5 Coasties to go through SEAL training

[308Mike]

Linkarooni - It appears even the selection program is quite challenging. They DON'T want to waste their time and energy of people who probably won't make it.

5 Coasties to go through SEAL training

By Amy McCullough - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Nov 21, 2008 12:50:27 EST

Four officers and one enlisted man have been chosen to become the first Coast Guardsmen to participate in the elite Navy SEAL training in Coronado, Calif.

After Commandant Adm. Thad Allen announced the program July 31, Coast Guard Personnel Command fielded more than 150 phone calls from people requesting additional information. As of the Sept. 15 deadline, 19 people had applied — 12 officers and seven enlisted members, said Lt. James McLay, spokesman for Deployable Operation Group commander Rear Adm. Thomas Atkin.

Of the 19 applicants, 12 were selected to move on to the evaluation phase in Florida. The group was then whittled to five by Naval Special Warfare Command and the Coast Guard’s DOG.

If any or all selected Coast Guardsmen make it through the nearly two years of physically and mentally daunting training, they will be assigned to a SEAL team for five to seven years, although they officially will be part of the Coast Guard.

Those who successfully complete the service commitment are not required to return to the Coast Guard, but Allen said this summer that he wants them to come back.

It is not yet clear when those selected will begin training.

Selected were:

• Lt. j.g. Brian Bruns, Civil Engineering Unit Miami.

• Lt. j.g. Brian Naughton, Coast Guard District 7.

• Ensign Sean Norton, cutter Steadfast.

• Ensign Matthew Oloughlin, cutter Boutwell.

• Machinery Technician 3rd Class Kyle Walker, Station Channel Islands, Calif.

More of this story..............

Congratulations on being selected, now comes the hard part! Good luck, gentlemen!

[clyde621]

+1 Don't ring the bell