Navy SEAL recruits in California were captured on film sobbing during a military drill in which they were exposed to tear gas while singing “Happy Birthday” and consequently were unable to hold their breath.
The arduous training of SEAL candidates at San Clemente Island has been questioned, and the commanding admiral has launched an investigation into the ‘legality of the behavior’
The footage, obtained by CBS News, shows a group of trainees gathered on the floor and being blasted with the white gas, which is supposed to simulate combat situations.
As they gasped for air among the deadly gas cloud, the trainees could be heard screaming in terror.
To prepare them for what they may encounter on the battlefield, SEAL candidates are forced to sing so that they cannot hold their breath and must instead deal with the effects of tear gas exposure.
The rigorous SEAL training at San Clemente Island has been questioned, and the commanding admiral has ordered an investigation into the ‘legality of the behavior’
In the minute-long movie, trainees could be heard weeping and gathering their breath as a cloud of gas surrounded them.
Authorities are now investigating whether restrictions were violated during the training exercise that was filmed last year.
One of the recruits, who had already endured two-thirds of the arduous selection process, was captured wailing in pain, and another appeared to pass out.
Training for tear gas attacks is a standard practice in the United States military.
After the release of the disturbing footage, an investigation is now examining whether the gas was supplied at too close a distance for too long.
SEAL training regulations stipulate that instructors must maintain a minimum distance of six feet and utilize the gas for no more than 15 seconds, both of which appear to be violated in the one-minute footage.
The authorities are also investigating if the trainers of the Navy SEALs may have taunted and punished the trainees in the video, which was filmed a year ago.
The victim thought that the instructors were ‘abusive and careless,’ according to author Matthew Cole, who acquired the tape from a person attempting to become a SEAL.
This follows the death of 24-year-old former college football player Kyle Mullen just hours after finishing ‘Hell Week,’ the fourth week of Phase 1 of SEAL training.
The SEAL candidates are seen huddled together in preparation for the tear gas exercise.
The recruits quickly jumped to their feet and began running in the other direction after the drill.
The Navy describes it as “five-and-a-half days of cold, rainy, brutally challenging operational training on less than four hours of sleep,” during which candidates “run more than 200 miles and participate in physical training for more than 20 hours each day.”
Mullen was transported to the Sharp Coronado Hospital in California on February 4 after exhibiting’symptoms’ after completing the grueling training.
He died from bacterial pneumonia, which caused him to drown in his own bodily fluids.
Regina Mullen has since questioned the Navy’s reluctance to offer her son with assistance when he coughed up blood during training.
She has earlier stated to The Times, ‘They murdered him.
“They claim it’s training, but it’s actually torture. They did not even provide them with necessary medical care. They treat them harsher than they are permitted to treat combat prisoners.
Kyle Mullen, 24, a former Navy SEAL candidate, died on February 4, just after completing ‘hell week,’ a five-and-a-half-day training regimen where participants are physically taxed for 20 hours a day and forced to operate on little to no sleep.
Kyle was stationed at the naval installation in Coronado, California, where Navy SEAL training often occurs.
A breakdown of ‘Hell Week’ and the other stages of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training
Hell Week
Hell Week is the fourth week of Phase 1, which occurs during Stage 3, and consists of intense physical activity and little rest.
According to the Navy, “Hell Week is the defining experience of BUD/S training.”
Hell Week comprises of five and a half days of cold, damp, extremely tough operational training on four hours of sleep or less. It assesses “physical endurance, mental toughness, pain and cold tolerance, teamwork, attitude, and the ability to perform work under extreme physical and mental stress and sleep deprivation.”
It begins on Sunday and concludes on Friday.
Students are in constant motion. According to the Navy, they are running, swimming, paddling, carrying boats on their heads, performing log PT, sit-ups, push-ups, rolling in sand, slogging through mud, paddling boats, and performing surf passage.
Hell Week is the most difficult training offered by the military. On average, only 25 percent of candidates make it through.
Throughout the week, medical personnel will be present to assist exhausted or injured candidates.
In addition, candidates will be subjected to relentless nagging that encourages them to quit and mimics their inner voices to emphasize their suffering.
The Remaining Phases
Step 1: Elementary school
Beginning in Illinois for two months of preparation for BUD/S.
A modified physical fitness exam will be administered to candidates to prepare them for the strenuous activity they would experience throughout BUD/S.
The test consists of:
One-thousand-meter swim with fins (20 minutes or under)
At least 70 push-ups (Two-minute time limit)
Ten or more pull-ups (No time limit)
60 or more sit-ups (Two-minute time limit)
Four-mile run with shoes and trousers (31 minutes or under)
Candidates who do not pass will be transferred to other Navy positions.
Phase 2: Fundamental Orientation
The basic orientation lasts three weeks and takes place at the Naval Special Warfare Center in Coronado, California.
This level will introduce candidates to “BUD/S physical training, the obstacle course, and other distinctive training components.”
Stage 3: First Phase (includes Hell Week)
This phase, which includes Week 4’s Hell Week, lasts for seven weeks.
It is utilized to further develop ‘physical training, water competency, and mental tenacity,’ as well as teamwork.
Each week, trainees will be subjected to increasingly difficult conditions, including longer runs, swims, and workouts.
In addition, they will learn how to conduct hydrographic surveying operations.
This phase experiences a significant decrease in applicants.
Phase Two of Stage Four – Combat Diving
This phase also lasts seven weeks and introduces Navy SEAL-specific underwater skills.
The trainees become proficient in basic combat swimming and open- and closed-circuit diving.
Candidates must be at ease in the water and exhibit a high level of comfort there.
Land Warfare Training, Phase 5
The final phase consists of seven weeks of training in “basic weapons, demolitions, land navigation, patrolling, rappelling, marksmanship, and small-unit tactics.”
Half of this training will occur on San Clemente Island, approximately 60 miles from the base, where they will practice the Stage 3 skills.
Navy was the source.