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

In the back of this book, the authors include a pretty comprehensive reading list for those who are seriously considering becoming SEALs. While I have only read two of the books from the list, they both came from the "Required Reading" section. Those books include "The Warrior Elite" and "The Finishing School" by Dick Couch. I bought this book last night and finished it an hour ago. This book belongs at the top of its own revised "Required Reading" list. Half of this is due to the fact that it describes in detail a more updated version of BUD/S, and is therefore a bit more relevant. The other half is due to the sheer frankness and honesty of the coauthor and narrator, Mark Owens. I've read quite a few other books about other post-9/11 SEALs and their exploits. All are fascinating, but sometimes I've felt they stray into the self-indulgent territory. Not so in this book.** This book is the most refreshingly honest and objective thing I've ever read about BUD/S and what it takes to make it through. Mr. Owens is an officer and describes his personal route via OCS, but also details the exact steps an enlisted man would take and the best way to prepare for either option. Like many men, I've often wondered if I had the ability to be a SEAL. It's something that I've wrestled with for a long time, but Mr. Owens did something that no other SEAL author was able to do. Through his forthright accounts, he made me realize the SEAL lifestyle is not for me, and for that, I'm grateful. I gave this book five stars because it educated me in a way no other book on the same subject has done. Through this education, it answered a burning question and also made me laugh out loud from the politically incorrect humor the Team guys share. If being a SEAL is what you actually want, this book will get you there. If you think being a SEAL is what you want, this will answer the question and then, if it's right for you, it will get you there. If not, it will at least give you a reason to laugh and appreciate the guys who do what most people, such as myself, can only dream of. **To be clear, I've loved all the books I've read about the SEALs, pre- and post-9/11. They served as fascinating character studies and made me relieved that we have so many great men volunteering for such a demanding and necessary job. The last thing I would ever be is critical of a real man doing a real man's job. I am, even by comparison to an Army mess cook, soft as baby sh!t.

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.

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 have read some reviews and I disagree with the review that says this book is full of curse words and typographical errors. There was choice word here and there but that doesn't bother me. This book is for men, not broken hand individuals. I like the way the book is written and if I had the time I would spend all day reading it and I probably would read it again. I am studying criminology and I wish this was a required reading instead of all the left wing liberal garbage I am required to read. What I like about the author is, that he doesn't sugar coat anything and he tells it like it is, also you are getting information most people don't want to tell you. I have learned more reading this book than talking to a recruiter. Most recruiters I have talked to didn't want to tell me anything, they always leave me in the dark about certain topics or they give me all these pretty pamphlets with beautiful pictures, that don't tell me anything. Most of the navy pamphlets end up in the trash because they don't tell me what I need to know. I think anybody who wants to join the Navy needs to read this book, and even if you have no intentions of joining the Navy, this book gives you the motivation not to quit regardless what your aspirations are in life. I am too old to join the Navy but I would like to train my self for BUDS just for personal satisfaction, this book tells me what I need to know for BUD's and for that I am great full to the author. I hope this author writes more books. I highly recommend this book. P.S. to the author, maybe you can write a book about how to use a rifle or other skills you learned in the Navy, just food for thought.

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.

The title of this book says it all: “Breaking BUD/S: How regular guys can become Navy SEALs.” The author is an active SEAL, writing under the pen name DH Xavier for security purposes. If you have a young relative who's thinking about becoming a SEAL, by all means give him this book. It's a first-class "weeder-outer." If he’s truly serious about becoming a SEAL, this book will help him achieve his dream. If he's not truly serious about becoming a SEAL, this book will discourage him from trying and wasting his time. "Breaking BUD/S" covers its subject as thoroughly as any book I’ve read on any subject. It lists the four possible paths to BUD/S training (Naval Academy, ROTC, Officers Candidate School, and regular enlistment), giving the pros and cons of each and a step-by-step guide for following whichever path is chosen. The rest of the book describes, in minute detail, how a candidate can survive BUD/S once he's been selected. Xavier spells out what a candidate should do—and not do—to prepare himself for the challenge and survive it. He covers both the physical and mental aspect of everything: how to interact with instructors and fellow candidates; how to conquer the frequent, overpowering urge to quit; the least difficult way to run in soft sand; even the proper way to super-glue the thread on a uniform button to keep it from coming off. Throughout the book, he illustrates his advice with real-life examples of candidates who succeeded and failed—and why. He even gives tips on how a candidate can outmaneuver his instructors/tormentors (cheat), and explains why instructors/tormentors admire candidates with that ability. Xavier also touches on the politics of military life, especially for officers. It’s a vitally important subject, as anyone who's served in the armed forces will recognize, but one that’s usually ignored. The book’s strongest point is that Xavier is brutally frank about everything associated with the selection process. Here's his description of how a candidate begins Mask Appreciation training: "On the pool deck...you lay with your head hanging over the water and your feet pointed away. You lean back, dunking your head in the water at JUST the right angle to force water to surge up your nose. While your head's underwater...you fill your dive mask with water and put it on." I never wanted to be a Navy SEAL, but if I had, I would've dropped the idea after reading Xavier's book. So will any young wannabe who's watched "Sole Survivor" 24 times and thinks he wants to become a mighty warrior. If you have a young relative who fits that description, do him—and the Navy and SEALs—a favor, and give him "Breaking BUD/S."

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.

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.

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.