NEW YORK — Amanda S. Reynolds, a Long Island-based attorney with a strong desire to become the first female Navy SEAL, has initiated legal action against the U.S. Navy. Reynolds alleges that her bid to join the elite force was obstructed and ultimately denied due to her age, despite her claims of meeting the physical and professional qualifications required by the Navy.
Reynolds’ journey toward this challenging military role began earnestly in 2018 when she sought to apply for officer candidate school. Having worked for over a decade in litigation, Reynolds felt driven to pursue what she described as a more physically demanding career, aligning with her interests as an accomplished long-distance runner, swimmer, and SCUBA diver.
She explained that her application process was unexpectedly stalled by the Navy, preventing her from attending the officer candidate school scheduled for February at the Naval Officer Training Command in Newport, Rhode Island. Later, officials informed her that she would exceed the age limit of 42 upon graduation, thus disqualifying her from consideration.
Reflecting a rich family history of military service, Reynolds hoped to follow in the footsteps of relatives, including a grandfather who served in the Norwegian Ski Patrol and an uncle who was a pilot in World War II. She expressed this lineage and motivation in a personal statement during her application, underscoring a “Viking-like pursuit” to join the Navy SEALs.
Reynolds claims she was formally inducted into the Navy in a Brooklyn ceremony in 2018 but alleges she never received an assignment or deployment. The Navy, however, has contested this claim, stating that Reynolds only completed enlistment paperwork in 2019 and does not have an official record of service.
The situation took a complex turn when Reynolds relocated to Utah and briefly paused her military aspirations. During this period, in July 2020, she faced legal issues, including an arrest for suspected driving under the influence; however, these charges were dismissed in early 2023.
The controversy surrounding Reynolds’ application occurs against the backdrop of a broader policy shift within the U.S. Department of Defense. In 2016, the department officially opened all combat jobs to women, including previously restricted roles in elite units like the SEALs and Army Green Berets. Despite this policy change, no woman has yet completed the grueling training process to become a Navy SEAL.
Reynolds is currently representing herself in her lawsuit for age discrimination filed in Brooklyn Federal Court. Through this legal action, she seeks not just a reassessment of her own case but also hopes to challenge what she perceives as systemic barriers that unfairly restrict qualified candidates based on age.
As the case unfolds, it highlights ongoing discussions about age and gender in military recruitment and the standards applied to those aspiring to join elite units.
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