Knox DIs charged with abuse of recruits

[USMCRET6391]

Associated Press

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Four drill sergeants were charged Friday in the abuse of recruits who were allegedly slammed into lockers and pulled down a hallway by their ankles, the Army announced.

The Army said the recruits, who reported for duty Feb. 3, were also pushed, slapped and kicked. The abuse ended five days later, according to the Fort Knox public affairs office.

The drill sergeants were investigated after their battalion commander, Lt. Col. Chester Dymek, received reports of abuse from soldiers in an adjacent barracks. An investigation was conducted by the Army’s Criminal Investigative Command.

Sgt. 1st Class David H. Price, 36; Sgt. 1st Class Ricky L. Stauffer, 35; Staff Sgt. Michael G. Rhoades; 33, and Bryan G. Duncan, were each charged with maltreatment of soldiers and obstruction of justice. Price also faces an additional charges of violation of lawful regulation.

Price and Stauffer each have been drill sergeants for more than two years. Rhoades and Duncan have been in the position for more than months.

All were assigned to Company E, 1st Battalion, 81st Armor Regiment, which is part of Fort Knox’s 1st Armor Training Brigade.

Master Sgt. Jerry Merideth, a Fort Knox spokesman, said the four men were not immediately available for comment. Merideth said he did not know if the men had attorneys.

No court date has been scheduled.

[Amy23Army]

damn!

[MACTANK]

The Army has really been hell on Drills for Trainee abuse since the mid 80's and has gotten tougher and tougher so they even have to watch what they say to them these days. The days of the "Shit Bird" are gone. If Drill Sergeant Smith from my days in Basic were drilling today, he'd be in the Stockade in a week.

That being said, I think that Trainees are being catered to these days IMHO.
But.......
If the charges listed above are true, then that is a case of Drill Sergeants being out of control, and they should be charged. There is definately no fine line in this case.

[Turtledrive]

I don't think that the army should cave in a be more sensitive to the trainee's feelings but I also agree that such abuse as listed here is excessive.

[Ram0528]

It's a shame this has happened....I can only imagine it will be used as propoganda by those goups that are trying to talk kids out of joining the military

[Turtledrive]

Ram I think your right about the propoganda. Capster have you ever seen how the ROK soldiers are treated? They are abused but they are very disciplined. I still don't like it happening.

[333MP]

When I went through training I never saw a reason for a soldier to be abused, I just don't think there is a need for it. These DS knew that they were not allowed to touch soldiers ecept in certain situations.

Originally Posted by USMCRET6391

Associated Press

FORT KNOX, Ky. — Four drill sergeants were charged Friday in the abuse of recruits who were allegedly slammed into lockers and pulled down a hallway by their ankles, the Army announced.

The Army said the recruits, who reported for duty Feb. 3, were also pushed, slapped and kicked. The abuse ended five days later, according to the Fort Knox public affairs office.

The drill sergeants were investigated after their battalion commander, Lt. Col. Chester Dymek, received reports of abuse from soldiers in an adjacent barracks. An investigation was conducted by the Army’s Criminal Investigative Command.

Sgt. 1st Class David H. Price, 36; Sgt. 1st Class Ricky L. Stauffer, 35; Staff Sgt. Michael G. Rhoades; 33, and Bryan G. Duncan, were each charged with maltreatment of soldiers and obstruction of justice. Price also faces an additional charges of violation of lawful regulation.

Price and Stauffer each have been drill sergeants for more than two years. Rhoades and Duncan have been in the position for more than months.

All were assigned to Company E, 1st Battalion, 81st Armor Regiment, which is part of Fort Knox’s 1st Armor Training Brigade.

Master Sgt. Jerry Merideth, a Fort Knox spokesman, said the four men were not immediately available for comment. Merideth said he did not know if the men had attorneys.

No court date has been scheduled.

It's really nothing new... its been happening for years.