Manalapan Seaman's Death Prompts Action To Improve Medical Oversight

MANALAPAN, NJ — Regina Mullen has been demanding a federal response to the medical treatment of military recruits since her son Kyle died during Navy "Hell Week" training in February.

And last week came action that she said is a "step in the right direction."

The House of Representatives last week passed an amendment offered by Rep. Chris Smith, R-NJ, to improve medical care and oversight for high-stress military training programs, Smith's office said in a news release.

The legislation came in response to the death of Kyle Mullen, a Navy SEAL candidate. He died Feb. 4 after completing the Navy’s “Hell Week” training.

Named for the late Manalapan resident, the "Kyle Mullen Safety Enhancements" amendment directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct an appraisal of current standards, and to provide recommendations for improved medical care and oversight of individuals in the Navy engaged in high-stress trainings, like the Navy SEALs, the news release said.

The goal is to better ensure sailor safety and prevent long-term injury, illness, and death, the release adds.

For Regina Mullen, the legislation "can save lives," she said. "I just hope the Senate passes it and Department of Defense really does it," she said.

Smith's legislation is an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023. It passed 362 to 64 with bipartisan support. Smith’s amendment now moves to the Senate for its consideration.

“Kyle’s mother Regina, a nurse, told me in a heartbreaking conversation in her home that Kyle’s death could have been prevented had her son received timely medical attention,” said Smith,

“Regina has many questions that demand answers,” Smith said. “Meanwhile, this grieving mom has made it clear and with great urgency and resolve that Congress and the Department of Defense must insist that medical care, aggressive monitoring, and oversight be provided now—without delay—to every Navy Seal candidate during high-stress training,” Smith said in the news release.

Kyle Mullen was a star football player who led Manalapan High School to its first-ever championship in 2014, his senior year, and maintained a 4.4 GPA. He also played baseball for the Manalapan Braves. He was recruited by Yale University to captain the football team and later graduated from Monmouth University. After college, he chose to join the Navy and became a candidate for one of the most elite U.S. military units: The Navy SEALs.

Regina Mullen has now become an advocate for improved oversight of how trainees are treated medically in all branches.

But she also is advocating for accountability from the military, she said.

A Naval Criminal Investigative Service, or NCIS, report on the death of her son has not been issued as yet, she said.

"But there needs to be an independent investigation. I really want Congress to hold hearings to hear from men who were in the program," she said.

"There has to be accountability," she said.

The Navy has released an autopsy report that showed Kyle Mullen died of acute pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, a strep bacteria, some time after his Basic Underwater Demolition class in San Diego, according to a previous Patch story.

Mullen confirmed that the autopsy report stated her son "was being looked after by non-medical personnel to tend his basic needs. He was in a wheelchair, unable to stand or walk." He had reportedly been coughing up a "red-tinged fluid that had nearly filled a 36 oz. sports drink bottle."

Mullen said the report confirms her son was not being seen by medical personnel, but rather was being helped by his fellow SEAL candidates.

Mullen says her son should have been taken to the hospital immediately after he began to exhibit breathing problems. "He should have been intubated (for breathing) and given intravenous antibiotics," she said.

Smith meanwhile vowed to continue helping Regina Mullen as she seeks to ensure proper medical support is available for Navy SEAL candidates, he said.

“Kyle was an extraordinary talented and gifted young man—a true leader who selflessly enlisted in the Navy to serve our nation and protect our freedom,” Smith said.