[Jack Black]

You are wrong, Jesse was a UDT(Frogman), he never completed the extra 26 weeks of training that “Frogmen” had to endure before becoming a Navy “Seal”. The Navy Seals were not a unit until the mid 80’s, Jesse left the Navy in the mid 70’s.

I wasn't in the Navy, much less the SEALS, but I did sort of look into this.

Wikipedia says that the Seals have existed since 1962. Of course Wikipedia has been wrong, so maybe that's the case here. But they go on to give the complete history of the first two SEAL teams, formed in 1962, and composed of all UDT (Underwater Demolition Team) trained sailors. They do agree on this second level of training at the time, SBI, or SEAL Basic Indoctrination.

It appears that sometime between their founding and now the UDT/BSI training was changed to the single training we are all familiar with from various movies (and the elite few are familiar with from actual experience) BUD/S.

About Ventura Wikipedia says this: "Ventura served in the United States Navy from December 1, 1969, to September 10, 1975, during the Vietnam War era. He graduated in BUD/S class 58 in December 1970[14] and was part of Underwater Demolition Team 12.[4][15][16][17][18]"

That seems particularly well footnoted, so I'm going to assume it it correct.

Moving to the US Navy SEAL home page they describe the BUD/S classes in some detail. It ends with this description of what happens upon graduation:

SEAL training ends with the formal BUD/S Class Graduation. Here the proud few in their dress Navy uniforms are recognized for their achievement in the presence of family and senior SEAL leaders. The Commanding Officers and senior enlisted advisors of the Naval Special Warfare Groups and SEAL Teams attend. The BUD/s graduates, as their newest Teammates, will be reminded of the special group they have entered, to be worthy of the sacrifices of the courageous Frogmen who came before them, and the great honor it is to serve as a U.S. Navy SEAL.

So it seems to me, that based on available public information your posting is incorrect:

• The SEALS have existed formally since 1962.
• Graduating from BUD/S class is what makes one a SEAL in recent times, though that was different at the very beginning of the unit.
• Ventura graduated from BUD/S class 58 in 1970.

Looks like a duck, quacks like a duck. I'd say he's a SEAL as the Navy defines it. He is also listed on the Wikipedia "List of Navy SEALs page with this explanation:

Jesse Ventura – BUD/S class 58, served on UDT-12 and Reserve SEAL Team 1. Former pro wrestler, governor of Minnesota. Currently hosts Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura

I hate fakes, especially military impostors. Even upgrading one's service / rank / branch / special forces accreditation is ugly and deserves only scorn, so if I'm wrong it's a pretty big deal that he's been faking it.

[Jack Black]

I found this detailed article on current SEAL training on Wikipedia after I posted the above comment. Apparently the famous "Trident" is only awarded after the second stage of training, as you had said in your original posting.

United States Navy SEAL selection and training

[CodeToad]

Our own Travis McGee was a SEAL officer and explained it all perfectly. He states with good reason that Jesse “The Wussy” Ventura was never a SEAL. He never completed the training and was never recognized as a SEAL. Graduating BUD/S does not make for a SEAL. There is far more to it.

[CodeToad]

BTW, Jesse’s brother, Jan, was a SEAL, and Jan served in Vietnam during a time when Jesse could have and was encouraged to join the SEAL teams in Vietnam.

As Travis McGee puts it, Jesse would have been in Vietnam probably before sundown had be volunteered for the SEALs.

Instead, Jesse “The Wussy” Ventura stayed in Subic bay screwing hookers during the Vietnam war, all nice and safe, while the real SEALs were in combat and getting killed in Vietnam, including his own brother.

How do you like that? Jesse refused SEAL service in Vietnam only to later lay claim to have served in Vietnam as a SEAL.

Stolen valor. Jesse’s a pussy. Sue me, Jesse, dare ya!

[cabbieguy]

Thank you for your correction to my post, I was mistaken when I said the Navy Seals were founded in the mid 80’s. I guess I can agree that if the Seals were founded in 1962 by JFK, then Jesse was a Navy Seal.