A great deal has been written about the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training or BUD/S, yet not so much about SEAL Qualification Training or SQT. But BUD/S training does not a SEAL make. Only SQT does that. Prior to 9/11, newly minted frogmen went to their SEAL teams for additional training and a probationary period—usually about six months. Then they were awarded their Trident pens as qualified SEALs. Each team did it differently. Shortly after 9/11, a formal training program was instituted to better and more uniformly train and qualify new SEALs. A very talented and dedicated SEAL warrant officer named Mike Loo developed the program and conducted the first SQT courses. It’s been a great success. Far more time, instructor effort, and student dollar goes into SQT than any other SEAL training venue. Mike put me through SQT in 2002—as a writer. The result of that, my first SQT was The Finishing School, Earning the Navy SEAL Trident.
From now through 4 June, The Finishing School will be on Bookbub’s Action and Adventure List and available in through e-book retailers for $1.99. See The Warrior Elite for how SEALs are screened. See The Finishing School for how SEALs are made. The Finishing School—a great read at a great price.
Of Note: One of the new SEALs in my class, Class 2-02, is now the Governor of Missouri. The names have been changed to protect SEALs in the fight, but see if you can find him. Also in the class, the twin brother of the Lone Survivor.
