The Unit
DEVGRU — the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, universally known by its old name SEAL Team Six — is the US Navy's tier-one special-mission unit and the maritime counterpart to Delta Force. It was created in 1980 by Commander Richard Marcinko in the wake of the failed Iran hostage rescue, and reorganised as DEVGRU in 1987.
It is the unit the United States sends for its highest-stakes work: maritime counter-terrorism, hostage rescue and decapitation raids. The world knows it for Operation Neptune Spear — the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden — and the 2009 rescue of Captain Richard Phillips from Somali pirates.
The Gate
This is the rarest gate in US special operations, because the prerequisite is already extraordinary: you must already be a Navy SEAL — through BUD/S and SQT — and then prove yourself in the Teams. Candidates are typically senior operators with five-plus years and multiple combat deployments.
Only the strongest performers are invited to try out. The pool isn't civilians or even new sailors — it's the standouts among men who are already among the most selected in the military.
Selection — "Green Team"
The pathway in is the months-long indoctrination course known as Green Team, run once a year for roughly six to seven months.
Screening
Physical screening, psychological testing and interviews to judge suitability for the Development Group — even before training begins.
Green Team
Advanced CQB, free-fall, diving, marksmanship and mission skills — all under constant observation. Instructors evaluate every decision under sustained pressure; a man can be cut for judgement, not just performance. Roughly half of an already-elite intake makes it through.
To a squadron
Those who pass are assigned to one of DEVGRU's assault, reconnaissance or support squadrons.
The Standards
DEVGRU publishes nothing, and its prerequisite — passing BUD/S — is itself one of the hardest entry standards anywhere. Indicative of the Selection tier this reference uses:
Train To The Standard
The road to Six starts at BUD/S — built on swimming, rucking and relentless work capacity. The Gate's Selection tier maps that base, with the swim and water work front and centre.