10 SEALs face separation after testing positive for drugs

Ten enlisted Navy SEALs and a support sailor have popped positive for controlled substances in drug tests and now face separation from the elite community, Naval Special Warfare Command officials confirmed Friday.

The positives showed up in March and April tests conducted by Naval Special Warfare units based on the east coast, according to command spokeswoman Cmdr. Tamara Lawrence.

While Lawrence would not confirm which drugs the operators tested positive for, the U.S. Naval Institute reported it was cocaine and methamphetamine.

“We have a zero tolerance policy for the use of illicit drugs and as such these individuals will be held accountable for their actions,” Lawrence said in an email. “We are confident in our drug testing procedures and will continue to impress on all members of the command that illicit drugs are incompatible with the SEAL Ethos and Naval service.”

An investigation is ongoing.

CBS News reported last year that drug use among the elite units was on the rise.

RELATED

Drug use reportedly rising among Navy’s elite

Drug use among the elite Navy SEALs, one of the most revered units in the U.S. military, is on the rise.

By Mackenzie Wolf

Demanding schedules and deployments away from home bases allowed SEALs to get around random urinalysis tests, with some claiming to not have taken a test in years, CBS reported.

Lawrence said Friday that the commanding officer, Adm. Timothy Szymanski, is “adamant that we follow the Navy process” when it comes to drug testing and violations.

“Anything above zero represents a disturbing trend for this elite force,” CBS quoted Szymanski as saying in a statement last year.

More In Left Column

Marine base lockdown caused by inadvertent weapon discharge

No injuries were reported in the incident.

Parris Island wages battles, not war, against climate change

The South Carolina military base has molded recruits into Marines for more than a century.

Deal on toxic exposure bill includes more VA staff, dozens of new VA medical clinics

The sweeping bill could be one of the most expensive and most impactful veterans policy measures approved by Congress in years.

Marine Corps’ California desert base put on lockdown

All personnel were required to shelter in place while the base police force investigated.

Biden: US would intervene with military to defend Taiwan

Biden, at a news conference in Tokyo, said “yes” when asked if he was willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan if China invaded.

In Other News

Russia takes losses in failed river crossing, officials say

Russia lost significant numbers of troops and important equipment when Ukrainian forces thwarted their attempt to cross a river in the east, British officials said.

Turkey’s leader opposes letting Finland, Sweden join NATO

The Turkish leader explained his opposition by alleging that Sweden and other Scandinavian countries support Kurdish militants and others whom Turkey considers to be terrorists. He also accused Greece of using the alliance against Turkey.

Army launches investigation into Balfour Beatty housing at Fort Gordon

The Army is also looking at what enforcement actions they can take against privatized housing companies.

23 things veterans may carry for life

Tinnitus, knee pain, an old pair of combat boots.

The changing face of the VFW

The older generation is still in attendance, but the new face of the VFW looks like you.

Javelin missile: Made by the US, wielded by Ukraine, feared by Russia

The American-made FGM-148 Javelin has been making mincemeat of T-72s and T-90s in Ukraine, according to reports.

The Neptune anti-ship missile: The weapon that may have sunk the Russian flagship Moskva

The sinking of the Moskva is arguably Russia's lowest point in its invasion of Ukraine — so far. Here's the weapon that may have killed it.

Panzerfaust 3: The Cold War weapon wrecking Russian tanks in Ukraine

Though it has its roots in fighting Soviets in World War II, the Panzerfaust 3 antitank rocket is now being used against the Russians again — in Ukraine.

North Korea fires 3 ballistic missiles amid first virus outbreak

South Korea says North Korea fired three short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea in the latest of a series of weapons demonstrations this year.

Greece to extend base access deal with US military

The agreement will grant the U.S. military continued access to three bases in mainland Greece along with its naval presence on the island of Crete.

Load More