NAVY SEALS CAUGHT UP IN DRUG SWEEP

U.S. Being Forced To Transfer Some Units

More than a dozen sailors, including eight SEALs, are being
investigated after testing positive for illegal drug use, the Navy
confirmed yesterday.

Seven sailors assigned to the Naval Special Warfare Command, including
five SEALs, failed drug tests in early May while they were on a
training exercise in Thailand.

Other sailors reported seeing the commandos using drugs in Pattaya, a
Thai beach resort.

That was enough for Rear Adm. Joseph Maguire, the Naval Special
Warfare commander, to order a drug-testing sweep of 3,300 of the 4,600
men and women under his command.

The only people not tested were those deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan
and other countries and those on leave or on temporary duty.

In the sweep, six more sailors tested positive, including three SEALs,
one student and two support personnel.

Some of those who failed the drug tests are assigned to units based at
Coronado's Naval Amphibious Base. Others are from units in Little Creek, Va.

The episode is forcing the early replacement of two SEAL platoons
overseas by two stateside units and has embarrassed units that have
been used extensively in Iraq and Afghanistan in the war on terrorism.

"We identified the problem," said Navy spokesman Cmdr. Jeff Bender
yesterday. "We investigated the problem, and we'll hold those
accountable for their actions."

The investigations are being conducted by the Naval Criminal
Investigative Service and could result in criminal or administrative
action. No charges have been filed.

The Navy has a zero-tolerance drug policy, and sailors caught using
drugs usually are discharged. "This is something that's not taken
lightly. One is too many," Bender said.

The sweeps come as the Navy is trying to increase its number of SEALs.
The war on terrorism has increased the need for special operations
forces such as the SEALs, Green Berets and Army Rangers.

Training SEALs is time-consuming and costly. Each two-year training
process includes the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL class and
advanced weapons and tactics training. It costs several hundred
thousand dollars to train each commando.

The SEALs and special warfare crewmen were in Thailand for Cobra Gold,
an annual multinational training exercise.

After other sailors reported the possible drug use, 10 sailors were
asked to take drug urinalysis tests. Nine volunteered and the 10th was
ordered to take the urine test, Bender said.

Seven sailors, five SEALs and two combatant crewmen tested positive.
They were flown back to their units in San Diego and Little Creek.
Navy law enforcement agents searched barracks and buildings used by
the sailors in Guam and Singapore but found no drugs. Their stateside
units were not revealed.

The two SEAL platoons, each with 16 commandos, will be replaced this
month with two similar units from the United States, Bender said.

No operations or exercises were affected by the suspected drug use or
testing, he added.

"This did not affect our readiness," he said, pointing out that only
one-fifth of 1 percent of the drug tests were positive. "We have not
missed a beat."

Drug use by such forces is worrisome, said defense analyst Ivan Eland,
because the small units, often working in hostile territory, require
teamwork.

"They are endangering their own lives but also the colleagues in their
units," said Eland, senior fellow of The Independent Institute in Oakland.

Last year, 21 special warfare sailors were discharged after failing
drug tests. In 2002, positive tests forced out 32 sailors assigned to
Naval Special Warfare.

Adm. Vern Clark, chief of naval operations, has called for a 25
percent reduction in drug use this year.