Cmdr. Erik Ramey Removed from Command and Facing Board of Inquiry

Photo by2nd Life Media US Navy

Cmdr. Erik Ramey has been told he must “show cause” to a Navy board why he should be allowed to remain in the Navy in connection with the 2022 death of SEAL candidate Kyle Mullen, who died hours after finishing Hell Week after SEAL medics missed pneumonia he’d developed during the week, Task and Purpose is reporting.

Cmdr. Erik Ramey and Capt. Bradley Geary are both under scrutiny and investigations related to the death of Navy SEAL candidate Kyle Mullen, a fit 24-year-old who died at the tail end of the grueling SEAL BUD/s selection program in February 2022, became national news as his family sought to understand what had happened.

The Ice Man Substack by Seth Hettena first reported that Geary and Ramey may force a board of inquiry. The Navy did not provide any specific information about what type of administrative actions the two officers may face.

“As a result of the investigation into the oversight and management of BUD/S Class 352 and the surrounding circumstances of the death of Seaman Mullen, the Navy is proceeding with accountability actions,” Navy Cmdr. Timothy Hawkins told Task & Purpose. “Given these actions are administrative and ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

A nearly 200-page report describes poor medical oversight, increasingly rigorous protocols that plummeted graduation rates, and insufficient risk management and safety precautions at the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (Sea Air Land) (BUD/S) training course.

Also Capt. Brian Drechsler, commanding officer of the Naval Special Warfare Center, which oversaw BUD/S, was also relieved of his command due to Mullen’s death, according to the Navy. He was replaced by Capt. Mark Burke.