SEALs in space

[PatK9681]

Does anybody know if the SEALs have anything to do with the space program?

[Nissan]

The SEALs had alot to do with the Space program...They were used in early tests of human endurance and G force testing to see what the body could withstand..along with other physical and mental tests..From what i understand their test scores were never equaled since. And also there was a SEAL in space (Sheppard) and he will also be commanding teh new space station when it is completed...

[Spotlight_Ranger]

Sheppard is the first Special Operator in space it is with a certain amount of pride this old Army Geezer (me) came here looking for this thread. I met Sheppard when he was young lieutenant with his team in 73. I am watching his progress closely

[Jeff Rambo]

Look at what progress we have made!

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Sincerely,
Jeff A. Rambo
NBTNDT
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Disrespect cannot be commanded, it must be earned.

[Andripov]

Shepherd

[RogueExec]

Originally posted by Andripov:
Shepherd

Free association? Okay, I'll play.....SHEEP.



[This message has been edited by RogueExec (edited 01-15-2001).]

[Sweetbriar]

(You're seeing sheep everywhere now, aren't ya? j/k ;-) He was correcting the spelling.

[Coppermine]

So what kind of qualification does Shepherd have? I mean from what I've heard, I thought that to be an astronaught you need some sort of University degree or something.
I think that it's great that someone from the military who doesn't fly airplanes made it to space. It opens up new oppurtunities for special warfare operators after they are forced to retire from their unit at their young age (45 I belive it is.)

[Andripov]

He went to the United States Naval Academy.
Since when is there an age limit at 45? The higher ranking officers are older than that. Rudy Boesch served over 40 years in Naval Special Warfare before he retired around a decade ago.

[Coppermine]

I heard about the 45 year old thing once somewhere. What I meant by that is that once you hit 45 you are supposed to leave infantry. Something about people being that age are to old. Don't take offence on what I just said because I heard that somewhere, and I know that you shouldn't believe everything you hear. Especially if it's on the internet. But anyways on other matters. About Sheppard, I just did a little research about him and he is one heck of a busy guy. And a smart one too. That's just my 2 cents...

[RAT]

Pretty Penny,

Step back from the key board.

RAT OUT!!!

[JSOCMarine]

Unless things have changed recently there is no formal age limitation to serving in the infantry. I also am not aware of any in place for SOF. There are limits for entry level schools,etc., but I don't believe that is what you are talking about here. Performance is the key factor and if a one is able to do the job age won't be an issue.

As far as being old, I can remember many examples where the "old" SNCO or officer displayed more field endurance or stamina than young pups still in their teens. Those who last that long have figured out how to handle the aches and pain that come with humps, jumps, lack of sleep,etc.

In my time I have seen many guys who could run triathlons,etc., absolutely disintegrate into irritable malcontents after 5 days of little sleep, constant exertion while carry a load, shitty chow washed down with sickeningly warm water from a canteen (BTDT's will know what I mean!). Tack on the effects of hot or cold weather and the "snivel meter" is often pegged on some of those who excel athletically when they are rested,fed and have dry socks on.

Never judge a book by its cover. And remember: "Age and treachery will always defeat youth and strength! "S/F

[ebbertt]

The only restriction on how long you can stay active, at least that I have found for SEALs, is that after the age of 45 you will require a waiver to maintain your diving status.

Quoted from the Manual of the Medical Department (NAVMED P-117) ( http://www.vnh.org/Admin/MMD/001Contents.html ):

(I)Age. All military divers 45 years of age or older require a waiver to continue diving. Usually such waivers will be limited to senior supervisory capacity. BUMED defines senior supervisory capacity as monitoring of work performed by other divers. Navy civilian divers may continue active diving beyond age 45 provided their medical examination is conducted by a UMO or DMO and meets all other requirements of this article. There is no age requirement for compartment workers.


I hope that helps.

Matthew

[FutureMustang]

Originally Posted By Coppermine:

I think that it's great that someone from the military who doesn't fly airplanes made it to space. It opens up new oppurtunities for special warfare operators after they are forced to retire from their unit at their young age

I don't think the space program could really be considered a great new opportunity for Operators. O-6 SEALs aren't exactly a common thing, and I'm sure a Captain isn't that worried he'll be hitting the unemployment lines if he goes to the civilian sector.

I'm also going to venture a guess that NASA is more than handling the massive influx (note sarcasm) of SEALs physically qualified to be astronauts who want to fly space shuttles.

Jim

[Coppermine]

To the last post...
Some people want to join the Navy SEALs for the adventure and so on. And going into space is one heck of an adventure and so on. I mean, if I was in the military (enjoying myself) I wouldn't mind having the oppurtunity to AGAIN do something that most people don't have a chance to do. (I'm talking about going into space.)

[DFC5343]

Bill Sheppard does not nor ever will fly the shuttle...he is mission specialist qualified and is the man in charge of the station.

[FutureMustang]

Originally Posted By Coppermine:

Some people want to join the Navy SEALs for the adventure and so on. And going into space is one heck of an adventure and so on. I mean, if I was in the military (enjoying myself) I wouldn't mind having the oppurtunity to AGAIN do something that most people don't have a chance to do. (I'm talking about going into space.)



I agree that people join SOF's and NASA for adventure, to do things that the average man only dreams of. However, I think you're under the impression that Special Operations is now a new inroads to the Space Program, all because one (count it, ONE) man has managed to be a SEAL and an astronaut.

First of all, NASA receives huge amounts of applications to be astronauts every year. If you're not a jet aviator, a PhD, or even an MD/PhD, your chances are one in a million.

Even then, you still have to be physically qualified. Being a SEAL won't necessarily mean you are qualified. Captain Jim Lovell, USN (RET) failed the initial Gemini selection due to a minute deficiency in his endocrine system (correct me if I'm wrong). He was later selected and was a crew member of Gemini VII, Gemini XII, Apollo VIII, and of course, the infamous Apollo XIII. His selection was far from automatic, and he went what was the conventional route at the time.

Copper, if you want to be a SEAL, join the Navy and try to become one. If you want to be an astronaut, become an aviator, or start going to college, for years, and years, and years.

On the other hand, do what you want. Join the Navy, get to BUD/S, and make sure the first thing you do is tell your senior instructor that you're becoming a SEAL to be an astronaut. You'll be one a lot quicker than you planned after he kicks your ass into outer space.

Jim


[This message has been edited by FutureMustang (edited 01-24-2001).]

[WS-G]

Originally posted by Coppermine:
So what kind of qualification does Shepherd have?
A magisterial-level degree in engineering. This meets part of the requirements which pertain to mission-specialist astronaut candidates.
I think that it's great that someone from the military who doesn't fly airplanes made it to space.
He's not the only one, nor the first. L. Gordon Cooper — served as a rifleman in the US Marine Corps, including a tour on the Silent Drill Team, prior to his enrollment into the University of Hawaii. He earned his commission through the Army ROTC program, then made an almost immediate interservice transfer to the Air Force. F. Story Musgrave, MD — originally a HIGH-SCHOOL DROPOUT (<EG> ) who earned his GED during a six-year hitch as an enlisted Marine (aircraft maintenance career field, not infantry). Med school came shortly after he got out. Even after that, he managed to find time to complete additional degrees in economics, statistics and engineering, plus a Commericial Pilot Certificate with just about every category-/class-rating the FAA has. Col. James Buchli — Yet another highly squared-away Marine. Two tours in 'Nam as an infantry officer, one in command of a Recon platoon, another as XO of a rifle company. Decorations include the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. Went through Naval Flight Officer training after 'Nam and became an A-6 Bombardier/Navigator. Col. "Woody" Springer — Army Aviator, West Pointer and Ranger Course grad. Not the only Army astronaut who's Tabbed, BTW. CDR Mario Runco — MSc (meteorology) from Thomas Edison, then served as a New Jersey state trooper before he was finally accepted for Navy OCS. Non-aviator, BTW. Lt-Gen Andrian Nikolayev (Vostok 3) — started as an enlisted radio operator in the Red Army before going to flight school. Dr. (Engr) Konstantin Feoktistov (Voskhod 1) — Soviet partisan during Great Patriotic War (WW2). Wounded in action, resulting in the loss of one lung; he spent all night playing dead beneath a pile of corpses before he E&E'd away from the Germans in that incident. The reason he got picked for the flight-engineer seat aboard Voskhod 1? Because he designed the thing! The craft was a modified Vostok, with many of the original safety features eliminated; he obtained approval for the obviously-risky design changes only because he volunteered to fly it himself. Dr. Feoktistov won, though it's worth noting that the "Voskhod Follies" were the final straw that cost Khrushchev his job. Valery Ryumin — former T-55 tank commander turned aerospace engineer (another non-pilot) Col. James Bagian — already well-established as a flight-surgeon when he became an astronaut, and this was before the Florida Air National Guard sent him through PJ/CCT Indoc (one of the very few officers ever to have attended), CDQC, Basic Airborne and MFF. As a part-time SOF-assigned Flight Surgeon, he regularly jumped with the PJs in his unit.

[This message has been edited by William M Salter (edited 01-25-2001).]