Posted on Feb 8, 2022
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On Sunday, Navy officials announced SEAL candidate, 24-year-old Kyle Mullen, died after the highly demanding training session known as 'Hell Week' and left another sailor hospitalized. This isn't the first incident during or connected to Hell Week.

Hell Week is meant to test the physical and mental determination to perform in the most difficult conditions; it's why Navy SEALs are recognized as some of the highest trained members of the U.S. military special operations forces.

Do you think 'Hell Week' needs to be reconsidered or is it a necessary risk?
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Maj Charles Bennett
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The Seals are the Seals. They and only they should decide upon their training requirements based solely on what they see as necessary to produce a Seal team member with the qualities required to accomplish their mission.
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CMDCM Gene Treants
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Sometimes accidents happen. Hell Week is designed to cut out the Sailors who can almost be SEALS, but not quite. This is NOT hazing and it is a way to reduce the number of candidates ALMOST good enough to be a SEAL.
Seals are COMBAT Trained for a reason, they do not have a lot of support once engaged. As a Team, they depend on each member to pull his/her full weight in the field. This requires members who are the absolute best and ready for anything. Hell Week is the final proving test.
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Capt Bob B
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Why is this even a question especially coming from someone using the name Civilian Supporter. The more you sweat in peace the less you bleed in war.
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SPC Brian Stephens
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Hell week does not need to be reconsidered. But I would consider more training for the instructors so they spot these signs earlier and can act to prevent.

Personally, I like to sleep so although I considered Special Forces before I enlisted, after a good look at the qualification course alone, I decided not to try for it. There is career enough in Field Artillery, striving to be the best platoon.
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PO2 Christopher Foss
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It has long been a warfighting standard to train for the hardest/worst case scenarios to be prepared to that level.

The current military has an entire generation of people that have no direct exposure to large scale war because the the United States has been engaged in policing. I am Not criticizing anyone for that, but, when all you have are drill and reputation, your expectations and beliefs have a less than solid foundation.

Hell week is meant to be the closest you can get to a "war" while still learning/training. You want them to Know their potential before you put them in the field.
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Sgt Paula Bright
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"All gave some, some gave all." - My Dad quoted that to me and I've seen it and experienced it.
We are an all volunteer military. We know the risk when we take our oath.
I'm sorry we lost some good people. May God grant them peace.
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PO1 Don Uhrig
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Their ought to be some orore QA and Medics on site. But intensive training is necessary for SEAL status.
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SFC James Corona
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Any Navy Seal Training should be evaluated and reevaluated in the context of "leadership" and number of annual death injuries for HELL WEEK training. Also, foreknown health conditions should be disclosed by the candidate.
If the Hell Werk candidate assumes he can "wing the training" and NOT be honest in disclosure won't have a leg stand in if any injury or death occurs.
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SGM John Barnett
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As long as Milley is in his position there will always be soft hand shakes
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PO2 James Brewster
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Thousands of Navy Seals graduate after having gone through Hell Week. It's part of what makes them the toughest, most well-trained warriors on earth. It's a necessary risk.
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PFC Elaine Knowles
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College campuses have banned fraternities and sororities from engaging in hell week practices.. is this really about subjecting these seals to the ultimate test or is this tradition playing out in a fatal and injurious fashion?
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Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth
Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth
9 mo
Ultimate test of mental fortitude...taking the mind over the body to the extremes because these folks will be at the extreme...they are the absolute tip of the spear and this training ensures that when it gets tough, they can think, adapt, and overcome the problem.
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PFC Elaine Knowles
PFC Elaine Knowles
9 mo
Thank you sir for your response. I do see the seriousness and purpose of this intense training for these mission essential seals. They must indeed be trained for the ultimate and the unexpected.
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LTC Ray Buenteo
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Training accidents happen.
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Sgt Frank Staples
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I really believe that it could be toned down just a little...the well earned rep for the SEALs is that they can do whatever you need done is fine BUT you gotta remember that even such an august group of people have had their incidents and black sheep...so the program doesn't necessarily weed out all of the misfits and I think some great candidates probably get left behind. Now y'all know I was Air Force so you can take that into account!
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Sgt Ray Addison
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We all took risks. I believe it should continue.
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GySgt Charles O'Connell
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After all mishaps, particularly fatal, an investigation should be conducted, improvements made. But lessen the intensity of the training???? I don’t think so. The mission of special forces is demanding, and requires demanding training.
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LTC David Brown
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I have seen and heard of deaths in training during my entire military career. They are always sad but not unexpected. Carelessness with explosives or ammunition, 2, helicopter crashes several, armor vehicles 2, failure to properly secure material 1,And there are probably more. As long as humans are involved and dangerous situations and chemicals are involved accidents are going to happen and people are going to die. We don’t stop training knowing this.
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SSG Shawn Mcfadden
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Find out exactly what happened before anyone tries to "reconsider" anything.
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A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney
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"RECONSIDERED"?
Are You Fa-King NUTS?
It's Bull Sh*t, Senseless,"Machisimo".
It Needs To Be STOPPED!
"Reconsidered" My A**.
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1SG Signal Support Systems Specialist
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Many archaic practices should be done away with. Tough realistic training is what we need. Mitigate risks and always put the safety and welfare of trainees above all. Basic leadership stuff.
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SPC Robert Hendrickson
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Training for the SEALS/BUD for a few bits of training should be reconsidered. ...
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