Every year, tens of thousands of people apply to enlist in the Navy, with roughly half of them expressing an interest in becoming a Navy SEAL. That interest isn’t enough to get one into the program, however; there are also a number of qualifications and tests that candidates must pass. Unfortunately, sometimes that testing can take a tragic turn, and such an instance took place earlier this year.
The New York Times reported on the Navy’s recent announcement of a recruit’s death during a part of training that’s been dubbed “Hell Week.”
According to the Navy’s announcement, two candidates were hospitalized after their Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL class successfully completed that phase of training. “The Sailors were not actively training when they reported symptoms and were transported to receive emergency care,” a spokesperson for the Navy announced.
One of them, New Jersey native Kyle Mullen, later died. The Times reported that an investigation into his death is now underway. Mullen was remembered by those in and around his hometown as an outstanding scholar and athlete, who went on to captain Yale University’s football team.
“He was a great kid with a big smile on his face,” his youth soccer coach, Mike Hammer, told NJ.com. “He was funny, very smart, very talented, able to accomplish everything he wanted to.”
More Like This
Thanks for reading InsideHook. Sign up for our daily newsletter and be in the know.
