Today's U.S.
Navy SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) teams trace their history to the first group of volunteers selected from the
Naval Construction Battalions (
SeaBees) in the spring of 1943. These volunteers were organized into special teams called Navy Combat
Demolition Units (NCDUs). The units were tasked with
reconnoitering and clearing beach obstacles for troops going ashore during
amphibious landings, and evolved into Combat Swimmer Reconnaissance Units.
The NCDUs distinguished themselves during
World War II in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. In 1947, the Navy organized its first underwater offensive strike units. During the
Korean Conflict, these Underwater Demolition Teams (
UDTs) took part in the landing at
Inchon as well as other missions including demolition
raids on
bridges and tunnels accessible from the water. They also conducted limited
minesweeping operations in harbors and rivers.
During the
1960s, each branch of the
armed forces formed its own
counterinsurgency force. The Navy utilized UDT personnel to form separate units called SEAL teams. January 1962 marked the commissioning of SEAL Team ONE in the
Pacific Fleet and SEAL Team TWO in the
Atlantic Fleet. These teams were developed to conduct unconventional warfare, counter-
guerilla warfare and
clandestine operations in both blue and brown water environments.
Concurrently, Naval Operations Support Groups were formed to aid UDTs, SEALs, and two other unique units — Boat Support and Beach Jumpers — in administration, planning,
research and development. During the
Vietnam War, UDTs performed
reconnaissance missions and SEALs carried out numerous
offensive operations. In 1967, the Naval Operations Support Groups were renamed Naval Special Warfare Groups (NSWGs) as involvement increased in limited conflicts and special operations.
In 1983, existing
UDTs were redesignated as SEAL teams and/or SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams and the requirement for hydrographic reconnaissance and underwater demolition became SEAL missions.
The Naval Special Warfare Command was commissioned April 16, 1987, at the Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, Calif. Its mission is to prepare Naval Special Warfare forces to carry out their
assigned missions and to develop special operations
strategy, doctrine, and
tactics.
SEALs (Sea, Air, Land) teams go through what is considered to be the
toughest military training in the world. Basic Underwater Demolition/ SEAL (
BUD/S) training is conducted at the Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado. Students encounter obstacles that develop and test their
stamina,
leadership and ability to work as a
team.