Journal Published Online: 01 January 1992
Volume 37, Issue 1

U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Recruit Training Deaths in San Diego, California, 1973–1985; A Review of 31 Cases

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

The deaths of military recruits associated with training activities nearly always fall under close scrutiny from relatives of the deceased recruit and the media. The literature contains isolated case reports of recruit deaths but no comprehensive reviews of all deaths at a single training facility. The purpose of this study is to describe the circumstances and causes of all recruit deaths occurring at the Naval Training Command and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California, from 1973 through 1985. Thirty-one male recruits died in training during this period; eight died from medical conditions not detected by preenlistment questioning or examination. In five of these cases, the conditions were probably known to the recruit but were not listed on a medical history form. Seven recruits died in incidents related to training, and there were six cases of “sudden cardiac death,” as well as eight deaths caused by infectious diseases.

Author Information

Wagner, SA
Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Clark, MA
Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Pages: 10
Price: $25.00
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Details
Stock #: JFS13226J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13226J