WASHINGTON — The Department of Defense's Office of Inspector General (DOD OIG) is calling for a review of sleep deprivation tactics and the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PED) used in Navy SEAL training.
A new DOD OIG report praises several enhancements to the medical care and overall safety of SEAL candidates. But the document also highlights a "crucial" need for "additional improvements" to policies involving PEDs and sleep deprivation.
The findings follow a series of investigations following the death of Navy SEAL candidate Kyle Mullen in February 2022, after a strenuous part of Navy SEALs training known as "Hell Week."
It consists of 108.5 consecutive hours of training spanning six calendar days.
According to navyseals.com:
"Hell week tests physical endurance, mental toughness, pain and cold tolerance, teamwork, attitude and your ability to perform under high physical and mental stress, and sleep deprivation. Above all, it tests determination and desire."
Mullen's death, along with other concerns about safety and medical care within the SEAL community, triggered a comprehensive review of how the training program operates and what changes are still needed.
The OIG report concludes: "By prioritizing the safety of its SEAL candidates, the Navy can reduce injuries, enhance training effectiveness, and ensure future SEALs are fully prepared to meet any challenges they face in service to our nation."