The Navy has a very peculiar history in their relationship with Blacks. During the Revolution and the War of 1812, Blacks served in large numbers as Foremast Jacks, i.e. seamen. Few were rated as Petty Officers or higher, but they formed a solid component of the ships companies of American Men of War. By the time of the Civil War, most Blacks were rated as “Contraband”, a term commonly applied to property. This was because the Navy openly recruited runaway slaves, but then did not rate them as ordinary or able bodied seamen because of the way that they were carried on the ships books and what they were paid. In the years following the Civil War, Blacks were gradually restricted to only a few ratings, generally Steward or Messman. There were no segregated ships, but the divisions within the ship certainly were.
Blacks did not really take their place in all ratings and in all ranks until the Korean War and then in smaller numbers and later than what was happening in the other services. I suspect that Blacks who want to excel in the combat branches would choose the Marine Corps, Army Airborne, or Special Forces before they would opt for Navy Seals. Better chances all the way around.
Thanks for your insight. Interesting.