The New Jersey family of Kyle Mullen, the Navy SEAL trainee who died after completing the grueling, 20-hour-a-day 'Hell Week' training course, said that they were 'devastated' by his loss, but 'proud' of his commitment to the US armed forces and completion of the notorious exercise.
Mullen, 24, a college football star from Manalapan, NJ, successfully finished the brutal endurance program, but died in California on February 4 of still unknown causes.
The family did not go into the investigation into his cause of death, but said that they were overwhelmed by the outpouring of grief over his loss and love for their son by his friends.
They said: 'While we are devastated by Kyle's loss, we could not be more proud...'
'Over the past few days, we have been awestruck at the outpouring of love and support that we have received,' the family posted on Facebook.
'Kyle has a seemingly endless impact on the world, touching the lives of many. Everywhere we turn is another friend or neighbor who has a story about how Kyle touched or inspired their lives. From cutting shapes on the dance floor, to assisting the elderly or disabled at All in a Day Adult Medical Day Care, to leading teammates to victory at Manalapan High School, Yale University and Monmouth University. Kyle put his whole heart into everything he did.'
Mullen was aspiring to become a Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL team member, but was not actively training at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, near San Diego California when he died.
'Kyle dreamed of serving others and enlisted in the Navy with the hopes of joining the best of the best – the Navy SEALs,' the family said. 'He would not settle for anything less.
They said that he would have no regrets about his decision to join the SEALS.
'Kyle was exactly where he wanted to be in life when he was with his fellow seamen/warriors/classmates at Coronado. He took on every challenge, and failure was not an option as he strived toward reaching his goal of passing Hell Week and receiving his brown shirt.'
Mullen and another trainee complained of experiencing symptoms of an unknown injury.
The Yale and Monmouth University football standout was taken to Sharp Coronado Hospital after falling ill following the training. His cause of death is still unknown, but is under investigation by the Navy.
Mullen, seen on field after a football game with his mother, Regina (right)
Mullen played football at Yale University before transferring to Monmouth University in New Jersey
Kyle Mullen died on Friday. Mullen, 24, was a Navy SEAL candidate and had just begun the rigorous selection process coined Hell Week
'Kyle did not believe in defeat or giving up,' the family said. 'As his mother Regina always said, it's just 'mind over matter.' He took on any challenge, overcame every obstacle, and encouraged others to do the same.'
His old football coached recalled his role on the 2019 Monmouth University championship team.
''We are all saddened by the unfortunate passing of Kyle Mullen,' coach Kevin Callahan said. 'He will be remembered not just as a excellent player, but also as an excellent person and a great teammate.
Mullen also played basketball at Manalapan High School, a town located in Monmouth County about 50 miles from New York City.
He wasn't just a jock, though, his family said in their page-long statement.
The Navy released a statement on Saturday, saying the men's name will not be released for 24 hours and that they were not 'actively training' when they displayed 'symptoms'
His brother TJ recently asked him to recommend a book to read and he suggested 'Man's Search for Meaning' by Viktor Frankl, the survivor of a Nazi concentration camp.
'While we all suffer now, Kyle would want us all to come together and not only survive but thrive and live life to the fullest,' the family said.
Another trainee, who was also hospitalized, and Mullen had both reportedly completed Hell Week, which takes place during the fourth week of part of Phase 1 of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL.
Most of Navy SEAL training takes place at the naval base in Coronado, California. The injured solider was taken to the Naval Medical Center (top), while the the soldier who passed was taken to the Sharp Coronado Hospital (middle)
The Navy describes it as 'five-and-a-half days of cold, wet and brutally difficult operational training on fewer than four hours of sleep.' Trainees run more than 200 miles and do physically taxing training for the rest of the time.
The Navy produces around 200 to 250 SEALs a year. In the last two decades, 17 have died during training, NBC News reported.
SEAL candidates go through 24 weeks of training throughout five phases, including a physical training test, obstacle courses, extensive swimming and running, combat diving, land warfare training and other physically difficult tests.
Many candidates do not make it pasted Phase 1, also known as Stage 3, and a 'significant' number begin to drop out.
'Hell Week is the ultimate test of a man's will and the class's teamwork,' the Navy said.
Mullen's family asked that the public respect their privacy. Plans for the funeral are still being finalized. They also would accept donations on his behalf to the SEAL Foundation at https://www.navysealfoundation.org.
'Kyle's spirit lit up the world with joy and compassion, courage and strength,' the family said. 'The cruelty of death cannot extinguish, let alone dime the light that Kyle's life had brought into this world. He will continue to inspire and motivate us always.'
Post a Comment