations.
The wide range of tasks performed by Naval Special Warfare and its
outstanding combat record have earned a respected and enduring reputation.
Naval Special Warfare extends a personal challenge to interested
individuals like yourself. This program will push you to your physical
and mental limits, again and again, until you are physically and
mentally hard and strong, and ready for the adventure of a lifetime
in the SEAL Teams.
Free-fall parachuting at 10,000 feet, traveling by small rubber
boat for 100 miles, conducting a mission, then traveling 30 miles
out to sea to rendezvous with a submarine is a typical mission for
the SEALs and an adventure most people can experience only by reading
books. If you are ready for both a challenge and an adventure, the
Navy has just begun to test your mettle.
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