When troops enlist in the military, there is always a chance they will lose their lives while serving their country. However, one Marine recruit never made it out of boot camp.
Parris Island Death
According to Parris Island officials, 21-year-old Pvt. Anthony Munoz died on September 7, and the Marine Corps has not released any specifics about Munoz's death.
Munoz is reported to have fallen off of a balcony, the Beaufort County Coroner's Office. However, Coroner David Ott directed all questions to the military.
Naval Criminal Investigative Service spokesman Jeff Houston said that Munoz indeed died from a balcony fall. However, NCIS is now looking into the cause of Munoz's death.
Munoz had completed forming week, passing his administrative and strength tests. He also met with his drill instructors.
Not A Single Occurance
Munoz is not the first Marine Recruit to die during training. In June, 19-year-old Dalton Beals made it through the Crucible, a 54-hour training exercise at the very end of boot camp, only to die afterward.
At the end of the Crucible, Marine Recruits get an eagle, globe, and anchor pin after a 9-mile hike, hard tasks, and sleepless nights. The final test was created in 1996 by General Charles C. Krulak.
It symbolizes the transition from recruit to Marine. So far, the Marines are not going to be changing their training.
“Any loss of life at recruit training is tragic and our heartfelt condolences go out to the recruits’ family and friends. There are ongoing investigations into each death and it would be premature to speculate on the details of the investigations at this time.”
Capt. Sam Stephenson
On the day that Beas passed, two additional Marines were seen for heat injuries. Yet, so far, the military is not considering changing its training protocols even with natural disasters and heatwaves on the rise.
Had any medical issues prior? If Not looks like Homocide.
Perhaps the fall from the balcony had something to do with it .... ?
Indeed if he did fall accidentally but that's tbd by NCIS agents who usually are thorough.
The Marine Corp is not for wimps! These men and women are the front lines. They are the toughest of all the military branches. From a Navy Vet.
Thanks Loretta,
USMC '57-80
VN 62/63-66-68/69
The training should not change. They have to be made to be tough and go through tough times. My son n law was in Iraq and said many times in the hot 130+ desert heat they had to go 90+ hours without sleep in combat. These guys see the worst.
We join Loretta - "the Marine Corps is not for wimps!" It sounds like heat exhaustion.
This feels like a trash the Marine Corp article. We should have nothing but gratitude for all that they do and have done!
It appears that this issue hasn’t even been a completed investigation.
Cheap shot!
I wonder if it was murder , suicide or accidental and after the investigation I will comment more. The post first says Marine arrives at boot camp which means He was a Marine and false advertisement because All Marines are listed one only after graduating . It should have stated recruit arrives .
Thank you! We have edited the article accordingly.
I was a marine during 'Nam. It's my understanding that a recruit is not only not a Marine until after graduation, but is only marginally entitled to Veterans benefits.
You can do all the "he said, she said" BS and add in all the suppositions you want! The truth of the matter is the Naval Investigative team will get to the bottom of this incident.
Many years ago I had a cousin who was allergic to penicillin. He joined the Marines and was forced to take a penicillin shot. ....can't be definitely proven, but the family believed his leukemia was a result of a poor immune system. He died and never fulfilled his dream. We miss you, Bill.
Shows to go you an E-1 recruit may not yet be considered a Marine in the eyes of other Marines yet the truth is even an E-1 recruit is a sworn member of the U,S. military service and entitled to all the dignity and respect every other sworn service member is entitled to. Period!
I'M A FORMER MARINE AND I CAN TELL YOU WE HAD A COUPLE DEATHS IF NOT A FEW BECAUSE OF SELF INFLICTED ACCIDENTS BY THE RECRUIT. ONE HAPPENED WHEN WE WERE IN THE BUTTS AT THE RIFLE RANGE AND A RECRUIT WANTED TO PULL HIMSELF UP BETWEEN FIRING SETS AND LOOK UP RANGE WHEN HE TOOK A HIT AFTER THE ORDER WAS GIVEN TO FIRE. ANOTHER JUMPED OUT A WINDOW BECAUSE HE BROKE AND DICIDED HE WOULD QUIT PERMANTLY. AND HALF THE TRAINING TODAY HAS BEEN REMOVED SO I'M BETTING THAT THE DI'S HAVE TO CRAM IT ALL IN IN HALF THE TIME. JUST A THOUGHT. 9 MILES AIN'T SHIT COMPARED THE 22 MILES WITH 80 LBS AND RIFLE AND LITTLE WATER. THIS JOB ISN'T FOR THE WEAK. LIKE THE SIGN SAYS LOOKING FOR W FEW GOOD MEN. THEY MAKE MARINES NOT MEN
In 1966 we did not have balconies to fall off of. 18 man quonset huts at ground level. Not a marine until graduate from boot camp
Yeah Butch, where did that "Balcony" come from?
Jerry I beg to differ once a Marine always a Marine. I am proud of my 8 years service. Proud to be a “Woman Marine”.
When I was on active duty a female Marine was referred to as a BAM.
Both my boys are Combat Marines. They served in Afghanistan & elsewhere. “MAN UP” The Marines are for Men.
And for women. Proud to be a Marine. Cpl USMC