Kyle Mullen, a 24-year-old Navy SEAL trainee from Manalapan, died after grueling exercises during the training program’s infamous “Hell Week” on February 4th. Few details were ever released, and the cause of his death has still not been explained.
Now, Rep. Andy Kim, whose newly redrawn 3rd District will include Manalapan beginning next year, wants answers.
“I strongly urge and respectfully request that you immediately initiate a full and thorough investigation into the incident involving Kyle Mullen and the circumstances that led to his death,” Congressman Kim wrote to the Department of Defense in a letter obtained by the Asbury Park Press.
“It’s my understanding that there were multiple warning signs, but candidate Mullen was not offered comprehensive nor consistent medical treatment. I am deeply concerned by allegations that multiple calls for assistance went unanswered and that officers and instructors may have encouraged and facilitated the use of steroids and Human Growth Hormone (HGH) for recovery.”
“Kyle, his family, friends, and community deserve to know the truth about what happened on that day,” Kim wrote in his letter, dated April 14. “The entire country deserves to know and trust that we treat our men and women in uniform, including those that are vying for elite positions to serve their country, with the utmost professionalism, dignity, decency and highest quality of care at all times. Anything less is unacceptable,” Kim concluded.