SEALS and SWCCs End Source Ratings

Effective Oct. 1, Navy SEALS and special warfare combatant-craft crewmen (SWCCs) dropped their original source rates to enter their own community. SEALs became special warfare operators (SOs) and SWCCs converted to special warfare boat operators (SBs). Because of the change, they no longer will be required to maintain currency in their source rating while undergoing repeated deployments as SEALS and SWCCs. SEALS will still be trained initially at BUD/S, and SWCCS at Basic Crewmen Training, both at the Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado. BUD/S and SWCCS are now “A” schools for naval special warfare, so Sailors will earn SO or SB ratings respectively when they graduate. Completion of the SEAL Qualification Training course or the Crewmember Qualification Training course will qualify them for the SEAL or SWCC warfare designator.