Contamination Threatens Navy SEAL Training as Veterans Raise Alarm Over Sewage Crisis

Navy SEAL veteran Rob Sweetman stood on a hill overlooking the Tijuana River estuary in California, visibly disturbed by the foul smell and pollution seen in the contaminated waters flowing from Mexico into the United States. He described the situation as ‘disgusting’ and emphasized the urgent need for attention to this escalating environmental and health crisis.

Sweetman, who served in the SEALs for eight years, reached out to Fox News Digital to highlight the water crisis affecting the San Diego area, particularly where SEALs conduct their training. He brought along a camera to showcase how the polluted water makes its way into U.S. territory, raising public awareness of a dire situation.

Close to where Sweetman raised his voice, SEAL candidates train in the very same waters. Alarmingly, a Department of Defense watchdog report from February indicated over 1,000 candidates suffered illnesses over a five-year period due to exposure to contaminated waters.

Growing Concerns Over Water Quality

San Diego and its neighboring regions have faced a persistent clean water crisis for decades. Recently, this issue gained renewed scrutiny amid claims from veterans and local SEALs that it poses a ‘national security crisis.’ They liken it to the notorious Camp Lejeune water contamination situation in North Carolina, where thousands of Marines became ill due to toxic drinking water.

At Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987, many service members faced serious health repercussions as a result of industrial solvents permeating the drinking water used for basic needs. The damages incurred there led to significant repercussions and cost the U.S. government billions.

The Sewage Crisis Explained

Kate Monroe, a Marine Corps veteran and CEO of VetComm, pointed out the alarming scale of the crisis. During an April Zoom interview, she noted that San Diego County is home to millions of residents who are potentially exposed to this polluted water. It extends far beyond just military concerns and represents a community-wide health issue. She called it a ‘FEMA-level travesty’ that has long been ignored.

The origins of this sewage problem trace back to outdated wastewater infrastructure in Mexico. Reports indicate that 44 billion gallons of polluted water contaminated with raw sewage were released into the California coastline in 2023, marking the highest levels of pollution since 2000.

Impact on Navy SEAL Candidates

A February report from the Department of Defense inspector general revealed that the Naval Special Warfare Center had documented 1,168 cases of acute gastrointestinal illnesses among SEAL candidates from January 2019 to May 2023. The report attributed the illnesses to a lack of adherence to San Diego County’s water quality guidelines, which should have led to beach closures during times of pollution.

The report stressed that the exposure to tainted water posed increased health risks to Navy SEAL candidates and may jeopardize critical training missions.

Monroe’s work with retiring SEALs highlighted a troubling trend: a significant rise in health claims related to intestinal issues and unusual cancers. This shift in health issues diverges from traditional claims surrounding PTSD and physical injuries, suggesting a lighter spotlight on environmental health risks.

Personal Stories of Illness

Veteran Jeff Gum recounted his frightening experience during his training. He was one week away from Hell Week when he felt sudden nausea, which led to a vicious cycle where he could not keep water down. Exposure to contaminated water during his training in 2008 left him battling viral gastroenteritis and ultimately developed rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure.

For many SEAL candidates and active personnel, swimming in polluted waters has become an unavoidable hazard. Bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections are common consequences of this exposure, leading to severe gastrointestinal issues among other ailments.

A Call to Action

Sweetman stated that training conditions have changed and worsened over the years due to rising population numbers in Tijuana, adding to the volume of sewage released into the waters. He expressed a sense of urgency regarding the health risks posed to Navy personnel.

He pointed out how previous training regimes included beach closures due to poor water quality, but the current situation is alarming, given the extent of the contamination. Gum echoed this sentiment, classifying the pollution in San Diego as a national security issue that threatens the well-being of many prospective SEAL candidates.

Monroe raised alarms over the potential financial implications, predicting that this water crisis could mark the next ‘Camp Lejeune’ incident, ultimately costing the government upwards of $25 billion in compensations and settlements.

Government Action Needed

As officials grapple with this environmental crisis, hope rests on the new administration’s willingness to tackle the issue. Reports indicated that EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin would visit San Diego to meet with veterans and assess the situation firsthand.

‘The raw sewage flowing from Mexico into the Tijuana River is creating serious, detrimental problems for communities affected by polluted waterways,’ Zeldin stated, emphasizing the EPA’s commitment to ensuring clean waters across America.

The Navy has also pledged to prioritize the health of its personnel. A spokesperson confirmed that officials closely monitor water quality at Navy training locations, asserting their commitment to providing safe training environments for all candidates.

Charting a Path Forward

The veterans’ voices represent a crucial call to action that cannot be ignored. The environmental challenges arising from unchecked sewage contamination are not just a military concern; they encompass the health and safety of countless civilians living in the affected regions. As the crisis unfolds, the urgency for comprehensive solutions has never been greater.

Sweetman’s passionate appeal serves as a reminder of the importance of safeguarding not just our military’s training but the well-being of all who inhabit these environments. Only through concerted efforts can we hope to address this profound crisis that threatens both human health and national security.