forpath
3 April 2000, 13:09
Frog,
I appreciate the time you took to respond to my query. I understand that the decision to try out for the SEALs is not one to be made lightly, as it requires a life-long commitment if one makes it through training. I don't really know what to tell you about my motivations except that I have wanted to be a SEAL for a long time, it's just that there for a while I thought I wanted to be a doctor even more. I enjoy medicine, but there are some things about it and the society we live in that have made it somewhat unappealing. I do not want to quit school, however, because I am not into quitting things I have started. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the people that serve in the Armed Forces, especially the SEALs. The things you all do and the places you go seem to be the end-all-be-all of what I would consider a completely fulfilled life. I do not want to spend every day of the rest of my life regretting that I did not go for it, for I know that is exactly what I would do. Avoiding regret is not my only motivation. However, I imagine pretty much everyone else who has wanted to be SEAL has close to the same reasons for their aspiration that I do: to be part of the best of the best, to give something back to their country and to be pushed to their limits and beyond, to name a few. I know that sounds like a recruiting poster, but it's true. I also don't know what to tell you about what I have to offer over another candidate right out of HS or college that would amount to any more than empty words between two people that have never met. All I can tell you is that I would give everything I had to the training, and I have a sense that that is all anyone can realistically ask of a prospective trainee. I'm not going to insult you and say that nothing would make me quit, because how easy is it to say that while sitting here typing? The only way to know is to just do it, but I don't think I need to tell you that. You're right, I can feel myself getting older, and I get sore a little faster than before, but if you and the countless other people who have successfully completed BUD/S at 27 or older could do it, then I don't think my age should be an obstacle. Any other comments you have for me would be greatly appreciated. Also, about how long does it take the average enlisted man to get to BUD/S from the time he finishes boot camp? How far in advance are the classes filled? Thanks for your time,
Forpath
I appreciate the time you took to respond to my query. I understand that the decision to try out for the SEALs is not one to be made lightly, as it requires a life-long commitment if one makes it through training. I don't really know what to tell you about my motivations except that I have wanted to be a SEAL for a long time, it's just that there for a while I thought I wanted to be a doctor even more. I enjoy medicine, but there are some things about it and the society we live in that have made it somewhat unappealing. I do not want to quit school, however, because I am not into quitting things I have started. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the people that serve in the Armed Forces, especially the SEALs. The things you all do and the places you go seem to be the end-all-be-all of what I would consider a completely fulfilled life. I do not want to spend every day of the rest of my life regretting that I did not go for it, for I know that is exactly what I would do. Avoiding regret is not my only motivation. However, I imagine pretty much everyone else who has wanted to be SEAL has close to the same reasons for their aspiration that I do: to be part of the best of the best, to give something back to their country and to be pushed to their limits and beyond, to name a few. I know that sounds like a recruiting poster, but it's true. I also don't know what to tell you about what I have to offer over another candidate right out of HS or college that would amount to any more than empty words between two people that have never met. All I can tell you is that I would give everything I had to the training, and I have a sense that that is all anyone can realistically ask of a prospective trainee. I'm not going to insult you and say that nothing would make me quit, because how easy is it to say that while sitting here typing? The only way to know is to just do it, but I don't think I need to tell you that. You're right, I can feel myself getting older, and I get sore a little faster than before, but if you and the countless other people who have successfully completed BUD/S at 27 or older could do it, then I don't think my age should be an obstacle. Any other comments you have for me would be greatly appreciated. Also, about how long does it take the average enlisted man to get to BUD/S from the time he finishes boot camp? How far in advance are the classes filled? Thanks for your time,
Forpath