The Navy SEALs will now be subject to regular testing for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) following the death of a recruit during training. Rear Adm. Keith Davids, the commander of Naval Special Warfare Command, announced that random urinalysis for PEDs will be implemented force-wide starting in November. The decision came after the death of Navy SEAL recruit Kyle Mullen, who was found to have a stash of PEDs in his car. Two other candidates in Mullen's training class also tested positive for PEDs. The Navy spokesperson stated that while they only have anecdotal evidence of PED use, any number above zero is unacceptable. The new testing policy will be more precise and directly target banned substances. It will also include exceptions for individuals with legitimate medical reasons for using substances like testosterone replacement therapy. The spokesperson emphasized the importance of seeking proper medical care for concerning symptoms. Critics argue that the stress of special warfare training can have unknown impacts on health and that the new testing should not detract from the rigor of SEAL training. However, Brent Sadler, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation Center for National Defense, believes that screening for illegal drugs is warranted and that the military should be the one to approve their use under specific conditions. The Navy's Special Warfare Command will randomly select units each month to undergo testing, with 15% of those units being subjected to urinalysis. Sailors who test positive for PEDs without a legal justification may face administrative separation. The new testing policy comes in response to concerns raised by the death of Kyle Mullen and the discovery of PED use within the Navy SEALs. The investigation into Mullen's death criticized the training program's leadership for pushing candidates too hard and creating an unsafe environment. However, the focus has now shifted towards addressing the use of PEDs within the ranks. Former SEAL training commanders welcomed the new policy, stating that it could have potentially saved Mullen's life if implemented earlier. Republican congressmen have also raised concerns about the Navy's investigation into Mullen's death, questioning the lack of consideration for the impact of PEDs on his health. Overall, the Navy's decision to implement regular PED testing for SEALs aims to ensure that all personnel operate at their best and preserve the standards of excellence that define Naval Special Warfare.