also includes other high-level civilians who network with various spheres of influence within the civilian community that benefits the RDAC. The SEAL RDAC focuses on helping recruiters find qualified SEAL and Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) candidates and then mentors, evaluates, and prepares them for BUD/S. Through Physical Screening Tests (PSTs) and mentoring sessions, candidates are taught swim-stroke and other strength-training techniques and given individual encouragement to prepare them both physically and mentally for the boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes and then for eventual success as a SEAL operator after completing their training at BUD/S in Coronado, California.
RDAC Standards
To help increase the success rate of those recommended and selected for BUD/S, RDAC standards are deliberately much higher than those established by BUD/S.
The RDAC PST measures the same five areas: a timed swim, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and a run. To successfully complete the RDAC PST, the candidate must complete a timed five-hundred-yard swim using the breast- and/or sidestroke in under twelve and a half minutes. Following a ten-minute rest, they must perform a minimum of forty-two push-ups in two minutes, followed by a two-minute rest. The test continues with a minimum of fifty sit-ups in two minutes, followed by another two-minute rest. The candidate must then perform a minimum of six pull-ups with no time limit. Following a ten-minute rest, the candidate, wearing boots and long pants, must complete a 1.5-mile run in under eleven and a half minutes.
Saturday, January 16, 1998
Michael reported to the USMMA in Kings Point, where he was introduced to the RDAC mentors, then given a brief overview of the program, program expectations, and his initial PST. Records show that he completed his five-hundred-yard swim in nine minutes flat; did ninety push-ups in two minutes, fifty-eight sit-ups, and eighteen pull-ups; and completed his run in 8:46. While this certainly got Bisset’s and the other SEAL mentors’ attention, they withheld judgment and their excitement. They did encourage him to work out on his own in between monthly sessions, and reminded him that his commitment would be evident by his improved marks each month. Michael committed to continuous improvement, and established a daily workout routine.
Saturday, February 20, 1998
Again reporting to the USMMA, Michael’s PST results were mixed. His 8:02 swim was a fifty-eight-second improvement, but his push-ups dropped to eighty-six. His sit-ups increased to sixty, his pull-ups went down to sixteen, and his run was clocked at 9:22, over his initial time by thirty-six seconds. Although Michael was dissatisfied, his mentors continued to encourage him to work out on his own, and emphasized their satisfaction with his swim. He committed to redoubling his efforts for the next month.
However, Michael was unable to make the March session because of academic requirements. He telephoned Captain Bisset and reiterated his commitment to the program, promising to continue to work out on his own and to report for the April session. He continued his self-designed workout program, and it paid off.
Saturday, April 24, 1998
Michael was able to report to the USMMA for his April session. While his swim was timed at 8:13, up from February, his push-ups increased dramatically, from 86
to 107, as did his sit-ups, from 60 to 83. His pull-up numbers also jumped, from 16 to 21, and he decreased his run time to 8:54. The RDAC mentors realized they had themselves a highly motivated individual. They also began to see Michael’s leadership skills. Being one of the top finishers in the swim, he constantly encouraged the slower swimmers and encouraged others during push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. After he finished the run near the front, he ran back several times and ran with and encouraged the slower runners. Although Michael had caught the attention of Bisset and the other mentors,
RDAC Standards
To help increase the success rate of those recommended and selected for BUD/S, RDAC standards are deliberately much higher than those established by BUD/S.
The RDAC PST measures the same five areas: a timed swim, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and a run. To successfully complete the RDAC PST, the candidate must complete a timed five-hundred-yard swim using the breast- and/or sidestroke in under twelve and a half minutes. Following a ten-minute rest, they must perform a minimum of forty-two push-ups in two minutes, followed by a two-minute rest. The test continues with a minimum of fifty sit-ups in two minutes, followed by another two-minute rest. The candidate must then perform a minimum of six pull-ups with no time limit. Following a ten-minute rest, the candidate, wearing boots and long pants, must complete a 1.5-mile run in under eleven and a half minutes.
Saturday, January 16, 1998
Michael reported to the USMMA in Kings Point, where he was introduced to the RDAC mentors, then given a brief overview of the program, program expectations, and his initial PST. Records show that he completed his five-hundred-yard swim in nine minutes flat; did ninety push-ups in two minutes, fifty-eight sit-ups, and eighteen pull-ups; and completed his run in 8:46. While this certainly got Bisset’s and the other SEAL mentors’ attention, they withheld judgment and their excitement. They did encourage him to work out on his own in between monthly sessions, and reminded him that his commitment would be evident by his improved marks each month. Michael committed to continuous improvement, and established a daily workout routine.
Saturday, February 20, 1998
Again reporting to the USMMA, Michael’s PST results were mixed. His 8:02 swim was a fifty-eight-second improvement, but his push-ups dropped to eighty-six. His sit-ups increased to sixty, his pull-ups went down to sixteen, and his run was clocked at 9:22, over his initial time by thirty-six seconds. Although Michael was dissatisfied, his mentors continued to encourage him to work out on his own, and emphasized their satisfaction with his swim. He committed to redoubling his efforts for the next month.
However, Michael was unable to make the March session because of academic requirements. He telephoned Captain Bisset and reiterated his commitment to the program, promising to continue to work out on his own and to report for the April session. He continued his self-designed workout program, and it paid off.
Saturday, April 24, 1998
Michael was able to report to the USMMA for his April session. While his swim was timed at 8:13, up from February, his push-ups increased dramatically, from 86
to 107, as did his sit-ups, from 60 to 83. His pull-up numbers also jumped, from 16 to 21, and he decreased his run time to 8:54. The RDAC mentors realized they had themselves a highly motivated individual. They also began to see Michael’s leadership skills. Being one of the top finishers in the swim, he constantly encouraged the slower swimmers and encouraged others during push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. After he finished the run near the front, he ran back several times and ran with and encouraged the slower runners. Although Michael had caught the attention of Bisset and the other mentors,
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