The United States Navy will begin conducting random tests starting in November on soldiers belonging to the special operations group (‘Navy SEAL‘) to check if they have taken steroids or other drugs in order to increase their performance.
According to AP, although this is something that senior military ranks have been resisting for some time, the Army Special Operations Command has assured that it will also join this initiative implemented in the first instance by the Navy starting in the month of November.
The American newspaper ‘The New York Times’ has reported that this measure has taken place a year after a SEAL candidate died in the selection course to be part of the special operations group. It is known as ‘hell week’ and tests revealed the use of steroids among the candidates.
Marine Kyle Mullen was 24 years old when he died in 2022 and suffered cardiac arrest hours after finishing the most complicated phase of the course. After his death, the Navy found testosterone, human growth hormone and other drugs in a car that the candidate shared with other candidates, and this set off alarms.
Rear Admiral Keith Davids, commander of Naval Special Warfare, announced this initiative last Friday and maintained that it is something “to protect their health and military readiness.” Furthermore, it will not be limited to applicants, but will be extended to all members of the special operations group.
According to the specialized Defense media ‘Usni News’, existing laws of the Department of Defense and the Navy prohibit the use of these substances and some dietary supplements without a medical prescription. In this sense, specific tests have been carried out with some members of the Navy, but they require permission from the Pentagon to be able to carry out urine analysis routinely and randomly.
Starting in November, the Navy will conduct regular random testing each month of 15% of equipment, as well as surprise sweeps across the special operations group. SEALs who test positive could be expelled.
SEAL
Soldiers belonging to the SEALs have to parachute from high altitudes, dive into deep sea waters or move quickly in mountainous and rugged terrain. That is, they must be prepared to act in extreme and dangerous circumstances, which is why their training requires high performance.