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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