Expert: Stan McElya - 1/23/2009

Question
If a decorated Navy Seal is injured in combat or training, for ex a major knee
injury that cannot be completely repaired, how would the Navy address the
situation? Who would he have to go before to become operational again? Is
there a Review Board? And would he be given time to try to repair his knee
and then retested?  Can you please explain the procedure?
Thank you

Answer
decorated or not doesn't matter. My only experience in this is during BUD/S. When there is an injury during BUD/S, the cantidate is rolled back to the next class. If one is injured during his time in the teams for a major injury, ( it depends on the severity of the injury) said person could be put on a medical and not lose his seal source rating as long as he could keep up his quals. ie. dive ,jump, ect. If his injury was bad enough he could loose his rating and be reassigned to another job. Hope this answers your question. I spent 6 years in the teams and cant remember anyone who lost his rating because of an injury.