"Hell Week" is a defining, brutally difficult portion of U.S. Navy SEAL training. It is a 5 1/2-day stretch of continuous operational training with fewer than four hours of sleep total. It occurs during the third week of the First Phase of BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL). "Hell Week" is designed to test the physical endurance, mental toughness, pain and cold tolerance, teamwork, attitude, and ability to perform under high physical and mental stress and sleep deprivation of SEAL candidates. Instructors apply great physical and mental stress to the trainees and offer them tempting invitations to quit. The majority of students who make it through "Hell Week" go on to graduate BUD/S and become SEALs.
Originally called "Indoctrination Week," "Hell Week" was invented by a Naval Combat Demolition Unit (NCDU) during World War II. The NCDUs cleared the way for Allied forces on the beaches of Normandy. It pushes candidates to their limits to instill the mental and physical toughness needed to perform under extreme pressure. Trainees are constantly moving, running, swimming, paddling, carrying boats, and crawling through mud. Those who can't endure any longer simply ring a bell to signal their withdrawal. On average, only about 25% of SEAL candidates make it through "Hell Week," which many graduates consider their greatest achievement. David Goggins is the only member of the U.S. Armed Forces to complete SEAL training, Army Ranger School, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller training. He also went through three "Hell Weeks" in one year.
