![]() ![]() The report said that after an “awkward silence” the instructor added, “that was a joke.” It said some candidates interpreted it as an implicit endorsement of using the drugs. And whatever you do, don’t get caught with them in your barracks room.” Don’t use PEDS, it’s cheating, and you don’t need them. In one case, it noted that during a discussion about the policy with Mullen’s class, an instructor, who was not identified, told sailors that all types of people make it through the course, including “steroid monkeys and skinny strong guys. The new report, however, suggests there may have been conflicting messages to candidates. In the wake of Mullen’s death, however, the command began some additional testing. The Navy has asked the department to do a study on testing and to allow random tests and sweeps for drugs, but those requests have not been approved by the Pentagon. Random testing for steroids wasn’t authorized by the Defense Department. The use of hair follicle testing was denied at least twice by Navy leaders over that time. Investigations in 2011, 20 into suspected steroid use by SEAL candidates led to discipline and requests for enhanced testing. The use of performance-enhancing drugs has been a persistent problem. ![]() The “ability to continue training through discomfort and some degraded physical condition was seen as a positive trait by instructors and this was understood by candidates,” the report said.Īs a result, candidates would push on and not tell medical staff or leaders about injuries, and there was pressure to use drugs to help keep them going. According to the Navy, about 888 SEAL candidates are considered every year, and the goal is to graduate 175. Compounding that problem, the report said, is that candidates were often reluctant to seek medical care because it would be seen as weak and could get them removed from the course or delay their completion. But it said SEAL instructors in recent years appeared to focus on weeding out candidates, rather than teaching or mentoring. The latest report notes that special operations forces are routinely required to carry out high-risk military operations, and thus require demanding training. ![]()
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