Teen Seeks Military Advice — Gets More Than He Bargained For
Here is an email from a young teenager who wants to become a Navy SEAL. I do not want to be the old guy telling the younger generation that they have a lot to learn, but in this case, let me give you some advice THEN I will answer your questions.
He types: “hi i want to be a navy seal when im older by any chance can i come right out of highschool i dreamed and dreamed about being a navy seal for years im 14 ive been reading working hard and in school and learining more and more about the naavy seal and i have a couple more questions like wheres a reqruter for me to sighn up when older and how do get in the navy seal in thwe first place message me back please”
You can start off by using punctuation and capitalization. Look at what you sent me ABOVE. Being able to speak and write in English is a requirement in the military. Don’t get lazy with text / email communications either. It tells me you don’t care about who you are emailing. I know text / emails are very informal methods of communications, but periods, commas, capitalization should be used to better get across your request. Especially, if you are asking people for help. To be honest, if I have over 100+ emails in a day to answer, I will delete them if I cannot see the question in a paragraph of non-punctuated words.
Sorry to be an English teacher, but you need to learn how important your words are. Now for your questions.
See navy-training-for-teens for a great article on what you should do now as a teenager to better prepare yourself for a future in the military. I recommend you play sports, join a team and learn to be a team player. That is one skill that you will need no matter what you do in life — especially if you choose the military in the future.
Start out by going to the Stew Smith Article archive and read as many articles as you can about running, swimming, pushups, pull-ups, sit-ups, special forces, and boot camp, nutrition and MORE. There is plenty of free information in these articles that can help you get started with a fitness routine to help in both sports and military preparation.
For more Navy SEAL Information see prep-for-navy-spec-ops — This article is a great list of all your Navy Spec Ops options and how to get there.
Thanks for your email. I know you probably sent it via a phone and texting is a whole new language by itself but when asking for help make it easier for your request to be read and you will get a response.
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Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and fitness author certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. If you are interested in starting a workout program to create a healthy lifestyle - check out the Stew Smith article archive at Military.com. To contact Stew with your comments and questions, e-mail him at stew@stewsmith.com.
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I agree. Attention to detail can save your life. Why not start practicing now! Good advice, Stew.
Stew,
You are absolutely correct in telling this young man that communication skills are essential in any job. Don’t excuse incorrect grammar skills just because it is a text or email. This young man will soon learn that first impressions, whether in writing or in person, cannot be undone. There are no “do overs”.
Also, I would bet you are correct in assuming in wants the easy way to a very difficult career. He should have told you how much strength training and exercise he is doing right now. That would show his true interest in becoming a Seal.
Your Favorite English Teacher
your true very much to and ive been in the army for 15 year and the training is very hard a times but good for u and poeple doent expeck the fings thay see the forst time thay jorn so its best bfor u to get *** much help has [possible be for jorning the army
ha — good humor from across the pond I see
when I get older I would like to be a para jumper (PJ). I also know it will take alot for me to join. I alleays wanted to save lives. I allways wanted to be one but my only question is. Are para jumpers (PJ) expendible?
No one is expendable. I assume you are young so I will let this one slide.
The only part of Stew’s post I disagree with is the “sorry” part.
As someone else noted, paying attention to detail can save lives. Moreover, proper deportment is a key feature of military life.
Memo to anyone training recruits: de-couple them from their cell phone dependency. They’re sneaking their phones into their Indoc periods and into high-security areas — and the culprits aren’t always the young ones.
100% on target Stew. My kids wondered why I hammered on them about “stupid stuff” like table manners and addressing adults as Mr. or Ms. The first time he had dinner with his girl friend and her parents — people he wanted to impress, especially her Dad (smart kid) — he saw the light.
Like everyone else who has commented on this post, I agree 100% with you and thank you for being the one to make the hard comments to straighten out this young man. Most kids these days aren’t learning even the most basic manners, courtesy and social skills and it’s appalling what the education system passes through. If the best he can do is a request that looks like it was writen by Jack Kerouak on a binge, he doesn’t belong in the military, much less special forces of any kind.
I have also a lot to learn and don’t want to be old guy. Therefore, I am taking full fitness and also join fitness club. I think that now I can enjoy my life and can stay healthy.