U.S. Navy · Special Operations

SO Special Warfare Operator (SEAL)

Navy Special Warfare Operators (SO / SEAL) conduct direct action, special reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, and unconventional warfare. On the ASVAB you qualify by clearing EITHER the GS + MC + EI = 170 path OR the VE + MK + MC + CS = 220 path; in both cases you must additionally meet a VE + AR = 110 baseline with a Mechanical Comprehension (MC) score of at least 50.

last verified 2026-06-18

SO (Special Warfare Operator (SEAL)) is in the Navy and requires a minimum AFQT of 50 and one of these line-score paths: GS+MC+EI of at least 170 or VE+MK+MC+CS of at least 220. Last verified 2026-06-18 against navyseals.com (Enlisted SEAL ASVAB requirements).

Quick check

Can I qualify for this job?

Enter the scores you already know. Leave a box blank if you do not have that score yet. Any one listed line-score path can qualify.

AFQT minimum 50Enter AFQT
GS+MC+EI minimum 170Enter GS+MC+EI
VE+MK+MC+CS minimum 220Enter VE+MK+MC+CS

Plain requirement

What you need.

  • Min AFQT50
  • Training~64 weeks
  • GS+MC+EI line score≥ 170
  • VE+MK+MC+CS line score≥ 220

Meet any one listed line-score path.

Source: navyseals.com (Enlisted SEAL ASVAB requirements) · last verified 2026-06-18.

Role brief

About SO — Special Warfare Operator (SEAL).

Navy Special Warfare Operators (SO / SEAL) conduct direct action, special reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, and unconventional warfare. On the ASVAB you qualify by clearing EITHER the GS + MC + EI = 170 path OR the VE + MK + MC + CS = 220 path; in both cases you must additionally meet a VE + AR = 110 baseline with a Mechanical Comprehension (MC) score of at least 50.

Starting pay · 2026

What this job pays as a junior enlisted member.

Base pay is set by pay grade, not by job — every Navy enlistee at the same grade earns the same monthly base pay. These are the 2026 active-duty rates (3.8% raise, effective 2026-01-01).

GradeRankMonthly base payService
E-1Seaman Recruit (SR)$2,407after 4 months of service
E-2Seaman Apprentice (SA)$2,698under 2 years
E-3Seaman (SN)$2,837under 2 years
E-4Petty Officer 3rd Class$3,142under 2 years
  • Plus food allowance (BAS)$460/moFlat enlisted rate, tax-free, paid on top of base pay.
  • Plus housing allowance (BAH)Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is paid on top of base pay and is tax-free, but it varies by duty-station ZIP code, pay grade, and whether you have dependents — there is no single nationwide figure. Use the official DoD BAH calculator for your assignment location.DoD BAH rate lookup →

Source: DFAS 2026 active-duty basic pay tables (3.8% raise, effective Jan 1 2026) · last verified 2026-05-23 · date retrieved 2026-05-23.

Eligibility notes

What SO candidates should check.

  • The two technical line-score paths are alternatives: clear EITHER GS + MC + EI ≥ 170 OR VE + MK + MC + CS ≥ 220 — you do not need both.
  • Regardless of which technical path you qualify under, every SEAL candidate must also meet VE + AR ≥ 110 with a minimum Mechanical Comprehension (MC) score of 50. There is no waiver if your MC score is more than five points below the 50 minimum.
  • The VE + MK + MC + CS = 220 path uses the Coding Speed (CS) subtest, which is no longer part of the standard CAT-ASVAB battery — request CS at MEPS if you intend to qualify on that path.
  • The Navy enlistment AFQT minimum is 31, but SEAL candidates who succeed at BUD/S traditionally post AFQT scores of 78 or better, well above the 50 program minimum.

What ASVAB score do you need to be a Navy SEAL?

There is no single SEAL ASVAB number. You qualify on the line scores by clearing either GS + MC + EI = 170 or VE + MK + MC + CS = 220, and in both cases you must also meet VE + AR = 110 with a Mechanical Comprehension (MC) score of at least 50. The Navy AFQT minimum is 31, though successful BUD/S candidates typically score 78 or higher.

Do you have to meet all three SEAL line-score combinations?

No. The two technical combinations (GS + MC + EI = 170 and VE + MK + MC + CS = 220) are alternatives — clearing either one satisfies the technical requirement. The VE + AR = 110 combination (with MC of at least 50) is the one requirement you must meet in every case, on top of whichever technical path you pass.

What are the rating requirements for SO Special Warfare Operator (SEAL)?

The Navy Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) rating (SO) requires a minimum AFQT of 50 and one of these line-score paths: GS+MC+EI of at least 170 or VE+MK+MC+CS of at least 220, with initial training of about 64 weeks. Those are the ASVAB-based entry requirements; a recruiter confirms the full enlistment picture (medical, background, and current openings). Source: navyseals.com (Enlisted SEAL ASVAB requirements), last verified 2026-06-18.

How long is SO Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) training?

SO initial training runs about 64 weeks. Source: navyseals.com (Enlisted SEAL ASVAB requirements), last verified 2026-06-18.

Source: navyseals.com (Enlisted SEAL ASVAB requirements) · last verified 2026-06-18 · date retrieved 2026-06-18.

Related

Practice AFQT plus SO line-score subtests.

AFQT + GS+MC+EI / VE+MK+MC+CS practice targets

Compare Navy ASVAB requirements

Independent test-prep — not affiliated with DoD or the ASVAB program. See officialasvab.com for the test program.

Sources