Posted on Sep 30, 2023
US Navy will start testing elite Seals for illicit drug use
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The US Navy will begin random drug testing of its special operations forces amid widespread concerns over the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Random tests of 15% of four units - about 200 sailors - will be done each month beginning November.
The move comes after a recent report following the death of a recruit raised concerns about the use of steroids and human growth hormones.
The Navy Seals are among the most elite units in the US military.
Rear Admiral Keith Davids, commander of Naval Special Warfare (NSW), said the testing was part of a "steadfast commitment to the health, safety, and operational readiness of every member of the NSW community".
US Navy special forces include Sea, Air and Land teams (Seals) and special boat teams, with around 9,000 sailors. Special forces are called upon to carry out secretive, sensitive missions. Navy Seals, for instance, carried out the mission in Pakistan that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011.
The death of a Navy Seal trainee during a training course in February 2022 prompted an internal investigation that found special forces units suffer from lack of oversight, drug use and poor medical care.
The trainee, Kyle Mullen, 24, died of pneumonia just hours after completing the Seal "Hell Week" trial.
A report by the Naval Education and Training Command said Mr Mullen's death was not caused by performance enhancing drugs, although vials of drugs and syringes were found in his car.
Random tests of 15% of four units - about 200 sailors - will be done each month beginning November.
The move comes after a recent report following the death of a recruit raised concerns about the use of steroids and human growth hormones.
The Navy Seals are among the most elite units in the US military.
Rear Admiral Keith Davids, commander of Naval Special Warfare (NSW), said the testing was part of a "steadfast commitment to the health, safety, and operational readiness of every member of the NSW community".
US Navy special forces include Sea, Air and Land teams (Seals) and special boat teams, with around 9,000 sailors. Special forces are called upon to carry out secretive, sensitive missions. Navy Seals, for instance, carried out the mission in Pakistan that killed Osama bin Laden in 2011.
The death of a Navy Seal trainee during a training course in February 2022 prompted an internal investigation that found special forces units suffer from lack of oversight, drug use and poor medical care.
The trainee, Kyle Mullen, 24, died of pneumonia just hours after completing the Seal "Hell Week" trial.
A report by the Naval Education and Training Command said Mr Mullen's death was not caused by performance enhancing drugs, although vials of drugs and syringes were found in his car.
US Navy will start testing elite Seals for illicit drug use
Posted from bbc.com
Navy SEALs
Drugs
Pharmaceuticals
Posted 1 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
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Why was the Navy not doing this already? Pretty sure the standard was/is a random drug test every 6 months. Random being that you never knew who they were going to call or when.
I remember at least twice where I was awakened at 0530 and escorted down to where we had the test done. Sometimes it was the last number in the SSN that determined it, sometimes the first, sometimes it was the floor of the barracks. Once it was by platoon... you never knew when or who.
I remember at least twice where I was awakened at 0530 and escorted down to where we had the test done. Sometimes it was the last number in the SSN that determined it, sometimes the first, sometimes it was the floor of the barracks. Once it was by platoon... you never knew when or who.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
SSG Brian G. I think this is "News" because of the "Drugs" they are Looking for, Not You common Street Drugs to get High but Steroids. Performance Enhancers. I Know they weren't looking for Steroids when I was a Urinalysis Coordinator.
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