A House Democrat is asking the leaders of the House Armed Services Committee to hold a hearing on recent reports of hazing at Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot.
Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., wrote to Chairman Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, and the top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., to ask for a hearing in either the full committee or the military personnel subcommittee.
“Recent and disturbing media reports have shown, once again, that hazing is a much larger and more pervasive problem than some have been willing to admit,” Speier said. “That is unacceptable given the potentially deadly consequences of hazing. For those brave enough to put their lives on the line in service to our country, the very least we can do is ensure that they do not face attacks from within their own ranks.”
The Washington Post reported last month on several incidents of hazing at the Marine Corps boot camp after a Muslim Marine recruit committed suicide after being hazed by his drill instructor.
In another incident, a Muslim Marine was reportedly called a terrorist and repeatedly ordered to go into an industrial-sized clothes dryer multiple times, which a drill instructor then turned on.
Twenty staff members at Parris Island could face criminal charges or administrative discipline as a result of the multiple investigations, the report said.
