Family of Drowned Navy SEAL Trainee Speaks Out

James Derek Lovelace was one week into his Navy SEAL training when he drowned during a swimming exercise.

[@eaglehero4528]

Respect man. He died for our country even if it wasn't in a war.

[@Butter-or2yo]

And sadly his country didn’t respect him 😔

[@jawant6039]

That letter that he sent sounds like something the trainees would be forced to write. I bet the same letter was sent by other trainees back home.

[@youngblackking3255]

You sound absolutely indoctrinated.

[@lucasgarrett2107]

Man watch some SEAL training videos, there’s a reason it’s the most elite special force in the world. They have drown tests people calm down. The instructors do a lot worse than splashing them lmfao

[@lucasgarrett2107]

Luke Garrett oh yeah, among the elites

[@cortneyreed5622]

You’re right it’s the most elite for the reason howeverstill doesn’t justify dying in fucking training and doesn’t get a chance, could of use a strong and willing soldier like him out there in another branch. A preventable death is never justified dude stop the badass act. My respects go out the elite and what they do for our country. Hell even the dudes who have the balls to go and even try have my respect

[@lucasgarrett2107]

@@cortneyreed5622 are you saying I don’t respect the Special forces saying your respect is diverted from mine? Because that is entirely false, I’m training to be a SEAL, passed the pst and scheduled to go to basic training in august. These guys have my upmost respect and Mr Lovelace especially. In my eyes he died for our country. There is a pool comp test where instructors kick, punch, and even knot your scuba gear 25 ft below the surface, you can’t come up until your gear is in order. They go out miles into the ocean surf in small ibs boats and get destroyed by massive waves. We are arguing over the same thing. None of us has seen what happened so who are we to make assumptions. Have a good one

[@yuh6891]

@@lucasgarrett2107 Did you get in?

[@toddf.packer9394]

for sure, they also dunk them and when they surface continue to splash you impeding your ability to breath and then...dunk them again lmao KZbin comments really do make me feel like a god among men, yall really are dumb as hell this is hilarious.

[@chancebosselaar2964]

At the end of the day it’s what he was prepared to do. He was willing to die before he’d quit no one is perfect but still died a hero

[@Hayden6-3]

Very sad that he died. But you can't blame the instructors, one breath of water can kill you.

[@a10warthog38]

1:20 As someone who has swimming for their entire life and has a house on a lake I say just because you like to swim in that pool, or are fit doesn’t make you a good swimmer.

[@toddf.packer9394]

lmao

[@66hoodwitch]

You sound idiotic af...

[@Mitutumuch]

The instructors are probably scarred because of this. Men usually dont go in so undertrained. Heart doesnt overweight commitment and time put in. No matter how hard you try for one moment, you need to keep at it. I think he could have had a heart problem. Goggins had a hole in his heart and they never found it. He could have died, this man deserves respect not pity. Rest in peace.

[@shannonhenson609]

He was murdered. The Navy is covering it up......because they can. It's not the first time.

[@supafrancis]

Oh, the POOR instructors.... " I bet they're SOOO scarred!" Cry me a f@ckin river for these macho POS "Instructors" who strait up dunked this kid to death Also, "Heart doesnt overweight commitment?" This kid had stated in writing that he was one of the most fit people there.. so your whole heart/commitment BS just got rammed up your backside on that one. Bottom Line.. MAcho crap bag instructors killed a strong and committed trainee probably because he was doing well and the murderous trainers didn't like that.. Hope they all rot in a cell for life and you can join em

[@bassinwithbryson9209]

That’s the whole point of buds training. People pass out all the time, and yes people do die in buds.thats why they’re the best if the best.

[@bassinwithbryson9209]

Negasso Kadir The instructors are there to serve their time as one of the best instructors to walk the planet. and to give you the hardest time of your life.Their also there make you feel like your a worthless piece of crap in order to make you quit the program.That’s how they weave out only the best of the best.

[@ohitzwavy7173]

Negasso Kadir the instructors are seals themselves they just there for the couple of months and back to work they go

[@dickfitswell3437]

@@bassinwithbryson9209 The instructors as well as graduated and team assigned Seals wake up and piss excellence.

[@dontsubscribetome3262]

@bassin with bryson If he is too weak for the seals just kick him off the team, its not about how hard the training is its knowing when to stop People dont just die *snap* like that of over exhuastion or drowning Anyone with half a brain cell can see when a person is about to die

[@bubbagumpshrimpco.4854]

@@dontsubscribetome3262 It’s called shallow water blackout. So it’s not an over time type of thing. You could be in the water holding in your breath too long, and boom you pass out. That’s shallow water blackout, and this happens to almost every candidate in BUDs, he was just one of the unlucky ones.

[@danielcruz9569]

He said hed rather die than quit, and he did. Respect my man, rest in peace

[@darecloud6606]

Horrible. That was murder. Deepest sympathy to his family.

[@chaseclinton2962]

You like to live in a land that is free? Death is apart of the military even in training buds is probably the hardest training anyone could ever do them instructors that “murdered” him are seals they are just making sure the person they are instructing are prepared to go to war with them. If they pass someone that’s not worthy of passing that person can get them self and everyone killed

[@alexinthemiddle4170]

"He would die before quitting"......the guys that kept dunking him felt the same way!

[@emacliftsalot]

That medical examiner cause of death report says that it was due to accident. You can literally read it by passing the video. I'm not saying I read the whole thing. But respectfully to his family, this seems like media sensation and grief.

[@melo7572]

This is terrible. What a great person. I can't imagine his last minute or so of life, just wanting nothing but air and being dunked

[@joeybradley4787]

instructors are like cops can’t anger issues can’t be trusted with authority

[@deliciousness7466]

Can't BELIVE the amount of of unnecessary bigotry in the comments, sad to see the kid die and I give my condolences to the family but people get a grip.

[@missyvillanueva3568]

Either the SEAL instructor took it too far or it turns out this poor man was on the down low...or they thought he was...and they committed a hate crime. I hope he and his family get justice

[@missyvillanueva3568]

marassibj *Deleted*

[@marassibj]

clever

[@MoneyOverFame]

Missy Villanueva what does him being on the "down low" have to do with anything ?

[@deliciousness7466]

A hate crime? Seriously.

[@Get_Splooshed]

@Missy Villanueva how many chromosomes do you think you have?

[@Julia-sp2kt]

Such a sad story. God bless his soul:/

[@illumination101]

Ty for ur sacrifice ❤️🤍💙 - 🧡

[@samuelmunoz138]

That is what they do in pool comp training to every recruit that drowns

[@cooldude2251]

"When the unthinkable happened: drowning." Yeah because no one thinks that's a risk when training to become a SEAL

[@jakeyy5134]

@@aaronkirsten8079 that’s why the SEALs are elite, if training wasn’t so crazy and hard any average person would be able to become a SEAL

[@JuanGarcia-dj2tt]

@@jakeyy5134 fax man if training was easy anyone could become a seal the whole point of buds is to weed out the posers who thought it looked cool on tv only the committed ones stick through it and finish buds and the several training schools and about the 2 years after buds of straight training just to be a seal

[@johnmillard2931]

People don't Understand that you literally have to die, be brought back to be a navy seal. This is not mentioned but some never come back That's the oath that you have to take.

[@justinwilliams377]

John Millard you are a complete fucking idiot, do some research. There is not one evolution in the U.S. armed forces that requires someone to die to pass an evolution. Yes the training is difficult, yes there are occasional deaths that happen at bud/s as well as other S.O. Pipelines but it is not protocol to kill students and revive them. Tell your friends

[@dontsubscribetome3262]

pubby Yeah but its a stupid exaggeration Anyone who thinks hard training is equivilant to death DESERVES to DIE slowly by rape in front of thier loved ones

[@cooldude2251]

I like how none of yall are the original commenters or replies. Stfu

[@SummaGirl1347]

May God rest his soul and reward him for his courage but, just because you "love the pool and love the water" does not mean you are a strong swimmer, or that you have what it takes to be a SEAL. So sad.

[@toddf.packer9394]

lmao these comments are fucking hilarious. Please post more

[@jeffb8562]

@@toddf.packer9394 it’s pretty apparent that none of them have a clue. It’s what you sign up for. I tried and realized it takes a certain type of crazy I didn’t have.

[@a.walters123]

Imagine you are a young man, determined to loyally serve your country, only to be drowned when you are gasping for breath, by your own instructor. I can’t imagine what he was thinking 💔

[@1980Seawave]

Upon entering BUDS to become a Navy Seal in any part of the world involves signing a letter of consent that death during training can be an acceptable risk of exposure. We are all very sorry for the death of a young man. Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the trainee. On the other hand we should not blame the instructors or the traditional basic training principles of Seal training. Due to the nature of training it is unfortunately inevitable that accidents leading to permanent debilitations and death may occur. Trainees are informed before they voluntary join. Future trainees and their families should be aware of the risks.

[@vaguestsafe4824]

Marios Moniatis I know this is a year late, but I completely agree, when you sign to be a Navy Seal, you are accepting that you would rather die than fail, I also am not sure if dunking is against regs... I doubt it actually is... and also st the end it says “more people should be allowed to become seals” but they don’t understand that the seals are the most elite fighting force in the world... not everyone can do

[@TxLoneStar817]

Well said.

[@YamoshiStephen_]

Not only that they record everything. They did not fucking drown him. They record you so you can see where you went right and wrong. If they murdered him he would’ve been convicted but he wasn’t because a crime wasn’t committed. He knew what he signed up for. Anyone who wants to become a seal knows that the training is rigorous and of much danger.

[@toddf.packer9394]

why shouldnt you blame the people who killed him? Well because he signed a paper saying he might die...ok but youre not allowed to blame the people who killed him for killing him? Who is to blame? Well no one...it just happened. How did it happen? They kept dunking him as he gasped for air and then didnt help him afterwards. Oh ok so that SEAL training he signed up for? Well yes if you cant breathe underwater theyre allowed to kill you...because of the paper you signed. ...you ppl are actually retarded..

[@gamelife1133]

Look drowning in SEAL training is almost guaranteed and sometimes they can't be saved

[@turbosoggy8404]

Almost guaranteed? I don’t think you worded that well. That would mean, like , 90% of all trainees drown.

[@mynameisblue6964]

@@turbosoggy8404 60%-70% of trainees do in fact drown. But they don’t die, they get taken out of the water and most of the time they are blacked out from lack of oxygen, they get brought back to consciousness, then get asked if they want to try again

[@turbosoggy8404]

@@mynameisblue6964 Drowning, by definition, implies death

[@justinwilliams377]

Splashing and screaming .... yeah that’s what happens at BUD/S

[@featuredview6546]

Not dunking

[@rvierra7235]

Very unfortunate, but it is SEAL prep training for a reason. Amazing the slant that is put on this by media. Our military personnel die in training every month of the year, some months, every week. Be you Special Forces, Infantry, a Sailor on a ship or a flyer. It is dangerous, you knew that going in.

[@zelo2265]

if the instructors get any consequence bc of this then there is something wrong cuz everything that happened to james is apart of seal training

[@toddf.packer9394]

why do you idiots think killing people is part of seal training? hahahah omg

[@angelcandy6703]

Poor guy, im so sorry

[@formhubfar]

All the family see are $$$ signs.

[@thatoneguy1565]

Well yeah most seals are financially well and have their college degrees

[@clarencesmith467]

They should give the trainee a bracelet that light up red when u no longer can go in the pool training so there is no grey area I dont even have an college degree and yall telling me yall dont how to make a safe word, I'd like a residual check if they take my idea

[@angryox3102]

His letters mean nothing. Could’ve been trying to save face for his family.

[@mynameisblue6964]

@@aaronkirsten8079 it’s not that kind of test the entire point is to bring you so close to drowning that you almost, and sometimes do pass out. It’s called drownproofing, they are teaching you how not to drown and you are being tested on the ability to follow directions and mental fortitude under adversity

[@JuanGarcia-dj2tt]

@@mynameisblue6964 yeah man you explained this well my brother in law was a pj in the air force and they do similar water training in their pipeline there just isn’t as much emphasis through like the seals he told me he went through drown proofing and everyone has to do it if you don’t pass you have to retake the course or just choose a different air force job I actually plan to be a pj like my brother in law he’s been training me with a couple of his buddy’s he works with since I was a sophomore I graduate in December earlier then most Because I took a lot of extra summer classes early on since the begging of high-school and one more thing I wanna ad before I leave this comment here is that people that think the training is too hard or is excessive have no real perspective they are usually not military or don’t know anyone that is military besides maybe a family member they dislike or they are just couch potatoes that wanted to join the military but went to the recruiters office and got told they were to heavy or didn’t meet some of the requirements

[@ricolangz4828]

Goggins did it

[@bubbagumpshrimpco.4854]

No Goggins was a third phase instructor, he was probably in first phase

[@nas84payne]

They had no business being there in the first place. How are they “serving” the country? I just see the US military for what they are.

[@kmatos4life]

God bless him

[@FireflySimmer]

Another tragic case of military bullying. A soldier in the Navy named James Derrick Lovelace died during basic training when his instructor (whom i dont know the name of and the media should be saying who that instructor is) held his head underwater until he died during a training exercise. The news report said and i quote "the instructor and the other soldiers in his unit were being "excessive", which I dont know why the dumbass media used the word "excessive" instead of BULLYING because thats what those soldiers were doing! Not only was this man bullied by his instructor but he was also being bullied by the other soldiers in his unit as well. The other soldiers around him were kissing the instructors ass so they decided to help their instructor bully James Lovelace to impress the instructor and to make matters worse the media wont tell us who the soldiers that bullied James Lovelace were and the wont even tell us the name or show us a photo of the instructor who drowned him. The media has no problem showing us the identity of a black man when he robs a gas station so I dont know why they wont show us the identity of this instructor who KILLED another soldier. And of course the other soldiers who were bullying him should be exposed as well. And to make matters EVEN WORSE the military has the audacity to say and I quote"there was no crime committed" the military even said "there was no crime committed" to the victims family. Which does not make a bit of sense because how was a crime not commited when James Lovelaces face was held until water until he drowned??? Thats called MURDER and the dumbasses military should be well aware of what MURDER is since they do it to people everyday. The military does not even know how to talk their way out of their own bullshit. Those assholes in the military are wayyyy in over their heads thinking they can get away with this MURDER! Its because of situations like this that Im always speaking out against bullying and yet dumbass people on social media still wanna tell me to shut up. My condolences go out to James Lovelaces family, hopefully hes in a better place #jamesderricklovelace #militarymurder #militarybullying

[@kevina8402]

Sailors*

[@deliciousness7466]

Buddy, it's the military, it's ALL bullying and sometimes these things happen.

[@fotm07]

Garret Aguilar write a fuckin book why don’t ya

[@memez_r_not_dreamzz8424]

Hey dude guess what... it’s part of training. You are supposed to under go the experience of drowning and you’re even told that you can drown yourself by going under and breathing in the water or they will do it for you. Even My father was told he had to also. You are supposed to drown and die ,but the moment your pulled out you are resuscitated. AND it’s possible that the young man who died was a clown and always not taking the military seriously. If you joke around then other trainees have to pay the punishments as well and the trainees them self will straighten your ass out even if they bully you or beat you up. Plus the instructor doesn’t walk up to you shove your head under, the drowning is done during an exercise.And Yes , no crime was committed ... he signed the paper work giving them permission to do so and he knew that not everyone can be brought back it’s just not possible. It’s best you stop talking about stuff you don’t know shit about. And finally... YOU ARE FORCED TO DROWN GET THAT IN YOUR HEAD!!!!!

[@memez_r_not_dreamzz8424]

Omg, and I get in the video they say” dunking is against policy and regulations” when the news literally knows nothing about anything. LETS REMEMBER... ABC News also made a claim that Nintendo 3DS have access to WiFi and they can browse the web where they mention things like “ the kkk, building bombs, porn, etc” . The news will always say and do things it’s self that they know nothing about. So who you gonna believe ? A 40 year old women who has never been in the slightest way influenced about military policies or a Someone’s who’s OWN father went through Navy Basic training ? It’s up to you .

[@jimmymehjohn8107]

*WHO* *IS* *WATCHING* *THIS* *IN* *2021* ?????????

[@mrmoore9815]

Wow. Your brother signed up to be apart of a group of the most ruthless men on earth and had problems swiming after he said he'd DIE before he quit. What do you expect to happen. If he was killed in battle you'd want satelite footage too huh?

[@kathleenodonnell2206]

But like one week later if he did they wouldn’t care? They wouldn’t know where he was going…

[@BaileeGermanotta]

Just because he’s fit and likes water doesn’t make someone a strong swimmer guys 🙄

[@jorgemedina5282]

This video was dumb af. The boy literally signed a paper knowing the risks he was gonna face through BUD/S and the family wants justice? For what? You can’t do anything anyways he signed a paper stating that they can’t sue the military if anything were to happen

[@nandosteeze7613]

Rest In Peace

[@memez_r_not_dreamzz8424]

I’m not surprised . Listen, My father under went pararescue (PJ) Training after he joined the Air Force. PJ’s do under go Sea Combat training. And just before I proceed lemme explain how important PJ’s are... Marines say they are First in and Last out but that isn’t true. Before a Marine even drops in, a PJ has already secured the area ( PJ’s do other types of services as well ). But one thing stopped my dad from becoming a PJ. Before you finish Navy water combat at some point you are told you must experience drowning. Either One you go under and inhale the water and then you are pulled out and resuscitated or instructors will push you under the water until you drown. No one talks about the Drowning Experince because if everyone knew , then no one would become a Navy Seal or PJ. My dad told me the Military doesn’t want the “you” who signed the paperwork, they want the you they make you . They will destroy your mind and build your mind again into the person they want you to be. So as they reconstruct your mind , you will be given the drowning experience and because you are new and rebuilt , most people comply and drown themselves. And they can’t save every person who drowns so this young man was an exception and his life ended sooner than expected. I don’t know much about the story but it’s possible he died during this exercise. Bless this young man. 🙏🏾🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@un_ikko8953]

Stop spreading false rumours you dickhead.

[@Samanticsxtv]

idk what kind of crack you're smoking but i want some

[@jokerzheeyt]

that’s not how pj’s work you fucking airhead.

[@seanbuckley3864]

🧢

[@loversandlosers]

Sounds like you were drowned and resurrected at some point but lost oxygen to the brain for a bit too long

[@kirstinetermansen2213]

Very sad, missing

[@dealwithit1277]

AGAIN, Absolutely unacceptable!! To justify the instructors’ actions of allowing a trainee to die is the same as justifying a father that allows his child to die in three feet of water. So don’t even waste your time

[@James-zp4ce]

You tell them, David!

[@nolanowens4780]

It’s navy seal training, this isn’t swim lessons.

[@SummaGirl1347]

They aren't children. They are elite warriors who choose to train for the Special Forces. They are well aware of the risks. And, unfortunately, they do die in training. As he, himself said: "I'd rather die than quit." Sadly, many do.

[@gijane880]

That’s terrible, glad they got caught not training correctly

[@Ufowavecollective]

sad story. why anyone would want to go fight a war of greed for oil, under the guise of patriotism, ill never know.

[@hunterblacklab2661]

We need oil to make our cars run. And a lot fight off terrorism

[@Ufowavecollective]

@@hunterblacklab2661 that's not true. We dont need oil for our cars. My alternative fact, is that 95.38% of cars do not need oil!! Wake up!!

[@hunterblacklab2661]

@@Ufowavecollective what first off cars aren't the only thing that needs oil and yes a lot of times oil is put in cars gas

[@Ufowavecollective]

@@hunterblacklab2661 that's unequivocally fake news. Cars dont need oil or gasoline to run. It's a deep state conspiracy, to keep us under control by the illuminati. All F1 teams and drivers know this. Wake up!!!

[@hunterblacklab2661]

@@Ufowavecollective what lmao how do they run then.

[@samgray49]

I feel bad for the family, but if he can't survive then he wouldn't be a seal, they simulate drowning, and if it was during life saving training then they will dunk them because a drowning victim will use you as a bouey

[@fruitylemonade3254]

Sam Gray in my opinion I believe he was being dunked but started panicking that’s a theory, but I’m not going to jump to conclusions. I give love and prayers for the family.

[@ch3zit420]

It’s seal training like is she that mad that he died becoming a seal

[@kirstinetermansen2213]

That's not accepted,

[@ddab-nw8wv]

this is my cousin Morgan's best friend

[@Get_Splooshed]

More like was your cousin Morgan’s best friend.

[@imposter-982]

@@Get_Splooshed f the USA

[@kevinpatrickcarey3741]

Morgan from the Class 234 discovery show?

[@imposter-982]

Lol fight terrorism and defend his country

[@nopainnogain8606]

The Co went to far. Dam what a loss!!!!! Everyone has a different breaking point. Their job is to make it hurt. Could have hit the invisible wall. Went to far guys!!!! The CO probably feels like shit as well. Don't forget about him!!! He may not be doing well either. They were training knowing when and if they graduate they would be putting their lives danger every mission.

[@dickfitswell3437]

He had a medical condition he didnt tell the Navy about. When I was in Marine Corps bootcamp we did the initial physical fitness test. 1.5mile run which the Marines never run less than 3 miles with the initial run being the exception. This was in Mar 99. Guy in my platoon crossed tbe finish line same time as me. Put his hands on his knees. Foamed at the mouth and collapsed. CPR didnt save him and they were right there when it happened. He died. Turns out he wasnt truthful in his physical screening. He had an enlarged heart. He was very fit. Running back in HS. He had never ran that far. It happens very often even with thoroughly screening. Sad part is they are not able to pay out SGLI life insurance in those instances. Ill never forget that day. Was probably March 6,7,8. Plus we hadnt been to sleep yet. They keep you awake for a few days. Part of the breaking you down phase. No other boot camp does that. Just the best. The Marines

[@juanaponte1339]

totally disagree

[@mikerodriguez3132]

Wait for it. Woke culture to kick in

[@dealwithit1277]

Again, unacceptable⚫️

[@dickfitswell3437]

Jumping to conclussions. Should have googled. Sounds like he had a medical condition or defect he didnt mention.

[@iwasgroomed]

happens

[@user-ze7pi4ob6m]

stop wasting the navys time bro

[@juanshaftpatel7488]

he woulda been a burden on a team

[@lie7935]

I mean he died and didnt quit

[@dontsubscribetome3262]

They could have just kicked him off the team

[@pauldrake4295]

Loser. Loser died 1 week after starting? Lol. No seal here. No loss here.

[@jun425]

paul Drake Shut the fuck up

[@graygoodwill1799]

*laughing as he makes a youtube comment from his mom's basement*