During the four-day Sea-Air-Space 2021 conference, Admiral Michael Gilday, the Chief of Naval Operations, highlighted serious concerns regarding the character and ethics of the Navy SEAL community. The conference, which unites key military figures and industry representatives, included Gilday alongside Gen. David Berger of the Marine Corps and Adm. Karl Schultz of the Coast Guard in a panel discussing Tri-Service Maritime Leadership.
Gilday underscored the need for a comprehensive review of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) units, referencing a similar review conducted for the Navy’s surface fleet following fatal collisions in 2017. He emphasized that unlike the surface community, the issues within the SEALs were rooted in character and ethics rather than professional competency.
This review was initiated after a series of disciplinary failures within the special operations community, which threatened public trust. Notably, the problematic incidents included the controversial court-martial of Chief Petty Officer Eddie Gallagher, who faced multiple charges, including the murder of an ISIS fighter. Despite being found not guilty of the most serious charges, Gallagher’s case drew significant negative attention to the Navy SEALs, culminating in a reduction in rank and the revocation of his Trident, actions later reversed by President Trump. The judge in Gallagher’s trial also dismissed the lead prosecutor due to alleged misconduct, compounding the distress over the process and its implications for Navy integrity.
In addition, the killing of Green Beret Sergeant Logan Melgar by two Navy SEALs and two U.S. Marines illustrated further ethical lapses. The enlisted personnel attempted to pass off Melgar’s death as a hazing accident, leading to charges of felony murder, with varying sentences reflecting differing degrees of involvement.
Furthermore, in 2019, a scandal involving SEAL Team 7 came to light when a platoon was sent home early due to incidents of sexual assault and excessive alcohol use. This prompted significant leadership changes within the unit, as the Navy recognized the need to restore order and discipline after the events surrounding Gallagher’s court-martial and subsequent scandals.
In light of these challenges, Admiral Gilday announced that the Naval Special Warfare command was intensifying its focus on character and ethics through revamped training and mentorship programs. He noted ongoing efforts to ensure that SEAL leadership is evaluated thoroughly, with individuals not meeting the required standards undergoing remedial training to prepare them for high-risk operations.
The overall message from the conference highlighted the Navy’s commitment to addressing ethical shortcomings and restoring the integrity and trustworthiness of the SEAL community, making leadership emphasis on character essential moving forward.
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