In a significant move aimed at safeguarding the health and readiness of its elite units, the U.S. military, including Navy SEALs and Army Special Forces, is set to implement random drug tests starting this November. Rear Admiral Keith Davids, commander of Naval Special Warfare Command, emphasised the necessity of these tests, signalling a proactive approach to tackle the limited but persistent issue of performance-enhancing drug use within the military.
The Navy takes the lead in this initiative, with random testing scheduled to commence in November. The U.S. Army Special Operations Command is expected to follow suit shortly, though a specific start date has not been announced. However, the Air Force and Marine Corps special forces have yet to request a similar policy, indicating a divergence in approach among different branches of the military.
While occasional tests have been conducted when concerns arise about individual service members, routine, random testing requires special permission from the Pentagon. Under the new policy, four military units will be randomly selected each month, with 15 percent of each unit subjected to testing. This could result in up to 200 sailors being tested monthly, with potential disciplinary action for those testing positive.
The announcement follows months of planning and is partly influenced by the tragic death of Navy SEAL candidate Kyle Mullen last year. Mullen, 24, succumbed to acute pneumonia shortly after completing the gruelling Hell Week test. Although subsequent tests found no evidence of performance-enhancing drugs in his system, a Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) report revealed that Mullen was not screened for certain steroids due to unavailable samples.
The NETC’s broader investigation into SEAL training highlighted the prevalence of performance-enhancing drugs among candidates and underscored the need for more robust testing. Previous investigations in 2011, 2013, and 2018 into suspected steroid use among SEAL candidates prompted disciplinary actions and calls for enhanced testing protocols.
Under the new testing regimen, sailors will be required to provide two urine samples. One sample will be sent to the Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory, a renowned facility used for international sports doping tests. The other will be analysed at the Navy Drug Screening Laboratory Great Lakes for standard drugs. Positive test results will lead to preliminary inquiries, and sailors may face disciplinary measures and removal from active duty if no legal justification for drug use is established.
