Navy SEAL Trainee Deaths Led to Review of Procedures

Navy Reviews What Procedures Might Need to Be Improved After Three Deaths of SEAL Trainees
ABC News
By Luis Martinez
May 13, 2016

“In the wake of the recent suicide we have acknowledged opportunities to improve out-process and recovery procedures for students who disenrolled -- specifically improving accountability for sleep-deprived Sailors,” Capt. Jay Hennessey,

The Navy is reviewing procedures for keeping track of trainees who do not make it through the grueling course to become SEALs in the wake of three deaths involving sailors who participated in the last four training classes, military officials said.

Two of the deaths involved trainees who had recently not made it through BUDS -- Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL -- training that selects the sailors who will join the elite special operations unit.

In April, Seaman Daniel DelBianco, 23, committed suicide after he did not make it through "hell week," the intense week-long climax to BUDS during which prospective SEALs endure extreme sleep deprivation and tough physical conditions to see if they can carry out their military training under exhausting conditions. Trainees who successfully complete the BUDS course must then pass an additional six-month course to actually qualify to become SEALs.

In November, Petty Officer 2nd Class Caplen Weare died in a car accident while driving intoxicated, the accident occurred three days after he had voluntarily dropped out of the BUDS course, officials said.
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