Breaking BUD/S: How Regular Guys Can Become Navy SEALs

Guys if you're even considering Bud/S then of all the resources you can get this is one that you MUST have. Details and more insights than anything you'll read or see. Or even if you're an old guy like me who is a Navy vet from decades past you'll find this book entertaining, funny and "real." Plus the author lists must read books to anyone even considering BUD/S. Plutarch? Really??!! Well hell yeah! The Life of Alexander the Great?? And after you read Breaking BUD/S watch again the movie "300". It will take on a new meaning. And yes, the author is correct. BUD/S seems to be, when viewed from the outside, all physical but in reality, it's a rite of passage not unlike what the Spartan men and boys endured. Getting through it is mental, the will to never quit and the identity change from that of a rugged individual to a total team guy. Did I say this book is funny? It really is a hoot! Added later...........a must read if you're thinking of signing up? This book should be on the author's "required reading " list "With The Old Breed" by EB Sledge. After reading about what the Marines endured at Peleliu and Okinawa during WW 2 any BUD/S candidate can take a tremendous amount of encouragement and strength with him especially during Hell Week. These Marines endured 2 1/2 months of hell on Okinawa spending much time in the mud, constantly wet, getting shot at by snipers and artillery, dealing with horrific smells of rotting corpses left on the battlefield, lack of sanitation and food, going crazy from the insane conditions and lack of sleep. Think of these guys, your grandpa, don't let them down. Seriously? Hell Week should be a walk in the park. These WW2 infantry vets would have gladly traded their literal hell for your Hell Week.

I got this book because I had heard great things about it from my friends, and my brother is a SEAL, so I wanted an insider’s perspective on the sort of stuff he had to go though (he never really told me much about his training). Although I have no desire to be a SEAL, I still really enjoyed reading this book. It is full of extremely entertaining anecdotes and is written very informally, making it a fun, easy read. A lot of the advice the author gives does not JUST apply to being a SEAL, and I am already incorporating some of the breathing techniques and stress management into my job right now. Some of the other reviews discuss how the writing is cocky and crude, but I was definitely not offended. It is absolutely not a politically correct book, but neither is the military or life in general, and the fact that the author wasn’t concerned with offending anyone makes this book feel very real and unfiltered (and also quite funny). Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to know more about what Navy SEALs have to go through, and, if you actually want to be a SEAL, you are an idiot if you don’t read this book.

I honestly believe the only reason they couldn't title this the SEAL Training Bible, is because SEAL training is ever-changing and therefore the book would have to update the specifics from time to time. This book is fantastic. I am not a Navy SEAL, but I have been aspiring to become one for years and plan to begin BUD/S as soon as I graduate college. This book did not make or break my decision to attempt one of the most rigorous military training programs in the world, because I already knew it was what I wanted. If I had been on the fence, really if I hadn't even considered it, this book would have made me want to. The book is written in a simple fashion that makes it easy and enjoyable to read and doesn't waste any time, but gives you the bare facts about BUD/S. Complete with section by section breakdowns of every aspect of the training, from reasons why some guys don't make it, to tricks to make things a bit easier on yourself, this book can almost literally tell you if you have what it takes. If you read it and truthfully regard what these men have to say and take it to heart in an honest way with yourself, you will not only know if you have the right mindset to go in, but you will learn ways to prepare yourself in anticipation. I would recommend this book to anyone, even if you have no interest in becoming a Team Guy, because a lot of this stuff is useful for every day life.

This is a truly interesting read. I'm a Navy SEAL candidate. I've read every SEAL book worth reading, browsed every SEAL website worth browsing, watched every SEAL show worth watching, spoken to SEALS, and even worked out for a little bit at SDV-1 at Pearl Harbor. I thought I knew everything there was to know (not to sound arrogant). I was convinced that there was nothing else left to learn before I left for BUD/S. A friend of mine recommended this book to me, and I figured I would give it a shot, and couldn't put it down! This book is AMAZING. It not only tells you the basics, like how to work out, what the training is like, etc, but where this book really shines is telling you the LITTLE THINGS. This includes: -How to maximize much needed sleep every night -Where to have your uniform dry cleaned -Where the best barber shop is -What to look for while preparing for inspections -How to keep your gear in tip-top shape -How not to attract extra unwanted attention -What kind of guys typically make it -How to be a team player and not screw over your boat crew -Fun things to do while waiting to class up -Drown proofing techniques -Navy trivia you should know going in -TONS of other priceless information Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying because you read this book, you're gonna pass BUD/S. That is entirely up to you. What I will promise you, is that this book will cut down on many avoidable beatings, and will give you the tools to make BUD/S as easy as the hardest training known to man could possibly be.

I read and recommend this book to parents of a prospective SEAL. I found the book invaluable as a parent for the third chapter alone. Chapter 3 explains exactly what you need to tell a recruiter when you walk into their office if the goal is to become a SEAL. It also explains the different options such as the Delayed Entry Program; it's benefits, pros and cons; officer vs enlisted pros/cons, etc. He explains how to firmly and decisively deal with the recruiter and not allow the youngster to be steered away from or settle for less than his dream to get a chance to become a SEAL. The first two chapters are good reading as well to establish the mindset and things to take into consideration. The rest of the book is then more helpful for the prospective SEAL himself for what to expect out of training and how to be as prepared as you can be and is less helpful to a parent. The author writes in a very frank and coarse way using a lot of "colorful metaphors." The language is nothing more than I have heard among soldiers, athletes, and camp fires. One reason the language is this coarse is also part of the book's preparation - if you cannot get past this language you won't make it through basic let alone BUD/s. Again, if you are a parent of a young man talking about joining the SEALs, get this book. With it you will be in a better position to provide support in the preparation, but more importantly as a parent you will get some info on the enlistment process.

I read a lot of books on physical and mental training and this book really stands up with the best of them. For one it gives you realistic standards that you will have to meet to be successful in BUD/S. The book also doesn't candy coat anything about the personal hardships and depravations you will face. Yet despite all that there are ways to cope and thrive and that is to work for "small victories" and to charge into every task as hard as you can and "embrace the suck". This is done by learning how to cheat and not get caught and by knowing all the details of everything from what the instructors like to find in your room refrigerator during room inspections to how to run the obstacle course in the most efficient way possible. From a personal view point I am never doing to BUD/S but the reason why I loved this book is because it has a lot of mental strategies that everyone can use to deal with the challenges of life. The PT standards are something you can compare yourself too and I used the run plan workout that was suggested with great success. However the best part of this book is the simple fact that is really entertaining. You feel like you're having a personal conversation with the author over a beer. Getting all the inside tips, interesting stories and experiences of the author.

First of all , awesome book !!! In my next life , I would love to be a Seal ! Anyway , I will not be one in this life but this book is packed with so much info and insight for anyone wanting to be a Seal or those looking for mental toughness . There are many aspects of Buds training that are explained in detail of how to get through it , and why certain aspects of the training are necessary . There are some funny parts that will have you laughing like how some of the guys deal with those who are not pulling their weight as the instructors turn a blind eye hehehe . I have read just about every book on Navy Seals and this is the first book that actually covers Bud/s training and the torture of all tortures " Hell week ." I come away after reading this book with a whole different set of rules for the way I tackle things in my life and enduring the difficulties in my life with dignity !!! Gonna go back and re read it for the third time !!

There are a few reasons I can think of to read this book. You, or someone you know is thinking about going to BUD/S, you enjoy reading about SEALs, or you know that you can learn a few things from this book that will help you in your life. I fall into all three of those categories. I have also read many, if not most, of the books out there about SEALs and SEAL training. And I have to say, this book ranks right up there at the top of that list! I like the way the author speaks in this book. I have never been a big fan of political correctness, it appears the author is not either. If you have ever been in the Navy or other branches of the military you will feel right at home with the comments and tone of the book. If you are thinking of going to BUD/S and the comments offend you, then you need to change your plans now because he barely scratches the surface of the mental abuse and inappropriate comments you will be subjected to in the teams. If you laugh at the comments because you think they are funny, you are one step closer to making it. Many of the books about BUD/S prep talk about being at an incredibly high level of physical fitness. While I can understand that, I always thought focusing only on the physical aspect was wrong. The authors of this book clearly point out something I agree with, in their words, anyone who can pass the minimum requirements of the PT test can pass BUD/S if they have the right attitude. That is one of the most important thoughts in this book. BUD/S is going to increase your level of physical fitness to a height you never thought possible. But only if you stay in the game. Only if you realize you will die before you will quit. Everyone will be pushed to their mental limits here. Most will quit. Most will regret quitting after the fact. That is why you never, never quit during the evolution. Wait until it is done, then decide. Because after the evolution is completed, you are still standing there and you will be thinking more clearly. Most likely you will tell yourself, I made it through that, let me hang in there a bit longer. That will get you through to the end. This book also covers some good points on the physical aspect of preparation. My son is in his last year of college at VMI, once he graduates his plan is to go to BUD/S. He has been working out pretty hard to get ready. But the authors made a really good case for how he should prepare. They stated that there is a waiting list for BUD/S and the Navy takes the top candidates each class opening. We also verified this with the Specwar recruiters. What they are saying is BUD/S will get you into the shape you need to be in, you just need to get into BUD/S. They recommend training much harder in the areas that will be tested, this way you will crush the PT and be placed much higher on the list. 80% of his current workout revolves around swimming, pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups and running, many of the runs are in boots and long pants. He is also doing a lot of swimming with my old rocket fins I got when I was a Navy diver. They are heavy, stiff fins but they will really build up the joints, tendons, and muscles in your lower legs which will help keep you from experiencing ankle problems on your runs. To wrap this up you need to realize that this is the BUD/S Bible. If you, or someone you care about is thinking about BUD/S, they need to read this book. Not only will the book steer you towards how you should prepare mentally and physically, but it will also help you decide if BUD/S is really for you. Some people will read this book and realize they do not want to go through all the abuse and hardship and they will be relieved to know it is not right for them. Others will read this, like my son, and it will only make them want to be there even more.

Traz todos os detalhes e histórias deste grupo de.elite, colocando o leitor lado a lado c a experiência do autor.

great book

Please beware- the standards have increased somewhat greatly since the writing of this book. Other than that, advice is sound. But war is not imminent and they are less in demand (seals).

This is easily one of my favourite books, I've never read a book quicker because I can't put it down. If you have ever wondered if you have the stuff to become a Navy SEAL and complete BUD/S; This book WILL answer that question - providing you're honest with yourself. But unluckily, if you're reading this then you're likely a British citizen and therefore probably won't get the chance :( Breaking BUD/S provides a conversationally written step-by-step account of becoming a SEAL, covering life prior to visiting the recruitment office, to being presented with your trident. No details are spared; he talks about everything from jumping through administrative hoops to completing Hell Week with broken ribs, stress fractured shins, a prolapse, while incontinent (after contracting a nasty bug from training in sewage thick seawater). Like the other review said; there are a few errors but these are very small and really don't spoil the book at all, I certainly don't think they're deliberate. As for the non P.C content in this book; there are many uses of 'Gay' as a derogatory term. If that doesn't offend you, you'll be fine (unless you like to workout in toe shoes...) All in all this book reads as incredibly well balanced outlining all the paperwork, fitness requirements, brutally honest medical details and is rife with tips like; the best running techniques on soft sand with a boat on your crew's heads, and the best way to apply your name stencil to stretchy tee-shirt fabric for inspections. If you're interested in the SEALs or have ever wondered if you got what it takes; you can't do without this book, even if you have no interest in actually becoming a SEAL; this book provides a generally well written, raw insight into BUD/S training and the mind-set of some of the worlds most fierce warriors.

This was a good book, but in some areas tended to drag on somewhat.