Everybody Who Wants To Be A SEAL Needs To Hear This Warning | The Reality of BUD/S  

Man deserves credit. Straight out the gate, no BS, came clean. Respect. Hope he has it in him to saddle up and go again.

The most valuable people to talk with and learn from are those who have tried and failed. They understand. Realize water is the great equalizer. If you are running 20-30 miles a day you should be swimming 10ish miles a day. Swimming IS ALWAYS the hardest for everyone. To get through BUDS you need to be part fish. Developing this swim ability will also develop your upper body for pull ups. You see swimming is KEY

Probably the only video on the internet that actually interviews a guy who quit Bud/s about his experience at Bud/s. Knowledge!

1990s, I was Marine OCS and tore my knee up. Goal was to be in Force Recon. My knee still clicks. Now I’m an engineer with a great life. Despite sometimes wanting to do go back, I can’t. The Universe has a different plan for me.

this look behind the BUD/S curtain was powerful palpable mesmerizing stunning, you can tell by his voice that his psyche is totally devastated, anyone who is thinking about BUD/S needs to hear this interview, great job taking us on a trip to realityville

Much respect to anyone accepted into that program. I played football in college in the early 90s with a beast that quit during indoctrination. The guy was hard as nails and i was in disbelief that he could quit anything. Gave me a appreciation before I knew what navy seals were or thought they were Charlie Sheen.

I have nothing but deep respect for both of you to endure the training you received. I am a army guy, I had several opportunities to go ranger, and pussed out. I regret it everyday of my life since I etsd out of the army stationed at fort Lewis. I continue to use this as a lesson for others who do not prepare for the physical, and mental toughness you need to make these programs.

Crazy realism and unbuyable insight. Always love coming to your channel from time to time. Stay safe, thanks for the informal upload.

6 months would not have made a damn bit of the difference as the result woulda been the same!! Hats off🎩 to him for steppin up and sharing and all the best to him with his future!! There are two things that these kids need burned into the deepest recesses of their soul to make it through.... 1) Want to be a SEAL more than ANYTHING in their lives!! ANYTHING!!! 2) Never EVER QUIT!! As you stated ad nauseam, you got kicked in the nuts, literally and figuratively, more times that you can count, however you GOT UP AND GOT BACK IN THE FIGHT/DRILL EVERY SINGLE TIME!! If they cannot accept that Murphy's Law and adversity are gonna be beside em every step of the way, they got no chance. NONE!! Continued Success Brotha👊 RP

Great story! I was at North Island with Helicopter Squadron (1991). I was AE3. My coworker and friend tried to convince me to buddy up with him and apply. We started to train... when D-day came to join, I knew my running was not strong and chose not to go. Yes, I regret not putting more effort in to at least try it. My buddy got accepted and made it to Hell week but got a severe injury.... he took a medical discharge. Big Hooyah to all my Squids no matter your rate and proud that that you attempted SEALS!

What many civilians don't fully understand (especially young men around High-School age) is that active-duty military life is 24/7, 365... and they are not even BS-ing around about that. And that especially becomes all the more amplified & difficult in the various Combat-Arms MOSs... ...and it's about 10-fold so in the Special-Operations Community. (where its more like 48/7... not 24/7). And it doesn't get any easier once you make it out to the Teams (assuming that you do make it). If anything... it only gets harder. Like Jake said... Special-Operations (and especially BUD/S Training) is not "Call of Duty".

Thanks for sharing your story E-5, good luck in your career! Another outstanding video, Jake! I appreciate you trying to school these folks!

Great information and the hidden warning signs of BUD/S training for Navy Seals, Jake, the old saying goes like this, the more prepared one is the better off, the less prepared, the worst off especially when it comes to both basic and advance training plus BUD/S

Great interview. And to the fella (E-5) that’s in the fleet. When I was in… same thing. It’s all what you make it. You didn’t say what your Rate was, just that you made rank fast. First off that freaking awesome. Bro you’ve got so many options still in front of you. One idea could be to work with your detailer and raise your hand, ask them for out of rate or some cool optional assignment when your up for orders next. (The dudes you work with, the lifers / LPO’s. It’s not their fault, they don’t know cause they are just a few years ahead of you). In the grand scheme of things you’re still a young dude. You don’t have to do a life of 4 (years on ship or 2 ships) w/ (2) years on shore rotations for the next decade. In reality you think you’re old and you don’t want to go back to Boot Camp but technically, option 2, you could finish a year or two from this point within the Navy and then turn around and go join the Army! Get orders to a unit (ranger, or SF contract)go back, try again. Nail yourself up you one of those 11 bravo contracts you don’t need to be the greatest swimmer. Or reg Army and Try to get in a scout platoon see how you enjoy that then go from there. What I’m trying to say if you want to be a ground pounder, a highly trained door kicker, CQB, and train and all sorts of weaponry then go for it. It’s not too late, you can do any of these options that you want to do aside from being a seal and that’s okay. 🙏👍 or like me you can do your time in the Navy, get out go to school and have a career in IT. At 49 I have lived a good life and then now as an old guy and for fun, I turned turn around identified that I love tools tactics and procedures in having to do with firearms and training. Funny part is I trained with SF, Delta, Seals (Vickers, Pat Mac, Dutch, Jeff G, Brian Zins, Karl Erickson, many bad ass$$) in classes each year for fun. My motto for you young cats, is to Live life to the fullest. Let’s stay away from the drugs and alcohol and don’t do dumb shit. Enjoy life, travel the world on the government’s dime. Take a MAC flight we all heard of them but never took advantage of them while on leave. Don’t run back to your home town, haul butt to Thailand, Singapore, Australia, And explore. You’ve got tons of options. Finally, to all you NAVY squids, don’t feel like you’re the “ol Salty Dawg” just yet, that title is officially reserved for JakeZwrig and I❗️ Hope you get this message. Now go and be great. Good luck to you

Much respect to all the guys and Jake for telling these stories. I think it can really help a lot of guys who want to be in the teams. If BUD/s has a standard, gather as much intel as you can as to what the standards are for swimming, running, cold exposure, sleep deprivation etc. and try to mimic that stuff so you understand the shock of it and what is going to do to you mentally and physically. It may save you time because you realize it's not for you, or you can harden yourself to give yourself the best chance for success. The information Jake provides through these interviews is straight INTELLIGENCE about what you can expect!!!!!! It's free intel baby!!! Use it!!

He definitely should have waited 6 months. He should have been on beast mode in the gym, running the miles, got to some huge body of natural water and put on fins 2 or 3 times a week, made sure he was in compliance with any and all known to the public requirements they have. You know these folks are going to try to deprive you, rip you apart, and break you.

I signed a Navy reserve contract to become a Navy Corpsman. I wanted to become a seal, that's why I joined. I had a kid try to talk me out of it. He said that I should get a spec war contract, I didn't listen. Anyhow my contract had me going to the Marines. I taught myself to swim and how to do pull-ups. I went from 0 to 12 pull ups in 2-3 months during corpsman school (COVID no PT). And I learned the CSS(got up at 4 to use the pool). When I got to Marine Corps training I had an opportunity to do recon. And I didn't volunteer. I think about that shit to this day. Matter of fact I was watching you're videos and I realized I fucked up. People would kill for the opportunity I had, and I wasted that shit man I absolutely fucking wasted it, I left UNI to join the Navy but by that point I had already quit. I was gonna get out and join the NATTy guard. But no, no more quitting man. I got a good job and I'm gonna go back to swimming, I'm going to earn my FMF pin. No more quitting from me. Thanks for these videos. P.S there is no reserve to active duty contract don't listen to your recruiter...

There’s nothing to be ashamed of. You should be proud that you attempted it. I know that I wouldn’t have even lasted a day. Thank you for your service.

Great video team. I’ve been truly busy but, I just had a neighbor quit seal training and is out in the fleet as undesignated. As a result, he wants to quit the navy since he crap-out on SEAL training. I told him before signing that contract look at other services and if your motivation is only becoming a seal then you should not join the navy. I was only being real with him but, he learned his lesson and now have to deal with the consequences. Smh

Had the same experience in boot camp. Went to San Diego running 5 miles at an average of 6 1/2 minute miles and came out of boot gasping at running a mere 3. I’d get in trouble on purpose just to get the extra workouts/beatings. Extremely disappointing….and boring. Got to Guam for my first duty station and hit it hard…4am runs/pt, swim and more pt after work. Ocean swims on the weekend…loved it!

Man this makes me wanna talk about my experience in the PJ pipeline. It was short lol but similar to this guys story. Just want people to be more prepared and realistic when going into this type of career field. Thanks for the video. This helped me be at peace with what happened

Its cool you had someone on who tried and didnt make it. Because I feel like a lot of people forget most people dont make it More people drop then dont

This info is golden and made me re evaluate my own training and weaknesses, im just glad i found this before I ship out. Thank you so much Jake and Whoever this man was.

I got med dropped in basic once they realised i had a bleeding disorder, i wish ppl talked more about contact work

Thank you for sharing your story sir. I have all of the respect in the world for anyone who tried Buds. Best of luck to you.

real reality check that I need to go harder.

Currently on a Jake Zweig Buds failure binge. Really good to learn from the other side.

Think about this Jake. You talk about being in the best shape in March/April while being on the wrestling team. And then when you got off the ship you were in the worst shape. But your worst shape was still probably better than 90 percent of the people out here. That just shows how much special forces selection is a different beast.

Your videos are extremely motivational. People can use these examples in civilian life.

The bottom line is that majority of people (75% and above) who begin BUD/S Training either will quit or they will fail. Also... you have to APPLY in order to go to BUD/S and pass that screening-process first and that Screening-process is no joke. Point being... the fact that every applicate who successfully makes it to Corondo, boots on the pavement for Training-Day-1, is a pretty solid individual. So... to think that 75% or more washout is a testament to just how relentless (and brutal) that attrition rate is.

You do excellent work and provide outstanding content. However, in my personal opinion this is the BEST video you've done. I admire you for allowing someone to tell that things don't always workout. Admire the guy's guts to tell. You provide excellent motivational content. I'm in my 60's X military. Sometimes things just don't workout and these kids today need to hear reality. Rock on Man!

Don’t join any military just to do one thing give yourself options like officer route via college. Mature in the military as a officer then look at Spc-Ops. However, in the Army there’s so many opportunities in the Spc-Ops community.

I appreciate both of you. Jake you should do this more often.

A man is not defined by his failures in life. A man is defined by his successes.

I remember when I was in boot camp, our swim test was conducted by Navy Seals. They were intimidating AF!!!!! Wow! They were intense!! Had jokers squealing like lil girls!

Str8 🔥 telling ya rn you do not want to be undesignated man

Real talk.. thanks Jake

It's tough to come back from an injury for any athlete...not just the physical side and rehab. but the psychological journey. SEAL training is not for everyone....being physically fit is not enough. They want people who just won't quit under any circumstances. Thanks for sharing...that took some courage. Others will benefit from your experience. Drive on...

Solid information and insight. Thank you sirs!

This Talk helped me in more ways than one👊🏾👍🏾🔥

Good honest talk. I passed the entry test (2x) but never went to a class - I wasn't sure if I could even though I had none of the outside issues (family, school) to distract me

The big man himself has dropped another bomb ass video

Not a seal but I enjoy your videos! Was a marine from 09-13. Just did my 4 and got out. Defitnely wasn’t as hard as buds but it had its moments. Props to this guy from coming on here and doing this, takes alot to do this.

mind-opening stuff. Thank you Sir

Lessons to learn...Pllllllleeaassee listen to Jake.

What these applicants have to understand is these Navy Recruiters are recruiting for the Navy, not the SEALS. They are to meet shipping goals for the Big Navy.

I appreciate you, Jake. I appreciate you, E5 guy. Save as much money as you possibly can while you’re in. If you don’t have one already, try to get a physically active rate, so you can continue with your track record of constantly moving your body. If I was in your position, I’d try to go SeaBee BU, or any of the SeaBee rates to stay outdoors, on land, and to keep my body moving like it’s used to doing. I hear they have interesting and enjoyable deployments in unique places, also.

Dude may have quit but sounds like he is doin great in the fleet. E5 in 3 yrs is good for any branch....

I wish I’d taken the time to research prior to entering the navy. I fell for the old you can tell them you want to be a seal in boot camp. Lol.

Awesome content. Water makes cowards out of most men.

I’d love to see you do a review of the Buds 234 documentary that was on the discovery channel.

OUTSTANDING TALK!

“People out here playing cod thinking they could run a top Steve for 40 minutes in the real world” lol oh lol OL

I know I don't have the mental fortitude to even think of buds. I really love the honesty and truth telling from Jake and his guests especially.

As a former navy vet in the air Dale community I remember my friend wanted to join Seals back in the 80' and one my officers stated to my friend oh so u want to be a Seal those guys are trained Killers don't do it after statement to me and my friend I didn't know how to respond to that !

My cousin was a SEAL for 12 years but prior to that he served a 4 year stint in Marine Corp infantry..definetly helped him out making thru Buds..maybe if more dudes would do something like that before they try..just a thought

Is 29 too old. My pull ups and push ups are well above the challenge numbers for any age. I’d just have to get running and swimming down. Wasn’t Riveria 33 when he did it guy was an absolute animal.

Everyone is hurt always. Everyday. Train around the injury. Gotta want it.

Just for context, I'm a 62 year old, 1 enlistment former Army Huey mechanic. I know every dude that starts BUD/S knows that most people will fail. And those that don't make it shouldn't be embarrassed. A thousand or so try, hundreds pass. How many thousands of others just talk about it, but don't even have the brass ones to show up. Two other things struck me about this video: A. The guy got out of Navy Boot Camp OUT of shape... what? Maybe not in BETTER shape given the training he'd done, but worse? Someone in the training command should be embarrassed. B. They need to figure out a way to have some people that some familiarity with SEALs working with these guys when they go to the fleet. I actually got pissed that a bunch of Chairborn Warriors who's big achievement for the day was not spilling their coffee were treating a guy that went after a goal like that, and put in some serious work to get ready for it, as if he were a loser.

Good stuff man

He is right....a BUDS quitter is still way above average in the world and will still be very successful.....nothing to be ashamed of at all....some do some don't some can't...you got to find YOUR way in this world....SEALS have problems too they are not immune.....

Jake I am legit 20 days from my ship date and I'm opening my eyes man. There are kids contracting with 9 minute plus swims....and no upper body strength... How?? Is the Navy just STACKING body's? This might be a cop out but I don't care. The Airforce has Enlistment bonuses right now and BC is only 7 weeks. I've always wanted to be a long range shooter and SR is looking more appealing. I might be reconsidering but maybe it's for the better! I don't want to be 26 years old Chipping paint on a ship if I get dropped! OR QUIT

Good stuff thanks for the information

Why were you at the recruitment office if you were not ready?

This is fantastic thanks to both this trainee and Jake. Wish this guy the best of luck

Back in 2016, they were doing some year group thing where you can only go for a SEAL contract if your enlistment year group is open or something.

Good stuff bro

They was right when they say its 90% mental and 10% physical.

I put six years in the Navy, all overseas deployments. No matter what your job description is, it's up to you to be mentally prepared. The mind has to be right in order to make the body right. If the mind is right, then pushing the body becomes easier and more tolerable. Pain is all part of that. There are some injuries that require rest or surgery. Again, the Mind brings us back up out of that adversity. Develop mental strength. This is the first very powerful weapon

I've always enjoyed military training, and had a few close calls but it didn't happen for me. I'm a Wildland firefighter now, but hearing the volume of training to be successful is not well articulated anywhere else. 45 min on the bike--EVERY day. Speed Trees 3x a week. All after regular PT. Gonna get on the bike tonight. Good lord.

I have an alternative stance on this. You can only get so ready. It's a nut punch. You don't prepare for a nut punch by punching yourself in the nuts....its still going to suck. I'm not saying you can't prepare but you can only prepare so much. You can't really prepare for log pt. You just have to gut it out. You WILL get out of shape in Basic , but that's what pre buds is for. All the super studs (or most of them, including my 2nd classes XO) were gone in the 1st day of first phase. I will say one thing I would do different is work on my flexibility. If I had been more flexible i might have avoided serious injury. I never failed anything, not one evolution and my numbers were just solid, nothing mind blowing. We had dudes dropping like flies in indoc even just from sleep deprivation. Hard to tell who has what it takes and who doesn't. PTRR can be soul crushing if you let it. I had literally 2 years at the BUDS compound much of it in PTRR after surgeries. Watching your boys move along and graduate can be either motivating or soul crushing. It's a psychological mind fuck. Lots of what this dude says is true, though. I can't relate to quitting because I didn't quit, but much of what he says I can relate to. If you get hurt or quit, suck it up, find something else to put your energy into and send it. Not everyone was meant to be a SEAL.

I like how that Navy shirt basically shows two stick dudes in the beginning of a loving embrace. Ha. USMC here. Suck it, squid.

1st off great channel 2nd I've never served & I'm not saying I could have past seal training but I understand why you advise these guys to do blue collor work to get ready , I've worked over 24hrs straight on offshore lobster vessels grinding hauling traps all day & night for a week or to , with some naps in-between lo😅

How are female SEAL candidates treated in BUD/S? Are there any women in the SEAL pipeline right now? How should a woman prepare for BUD/S?

*At 18 in 1972 I walked into a recruiters office and told them that I'd join their Navy if they'd give me a shot at UDT. I wanted to blow shit uP. Couple weeks later I'm on a plane from Atlanta to San Diego get to boot, swam my ASS off at tryouts and finished JUST as the instructors whistle went off and he was screaming at me like something outa Full Metal Jacket to move my ass and run my ass across the road to the next phase of 12 pushups, 12 sit-ups, 12 pull ups, and then run a mile I think it was. Long story short, I didn't make it, went to an ammunition ship meeting up with her in Subic. I went on in my time with the Navy to become an Ocean Systems Technician, got to fuck with the Russians - a LOT - and had a absolute blast trippin' around the world doing it!* *Mad respect Operator*

I can't even FATHOM people bagging on this kid for quitting BUDS. Even getting ACCEPTED to BUDS is a fucking accomplishment! The average young man can't do that!

I’m not finished with the video so I’ll edit this after if my question is already answered. I leave to basic on April 11th. I train at 5am and 3pm, Mon-Fri. Switching out between PT and swimming. If I swim in the morning. I’ll lift in the afternoon. Vice versa. his PST scores are the same as mine. Dead on. I’m 6’1. 185 pounds. This is my dream. And my thoughts are come home with my shield or on it. What more can I do? If you told me to run for 100 miles right now. I’d do it. Because I want this. So tell me. What would you tell me to do right now to prepare. I know nothing will ever prepare me fully for Buds. But please. Any advice. What do I have to do other than don’t quit. I know that

At least the man tried I’ll give him credit

its awkward as hell throwing fins on for the first time

So if you quit at BUD/s at all, enlisted or officer, you're not able to return back to BUD/s? No matter the age or situation?

Back when I was joining I almost rent ranger but I was ready to get the fuck out of ait

What do you think of pjs I was in not a seal but your way of explaining it is fantastic

How do you not get out of shape in boot camp?

We miss the beard cpt jake bring it back

did he work masonry/demo/roofing or anything similar in terms of mental toughness (like, idk, being a smokejumper, prior to BUDS? or wrestling, farming, MMA tournaments, being an arborist, climbing a mountain, doing an ultramarathon etc?)- All things that require building lots of grit to get good at. was just wondering if that would make a difference at all in guys who make it excellent video Mr Zweig, and to the guy who was interviewed, thank you so much for your insight 🤘

Did they ever address what to do if you encountered a shark?

Didn't they use to have a prep called "4th phase?" I believe this was in Coronado

Where can i find the story (the real story) of why Top Shot made you quit the show right before you were to compete for a chance to continue competing?

Hey Jake, what do you think about Army Human Intelligence collectors? I’m 18 and was wanting to go Army or Air Force for intelligence. My dad wants me to go officer, what do you think?

What are some injuries that would prohibit someone from going to buds? Such as multiple hamstring pulls, and herniated disk in lower back?

Thank you

Im setting iff to join the FFL .. any helpful info? Im going to check rge vudeos but uf not maybe link me to someone who is knowledgeable on this topic. BTW, your videos are very great.

Tried for the RECCES had no clue, immature , unprepared, totally failed 😞

I learn from mistakes not success. Idk why but thanks for this

Do guys no longer go to "A school" before buds?? You can go through Buds Without a rating????

What's his background natural athlete what??

Before enlisting thinking about doing koroko or a goruck. Is this a waste of time or is this a good way to experience some of the things you do at buds?

Myabe stupid question, but what PTR stands for ? I guess they put you for rollbacks. Is that right ?

Go Warrant Officer!

Great video! How old is he?