Two walk out and only one makes it -
guess who?

Typically, we are one of the three types of people and maybe even a little bit of two, but when it comes to dealing with hard work, potential pain, extreme effort, only one is thoroughly prepared. This article can apply to any endeavor. 

An optimist, a realist, and a pessimist walk into a recruiter's office and this is what is looks like:

Recruiter:  So, all you want to be Navy SEALs? OK - here is how it goes:

1 - You have to fill out this medical paperwork, and get medically screened at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), then join the Delayed Entry Program (DEP), pick a rating (job). You will be directed to the Naval Special Warfare Mentor in the area and his team will test you in the PST.  You will get the Special Operator (SO) rating ONLY when you pass the PST / earn a contract. 

Optimist: Nods with excitement. 
Pessimist: Asks - What is the PST? 
Realist: Just listens. 

Recruiter:  The BUD/S PST is a 500yd swim, pushups 2 minutes, situps 2 minutes, pullups, and a 1.5 mile timed run.  It is pretty competitive these days so you need above average scores to get a contract. 

Shoot For Better Than Above Average / Competitive Scores (my recommendations)

These are close the competitive /autoqual scores that you need to earn a contract, but if you shoot for these you will reach / exceed the standards - Remember in this world - exceeding the standard is the standard.

Recruiter - Wait - there are a few more things: 

2 - ASVAB and CSORT Tests - You have to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB is similar to other standardized tests and is your academic entrance exam as the PST is your physical entrance exam.  It has several sections, each focusing on a different aspect, such as math, reading, and mechanical comprehension. This is how the Navy classifies you as competent for any job in the Navy. 

To qualify for SEAL, you must score at least one of the following on the ASVAB:

1. GS + MC + EI = a minimum score of 170 (GS and EI are waiverable up to three points each, MC is not waiverable)
2. VE + MK + MC + CS = a minimum score of 220 (VE, MK and CS are waiverable up to three points each, MC is not waiverable)
3. VE + AR = a minimum score of 110 (VE and AR are waiverable up to three points each) + MC = a minimum score of 50 (not waiverable)(from SEALSWCC.com)

Recruiter: So - what do you guys think? Are you ready? 

Optimist - OK great, where do I sign? 
Realist - Sorry sir, but I need to get to work and will be back later. 
Pessimist - That seems like a lot of work, I need to think this over. 

Fast Forward Six Months Later

The optimist and the realist see each other again with the NSW mentor to take the PST. This is the optimist's 15th PST and he is almost reaching the minimum standards to get a contract. The realist has been focusing on the PST training and just started his DEP time countdown until shipping and crushes the PST on the first time with good enough scores to get put in the draft and earn a contract. The optimist gets his scores put up in the draft as well and finally earns his contract on his last attempt before he ships out in the next six weeks. 

The optimist has been in PST survival mode for the past six months learning how to swim, nursing shin splints, and shoulder tendonitis from struggling with pushups and pullups for months. 

The realist has four more months before he ships that he can devote to now working on the events that will help him prepare for the next stage of training - getting THROUGH BUDS.  He works on his 4 mile timed run, builds up to 2 miles of swimming with fins, and continues to maintain a high level PST mixed with weight training to prepare for logs / boats / rucking. 

Fast Forward Nine Months Later

The realist is in second phase at BUDS just finished OC8 seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, but does not let up as some of his classmates are still failing, getting injured, and kicked out for doing stupid things. The realist realizes there is much more to learn if he wants to get into the community he has dreamed of for years. 

The optimist and the pessimist meet up again at Naval Station Norfolk and talk about putting their lateral transfer package into BUDS this next year. - if their year group is not full and their community is not undermanned! 

Here is the moral of the story...

The optimist does not worry about pain of future challenges. In fact, pain and hard work do not even enter into the process of thought or preparation. For the optimist everything is all payoff - no pain. 

For the realist, he knows there will be pain, hard work, but what other's may see (or not see) as pain, the realist can also see the pain as learning experiences and keep moving forward without dreams being shattered.  The realist weighs pain and payoff equally, but interprets the pain differently - it is more of a challenge. 

The pessimist focuses solely on the pain and cannot move forward.  For the pessimist it is all pain - no payoff. Typically, this type of mindset will not even try. 

Success in whatever you do will require pain on the front end and the payoff and "easy days" are on the back end. 

Failures (or not even trying) tend to be easy days on the front end and a lot of pain on the back end (regret). 

Regardless of what type of person you are, realize that there will be pain. It is your choice if that pain results in success or you experience the pain of failure or even trying due to lack of preparation. 

Don't be in a hurry - make sure you are ready to join before you even talk to a recruiter. 

But There is More....

There is more to going to selection physically prepared.  Are you mentally prepared to endure the discomfort and pain of things that have nothing to do with fitness?  Cold / hot, sandy, wet, sitting in the dark ocean, or rucking endlessly - there is a moment when you will may ask yourself, "why are you doing this to yourself?"  You need to have a strong answer WHY. 

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