Navy SEALs

Naval Special Warfare in a ‘Race for Relevancy’ as Mission Shifts to High-end Conflict

SEAL candidates participate in “surf immersion” during Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training at Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Center in Coronado, Calif., May 4, 2020. US Navy Photo

The integration of Navy SEALs and special boat teams into carrier strike group and amphibious ready group training exercises reflects naval special warfare’s renewed commitment to support the fleet and joint force and reinforce its own roots as naval commandos, said the top Navy SEAL on Tuesday.

The change in...

SEAL Sentenced to 10 Years in Death of Green Beret Logan Melgar

Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar. US Army

The SEAL who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Green Beret Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar in 2017 was sentenced to 10 years of confinement on Saturday, USNI News has learned.

In addition to the confinement, Chief Special Warfare Operator Anthony DeDolph was reduced in rank to E1, loss of pay and a dishonorable discharge, DeDolph’s defense attorney Phil Stackhouse told USNI News on Saturday.

DeDolph, formerly a member of the Naval Special Warfare Development...

https://news.usni.org/2021/01/24/seal-sentenced-to-10-years-in-death-of-green-beret-logan-melgar

SEAL Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Death of Green Beret Logan Melgar

Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar. US Army

A Navy SEAL pleaded guilty on Thursday for his part in the 2017 homicide of a special operations soldier, service officials confirmed to USNI News.

As part of the agreement with military prosecutors, Chief Special Warfare Operator Anthony DeDolph pleaded guilty to four charges in the hearing at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., related to the June 4, 2017, death of Army Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar.

DeDolph pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit assault, involuntary...

https://news.usni.org/2021/01/14/seal-pleads-guilty-to-manslaughter-in-death-of-green-beret-logan-melgar

Top Stories 2019: Law, Policy and the Navy

This post is part of a series of review stories looking back at the top naval news from 2019.

The Gallagher Case, Aftermath

Arguably no criminal case has changed the Navy more than the service’s troubled prosecution of Chief Special Warfare Operator Edward Gallagher.

After an investigation sparked from complaints from fellow SEALs, the service charged Gallagher “with murder, attempted murder and a string of other alleged war crimes,” as part of a deployment in 2017 with SEAL Team 7, reported Navy...

https://news.usni.org/2020/01/02/top-stories-2019-law-policy-and-the-navy

Acting SECNAV Modly Cancels Trident Review Boards for 3 SEALs

Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly is canceling review boards for three SEAL officers that could have stripped them of their special operations status, according to a late Wednesday statement provided to USNI News.

“I have directed the Chief of Naval Operations to terminate the Trident Reviews for three Naval Special Warfare officers,” Modly wrote. “Given the unique circumstances of these three remaining cases, I have determined that any failures in conduct, performance, judgment, or...

https://news.usni.org/2019/11/27/acting-secnav-modly-cancels-trident-review-board-for-3-seals

SECNAV Richard V. Spencer Resigns Over Gallagher Deal With White House; Modly Now Acting SECNAV

Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer speaks during an all-hands call onboard U.S. Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka on July 12, 2018. US Navy Photo

The secretary of defense asked Richard V. Spencer to step down as the Secretary of the Navy after Spencer proposed a deal to the White House that would guarantee Chief Special Warfare Operator Edward Gallagher would retire as a SEAL, despite public statements affirming he would let the process dictate the outcome, according to a late Sunday...

https://news.usni.org/2019/11/24/secnav-spencer-to-resign-over-gallagher-deal-with-white-house-modly-now-acting-secnav

SECNAV Defends Moving Ahead With Gallagher Trident Review Board

Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer addresses the crew of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) via the ship’s 1MC during a visit to the ship at sea on Oct. 27, 2019. US Navy Photo

Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer defended the Navy’s decision to move ahead with a Naval Special Warfare Command review board that could strip SEAL Chief Edward Gallagher of his Naval Special Warfare rating — despite pressure from President Trump.

Spencer told Reuters a review of Gallagher’s rating should continue, despite...

https://news.usni.org/2019/11/22/secnav-defends-moving-ahead-with-gallagher-trident-review-board

President Trump Tweets to Stop Gallagher Trident Review Board

President Trump told the Navy not to continue with a review board that could have stripped SEAL Chief Eddie Gallagher of his Naval Special Warfare designation ahead of his planned retirement via a Thursday morning tweet.

“The Navy will NOT be taking away Warfighter and Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher’s Trident Pin. This case was handled very badly from the beginning. Get back to business!” wrote Trump.

The message to the service follows news that Navy Special Warfare Command head Rear Adm. Collin Green...

https://news.usni.org/2019/11/21/president-trump-tweets-to-stop-gallagher-trident-review-board

Navy Needs To Think Small When Planning Irregular Surface Warfare Strategies

A boarding team from dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) approaches merchant vessel Golden Nori after pirates released the Japanese chemical tanker Dec. 12, 2007. The pirates seized the ship off the coast of Somalia in late October. The release of Golden Nori marked the first time in more than a year that no ships were held by Somali pirates. Navy Photo

Great power competition dramatically expands the challenges of confronting irregular naval warfare such as defending against maritime...

https://news.usni.org/2019/07/03/navy-needs-to-think-small-when-planning-irregular-surface-warfare-strategies

Marine Sentenced to 4 Years for Role in Logan Melgar Homicide

Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar. US Army

A Marine was sentenced Friday to four years of confinement after pleading guilty to charges related to his role in the 2017 death of Army Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar.

On Thursday, Staff Sgt. Kevin Maxwell, 29, formally pleaded guilty before a military judge on charges related to the hazing death of the Green Beret in Mali, his attorney Brian Bouffard told USNI News on Friday.

“I am deeply proud of the way Staff Sgt. Maxwell has accepted responsibility for this and I...

https://news.usni.org/2019/06/07/marine-sentenced-to-4-years-for-role-in-logan-melgar-homicide

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