Navy SEALs Disciplined Over Racial Harassment Incidents
Investigation Summary
The U.S. Navy has quietly disciplined 18 members of SEAL Team Four following an investigation into a private group chat that contained racist memes targeting a Black SEAL. According to documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act by CBS News, the military investigation revealed instances of racial harassment within a unit known for its values of unit cohesion and honor.
Details of Harassment
The investigation included disturbing memes shared within the Signal chat, some of which were described as “Slave in Chains” and “Monkey Face,” with start meme distorting the Black SEAL’s image to resemble a monkey. Another meme compared him to a movie character portrayed by Cuba Gooding Jr., which sparked outrage within the naval community.
Rear Adm. Milton Sands, who led Naval Special Warfare Command at the time, acted decisively on the matter, which surfaced in March. However, Sands has since been removed from his position by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, although the circumstances surrounding his removal remain unclear.
Leadership Response and Legal Representation
William Brown, an attorney from the Parlatore Law Group and a former Navy SEAL, expressed strong disapproval of the actions at SEAL Team Four, stating they contravene the core principles of the SEALs. He commended Rear Adm. Sands for taking unprecedented action against the harassment, reinforcing that the racist conduct represented a failure of leadership at the platoon level.
Brown, who represented the Black SEAL pro bono, noted that senior leadership made efforts to support the harassed SEAL, emphasizing the naval special operations community’s commitment to accountability. Sands has not publicly commented on the issue since his removal.
Experience of the Black SEAL
The targeted SEAL reported that prior to joining his platoon, he had not faced racial discrimination and had received strong mentorship throughout his rigorous training. However, he described his subsequent experiences as “persistent, targeted and deeply dehumanizing,” asserting that such behavior represented a breakdown of discipline and integrity.
His harassment complaint indicated that his name had been deliberately removed from plaques honoring team members, which he described as a “direct and unmistakable act of hatred.”
Team Dynamics and Future Measures
SEAL Team Four operates out of Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in Virginia and consists of approximately 250 personnel. The Black SEAL was a member of Delta platoon, comprising around 16 to 20 SEALs. After facing performance review issues, his Trident-a symbol of SEAL qualification-was revoked, although he was later reinstated following an investigation.
As part of accountability measures, SEAL Team Four leadership held discussions with all personnel to address the issues, and a commitment to promote accountability and transparency was reaffirmed.
Continuing Issues and Organizational Surveys
Command Climate Surveys conducted from 2018 to 2024 revealed ongoing reports of racial harassment within the unit, though response rates were not mandatory. Notably, reports of such behavior increased from 5% in 2024 to 17% in 2022.
In response to the disturbing findings, the command emphasized the importance of diversity to organizational growth and committed to addressing even low occurrences of harassment, as expressed in a letter from Cmdr. Bryan Jennings to his superiors in November 2023.
Overall, actions taken in this case reflect a renewed commitment to combating racism within an organization that traditionally values camaraderie and brotherhood among its members.