Special Warfare

The newly commissioned officer may elect to pursue a career in Special Warfare (SPECWAR). SPECWAR Officers concentrate on the development of skills in the areas of unconventional warfare, counter-insurgency, coastal and riverine interdiction, and tactical intelligence collection. To enter this career area, the officer must meet the various physical prerequisites, volunteer for hazardous duty, and request and be selected to receive Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUDS) training. BUDS training is a 6 month course that is both physically and mentally demanding. It is specifically designed to provide the necessary basic physical and technical skills needed by the Special Warfare operator, and its requirements are sufficiently demanding so that only those who are highly motivated complete the course. In BUDS training, officers receive instruction in the planning and conduct of all phases and forms of hydrographic reconnaissance, land and underwater demolitions, individual and crew served weapons, small unit tactics, land reconnaissance, and various types of SCUBA.