There are several elite special operations jobs within the US Navy beyond Navy SEALs, including explosive ordinance demolition, special warfare combatant-craft crewman, divers, and aviation rescue swimmers. These jobs all require excellent physical fitness and water skills, and their roles include covert insertions, reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, explosive demolition, construction, salvage, search and rescue, and humanitarian aid. To qualify for these programs, candidates must pass a physical screening test and meet education, lawful, medical, and language requirements, and those selected receive special pay and bonuses given the extraordinary training and risks of the jobs. Interested individuals are advised to contact their local Navy recruiting station to learn more.

1. An Interview with Navy _____________________________________________
About Navy Special Operations/Special Warfare
Q We have all heard the names – Green Berets, Rangers, Delta Force, SEALs. All of them
are special forces, but it seems that SEALs are the best. Why is that?
A Each of our military branches has an elite group that is extremely physically fit and has
been heavily trained in advanced warfare techniques ranging from small arms and martial arts to
survival practices and forward observation for calling in artillery fire and airstrikes. Typically
they also have been trained in language, psychological warfare, field medicine and other things
that help them gain the support of friendly natives as well. One of the factors that sets Navy
SEALs apart from the rest is that their training begins under water with demolition training.
While it is nice to see that some people would classify Navy SEALs as better than the other
special forces, we simply recognize that their capabilities are different.
Q I would bet that there are lots of people who wind up competing for only a few spots
within the Navy special warfare units. Would I be correct?
A It is true that a couple thousand people will enter the initial SEAL training program when
at the most only a few hundred positions will be available. What I have to point out, however, is
that Navy special operations and special warfare encompasses much more than just the SEAL
category, and those jobs can be equally demanding and necessary. They also can be every bit as
rewarding.
Q So, you say that there are other special operations jobs, but they’re not considered
SEALs? What kinds of jobs would those be?
A Let’s start with the common precondition for this kind of service – extremely good
physical condition, including an extremely good capacity to swim on and under the water. With
that as a starting point, it becomes easier to see how explosive ordinance demolition, special
warfare combatant-craft crewman, diver, and aviation rescue swimmer jobs all fit the category.
Q I guess I don’t know enough about those jobs. Can you explain them for me?
A Sure. Let’s start with Explosive Ordinance Demolition, EOD. As I mentioned earlier, all
of this training begins with a course in basic underwater demolition and swimming. You will
hear this being called BUD/S training. It focuses on swimming and diving skills, and also on the
removing, disabling and destroying of underwater mines and other explosive devices. For those
who are really good at it, the job takes them around the world, sometimes parachuting in, to
handle lethal weapons of every kind in support of Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, CIA,
Secret Service, etc.

2. Diver is another special operations category. These specialists handle construction, demolition
salvage and search and rescue assignments around the globe, often in extreme underwater
conditions. They also can be qualified in demolition and parachute jumping.
Q How about the other categories?
A Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC), as the name implies, is a special
warfare role of extreme importance. These are the people who handle covert insertions behind
enemy lines, reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, and extreme firepower in very small units.
Everything they do incorporates speed, stealth and firepower. This might require special foreign
language training as well.
The last category is Aviation Rescue Swimmer (AIRR). This category ranges from extreme
warfare situations to extreme rescue and humanitarian support. The work begins in the air,
typically in a helicopter, but continues in the water, sometimes with anti-submarine warfare or
mine countermeasures, sometimes with drug interdiction, sometimes with recovery and rescue. It
also often includes the delivery of humanitarian aid and relief, and that can be anywhere in the
world. It’s an elite, risky and dangerous job.
Q How does one qualify for entering one of these programs?
A For starters, there is the Navy Challenge physical screening test. This involves a 500-yard
swim, 42 push-ups, 50 sit-ups, 6 pull-ups, and a 1.5 mile run, all with time limits. We sometimes
are able to conduct these at cooperating schools. Other clearances also are required, including
education, lawful behavior, medical and vocational testing for suitability.
Q With this extraordinary training and the kinds of risks that are involved, does the Navy
provide special incentives for people in these roles?
A I’m glad that you asked because, yes, there are incentives. For those who can meet the
requirements, there are enlistment bonuses, special duty pay and, depending on the situations,
there can be additional parachute, dive, demolition and/or foreign language pay.
Q These all sound like exciting positions. How does one get started pursuing some of these
opportunities?
A Actually, the best first step is to contact the local recruiting station to find out about any
and all of the jobs that we have available. To reach us, simply contact our station by calling
______________, or stop in most afternoons at ___________________________________. If
you or an out of-town friend want to locate another station near them, visit www.navy.com and
click on “find a recruiter” on the right side of the home page, then enter your zip code number. A
call to 800-4go –Navy will do the trick as well.

3. Additional comment:
To put the Navy’s role in perspective, you need to recognize that 70 percent of the world is
covered by ocean, 80 percent of the world’s population lives along coasts and 90 percent of the
world’s commerce travels by water. Protecting all of that is our job, and that makes America’s
Navy a global force for good.
Sailors serve on land and from the sea; from ships on the water, submarines under the water, and
planes and helicopters over the water – all to meet America’s threats far away so that those
threats cannot harm us here. We welcome the best men and women to join us in accomplishing
today’s missions and meeting tomorrow’s challenges.
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