SEAL suspended for improper activities

The SEAL Platoon at Norwich University is being investigated for improper training that occurred this year, according to the commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) unit.

The training that had been conducted by the midshipmen in charge of the SEAL Platoon left visible marks on the trainees, which triggered the investigation, said Col. Patrick Delatte, professor of naval science and command officer of the NROTC unit.

"I had received a call from the Commandant's Office," Delatte said. "They told me Sgt. Maj. Mercado had noticed a freshman with visible scabs on his forehead."

After the preliminary inquiries, the staff discussed that the injury had occurred during SEAL Platoon training, and the NROTC staff immediately began an investigation at the request of the commandant, according to Delatte.

Part of that investigation found that all the freshmen participants of SEAL Platoon had visible scabbing on their forearms.

"I received enough evidence (from those conducting the training) to see at a minimum that the training was improper," Delatte said. "They were not taking appropriate steps to take care of the people they were training."

Part of the problem began because the club activities were not conducted within the guidelines of Norwich's policy.

To be a recognized club at Norwich, the group must have a faculty or staff acting as the club's advisor.

"We further learned that the SEAL platoon was unlike the vast majority of our clubs and activities," said Brig. Gen. Michael Kelley, vice president of Student Affairs and commandant of Cadets. The SEAL platoon did not have an "adult sponsor or advisor with the club."

The group has been suspended indefinitely for the improper training that occurred this semester and the absence of a faculty advisor.

"Col. Delatte and I discussed the case and he made a decision to suspend the group," Kelley said. "I made a decision supporting his."

Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, whom the charges are being brought against and what the exact charges are cannot be identified at this time.

"Cadets have been charged as a result of the investigation," Kelley said. "Some of those cases have been adjudicated and some are currently in the appeal process."

Reinstatement of the SEAL platoon would be considered if its members addressed the issues that have been already raised, according to Kelley.

The Semper Fidelis Society at Norwich was temporarily suspended earlier this year during a review of several different groups, according to Capt. Todd Tedeschi, Marine officer instructor.

"The college wanted to review its extra-curricular activities," Tedeschi said. "It's not uncommon with an institution or an organization of Norwich's size."

The Semper Fidelis Society "did nothing wrong," Tedeschi said. "They were just scrutinized and there is nothing wrong with being scrutinized."

The society has been reinstated and it continues to train weekly but some of its activities have changed, according to Delatte.

"I wanted the society to focus more on doing events that benefited the school (and community)," Tedeschi said. "We have hosted a cancer walk, raised money for wounded veterans and provided leadership training for the freshmen."