The Marine Corps has recognized the service member killed throughout a live-fire coaching occasion at Camp Pendleton, California, on Thursday.
Lance Cpl. Joseph D. Whaley, of Maury County, Tennessee, was roughly 4 weeks right into a 13-week reconnaissance course when he was killed final week throughout a nighttime train on the Marine Corps College of Infantry-West, based on a service assertion.
“The household and family members have our deepest condolences as we proceed to work with them throughout this troublesome time,” Maj. Joshua Pena, a spokesperson for Marine Corps Coaching Command, stated in an emailed assertion.
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The Fundamental Reconnaissance Course, or BRC, is an entry-level college that trains Marines in amphibious reconnaissance. In line with the Marine Corps’ web site, the course is three phases lengthy and consists of particular person reconnaissance abilities, workforce “open-ocean” amphibious coaching, and patrolling and communication.
Pena, the spokesperson, stated Friday that Whaley’s loss of life is beneath investigation and that the command is cooperating with the efforts. He didn’t say throughout which particular occasion the Marine’s loss of life occurred, solely that it occurred in the course of the evening live-fire portion.
“There isn’t a further data obtainable, pending the conclusion of the investigation,” Pena stated.
Whaley’s household was notified of the Marine’s loss of life on Friday. Whaley’s army occupational specialty on the time of his loss of life was 0300, infantry pupil.
Previous to Whaley’s arrival at BRC, he attended rifleman coaching on the College of Infantry’s jap course at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He attended recruit coaching at Parris Island, South Carolina. His awards embrace the Nationwide Protection Medal, which was awarded to service members in the course of the World Warfare on Terror till final 12 months.
Tributes for Whaley had been expressed over social media within the days following his loss of life.
“My deepest condolences are with the family and friends of Joseph Whaley,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., stated on Fb, “a Marine from Columbia, Tennessee, who tragically handed whereas on base.”
Gabe Howard, the commissioner for Whaley’s district in Tennessee, wrote on social media: “I’m saddened to listen to of the lack of one in every of our personal right here in our group. Joseph Whaley was not solely one in every of our personal however a Marine brother. I ask OUR group to elevate Lance Corporal Joseph Whaley and his household up in prayer tonight.”
— Drew F. Lawrence might be reached at drew.lawrence@army.com. Observe him on Twitter @df_lawrence.
Associated: Marine Killed Throughout Night time Infantry College Train at Camp Pendleton
